Guide Note

Corcoran (COR) is a California State Prison located in Kings County. It is often referred to as Corcoran State Prison.

The prison is home to some notorious criminals including Charles Manson and Sirhan Sirhan.

Fast Facts

1. Capacity: technically 3,116, but is often overcrowded, in 2007 it housed 5,685 prisoners
2. Custody Staff: 1,119
3. Total staff: 1,703
4. Annual Budget: 2003 $115 million
5. Opened in 1988
6. Location: 4001 King Avenue, Corcoran, California
7. Security levels range from level I to maximum security
8. Has it's own hospital
9. Job skills program

In the late 1990s a CBS expose report uncovered a variety of alleged shootings at the prison. The California Department of Corrections conducted its own investigation and found the accusations unfounded. In 2002 and 2005 Corcoran was again the focus of MSNBC investigative reports.

In 2000 eight prison guards were acquitted of setting up gladiator style fights between inmates. The incident allegedly happened in 1994.