The primary mission of Avenal State Prison is to provide for the control, care and treatment of those inmates committed to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation by the courts. Avenal State Prison is designated as a low-medium security institution to provide housing for general population inmates.
The institution is comprised of six separate, semi-autonomous facilities, which consist of a combined total of 17 open dorm buildings, six 200-bed open dorm E-bed buildings, two converted gymnasiums, a 100-cell administrative segregation unit, and a 10-bed firehouse. Avenal also houses mobility impaired inmates on two facilities that have been modified to meet ADA Standards.
Avenal State Prison opened in January 1987, and covers 640 acres. As of Fiscal Year 2008/2009, the following statistics apply:
Number of custody staff:900
Number of support services staff:617
Total number of staff:1,517
