CDCR Week in Review: December 8, 2023

December 8, 2023

What’s New?

Cold and Flu Season Advisory Message from CalHHS Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly

Dear State Employee:

We have entered the holiday season, a time to celebrate and reconnect with family and friends. Nobody wants to miss these important gatherings because of respiratory viruses like flu, COVID-19, and RSV, which typically peak in the winter months.

It’s not too late to get the best protection against these viruses. Vaccines are the backbone of your defense against severe illness and hospitalization. Everyone 6 months and older is eligible for the updated flu and COVID-19 vaccine – and you can even get them at the same appointment. You can schedule your vaccine appointment on MyTurn.ca.gov, with your local pharmacy or health care provider.

Immunization for RSV is also available for adults 60+, pregnant people, infants and some toddlers. Unfortunately, there is currently a nationwide shortage of the RSV immunization (Beyfortus) for infants and toddlers. However, pregnant people between 32-36 weeks of pregnancy can receive the RSV vaccine and pass protection on to their baby. Talk with your health care provider to see if you or your family members are eligible and learn more about availability.

As you gather in the coming months, you can also take these four simple steps to slow the spread of respiratory illnesses:

Stay home if you’re sick
Cover your coughs and sneezes
Consider wearing a mask in indoor public places, especially while traveling or in crowded settings
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly

If you do get sick, consider testing for flu and COVID-19 as soon as possible and contact your health care provider promptly to learn about available medications.

For more information, visit the CDPH Respiratory Virus Prevention webpage, which also has resources you can share with loved ones and community organizations.

I hope you and your family have a rich, memorable, and healthy holiday season.

Serving with you,

Dr. Mark Ghaly

Secretary, California Health and Human Services Agency

Microsoft Teams Celebration/Awareness Month Backgrounds

Our Microsoft Teams celebration/awareness month backgrounds page is a joint effort of CCHCS and CDCR. It includes creative MS Teams backgrounds you can download and summaries to learn more about our featured days/months and how to get involved.

CDCR Unlocked

33: We can be Heroes: CDCR implements Active Bystandership training

CDCR is empowering employees to not only do the right thing, but to influence others to also do the right thing. The department has partnered with Heroes, an organization that provides Active Bystandership training for corrections, fire and rescue, and health care departments.

This training teaches employees when and how to effectively intervene in several situations, from deescalating tense situations, stepping in to stop a mistake that could cause harm, or recognizing the signs of work-related stress that may lead to emotional or physical harm.

Visit rss.com to listen to the podcast.

Observances

International Day of Commemoration of Victims of the Crime of Genocide

December 9th of every year is a global commitment that was founded by the United Nations as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime.

This day will always be a reminder that everyone has a duty to uphold and that is to always show compassion and kindness through our words and actions. Learn from our history so we can safeguard our future. Raising awareness is our number one focus.

By embracing diversity, different perspectives, and experiences, together we can promote a sustainable peacebuilding environment. This will require acknowledging and addressing the root causes of discrimination, prejudice, and exclusion, while promoting understanding, empathy, and human rights for all.

Submission by GARE Ambassador Sparkle Hogan

To encourage employees to expand their knowledge and gain new experiences, CDCR/CCHCS GARE Ambassadors are sharing observances throughout the year. To learn more about the diversity, equity and inclusion efforts visit the GARE website.

Thanksgiving 2023

HDSP Visiting Celebrates Thanksgiving

High Desert State Prison (HDSP) celebrated Thanksgiving where family, friends, and relatives of the incarcerated spent time with their loved ones. Staff decorated visiting rooms in a harvest theme and traditional Thanksgiving meals were available to all in attendance.

Dinner included:

turkey
mashed potatoes
and stuffing.

Following dinner, delicious deserts were available, which included pumpkin and apple pie.

After dinner, families played games, decorated arts and crafts, and ended their visit with photographs.

“I am thankful for my family being allowed to visit me on Thanksgiving and my family showing their support by showing up,” said an HDSP incarcerated.

CHCF hosts 1st Annual Thanksgiving Day Sip and Paint

California Health Care Facility’s (CHCF) visiting department hosted its 1st Annual Thanksgiving Day Sip and Paint event. The incarcerated population and their loved ones sipped hot chocolate and coffee while creating canvassed Thanksgiving Day paintings.

The incarcerated population and the visitors took photos with Thanksgiving themed Inflatable décor and painted backdrops. CHCF incarcerated population made the decorations.

“I’ve been down for over 14 years and worked in visiting for over 7 years, I’ve never seen anything like this, this is great,” said John Keene, CHCF incarcerated.

California Model

CTF Staff Appreciation

Correctional Training Facility (CTF) hosted an Employee Appreciation event to show appreciation to the CTF staff for their hard work and dedication. CTF Employee Action Committee (EAC) and the CTF Management Team organized the event. EAC and facility managers provided Smash Burger meals and sodas to staff across all shifts.

