Folsom State Prison (FSP)

Folsom State Prison - Mission Statement

California's second oldest prison, Folsom primarily houses medium security Level II and III inmates. Inside its walled security perimeter encompasses four general population cell blocks and an Administrative Segregation Unit.  This portion of the prison includes one of the state's best-known prison industries, the license plate factory. Folsom Prison also operates a minimum-security unit and a transitional treatment facility.

Institution Statistics

Folsom State Prison was opened in 1880, and covers 40 acres.  As of Fiscal Year 2006/2007, the following statistics apply:

Special Historical Notes

The California Legislature authorized the construction of Folsom State Prison in 1858. Twenty years later, in 1878, construction began on one of the nations first maximum-security prisons. On July 26, 1880, Folsom received its first 44 inmates. The inmates were transferred by boat from San Quentin State Prison to Sacramento and then by train from Sacramento to the prison.

Folsom State Prison's location was selected due to an unlimited amount of native granite stone for building the prison.  Also, the American River offered ample water and formed a natural boundary.  Inmate laborers built the first dam and canal on the American River, which led to the first hydroelectric power generation for the Sacramento area.

Originally designed to hold inmates serving long sentences, habitual criminals, and incorrigibles, Folsom State Prison quickly gained the reputation of being the end of the line.  Prior to the completion of the granite wall in the 1920's, the prison witnessed numerous escape attempts; the first one occurring shortly after the first inmates arrived in 1880. Throughout Folsom's violent and bloody history, numerous riots and escape attempts have resulted in both inmate and staff deaths.

The Folsom Museum is located near the entrance of Folsom Prison. Run solely through the support of volunteers, the museum contains an abundance of documents and artifacts from throughout Folsom's long and colorful history.

Inmate Programs

Visiting Hours and Directions

Visitor Processing begins 1/2 hour prior to each day's visiting start time and ends 1 hour prior to each day's visiting closing time.  For information regarding Administrative Segregation Appointments or lock-down information, please call Folsom State Prison's main telephone number at (916) 985-2561 and follow the prompts for visiting information.

General Directions:

From Sacramento:

• Take Hwy 50 east to Folsom Blvd exit; turn left on Folsom Blvd
• Continue 2.7 miles past three traffic lights until you see Natoma Street
• Turn right on Natoma Street
• Follow Natoma Street for approximately 1.5 miles through numerous stop signs and traffic lights (note: watch for the Police Station on your left)
• Pass the Police Station and make a left turn at the next light.  There will be a "Folsom State Prison" sign
• Follow the Prison Road until you reach the parking lots on your left
  CAUTION:  There is a RIGHT turn on Prison Road at the flag pole. DO NOT turn right unless you intend to go to CSP-Sacramento
• Park your vehicle in the far left parking lot.  If you have a Handicap License Plate or Placard, there is designated Handicap parking available in the right parking lot
• The Visitor Processing is the building next to the parking lot.  Please report here for visitor processing

Folsom State Prison is located 25 miles east of Sacramento, and approximately 100 miles northeast of San Francisco.  For additional information, visit this link  to customize your driving directions.