After more than a decade, the California Institution for Men (CIM) at Chino officially reopened its overnight family visiting program. With the Aug. 1 activation of the newly renovated family visiting modular, CIM restored an important rehabilitative resource for incarcerated persons and their loved ones.
The institution’s previous family visiting trailer had been deemed uninhabitable and remained out of service for almost 10 years. Through the collaborative efforts of CIM leadership, Plant Operations and support staff, the new visiting modular has been installed and inspected. It has also been furnished with donations from the Incarcerated Persons’ Family Council. The modular is now ready to welcome eligible families.
Plant Operations coordinated project
CIM Plant Operations supervisors provided specific coordination, planning and direction to several different trades.
The Plant Operations team played a crucial role by working long exhausting hours to meet internal deadlines. In the end, their true craftsmanship was on display Aug. 1 as the first incarcerated person and his family enjoyed the fruits of CIM Plant Operations team’s labor.
Their commitment underscores CIM’s ongoing focus on rehabilitation, family engagement and creating opportunities to support positive outcomes.
The family visiting modular provides a comfortable, home-like setting where approved family members can spend meaningful, uninterrupted time together.
These visits offer parents, spouses, children and other approved family members the opportunity to maintain relationships.
Family visiting is an important part of CDCR’s mission to enhance public safety through rehabilitation.
Research has consistently shown healthy family relationships can improve institutional behavior, support emotional well-being and contribute to successful community reintegration.
“Restoring overnight family visiting is a significant accomplishment for our institution,” said Warden Mejia. “Strong family connections are an important part of rehabilitation. This new modular provides eligible individuals with the opportunity to strengthen those relationships in a safe, secure and family-centered environment while supporting our mission of preparing incarcerated people for successful reentry.”
Story by Lt. Omar Ramirez
Photos by Visiting Lt. Ashley Leeper
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