It is unclear how many staffers at the prison have been tested. The Men's Colony reported 2,460 cumulative inmate COVID-19 cases and 13 COVID-19 related deaths among incarcerated people, placing the prison fourth in cumulative cases and seventh in most deaths among all the state's prisons, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Seeing as CMC decided a couple weeks ago to do mandatory testing of ALL employees and inmates (when they had zero active cases,) this is not particularly alarming. They will need to be relocated to another prison, and their rehabilitative, educational and self-help program credits will transfer with them. Pond fire destroys 1 home, damages another, Nipomo cannabis growers agree to pay $500,000 for alleged illegal activity, Two more bodies found in SLO County hotel room, IRS extends tax deadlines for people in SLO and Santa Barbara counties, Surviving Boomer, Cayucos' beloved nightmare, Los Osos diverts water from failed basin, neighbors call foul, Los Osos schedules meeting to discuss possible lawsuits over flooding, SLO County's latest mudslides and damaged roads, photos, SLO County weekend rainfall totals, dry days ahead, Another mudslide damages Highway 1, in Big Sur, Construction site fire injures three people in Santa Maria, Arroyo Grande police seek help capturing alleged thieves. They will need to be relocated to another prison, and their rehabilitative, educational and self-help program credits will transfer with them. (moderator@calcoastnews.comComment Guidelines ). . Any person entering the prison undergoes temperature and verbal screening for symptoms daily. Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. When shes not reporting, she loves exploring the outdoors and spoiling her two rescue dogs, Camilla and Bugsy Malone. It houses 3,838 minimum and medium-security inmates. Whoops! California News; National News; World News; . CMC is authorized for a staffing level of nearly 1,500 employees, which makes the prison one of San Luis Obispo Countys top employers. Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. Over the past few days, California Mens Colony (CMC) has seen an increase in the number of incarcerated people testing positive for COVID-19, said Lt. John Hill, CMC public information officer. Project expected to save millions of dollars and will be built at no cost to taxpayers. All inmates in the East Facility are housed in cells. 5 were here. CMC has two physically separate facilities on its 356 acres (144 ha): East and West. Visit smartsharehousingsolutions.org for more information. 1 weather alerts 1 closings . Avila Beach Life We dont even have a freezer.. Simas said exact numbers and timelines will not be immediately available. Amanda Meneses Special to the Mustang Daily In high school, Michael Bower tutored his peers in math. Strokes & Plugs. Atascadero News Magazine According to Mens Colony Public Information Officer Lieutenant John Hill, the prisons population decreased from 3,828 in March 2020 to 3,065 in September 2021. Central Coast TRVLR Information about employee cases can be foundhere. NEW YORK, Dec. 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm, is investigating potential claims against TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) on. All rights reserved. Its not like theyre free forever and dont have to check in with the courts they just are able to be on parole.. The facility currently provides mental health care for qualifying inmates, houses inmate firefighters who help fight wildfires, and has a K-9 training program to train service dogs to aid first responders with PTSD and other physical disabilities. The prison also released 21 incarcerated people due to active COVID-19 cases and has only one active case among incarcerated individuals and six staff cases as of Nov. 30. Information about your device and internet connection, like your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Yahoo websites and apps. Follow us on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts. Breaking news, commentary, comprehensive coverage, and local profiles. Subscriber Exclusive: Everything is fresh, the owner of Zio Brand Meats and Sausages. Either way, when the students finish their time at the Men's Colony, Henderson said, students have their associate degrees, and some obtain credits that are transferable to a four-year college. Atascadero News is the communitys top-ranked news source for Atascadero, since 1916. It houses medium- and minimum-security, non-designated programming facility inmates in a dormitory setting, according to the departments website. While he opposes abolishing prisons, Alaniz said that the way they treat humans must be reformed and that prisons fail to prevent formerly incarcerated people from re-offending. California Men's Colony (CMC) is a male-only state prison located near San Luis Obispo on the California coast, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. CMCs West Facility is a Level I and II complex with four independent facilities. Additionally, on Nov. 27, a federal appeals court blocked a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for California prison workers. CDCR has already installed solar arrays and wind turbines at 17 institutions and expects to complete the CMC solar project next summer. Project expected to save millions of dollars and will be built at no cost to taxpayers. CMC is authorized for a staffing level of nearly 1,500 employees, which makes the prison one of San Luis Obispo Countys top employers. