The State - News from Feb. 23, 1988

Corcoran State Prison, the fifth new prison to open in California in little more than a year, has begun receiving prisoners. Thirty-six minimum-security male inmates were bused to the new, $253-million facility in Kings County, which will house a total of 2,900 minimum- to maximum-security prisoners. “It’s pretty exciting,” Supt. Bernie Aispuro said. Community leaders in the San Joaquin Valley have sought new prisons, saying they would diversify the economy and add steady payrolls. Already, authorities say, the prison has spurred construction of about 200 new apartment units and a 200-space mobile home park in Corcoran, a community of 7,500 residents.