Congressman Raul Ruiz Urges Governor Newsom to Keep Calipatria State Prison Open Amid Economic and Security Concerns
IMPERIAL COUNTY – recently in a formal letter to Governor Newsom, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D., has urged the state to reconsider any plans to close Calipatria State Prison, a major employer in the Imperial Valley. The request follows the governor’s May Revision of the California Budget, which proposes closing an unspecified state prison as part of broader cost-saving measures.
In his letter dated May 22, Congressman Ruiz stressed the prison’s importance to Imperial County’s struggling economy. As of April 2025, the county’s unemployment rate stood at 16%, significantly higher than the state average of 5%. Ruiz warned that shuttering Calipatria State Prison would eliminate hundreds of stable, good-paying jobs in a region already facing limited employment opportunities.
“Calipatria State Prison provides hundreds of stable, good-paying jobs for local residents—many of whom support entire families,” Ruiz wrote. “For decades, these jobs have been a lifeline in an area too often overlooked in statewide development conversations.”
The Congressman also referenced the recent closure of the Spreckels Sugar Plant, another major local employer, saying the combined loss would further devastate the Imperial Valley’s economy and undermine efforts to support disadvantaged communities.
Adding to recent tensions, Calipatria State Prison is one of several institutions currently operating under “modified movement” following a surge in violence across multiple California correctional facilities. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) placed Level IV high-security units at these institutions, including Calipatria, under tighter restrictions as of May 24. Inmates in these sections are receiving meals in their housing units, with limited access to showers, phones, and visitation.
The restrictions were implemented following a series of violent incidents, including a deadly cell attack and a riot involving approximately 40 inmates at California State Prison, Sacramento. CDCR officials have not specified how long the modified program will remain in place, citing an ongoing investigation.
In a separate incident on April 26, 2025, five correctional officers at Calipatria State Prison were injured during an attack by two incarcerated individuals. The officers sustained various injuries and were transported to an outside hospital for treatment. CDCR confirmed to 760 News that all five officers have since been released from the hospital and are in good condition.
Despite current operational challenges, Ruiz emphasized that Calipatria remains a vital part of the local economy and urged the Governor to work with local stakeholders on alternative budget solutions that do not involve the prison’s closure.
Governor Newsom’s office has not yet responded publicly to the letter.
Full Letter by Rep. Raul Ruiz
Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515-3605
May 22, 2025
The Honorable Gavin Newsom
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Governor Newsom,
In your May Revision of the California Budget, you announced your Administration's intent to close a state prison. I respectfully urge you to reconsider any plans that would include shuttering Calipatria State Prison in Imperial County.
Calipatria State Prison plays a critical role in the economic stability of Imperial Valley, a region that already faces some of the highest unemployment rates in the state. As of April 2025, Imperial County's unemployment rate stands at 16%— significantly higher than the state average of 5%. The prison provides hundreds of stable, good-paying jobs for local residents— many of whom support entire families and contribute meaningfully to our community's economy. For decades, these jobs have been a lifeline in an area too often overlooked in statewide development conversations.
Imperial Valley is a predominantly rural, low-income region that has long suffered from disinvestment and limited access to new economic opportunities. For many local residents, employment at the Calipatria State Prison represents one of the few reliable pathways to stable, middle-class jobs without leaving the region. The closure of this facility would strip away a critical source of economic security from families already struggling to make ends meet and it would undermine our shared commitment to uplifting disadvantaged communities throughout California.
This threat to local jobs is especially urgent in light of recent developments. The announced closure of the Spreckels Sugar Plant-another major employer in the region—has already dealt a heavy blow to our workforce, leaving many families in economic uncertainty. Shuttering Calipatria State Prison now would only compound this hardship and deliver yet another serious setback to a community already under immense financial pressure.
This is about more than just jobs—it is about parents being able to provide for their children, young people choosing to stay in their community because there are opportunities to build a stable life, and maintaining the foundational services and infrastructure that keep Imperial County a float.
I urge your Administration to take into account the unique economic challenges facing Imperial County and to work with me and local stakeholders to explore alternative solutions that do not jeopardize the livelihoods of so many hardworking Californians. Together, we can chart a more equitable and sustainable path forward for the Imperial Valley.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter and for your continued leadership on behalf of all Californians. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter further and encourage you to contact my Office at any time.
Sincerely,
Raul Ruiz, M.D.
Member of Congress