Preston School of Industry - Ione, California

Geoffrey Sprague

I worked at Preston from 96 to 06. I thought it was the toughest facility for young 18 to 25 year old men in California. And the reason for going there as a job keeping the peace. The people who worked with me were the only ones to care for the worst of the youth. I'm proud of my tenure as a group supervisor in the CYA. And I saved many lives from suicide on my watch

doug grovner

I turned 17 there in 1961. One time was enough for me. Got out of California and never went back.

David Urbina

I like the fact that people like the history but I hate the history of what kids lives so it’s not so nice or cool about this. I have a son now he is in the new cya in are county and as far as I see it it will be the same to certain extent as they build there new unit

Terry Borja

Heard about this from the History Goes Bump Podcast. I’ve been visiting haunted/historical places for over a year now and this place was terrific. The docent was knowledgeable and friendly. The whole building has several areas in ruin but there’s plenty to explore. What makes this place stand out is it’s realness. I’ve been to the Whaley House in San Diego (too pricey for how much you get to see) and the Winchester Mansion in San Jose (way too expensive, but beautiful and rushed) and the Castle was the best. Not rushed, fairly priced, and you weren’t constantly told to stay in certain areas and not touch things.

Tip: book online beforehand. Don’t just show up. They have yours posted online.

Will def return for a wine tasting night or haunted house!!

greatful dead109

It is an amazing experience to visit and then go inside this castle of 123 yrs old. The volunteers do an awesome job at spooking you and portraying the dead from that time era. I would recommend it to anyone its a cool thing to do especially around Halloween.

Larry “Jay”

I was there from 79 to 82. Juniper and Redwood. One crazy place I never forgot. Never turned your back on anyone or ever trusted anyone ever! Fights were a common daily and often over petty reasons or simply for no reason at all. If they shipped you here, then you were trouble! Just trying to keep your good time for an early release was a daily challenge. No place for the weak! Looking back, I really have to give the staff credit. They really wanted to help kids turn there lives around, like counselor's TJ, Sharon Caldwell, Mitch and the Machado brothers. Depending on how you looked it this place either scared you down the right road or it prepped you for life of crime. Walking past that castle on a daily basis and knowing the history behind it sure gave a guy the creeps, especially when you were one of the few selected to help with minor clean up in and around the castle, which was strictly off limits. I don't scare easily, but this place really gave me the creeps knowing the stories I was told.

Carlos Macpherson

In "school" there from 90-94 Juniper and Tamarack . The school averaged 3 suicides a year . 90% of Alumni from the late 80's and 90's are dead or doing life in prison. Gladiator school for sure . For some Hell on earth ..for me it was home and the only high school I ever knew . Got my High school equivalency there . I'll never forget PSI . Rest in peace to the kids that Preston beat. ..

James Gardner

Sentenced under old law at 16.jurisdiction till 21. Grenades and auto weapon gets ya lots of trouble especially when you don't tell whos they were. Got out at 19 from O.H. CLOSE. back for violating in 4counties from placer to bay area. Sent to Preston released on 21st bday. Was only supposed to do 3 months.gladiator school from hell.after being one of two people left standing after several hundred fighting.realized why adult prison quards were afraid of inmates coming from there. Turns you bad i chose to not let anymore. Kind of does that when ya see friends fly out on life flights. Going on 51 and spent lots of time trying to get kids like me not to take that path.