Life Inside Corcoran State Prison

CORCORAN, Calif (KMPH) — Since Corcoran State Prison opened in February of 1988, the media has never been allowed inside its walls, until now.

It's a life few will ever experience, and even fewer want to inside Corcoran State Prison.

Prisoner Adrian Luna was sentenced to manslaughter for killing a man.

Luna says, "We got into a physical altercation where we struggled over a gun and during the struggle the gun was shot and shot him in his lower abdomen."

The one-time professional skate boarder, on his way to promising career is now just waiting to go home In 13 more years, in the year 2026.

Adrian Luna says, "Life inside here at time can be adverse, at times can he hectic, peaceful, at times can be progressive and at time can be holding you back."

Correctional Officer S. Slimp says, "The thing about inmates is they have a lot of time to think about how the narcotics can come in, different aspects of how to bring them into the prison. Most of the time is through visiting, but that's just one avenue."

Warden Connie Gibson says seven major gangs are inside Corcoran State Prison, 50% of the populations are there for life with no chance for parole. Many of them are housed in one of two security-housing units, known as the "Shoe".

Warden Connie Gibson says, "It comes from here, for a guy to know where to go where he paroles, he's caring information on the street. Even with the visiting process, the visitors come in and taking information back on the street."

When they are not in the cell, prisoners in the "Shoe" are allowed to get exercise in outdoor cells.

A unit Dominic Barsha will call home till the year 2017.

Prisoner Dominic Barsha says, "Right now I'm thinking a lot of things, while I do my time to get out, and get and spend time with my family."

He plans to use the time to learn a trade.

Warden Gibson says she and her staff are committed to ensuring and instilling the public and inmates' families with the confidence, that her prison will provide the best medical, mental health, education, vocational and self-help programs for all inmates.

Last year, the prisons annual budget 192-million dollars.