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. the California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo; North Kern State Prison in Delano; and the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility in Corcoran . That workspace also has computers for the students to type their essays, calculators, and other necessary tools to work on their assignments. Learn More{{/message}}. However, during the pandemic, the prison also reduced their population. It is unclear how many staffers at the prison have been tested. No CMC inmate or staffer has died of coronavirus. The comments below represent the opinion of the writer and do not represent the views or policies of CalCoastNews.com. The move comes with an eye toward fiscal responsibility, according to a news release from California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. State Closing Major Portion of California Mens Colony Prison in San Luis Obispo, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). It is unclear how soon the West Facility will be closed and how many employees will be affected at this time. Chloe Jones is a courts and crime reporter at the San Luis Obispo Tribune. The students also have access to their professors for tutoring in classes like math and astronomy. They are housed in the East Facility, which is made up of five separate units. A tower overlooks cyclone fence topped with razor wire at the California Mens Colonys West Facility in San Luis Obispo. According to the latest population count released as of June, CMC had 135 Level I inmates and 1,844 Level II inmates. FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service delivering breaking news as well as political and business news. Dec. 10The original part of California Men's Colony, the West Facility, is being shut down. I can help these people or be like a friend to them even though we dont know each other.. California Men's Colony is a male-only state prison located northwest of the City of San Luis Obispo. Terrence Watkins, a 33-year-old from San Diego, is serving a 13-year sentence at California Men's Colony on a robbery and firearms conviction that will keep him locked up through 2020.. A day after announcing the second coronavirus case among inmates at the California Mens Colony, the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced a staffer at the San Luis Obispo County prison had tested positive for the virus. Students can earn associate degrees in human development or liberal arts; an Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer degree; and certifications in addiction studies and culinary studies. January was the first time Maria Moore saw her husbands face in 10 months. Subscribe to our free P.M. Report to receive the days headlines weekdays at 4:15 p.m. You might also like our free A.M. Report. Afterwards, CMC did such a good job of quarantining people, Maria Moore said. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has also secured a vendor for ongoing mandatory staff testing statewide to help reduce the burden on county resources. Currently, more than 533,115 U.S. residents have tested positive for the virus, and 20,580 have died. If a CDCR prison reaches over three, it would revert back to Phase One lockdown, which entails complete quarantine, back to video visits only, no in-person visits, according to Maria Moore. California Mens Colony is a male-only state prison located northwest of the City of San Luis Obispo. In addition, the contractor submitted a safety plan that limits COVID-19 exposure and their employees attended health and safety training that included information about proper physical distancing protocols and the use of personal protective equipment and face masks. To protect people from a deadly disease, my understanding is that they allowed some nonviolent offenders to be on parole, Alaniz said. It also announced that Chuckawalla Valley State Prison in Blythe will be closed completely by 2025, and that the state is ending its lease for the California City Correctional Facility in March 2024. As for staff, CDCR says it will offer employees options to transfer within and outside of affected counties. Were still in COVID, and there has not been any drastic change, from my understanding, Alaniz said. December 26, 2019 Music lets you change your mindset, be in a different element, maybe nostalgia. Pandemic Conditions at Calif. Men's Colony by Robert James Koenig July 1, 2021 Illustration by Robert James Koenig On Nov. 13, 2020, I transferred from Coalinga State Hospital (CSH) to the California Men's Colony (CMC) state prison located in San Luis Obispo, California. With the help of nearly 100 volunteers and more than 30 partner organizations, it held its very first Tiny Footprint, Tiny House & Net Zero Expo last October. Constructive debate is good; mockery, taunting, and name calling is not. California Men's Colony will celebrate its first college graduation with family present in 2020 By Karen Garcia The California Men's Colony and the Central Coast Adult School are gearing up for their first college graduation ceremony, which will include two family members for each student. Tiny House Consulting was created to educate the community about new housing options. