County Ranch, Honor Camp, Men's Correctional Center and Medium Security Facility

In 1954, Sheriff Whitmore was granted permission by the Board of Supervisors to start the first County Ranch.  An abandoned farm owned by the County was renovated by inmate trustees, who also plowed the ground and planted crops.  Inmates with misdemeanor convictions were sent to work at the Ranch during the day, guarded by deputy sheriffs, then returned to the County Jail each night.  Chickens, rabbits and fresh vegetables were produced at the ranch, which were consumed by inmates at the County Jail, wards at the Juvenile Detention Home and patients at the Community Hospital.

In 1957, the Ranch was relocated to the Half Moon Bay Airport.  In 1962, it moved to former Boy Scout Camp Pomponio, near La Honda and became Honor Camp #1, with a capacity of 96 sentenced prisoners.    The Honor Camp was not just a place to house prisoners, it had a therapeutic concept of treatment and in 1963, the first Sheriff's Office Rehabilitation Officer was hired.  Working closely with jail staff and the Probation Department, new programs were developed including: large and small group meetings with inmates and staff, drug abuse counseling, AA meetings, vocational training and GED counseling and testing.  The goal was to assist inmates to re-adjust to civilian life when released.  In the 1980's, the Honor Camp was renamed to the Men's Correctional Center (MCC).

Some of the Camp Commanders were: Herb Elvander 1962, Jerry McNamara, Bill Moran, Jerry Fitting, Frank Bastasini, Frank Gordon 1977-1979, Mike Reid, Dick McKillip 1987-1988, Bob Cancilla 1988-1989, John Wells 1989-1990, Ken Frank 1990-1992/1993-1996, Mike Lopez 1992-1993, Cheryl Horan 1996-1997, Ike Ortiz 1997-1998, Jack Krimmer 1998-1999 and Jody Zirelli 1999-2003.

In 1969, the Medium Security Facility (MSF) was opened, also know as the "Bird Cage."  It was located next to the Honor Camp and was for medium and low security inmates, most were sentenced, but several were still awaiting trial.  A transportation bus shuttled inmates daily from the Camp and MSF to Redwood City for court and appointments.  It was closed in the mid 70's for asbestos insulation removal and re-opened in 1982.  MSF housed approximately 100 inmates. 

Main Entrance                                                                                                            MSF

Control Room/Office                                                                                                 Dog Kennels

Main Hallway                                                                                                                      Housing Unit

In 1964, Honor Camp #2 opened at Coyote Point, in San Mateo, with a capacity of 40 to 50 sentenced prisoners who were assigned to tear down the old Merchant Marine Academy.  In 1966, the Work Furlough Program was started there.  In 1967, Honor Camp #2 was closed and the inmates assigned to the Work Furlough Program were moved to the new Work Furlough Facility on Maple Street, in Redwood City. 

Main Entrance                                                                                                                 TV Room

In 2003, due to budget constraints, the Men's Correctional Center and Medium Security Facility were closed.  In 2008, they were renovated and available for housing of inmates if the Maguire Facility population became to high.

Men's Correctional Center Photos

The MCC was located in the hills above La Honda, about 45 minutes from the Hall of Justice in Redwood City.

"The Bridge" was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers and was very limited in capacity.

Camp Office                                                                                                           Lt's Office

Camp Organization Chart

Staff Quarters                                                                                                           Staff Living Room

Staff Bedroom                                                                                                          Staff Dining

Sheriff's Office personnel assigned to MCC or MSF worked 12 hour shifts, which started and ended at 0600 and 1800 hours.  Staff could leave at the end of their shift or stay in the Staff Quarters.  Some deputies and sergeants lived there during each tour and left on their days off.  Prior to about 1990, each day at 0500 and 1700 hours, the deputies working the next shift would leave for the Camp in a County van, from the Hall of Justice in Redwood City.  They would arrive at the Camp just before 0600 and 1800 hours.  The off-going shift would drive the van back to Redwood City for the next shift, 12 hours later. 

Inmate Barracks

Inmate Dining Hall                                                                                                  Inmate Recreation Room

Inmate Visiting                                                                                                          Camp Pool

Inmate visiting was only held on Sundays.  All visitors would be screened on the other side of the Bridge for weapons, alcohol and drugs, prior to driving to the Camp.  Once at the Camp, visitors were re-screened during sign-in.  Family members were allowed to bring food and visiting was more like a family picnic.

Water Tanks                                                                                                    Maintenance Shop

Fire Department

The W.L. Kruger Educational Center was named after Sergeant Wilmar Kruger, who worked for the Office from 1951 to 1971.  The education center started as a small library and Sgt. Kruger worked to bring programs and other resources for inmates to improve their educational skills during the 1960's.