The United States Penitentiary, Atwater is a high-security United States federal prison for male inmates in California. The institution also includes a minimum-security satellite camp. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a division of the United States Department of Justice.USP Atwater is located on land formerly part of Castle Air Force Base. It is near the city of Atwater in Merced County, California, 130 miles from San Francisco.Facility and ProgramsUSP Atwater offers various educational programs, including mandatory GED classes for inmates without high school diplomas, occupational and vocational training with apprenticeships, Adult Continuing Education, parenting classes and leisure programs.Notable IncidentsMurder of Correction Officer Jose RiveraOn June 20, 2008, as Correction Officer Jose Rivera (22-year old Navy veteran) was conducting his daily count on the second floor, Inmate Joseph Cabrera Sablan attacked Officer Rivera with an eight-inch homemade knife or shank. Outnumbered, Officer Rivera attempted to seek assistance, but was knocked backwards by Sabian and tackled by Inmate James Ninete Leon Guerrero. Both inmates had been previously convicted of murder and were serving life sentences. As Officer Rivera was seeking assistance from the first floor, he tripped on the stairs and was held down by Guerrero as Sablan stabbed him in excess of 20 times. Despite his injuries, Officer Rivera was able to restrain both inmates until additional officers arrived. Officer Rivera was transported to a local hospital, but died shortly afterward.
