Prison Place

Avenal State Prison - Mission Statement

The primary mission of Avenal State Prison is to provide for the control, care and treatment of those inmates committed to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation by the courts.  Avenal State Prison is designated as a low-medium security institution to provide housing for general population inmates.

Institution Details

The institution is comprised of six separate, semi-autonomous facilities, which consist of a combined total of 17 open dorm buildings, six 200-bed open dorm E-bed buildings, six converted gymnasiums, a 100-cell administrative segregation unit, and a 10-bed firehouse.  Avenal also houses mobility impaired inmates on two facilities that have been modified to meet ADA Standards.

Institution Statistics

Avenal State Prison opened in January 1987, and covers  640 acres.  As of Fiscal Year 2006/2007, the following statistics apply:

Special Historical Notes

Avenal prison was the first institution solicited by a local community.  When it opened in 1987, it was the first all-new prison built in California in 20 years and was originally known as Kings County State Prison.  On February 22, 1988, it was officially named Avenal State Prison.
 

• PIA:  General fabrication (office panel system), poultry processing, egg production, regional institutional laundry, warehouse (shipping and receiving), wood product factory and maintenance.

• Vocational:  Auto body and fender, auto mechanics, carpentry, electronics, graphic arts and printing, landscaping, machine shop, mill and cabinet, office services and related technology, plumbing, refrigeration, small engine repair, welding, electrical works, painting and janitorial.

• Academic: Adult Basic Education, High School/GED, Pre-Release, English Language Development, Literacy Program, CALM (Conflict Anger Lifelong Management), IYOP (Inmate Youth Offender Program), Computer Assistant Instruction and College Programs available.

• Other: Youth Diversion, Religious, Braille Program, Substance Abuse Program, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Criminal Gangmembers Anonymous (CGA) and Disabled Placement Program.

Saturdays and Sundays from 8:05 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Avenal State Prison currently allows visiting on the holidays as designated by Title 15:  New Year's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.  For additional information concerning visiting at Avenal State Prison, please contact the visiting processing center at (559) 386-0587, ext. 5400.

Directions:

From Northern California:

Take I-5 South to either the Lassen Avenue (269) or the Kettleman City exit

At Lassen Avenue (269) exit:

• follow the road signs over the foothills into the town of Avenal

• stay on Skyline Blvd. through Avenal and turn left onto Hwy 33

At Kettleman City exit:

• Take Hwy 41 south to Hwy 33; turn right

 

From Southern California:

Take I-5 north to either the Lassen Avenue (269) or the Kettleman City exit

At Lassen Avenue (269) exit:

• follow the road signs over the foothills into the town of Avenal

• stay on Skyline Blvd. through Avenal and turn left onto Hwy 33

At Kettleman City exit:

• Take Hwy 41 south to Hwy 33; turn right