CDCR - California Correctional Institution (CCI)
State Prison | California County — California
California Correctional Institution, commonly known as CCI, is a medium-security correctional facility located at 24900 Highway 202 in Tehachapi, California County, California. The institution operates under the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and houses adult male inmates serving various sentence lengths. CCI sits in the high desert region of Kern County, positioned along the Tehachapi mountain range where several other state correctional facilities are also located.
Families seeking information about inmates at CCI can search arrest records and booking information through the CDCR inmate locator system. The facility provides multiple ways for families to stay connected, including approved visitation schedules, phone services, and mail correspondence. Money can be sent to inmates through approved vendors to support commissary purchases and other approved expenses during incarceration.
California Correctional Institution is part of the Tehachapi correctional complex, which includes multiple state prisons clustered in the Tehachapi Valley area. This concentration of facilities makes Tehachapi one of California's most significant correctional hubs. CCI's medium-security designation allows it to house inmates who require more supervision than minimum-security facilities but do not present the highest security risks. The institution's location in the high desert provides a distinct environment characterized by hot summers and cold winters, significantly different from California's coastal regions where many inmates originate.
As a medium-security institution, California Correctional Institution houses male inmates convicted of various felony offenses who have been classified as requiring moderate supervision. The population includes inmates serving determinate and indeterminate sentences for crimes ranging from property offenses to violent crimes, though those requiring maximum security are housed elsewhere. The facility does not typically house pre-trial detainees, as county jails handle that population. CCI may house inmates in different custody levels within its medium-security framework, with housing assignments based on behavior, program participation, and individual case factors. The classification process determines appropriate placement considering disciplinary history, sentence length, and rehabilitation needs.
California Correctional Institution utilizes various housing configurations typical of medium-security facilities, including multi-person cells and dormitory-style housing units. Inmates receive three meals daily prepared according to nutritional standards established by CDCR, with accommodations made for medical diets and religious dietary restrictions. Recreation opportunities include outdoor yards during designated times, allowing inmates access to exercise equipment, sports courts, and other recreational activities. The facility provides medical services through on-site health care staff, addressing routine medical needs and chronic conditions, with serious cases referred to outside medical facilities when necessary.
Mental health services are available through CDCR's mental health programs, offering various levels of care depending on inmate needs. The institution maintains a formal grievance process allowing inmates to address concerns about conditions, treatment, or policy violations through written appeals reviewed at multiple administrative levels. Access to law library resources supports inmates pursuing legal matters, while day rooms in housing units provide spaces for television viewing and social interaction during non-program hours.
California Correctional Institution offers educational programs including GED preparation and adult basic education for inmates seeking to complete their high school equivalency. Vocational training programs provide skill development in various trades, preparing inmates for employment opportunities upon release. Substance abuse treatment programs address addiction issues through group therapy, educational sessions, and recovery-focused interventions designed to reduce recidivism. Religious services accommodate multiple faith traditions, with chapel spaces and volunteer clergy providing spiritual guidance and worship opportunities.
Re-entry programs help inmates prepare for release by focusing on life skills, employment readiness, and community reintegration planning. Self-help groups and cognitive behavioral therapy programs address criminal thinking patterns and decision-making skills. Library services provide access to books, legal materials, and educational resources supporting both recreation and personal development throughout incarceration.
Inmates at California Correctional Institution participate in various work assignments that support facility operations and provide job skills. Inside jobs include food service positions in the dining halls, janitorial maintenance keeping housing units and common areas clean, laundry operations processing institutional clothing and linens, and groundskeeping maintaining the facility's exterior areas. Some inmates work in clerical positions assisting with administrative tasks. Work assignments provide structure to daily schedules while teaching responsibility and work habits that support successful reintegration. Inmates may receive small wages credited to their institutional accounts for work performed.
California Correctional Institution was established as part of California's prison expansion efforts to accommodate the state's growing incarcerated population. The facility joined several other correctional institutions in the Tehachapi area, creating a regional concentration of state prisons that took advantage of available land in this rural high desert region. The Tehachapi location offered space for construction away from urban centers while maintaining reasonable access to major California population areas via Highway 58 and other regional routes.
Over the years, CCI has evolved with changing corrections practices and policies within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The institution has adapted to various reform initiatives, programming requirements, and population management strategies implemented at the state level. Today, CCI continues operating as a medium-security facility serving the state's correctional needs while providing programming aimed at rehabilitation and successful community reintegration for its inmate population.
Visitation at California Correctional Institution requires advance approval through CDCR's visitor application process. Prospective visitors must submit applications and undergo background checks before receiving approval status. All visitors must present valid government-issued photo identification upon arrival. The facility enforces specific dress code requirements prohibiting clothing that resembles inmate attire, revealing clothing, and certain colors or styles that might pose security concerns. Visitors should review current dress code policies carefully before traveling to the facility.
Visitation schedules vary based on housing unit assignments, and families should verify specific visiting days and times for their loved one. Visitors should arrive early to allow time for processing and security procedures. Families are strongly encouraged to call the facility ahead of visits to confirm schedules, procedures, and any policy changes that might affect their visit.
To mail correspondence to an inmate at California Correctional Institution, address letters with the inmate's full legal name, CDCR number, and the facility address: 24900 Highway 202 PO Box 1031, Tehachapi, CA 93581. All incoming mail undergoes inspection for security purposes. Inmates may receive books, magazines, and educational materials only when shipped directly from approved vendors or publishers. The facility participates in CDCR's approved telephone system, allowing inmates to place calls to approved numbers that families must set up through the designated phone service provider. Families should establish phone accounts in advance to receive calls from their incarcerated loved ones.
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Quick Facts
Should I Be Concerned? — Family Guide
CCI Tehachapi operates as a medium-security facility with zero reported staff assaults, indicating a relatively stable security environment. The medium-security classification means inmates have supervised but less restrictive conditions than maximum-security facilities. When visiting, expect standard security procedures including searches and identification checks; arrive during posted visiting hours and follow all facility rules to ensure a safe visit.
Neighborhood & Getting There
CCI Tehachapi is located in Kern County in the southern Sierra Nevada region of California, approximately 140 miles north of Los Angeles and 90 miles south of Fresno. The facility sits on Highway 202 near the town of Tehachapi, a rural mountain community. Highway 202 provides direct access to major routes including Interstate 5. The nearest hotels and services are in downtown Tehachapi, about 10 miles away. The remote location requires advance planning for visits, with most visitors traveling from LA or Fresno metropolitan areas.