The following vocational programs are present at California State Prison [Centinela State Prison] (CEN):

Air conditioning & refrigeration, auto body repair & refinishing, auto mechanics, carpentry, computer and related technology, computer technician, dry cleaning, drywall, electrical electronics, garment-making, graphic arts & printing, landscaping & gardening, maintenance, masonry, mechanical drawing, mill & cabinet, office machine repair, office services, plumbing, sewing machine repair, silk screening, small engine repair, upholstery (CDC n.d.a).

The following academic programs are also listed: Adult Basic Education, High School/GED, Pre-Release, English as a Second Language, and a Literacy Program; as well as the following programs which are under a heading of "Other": Community Service Crews, Youth Diversion, Religious, Arts in Corrections, Victim Awareness, Computers for Schools, and Bicycle Refurbishing (ibid.). In addition, according to the California Department of Corrections (CDC):

The primary mission of Centinela State Prison is to provide for the confinement of general population high-medium custody inmates who are willing to participate in vocational, academic or support service programs. Centinela also has an Institutional Hearing Program (IHP) which prepares inmates who are illegal immigrants for release to their native lands through Immigration and Naturalization Services (ibid.).

According to a Public Information Officer at CEN, outside agencies provide counselling programs at the institution in anger management, parenting skills, and alcohol and narcotics abuse (17 May 2001). The programs are open to all inmates upon request on a first-come-first served basis (ibid.). However, there may be waiting lists as priority is given to inmates whose participation is "court-ordered" (ibid.).

According to the CDC, the following vocational programs are present at the California Institution for Men (CIM): "Air conditioning, auto mechanics, computer repair, deep sea diving, drafting, graphic arts & printing, machine shop, masonry, sheet metal, shoe repair, solar heating" (n.d.b). Under a category identified as "PIA" the Website also lists: "dairy, field crops, laundry, warehousing" (ibid.). It identifies the availability of the same academic programs as that of CEN, as well as the following listed under "other": Religious, Arts in Corrections, Drug Treatment/Diversion, Joint Venture" (n.d.).

The Research Directorate was unable, within the time constraints of this Response, to obtain information from either the California Institution for Men in Chino, or the headquarters of the California Department of Corrections (CDC), on the counselling/rehabilitation programs offered at that institution.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

California Department of Corrections (CDC). n.d.a. "California State Prison, Centinela (CEN)." http://www.cdc.state.ca.us/facility/instcen.htm [Accessed 14 May 2001]

_____. n.d.b. "California Institution for Men (CIM)." http://www.cdc.state.ca.us/facility/instcim.htm [Accessed 16 May 2001]

California State Prison, Centinela. 17 May 2001. Telephone interview with Public Information Officer.