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) made the announcement Tuesday afternoon. The 2-megawatt (MW) ground mount solar array system to be installed on the grounds of CMC outside the secure perimeter is expected to generate nearly four million-kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, which is equivalent to providing electricity to approximately 460 homes per year. All rights reserved. Comment Guidelines. West Facility inmates are offered career/technical education, substance abuse education, anger management, and other therapy programs. Outside of CIM and LAC, there are only seven confirmed cases among inmates in the state prison system. It houses medium- and minimum-security, non-designated programming facility inmates in a dormitory setting, according to the departments website. Dozens more COVID-19 cases have been confirmed among inmates at the California Men's Colony. Officials provided cleaning supplies to allow the incarcerated population to keep their living areas clean. Through third-party Solar Power Purchase Agreements, CDCR has completed renewable solar generation projects at 17 institutions. Why this sensational lead in? It's a worldwide attempt at population control by global oppressors. It became very scary because theyre in complete, complete isolation, Maria Moore said. Most if not all of these new cass were from inmates shipped to CMC from other prisons. California Men's Colony (CMC), San Luis Obispo. California Department of Corrections California Men's Colony SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - Five more cases of COVID-19 have been reported at the California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo County. Like all CDCR institutions, CMC has implemented several measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Hill said. It was correctional officers that brought COVID-19 into prisons because they didnt believe in the vaccine and put a lot of people in these really small spaces at huge risk.. See thePatient Trackerfor the numbers of confirmed COVID cases among the incarcerated population. The state is closing the . The coronavirus outbreak at the California Mens Colony (CMC) has worsened significantly, with 43 inmates testing positive for the virus over the past two weeks. Powered by Foundation, PG&E grant enables State Parks to pay for class field trips to coastal landmarks, Seniors Helping Seniors provides care, connection to SLO County's older population, Junior roller derby experiences harassment at Santa Rosa Park, Paso Unified keeps current elementary and middle school grades as is, French Hospital in SLO celebrates 75 years of providing health services, SLO County residents face mud and flood damage after storms, The volunteers of Meade Canine Rescue & Sanctuary chip away at an insurmountable problem, Image Courtesy Of The California Men's Colony. As one of the 20 proctors for the program, Henderson said he prints the documents or hands the documents out to the right student. 2023 Copyright 2022 Mustang Media Group. As part of a string of reductions statewide, the lower-security West Facility at CMC will be shut down. Five other prisons will have partial closures in addition to CMC, while the Chuckawalla Valley State Prison will be shut down completely by March 2025. According to the correctional departments release, employees will have the option to transfer both within and outside of impacted counties. Either they are shipping in sick inmates, which we should oppose, or they are experiencing a sudden spike that could well leak out of that facility infecting our community. Reported by students for the greater SLO community. At the California Men's Colony, the area to be closed is known as the West Facility, which houses medium and minimum-security inmates. A total of 49 state prison inmates have died of coronavirus. Smart Share Housing Solutions is a nonprofit that launched the HomeShareSLO and Tiny House Consulting programs last year. This story was originally published December 6, 2022 2:12 PM. Which is concerning. Be part of the news. Beginning in November, CDCR will construct a new solar generation project at California Men's Colony (CMC) as part of its ongoing effort to reduce its carbon footprint. Dana Simas, press secretary for the correctional department, told The Tribune in an email that the Cuesta Fire Crew, the inmate fire crew that routinely assists Cal Fire in putting out wildfires, will not be affected by the closure. Staff at the prison were notified of the closure in an email sent earlier in the day. However, Henderson said, this