
They spent most of their time in the dark, behind solid boiler plate doors in stone cells measuring 4 by 8 ft (1.2 by 2.4 m) with 6-inch (15 cm) eye slots. The prison officially opened in 1880 with a capacity of 1,800 inmates. Although FSP now houses primarily medium security prisoners, it was one of America's first maximum-security prisons.Ĭonstruction of the facility began in 1857 on the site of the Stony Bar mining camp along the American River. History įSP is California's second-oldest prison, long known for its harsh conditions in the decades following the California Gold Rush.

Īs of April 30, 2020, FSP's men's facilities were incarcerating people at 130.4% of design capacity, with 2,694 occupants, and FSP's women's facilities were incarcerating people at 68.5% of design capacity, with 276 occupants. The visiting room includes an attached patio as well as space for non-contact visits. Prison facilities also include two dining halls, a large central prison exercise yard, and two smaller exercise yards. All cells include a toilet, sink, bunks, and storage space for inmate possessions.

Unit 1 is the most populous cellblock in the United States, with a capacity of nearly 1,200 inmates on four five-tiered sections. The facility includes five housing units within the secure perimeter, including the original two-tiered structure. The dam was replaced in 1955 by the Folsom Dam.

Represa (translated as " dam" from the Spanish language) is the name given in 1892 to the State Prison post office because of its proximity to a dam on the American River that was under construction at the time.