“Today is not just about providing a meal; it was to show our appreciation for the incredible work the CTF staff does on a day-to-day basis,” said Daisy Diaz, a member of the EAC.

Car show and lunch at CTC Staff Appreciation

Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center (CTC) held a staff appreciation day that featured a car show and lunch. The highlight of the day was the tri-tip lunch that was cooked by CTC Sergeant R. Thorntona and served by institution management.

Staff showcased their prized classic and new cars, turning the parking lot into a small car show. Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) and the California Correctional Supervisors Organization (CCSO) sponsored the lunch.

In the Community

ASP Honor Guard attends local HS football game

Avenal State Prison (ASP) Honor Guard presented the country’s flags at the Coalinga High School Playoff football game.

“I am genuinely grateful for the ASP Honor Guard’s contribution, and I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to work with them again. A heartfelt thank you to all involved for making this meaningful event possible,” said Alyssa Witt, Activities Director/Assistant Principal of CHS.

CHS lost a close game 21-19 to Matilda Torres Toros of Madera.

ISP staff holiday donation

Ironwood State Prison (ISP) staff donated 21 boxes filled with food donations to Harmony Kitchen, Blythe’s local non-profit meal center. The food donated will assist Harmony Kitchen to provide a warm meal to those in need.

OCE attends 2023 CAEP

CDCR’s Office of Correctional Education (OCE) received an invitation to present CDCR’s education programs at the 2023 California Adult Education Programs (CAEP) Summit. California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the California Department of Education co-sponsored the summit.

The event took place in Los Angeles and brought together more than 500 adult education providers. The group focused on best practices dedicated to the needs of adult learners. Specifically, how education departments can help ensure that learners are well prepared for employment or further education.

CDCR’s Office of Correctional Education, represented by Dr. Lynne Ruvalcaba, highlighted CDCR’s strong education programs and CDCR’s commitment to digital literacy for CDCR students.

CIM Honor Guard represents at CLA

California Institution for Men (CIM) Honor Guard performed the posting of the colors for the 2023 Correctional Leadership Association (CLA). CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber hosted the three-day conference held in Indian Wells.

CLA is one of the most exclusive correctional associations in the world. Its members lead over 400,000 correctional professionals and eight million incarcerated, probationers, and parolees from across the United States.

CLA’s staff is dedicated to promoting, supporting, and advancing the profession of corrections. Directors and Secretaries from across the nation were recognized and awarded for their commitment to changing corrections’ future.

CIM’s Honor Guard represented CDCR institution’s commitment to excellence in displaying the American and California Republic flags.

Rehabilitation

Fresno Skateboard Salvage Program at CCWF

Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) population raised funds from a recent Costco food sale. A portion of the funds was donated to the ongoing Fresno Skateboard Salvage Program.

The skateboard program auctions off painted boards. The proceeds go to purchase new skateboards, shoes, and accessories to underserved youth in the surrounding community.

Visit YouTube to see KSEE 24 Action News coverage of the program.

Antelope Conservation Camp donates pumpkins to local schools

Incarcerated gardeners from Antelope Conservation Camp donated over 350 pumpkins to local schools for their festivals and pumpkin carving events. Incarcerated spent most of the summer nurturing and growing the pumpkins to give to the children of Lassen County.

Antelope Conservation Camp completes hundreds of hours of community service projects each year. Examples of community service includes:

fuels reduction
campus cleanup of local schools, fair grounds, community parks, cemeteries, local water districts
projects for local Fire Safe Councils
and numerous friendly Good Neighbor projects.

Upward Mobility

Robert O’Brien has been appointed Director, Information Technology (IT)/Chief Information Officer at headquarters (HQ), California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS).

Amy Casias has been assigned as Acting Director of Division of Rehabilitative Programs (DRP).

In the Media

Operation Vigilance: 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 Yolo County District Attorney to read the full article.

Cal Poly Humboldt’s degree program opens new doors for incarcerated students

When the spring semester begins at Cal Poly Humboldt, a group of newly enrolled students in the university’s Department of Communication will be taking their seats.

But instead of sitting in a classroom at the Arcata campus nestled in the redwoods, they’ll be 85 miles north, behind the walls of Pelican Bay State Prison in Crescent City. They’ll also be the first inmates serving time in a California maximum security yard — the most restricted level of incarceration in the state — with access to in-person instruction during their pursuit of a four-year degree.

It’s a milestone years in the making, built on the foundation set by College of the Redwoods back in 2015 with the creation of the Pelican Bay Scholars program (“The Graduate,” July 11, 2019). Over the ensuing years, hundreds of students at the correctional facility have taken community college classes, with more than 100 receiving an associate degree.

Visit the North Coast Journal to read the full article.