-Editorial
The Imperial County Board of Supervisors has formally urged Governor Gavin Newsom to exclude Calipatria State Prison from a proposed state prison closure outlined in the Governor’s May Revision to the 2025–26 California state budget. In a letter ratified on May 27, the Board expressed serious concern over the potential economic and social consequences of shutting down one of the region’s largest and most critical employers.
Governor Newsom’s revised budget, unveiled on May 14, includes a proposal to close one additional state prison by October 2026 to address the state’s projected $12 billion deficit. If carried out, it would be the fifth prison closure under the Newsom administration, as part of ongoing efforts to reduce correctional costs and respond to declining incarceration rates. The closure is projected to save the state roughly $150 million annually.
While acknowledging the state’s fiscal challenges, Imperial County officials warn that including Calipatria State Prison in the closure plan would deliver a devastating blow to a region already grappling with persistent economic hardship. Located in the northern part of the county, Calipatria State Prison employs hundreds of residents and supports a broad network of small businesses, schools, and public services.
“Calipatria State Prison is one of the largest employers in Imperial County,” the Board wrote. “The potential closure of this facility would not only displace dedicated employees and their families but also severely impact the surrounding communities that rely on the economic activity generated by the prison.”
The Board’s letter highlights that Imperial County has long suffered from high unemployment, limited job opportunities, and a lack of economic diversification. According to the latest figures, the county’s unemployment rate remains among the highest in the state, currently hovering at 16%—more than triple the California average. The closure of the Spreckels Sugar Plant, another major employer, earlier this year has already deepened the region’s economic distress.
“There are few opportunities here for sustainable employment,” the letter continues. “Closing the prison would create a ripple effect, devastating families and further destabilizing our already fragile economy.”
Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA 25th District), also issued a formal letter to Governor Newsom echoing the county’s concerns. In his letter, Dr. Ruiz emphasized the severe economic consequences the closure would have on a rural region already underserved in terms of infrastructure, investment, and development. “This is about more than just jobs; it’s about protecting the ability of parents to provide for their children and ensuring that communities in Imperial Valley are not left behind,” Ruiz wrote.
Both the County Board and Congressman Ruiz are calling on the Governor to consider the unique economic realities of Imperial Valley in making his final decision. They also expressed a willingness to work collaboratively with the state to find alternative cost-saving measures that would not disproportionately impact disadvantaged rural communities.
Since taking office in 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom has overseen the closure of several California state prisons as part of a broader effort to reduce incarceration costs and adapt to a declining inmate population. The Deuel Vocational Institution in Tracy was closed in 2021, followed by the California Correctional Center in Susanville, which was deactivated in June 2023. Chuckawalla Valley State Prison in Blythe was closed ahead of schedule in November 2024. Additionally, the California City Correctional Facility ceased operations by March 2024 after the state terminated its lease. These closures are projected to save the state hundreds of millions of dollars annually and reflect a shift toward rehabilitation-focused corrections policies.
