Thanksgiving 2023
California Health Care Facility holds Turkey Trot to benefit children in need
California Health Care Facility (CHCF) held its 2nd Annual Turkey Trot. More than 600 incarcerated people and employees participated to “Trot” for a cause. Staff and the incarcerated population joined together to show their support and raised funds to benefit the local Children’s Home of Stockton.
Incarcerated people were able to purchase whole pies from Costco With the proceeds of the sales, CHCF was able to raise over $2,000 to donate to the Children’s Home of Stockton.
The Children’s Home of Stockton is one of the largest social services organizations in Stockton and the largest licensed short-term residential therapeutic program in San Joaquin County. The Children’s Home of Stockton has been serving at-risk youth in San Joaquin County and throughout California for more than 140 years.
Wasco hosts special Thanksgiving visits
Wasco State Prison (WSP) visiting staff provided a Thanksgiving event for children visiting relatives this Thanksgiving. The visiting room hosted a Thanksgiving Treasure Hunt with turkeys in the visiting room.
When the children found a turkey, they were able to redeem the turkey for a prize out of the treasure cart. This event was designed to spread holiday cheer for not only the children visiting, but also the incarcerated population at WSP this holiday season.
What’s New?
Insight Garden spotlighted at California Health Care Facility
California Health Care Facility (CHCF) hosted an event featuring the Insight Garden Program (IGP). IGP facilitates an innovative curriculum combined with vocational gardening and landscaping training so that people in prison can reconnect to self, community, and the natural world. This “inner” and “outer” gardening approach is designed to transform lives, end ongoing cycles of incarceration, and create safer communities.
Representatives from the Governor’s Office, Legislative Staff, Public Defender’s Office, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, Board of Parole Hearings, and CDCR executive staff gathered to discuss the relationship between programming and policy. Attendees included individuals serving sentences of Life Without the Possibility of Parole (LWOP), those with indeterminate sentences requiring parole hearings, and others. The primary goal was to show how the proactive efforts of the incarcerated population address past traumas and foster personal growth.
On the job with OPEC at Folsom State Prison
Go behind the scenes with CDCR’s Office of Public and Employee Communications (OPEC) as they gather information to share with employees and the public.
OPEC serves as a communication medium for staff and the public, explaining what’s going on in institutions and the department.
Todd Javernick, Public Information Officer I, and David Novick, Television Specialist, recently took a trip to Folsom State Prison to highlight the statewide Tattoo Removal Program.
In line with CDCR’s mission to facilitate the successful reintegration of people back to their communities after incarceration, the program is one way to help equip them with tools to be drug-free, healthy, and employable members of society.
Get to know Todd and Dave in this video as they interview staff and incarcerated people at Folsom State Prison. See their process to effectively get information out to Inside CDCR viewers.
California Model
‘The perfect recipe’: Staff, mentors join forces to change lives at Valley State Prison
A collaboration unlike any other is transforming Valley State Prison (VSP) in all the right ways. The Youthful Offender Program, or YOP, tailors rehabilitation to the unique needs of younger incarcerated people, with more experienced incarcerated people serving as peer mentors to guide them along their way. Staff receive specialized training in working with this population, and become as mentors and advisers themselves.
This unique approach to rehabilitation is perfectly in line with the California Model, which seeks to empower incarcerated individuals to use their lived experiences to mentor and support their peers. Beyond peer mentorship, VSP has embraced the California Model as a whole, providing rehabilitative programs and opportunities that more closely resemble outside communities. From therapeutic horse programs to intensive cognitive behavioral courses, VSP is committed to positive, long-term change.
As CDCR Unlocked found out while visiting VSP, none of it is possible without enthusiastic staff and supportive leadership. Correctional Counselor Liz Alva credits the “perfect recipe” of mentors, mentees and employees for the transformation underway at VSP as CDCR works to implement the California Model’s pillars statewide.
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Employee wellness takes center stage at CTF event
Correctional Training Facility (CTF) hosted a staff wellness event. The event reflects CDCR’s vision for the California Model, as part of the institution’s focus on holistic well-being, trauma-informed care, and transformation of the correctional environment.
“In aligning with the CDCR California Model, we at CTF understand the critical nature of staff wellness,” said Warden (A) Edward J. Borla. “Given the sobering reality that the average life expectancy of a correctional officer is only 59 years, our commitment to enhancing staff well-being is not just a priority, but a necessity. By focusing on holistic wellness, we aim to create a safer, more supportive environment, reflecting the transformative vision of the California Model.”
The training provided insights from the Compassion Prison Project and the WYSM (Why’d You Stop Me) Program.
CHCF hosts first basketball tournament
California Health Care Facility hosted its inaugural Innovational basketball tournament. Incarcerated Advisory Council (IAC) members invited the Prison Sports Network (PSN) basketball team to have a friendly competition. The Prison Sports Network (PSN) basketball team is made up of volunteers from The Father’s House.
CHCF’s Echo Yard Gophers played a good game against the visiting team PSN, coming out victorious with a score of 48-38. The day was filled with excitement and an opportunity to create a new dynamic tradition.
“Studies have shown that participating in competitive sports not only improves mental and physical health but develops social skills, inspires confidence and promotes teamwork,” said Kaleb Starks, incarcerated participant.
SAC honors military with ‘Sweat for a Vet’
California State Prison, Sacramento (SAC) staff and incarcerated population participated in a “Sweat for a Vet” event.
Approximately 50 participants completed a series of exercises to honor individuals who served, or a specific military branch.
Following the event, the group spoke about how they can work together to pave the way for the CA Model at SAC.
