CORCORAN, Apr. 18 — Inmates at Corcoran State Prison describe their most famous neighbor, Charles Manson, as a physical and mental wreck and a threat only to himself.

Manson has spent a quiet first month in the maximum security area at the 13-month-old facility in Kings County, about 180 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

His transfer from San Quentin Prison on March 15 prompted concern from nearby residents about the possibility of his escape. Both prison officials and other inmates say the move was blown completely out of proportion.

Phillip Hernandez, 41, is now in the medium security section at Corcoran. He also spent time at San Quentin when Manson was housed there and said it would be a miracle if he was able to escape from Corcoran.

“I don’t think he was ever a threat to anyone because he is usually locked up all the time for his own protection.

“He is a wreck, both physically and mentally. His hygiene was bad, too. He is just weird,” Hernandez said. “I don’t think that he would or could leave the prison if he wanted to.”

Lt. Evelyn Mazon, the prison’s public information officer, said it is the media that keeps him in the limelight. “He is nothing. We have some very dangerous criminals here. The other inmates here don’t really respect him.”

Mazon said she has not received any information from correctional officers at the prison that Manson has caused any trouble. “He is just another prisoner here. He has the exact same things other inmates in his place would have.”

Inmate Jesse Kirby, 29, who said he spoke with Manson when both were inmates at San Quentin, said he would not want Manson near him. “I wouldn’t want him in my (exercise) yard because of the immoralities of his crimes. I hear that they even (other prisoners) have a price on his head.

“The guy is obviously nuts. He thinks he is Christ or something,” Kirby added. “I’ve talked to him a couple of times and sometimes he actually makes sense, but most of the time he just rambles on.”

Colvin Brandon, 31, said the media made Manson out to be frightening and “some sort of giant.”

“Looking at him, he is obviously no threat to me or the (surrounding) community,” Brandon said.

“I think he should be in a mental institution from what I know of him.”