California Rehabilitation Center to shut down in Riverside County

(FOX40.COM) — The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced plans to close the California Rehabilitation Center in Riverside County by Fall 2026.
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According to CDCR, this is a response to projections of lower prison populations in future years and providing for needed cost savings.

“CDCR is committed to managing its resources responsibly to enhance public safety and
best

serve the people of California,” officials said.

California’s 2025-26 budget included a plan to close a prison, one of many difficult steps needed to manage the state’s finances, CDCR said. The full shutdown of CRC is expected to save the state about $150 million annually from the general fund.

CDCR stated the state will provide the support they need to the affected communities and workforce with an economic resilience plan.

“CDCR is taking every effort to mitigate the impact on staff, volunteers, and the
population throughout the deactivation process,” said the CDCR spokesperson.

When it comes to the declining prison population, the adult prison population has shown a steady decline in recent years, according to authorities. This has allowed CDCR to eliminate its reliance on in-state and out-of-state contract prison capacity and the lease of the California City Correctional Facility.

The CDCR incarcerated population is at its lowest point since the late 1980s, CDCR officials said. The current population is around 91,000,

Click here to learn more about CDCR reduction and closures.