In the Community
Pelican Bay shows up for Redwood School safety event
Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP) attended the Redwood School safety day event. PBSP staff talked to children about the importance of staying safe and listening to their parents. Those in attendance included:
- California Highway Patrol
- Fire departments
- Local law enforcement
- Fish and Wildlife
- Ambulance agencies
- and search/ rescue team.
Ironwood officers, K9s make strong showing in competition
Ironwood State Prison (ISP) Officer Martin and K9 Camo got Top Dog in the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office K9 competition. ISP Officer Fernandez and K9 Nala won 3rd place.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department K9 Team hosts a K9 competition and public safety fair every year, inviting law enforcement agencies from all over the state and country to compete. Dog and handler teams compete in a two-day competition designed to test narcotic detection, evidence location, protection, agility and obedience. For law enforcement agencies, these competitions are instrumental in the further education of K9 teams by comparing training programs and team performance.
MCSP attends Salute to Service Night
Bradshaw Christian High School hosted a Salute to Service Night honoring military, law enforcement, fire and emergency services personnel. All received invitations to attend the varsity football game against Rosemont High School.
All service personnel and their families walked onto the field for the national anthem and pre-game prayer. Local departments brought emergency vehicles and personnel to help line the track.
Agencies present included:
- Cosumnes Community Services District Fire
- Elk Grove Police Department
- Reach helicopter
- Army personnel
- Tracy Police Department
- Mule Creek State Prison
- Sacramento Police Department
- and Sacramento County probation.
MCSP continues to represent CDCR proudly in our local communities surrounding the Mule Creek State Prison.
Recruitment
OPOS recognizes Lt. Monique Williams
Office of Peace Officer Selection Chief Breann Cantu recognized Lt. Monique Williams from Central California Women’s Facility for her many contributions to recruitment.
Lt. Williams’ strong commitment and exemplary performance have set a commendable standard for the entire team.
Specialized Recruitment Unit hosts open house
The Specialized Recruitment Unit (SRU) hosted a CDCR Open House at Headquarters. SRU welcomed over 60 CDCR employees and public participants. The event featured a presentation from the Upward Mobility Unit on “Goals, Motivation, and Habits” and offered participants the opportunity to meet with hiring managers, speak to a career coach, and learn more about CDCR.
Several programs participated in the CDCR Partner Pavilion including:
- Board of Parole Hearings
- California Correctional Health Care Services
- California Prison Industry Authority
- Division of Adult Parole Operations
- Enterprise Information Services
- Food Services
- Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE)
- Human Resources
- Office of Audits and Court Compliance
- Peace Officer Recruitment
- Religious Services
- Savings Plus
SRU provides hiring solutions for CDCR programs and institutions statewide. For assistance with your vacancy needs, connect with a recruiter by visiting the CDCR Careers page or email Careers@cdcr.ca.gov.
The Upward Mobility Unit provides career development guidance and resources to CDCR employees looking to promote. To learn more about Upward Mobility, connect with the team via email at CDCRUpwardMobility@cdcr.ca.gov.
Upward Mobility
Debbie Morse has been appointed Associate Director, Talent Management, Human Resources.
In the Media
Parlin Fork crew attends 2023 Turkey Toss
In the way that some things become tradition merely because it’s just been done year after year, and ignoring the absurdity of the actual task – tossing frozen fowl into the air and skillfully catching it, while not also catching frostbite – the annual Turkey Toss continues to mark the beginning of the holiday season, and to announce the upcoming free community Thanksgiving dinner, hosted at the Willits Senior Center.
Crewmembers from Parlin Fork Conservation Camp helped load food items from the Willits Community Services and Food Bank’s loading dock into trucks bound for the camp where they were cooked for Thanksgiving dinner.
Visit Willits Weekly to read the full article.
‘26.2 to Life’ shows how running can be rehabilitation
California’s San Quentin State Prison isn’t the sort of place where you’d expect to find much in the way of optimism. But, as a new film screening at the Hamptons Doc Fest reveals, thanks to a running club overseen by a group of dedicated volunteers, serving a life sentence in prison doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the line. In fact, in many cases, it’s often just the starting point.
Christine Yoo’s documentary “26.2 to Life” shares the story of a group of San Quentin incarcerated people — all of them serving long sentences — who find camaraderie, solace and hope for the future through a simple, yet thoroughly character-building, activity — running.
Visit 27East for the full story.
Something wonderful is happening in American prisons. Really.
A change taking place right now has the potential to do more good within U.S. prisons than any policy in a generation — good that will extend far beyond the realm of criminal justice.
With a 2020 law finally taking full effect, people who are incarcerated can for the first time in decades get Pell Grants, the federal tuition aid for low-income students. The grants are small, but they are critical to rebuilding one of the most important tools we have to reduce crime and mitigate the harms of mass incarceration: college education.
Visit The New York Times website to read the full article.
Officers conduct compliance checks on Yolo County’s registered sex offenders
On November 14th and 15th, Yolo County law enforcement conducted compliance checks and address verifications on over 300 registered sex offenders. “Operation Vigilance” is a program that started 14 years ago with the goal to protect Yolo County community members by ensuring that those who must register as sex offenders, who live in the County are complying with all laws and applicable parole or probation directives.
Over 80 law enforcement personnel from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Davis Police Department, Yolo County Probation Department, Woodland Parole Unit, California Department of Justice Human Trafficking and Sexual Predator Apprehension Team, Sutter County Probation, US courts Federal Probation, US Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, West Sacramento Police Department, Yolo County District Attorney’s Criminal Investigation Bureau, Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Woodland Police Department participated in this joint operation.
Visit the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office website for the full press release.
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