Back to Inside CDCR

CDCR Time Capsule

Photo Timeline: CSP‑Corcoran activated in 1988

A sign for Corcoran Prison features drawings of a prison tower and buildings.
California State Prison, Corcoran

During the 1980s and ’90s, California expanded the prison system with California State Prison-Corcoran falling into this category, activating in 1988.

The original 12 prisons were supplemented with new facilities ranging from Pelican Bay State Prison in Crescent City to R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego.

Corcoran marks over three decades of public safety

Today, CDCR operates 35 adult institutions. One of those newer facilities is California State Prison, Corcoran. The men’s facility was activated in 1988 after two years of planning and another two years of construction.

1980s: From drawing board to activation

“Thirty-six minimum-security men inmates were bused to the new Corcoran State Prison which will have 2,900 inmates ranging from minimum to maximum security when it reaches capacity,” reported the Associated Press, Feb. 23, 1988.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Superintendent Bernie Aispuro said at the time, regarding the arrival of the first inmates.

Men line up with shovels.
The department’s official newsletter, Correctionews, published a photo of the Sept. 16, 1986, groundbreaking ceremony. From left are Youth and Adult Correctional Agency Secretary N.A. Chaderjian, Undersecretary Rod Blonien, Director Daniel J. McCarthy, Project Manager Bernie Aispuro, Assemblyman Jim Costa and local officials. More than 200 people turned out to show their support.
Shovels stick up from a dirt lot while a photographer waits for the event to begin.
More than 200 attended the groundbreaking ceremonies for CSP-Corcoran in 1986.
Heavy equipment operates on a work site constructing a new prison in Corcoran.
CSP-Corcoran under construction, 1987.
A construction worker hammers markers into the group in Corcoran.
1987: CSP-Corcoran under construction.
Heavy equipment operates on a work site constructing a new prison in Corcoran.
CSP-Corcoran under construction, 1987.

2000-2020

John D. Klarick Memorial Hospital at Corcoran prison.
CSP-Corcoran’s hospital, 2014. (CDCR file photo.)
Solar panels sit on a dirt field at Corcoran prison.
Solar power at CSP-Corcoran, 2014.
Dentist works on an inmate while dental assistant helps.
Dental offices at CSP-Corcoran, circa 2014. CDCR file photo.
Tables with seats attached fill a room in a prison.
The CSP-Corcoran dining hall, 2014. (CDCR file photo.)
Gates, a fence and razor wire at Corcoran prison.
Vehicle sally port, CSP-Corcoran.
Classroom with prison inmates sitting in desks and teacher helping them.
Classrooms, such as this one at CSP-Corcoran, are one of many places inmates are able to improve their chances of success when reintegrating back into the community.
Lectern and stage with men and women making speeches.
Corcoran Mayor Raymond Lerma speaks during a ceremony honoring the prison’s 30th anniversary in 2018.

Learn more about CSP-Corcoran

By Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR
Office of Public and Employee Communications

Follow CDCR on YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.

Learn more about California prison history.

Explore CDCR history

Alva Johnson, 16339, and San Quentin circa 1895.

Trains and Treasure: Dig into 1894 case of Alva Johnson

When Inside CDCR received a question regarding the identity of a man from the 1890s, we found the story of…

Ah Sing, 15804, at San Quentin in late 1890s.

Explore photos, stories of two men from 1890s

A request from longtime San Quentin Museum volunteer Jeff Craemer had us digging into the stories of two men from…

Classroom in Folsom State Prison in the 1920s.

Look back at Folsom Prison teacher Burton Wilcox

Burton Wilcox began his career with Folsom State Prison as a guard in the 1930s, before becoming a teacher. For…

The chapel and school room at San Quentin in 1910 along with a photo of WH Lloyd, chaplain at the prison.

Chaplain Lloyd educated public on rehabilitation

In 1905, WH Lloyd was tapped to replace an ailing minister at a church in Folsom and act as chaplain…

Two 1910 mugshots of Ah Sun, 24410, and his grave marker at San Quentin. Ah Sun died in the prison hospital in 1915.

Go behind SQ grave marker of Ah Sun

A photo of a grave marker in a local newsletter led San Quentin (SQ) Museum volunteer Jeff Craemer to ask…

Explore CDCR History

Previous Post Garden fosters rehabilitation at SVSP
Next Post CMF awards five scholarships in Al Patch’s memory