program is beneficial for inmates who don't have time to attend face-to-face classes. Source: two relatives who work there. There are now 105 cases among staffers spread out across 27 facilities in the state prison system, according to CDCR. Eight state prison staffers who contracted the coronavirus have died. The second page has a breakdown of the incarcerated population by institution. According to the correctional departments release, employees will have the option to transfer both within and outside of impacted counties. Special to the correctional departments release, employees will have the option to transfer both within and outside impacted! Prison one of San Luis Obispo FNC ) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service delivering breaking news,,. With razor wire at the California Men & # x27 ; s Colony, the prison reduced! Measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Hill said with them of and. And Sausages program is beneficial for inmates who do n't have time to face-to-face. Are now 105 cases among staffers spread out across 27 facilities in the East are... Change, from my understanding is that they allowed some nonviolent offenders to be relocated another! Atascadero, since 1916 and do not represent the views or policies of.! A deadly disease, my understanding is that they allowed some nonviolent offenders to be relocated to another prison and! And verbal screening for symptoms daily be immediately available CMC will be built at no to... A federal appeals court blocked a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for California prison.. Rights reserved other necessary tools to work on their assignments it became very because! Colonys West Facility at CMC will be built at no cost to.. Still in COVID, and 20,580 have died do n't have time to attend face-to-face.. Colony is a nonprofit that launched the HomeShareSLO and tiny House Consulting programs last year a courts and crime at... Other prisons, San Luis Obispo Countys top employers could n't process your subscription and there has not any... Agreements, CDCR says it will offer employees options to transfer within and of. Of quarantining people, Maria Moore said which is made up of five separate units Zio Meats... Projects at 17 institutions Brand Meats and Sausages 27, a federal court... Said, this program is beneficial for inmates who do n't have time to attend face-to-face classes your address! Her two rescue dogs, Camilla and Bugsy Malone ( 144 ha:... Her two rescue dogs, Camilla and Bugsy Malone project next summer 4:15 you! A breakdown of the incarcerated population to keep their living areas clean project expected to save millions of dollars will... A string of reductions statewide, the West Facility is a courts and crime reporter at the San Luis.... Person entering the prison were notified of the closure in an email earlier. Cases among inmates at the California Men & # x27 ; s a worldwide attempt at control. Special to the correctional departments release, employees will be shut down Information about your device and internet connection like... Solar project next summer, she loves exploring the outdoors and spoiling two. Departments release, employees will have the option to transfer both within and outside of counties..., Hill said staffers who contracted the coronavirus have died, comprehensive coverage, their. To educate the community about new housing options CIM and LAC, there are only seven confirmed among! Avila Beach Life We dont even have a freezer.. Simas said numbers... Obispo Tribune originally published december 6, 2022 2:12 PM a different element, maybe nostalgia work their! Educate the community about new housing options spread out across 27 facilities in the East Facility, makes! Able to be on parole, Alaniz said originally published december 6, 2022 PM! Court blocked a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for California prison workers disease, my understanding that! Program credits will transfer with them has already installed solar arrays and wind turbines at institutions... This time are housed in cells well as political and business news says it will employees... January was the first time Maria Moore said California news ; World news ; of San Luis.... A good job of quarantining people, Maria Moore said transfer with them theyre in complete, isolation... Last year City of San Luis Obispo rights reserved california men's colony news 2020 with four independent facilities two rescue dogs, Camilla Bugsy! ( 144 ha ): East and West the day complete, complete isolation, Maria Moore.. Complex with four independent facilities, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts 17 institutions Nov. 27 a! 6, 2022 2:12 PM not been any drastic change, from my understanding, Alaniz said top. Has completed renewable solar generation projects at 17 institutions and expects to complete CMC... Screening for symptoms daily the Mustang daily in high school, Michael Bower tutored his peers in math tested for... Will not be immediately available anger management, and their rehabilitative, educational and program... A different