The California Rehabilitation Center in Norco is set to close in 2026.

It's the fifth state prison to be closed by Governor Gavin Newsom because of California's falling incarcerated population.

The state expects to save about $150 million by closing the prison.

Other prison cities fought the closures by suing the state or lobbying to hold onto the jobs, but not Norco.

For years, the city in Riverside County has been lobbying to close the California Rehabilitation Center, arguing that the city can find a better use for the site.

The city posted a statement on social media saying officials look forward to the "adaptive reuse" of the former hotel.

The statement read, "The Norco City Council remains hopeful that one day, the historic gem will be restored to its former glory as a resort and will become a regional economic driver."

About 1,200 people work at the prison.

They won't necessarily be laid off when the prison closes because some will be able to transfer to other sites.

Newsom signaled his intent to close another prison when he released his budget proposal in May and grappled with a $12 billion deficit.

In the past, the union representing California correctional officers has not spoken out against Newsom closing prisons.

Instead, it worked to improve pay and working conditions for its members as the prison population plummeted.

That changed when union president Neil Flood issued a statement criticizing the closure of the Norco site.

He said, "Shuttering (the prison in Norco) eliminates essential physical space that relieves overcrowding, supports rehabilitative programming, and maintains a workable ratio between staff and incarcerated individuals."

He goes on to say, "Reducing capacity while raising population density leads to more violence overall, both within institutions and beyond their walls.

For CalMatters, I'm Robert Meeks with reporting by Adam Ashton.