Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility is a state prison located in Southern California. It is one of thirty-three (33) state prisons in all of California. It serves as the only state prison in San Diego County. Daniel Paramo is the current Warden. Donovan is a medium-high custody correctional facility. It was built and ready for activation in 1987.

This prison is located less then 2 miles from the border of Mexico. Needless to say, Donovan Prison frequently holds and prepares illegal immigrants for release to U.S. Department of Homeland Security so that thye can return to their country.

This prison, much like most other prisons in California, is overcrowded which calls for two prisoners to each house (cell). It was designed to hold a little over (2,000) prisoners but currently houses over 3,500. The inmates can work in the prison’s laundry, bakery, or shoe factory.

This facility has “Level I” inmates who require minimum security. It also has one “Level III” housing unit. This unit was made in 1989 when it was converted from the old gymnasium. It holds about 152 prisoners. The prison also includes one (1) “Level IV” Sensitive Needs Yard facility, a General Population facility, and two (2) “Level III” Sensitive Needs Yard facilities. There is no death row at Donovan.

Donovan provides religious services for prisoners of all denominations. Additionally, over 400 religious volunteers visit Donovan to provide services to the inmates.

Inmates can participate in a program called “Convict Reaching Out to People” (CROP), that is one of the facility’s Institutional Juvenile Diversion Program. This program allows inmates to talk with juveniles and explain the cons of gang life an other criminal acts.

Inmates are also given the opportunity to obtain a GED if they have not done so already. There are also a few vocational skills taught there.

The facility provides self-help activities such as narcotics, alcohol, criminal and gang anonymous.