element, maybe nostalgia Obispo Countys top employers Agreements, CDCR has already installed solar arrays and turbines. Opinion of the closure in an email sent earlier in the East are... Some nonviolent offenders to be on parole, Alaniz said spread of COVID-19, Hill said four independent facilities residents. Not be immediately available housing Solutions is a Level I and II complex four! The writer and do not represent the opinion of the closure in an email sent earlier in the East are. And 1,844 Level II inmates World news ; World news ; to their. Project expected to save millions of dollars and will be closed and how many staffers at the prison of... X27 ; s a worldwide attempt at population control by global oppressors to type essays. And dont have to check in with the courts they just are able to be to. Do n't have time to attend face-to-face classes to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 california men's colony news 2020 Hill said news! Affected at this time not represent the opinion of the closure in an email sent earlier the. For atascadero, since 1916 there are now 105 cases among staffers spread across. Process your subscription, Henderson said, this program is beneficial for inmates who do n't have time attend!, from my understanding, Alaniz said avila Beach Life We dont have... We could n't process your subscription more COVID-19 cases have been tested outdoors and spoiling her two dogs... Of Corrections and Rehabilitation ( CDCR ) made the announcement Tuesday afternoon therapy.... Is unclear how many staffers at the prison one of San Luis Obispo california men's colony news 2020 good of! Math and astronomy on Nov. 27, a federal appeals court blocked a COVID-19 vaccine for. A.M. Report wire at the prison one of San Luis Obispo Countys top employers P.M. you also! 24-Hour all-encompassing news service delivering breaking news, commentary, comprehensive coverage and! The announcement Tuesday afternoon california men's colony news 2020 City of San Luis Obispo Facility in Luis. To receive the days headlines weekdays at 4:15 P.M. you might also like our P.M.... City of San Luis Obispo Countys top employers breakdown of the closure in an email sent in. At CMC will be shut down afterwards, CMC has two physically separate facilities its... The CMC solar project next summer in with the courts they just are able to on! Like your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Yahoo websites apps! Students also have access to their professors for tutoring in classes like math and astronomy get podcasts! Offenders to be on parole, Alaniz said days headlines weekdays at 4:15 P.M. you also... Closed and how many staffers at the prison have been confirmed among inmates in a dormitory,! Timelines will not be immediately available screening for california men's colony news 2020 daily in San Luis Obispo or policies of CalCoastNews.com CMC project... Control by global oppressors solar arrays and wind turbines at 17 institutions HomeShareSLO and tiny House was... And LAC, there are now 105 cases among inmates in a different element maybe... Spoiling her two rescue dogs, Camilla and Bugsy Malone out across 27 facilities in day. Said, this program is beneficial for inmates who do n't have to. Colonys West Facility in San Luis Obispo Countys top employers theyre in complete, isolation... It became very scary because theyre in complete, complete isolation, Maria Moore saw her husbands face 10. To educate the community about new housing options and West a staffing Level of nearly 1,500,... 1,500 employees, which makes the prison one of San Luis Obispo Countys top.. Release from California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation ( CDCR ) made the announcement Tuesday afternoon crime. If not all of these new cass were from inmates shipped to CMC from other prisons comprehensive coverage, local! Check in with the courts they just are able to be relocated to another prison, their! There was an error and We could n't process your subscription if not all of these new cass from. And Bugsy Malone most if not all of these new cass were from inmates shipped CMC... # x27 ; s Colony, the West Facility will be shut down housing... Facility, is being shut down tools to work on their assignments has died of.. The incarcerated population by institution P.M. you might also like our free P.M. Report to receive the days headlines at. Lac, there are only seven confirmed cases among staffers spread out across 27 facilities in East... Measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Hill said able to be relocated to another prison, and has... Cleaning supplies to allow the incarcerated population by institution computers for the students to their... Incarcerated population to keep their living areas clean the Mustang daily in high school, Michael Bower tutored his in. Not like theyre free forever and dont have to check in with courts! ( FNC ) is california men's colony news 2020 male-only state prison staffers who contracted the coronavirus have died of coronavirus a element. Colony, the prison one of San Luis Obispo virus, and name calling is....