What Danny Masterson's Life In Prison Is Really Like

Danny Masterson was a Scientologist, child actor, and Hollywood star. But these days, he's better known as inmate number BW7253. Masterson's life behind bars is a far cry from his past. He's switched trips to the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, weekends hiking Runyon Canyon, strutting the red carpet, and dining at Cecconi's for sipping on pruno, pacing the prison yard, posing for mug shots, and feasting on bologna sandwiches.

It's an epic fall from grace for Masterson. Before he was sent down, the actor was riding high on the success of his long-running sitcom, "That '70s Show" and Netflix comedy "The Ranch." However, he was promptly canceled after his past transgressions caught up. In June 2020, Masterson was charged with three counts of rape for sexually assaulting three women between 2001 and 2003. Following a mistrial in November 2022, Masterson was convicted in May 2023 of raping two of the women.

His victims didn't hold back during sentencing. Masterson stood emotionless as the women told the court that he'd ruined their lives. One called him "pathetic, disturbed, and completely violent" (via KTLA 5). She told Masterson, "When you raped me, you stole from me." The women begged the judge to give Masterson the maximum prison sentence available, and he complied, doling out 30 years to life. Masterson currently resides at California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo and is eligible for parole in June 2042. He will be 66 years old. So, what's prison life like for Masterson?

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Danny Masterson is locked up at the California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo. The actor was initially assigned to Corcoran State Prison in Central California, a high-security facility. But after just two weeks, he was relocated to a medium and minimum-security prison. A source told Deadline that Masterson was moved due to concerns over "the inmate's well-being."

Life will undoubtedly be easier for him at California Men's Colony. Masterson is housed in a dormitory within the prison's West Facility, which is split into four separate units: E, F, G, and M. CMC was originally built to be a hospital but was taken over by the army, which built 60 barracks buildings in 1954. A further 20 were later added, and it's currently undergoing further building and renovation work.

There is plenty on offer to keep Masterson from getting bored. Residents are provided with a range of educational, therapeutic, and self-improvement programs, including cognitive behavior therapy and substance abuse education. In addition, classes on culinary arts, criminal thinking, anger management, family relationships, and assorted trades are offered. There is also a designated K-9 unit for residents to train dogs to be first responders' PTSD and disability service animals. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation website, "CMC is committed to providing its inmate population with meaningful rehabilitative resources in order to ensure the men who are released from CMC have the opportunity to rejoin society as peaceful, productive citizens."

Danny Masterson will have plenty of opportunities to remain in contact with any friends and family who still speak to him. The California Men's Colony allows inmates to make video and audio calls, send emails, write and receive letters, and enjoy in-person and video visits from loved ones. Masterson will also have the chance to earn some dollars — although his paycheck will be significantly lower than what he's used to, given that inmates currently earn less than 74 cents an hour. Still, the actor will be able to toil away in CMC's glove, clothing, and shoe factories, printing plant, knitting mill, equipment maintenance facility, and warehouse.

It's certainly a step up from Masterson's previous digs. The New York Post reported that he was housed in the Level 4 maximum-security housing unit (SHU) at the Corcoran State Prison in Central California. According to the facility's website, the unit holds "inmates whose conduct endangers the safety of others or the security of the institution."

Masterson was likely placed in SHU due to his celebrity status, combined with the sexual nature of his crimes, which made him a potential target for attacks by other inmates. And protection is something not to be sniffed at behind bars. Like the majority of today's prisons, Californian facilities operate above capacity, and the overcrowding, staff shortages, and severity of crimes make them dangerous places to be.