What’s New?
‘Unlocked’ podcast focuses on Career Technical Education
In this week’s episode of the “CDCR Unlocked” podcast, meet Joseph Piazza, CDCR State Supervisor of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs. In this episode, Piazza and host Joe Orlando discuss the many CTE programs preparing incarcerated people for good jobs and stability once they leave prison.
Update to allowable physical contact during visiting
CDCR is expanding allowable physical contact during visiting. Effective immediately:
- At the beginning and end of each visit, incarcerated persons and their visitor(s) may briefly embrace and kiss.
- Incarcerated persons and their visitors may hold hands during the visit.
- An incarcerated person may hold minor children accompanying visitor.
Current protocols for masking, COVID-19 testing, vaccinations and the restriction of children under 2-years of age from in-person visiting remain in effect. We continue to work toward safely returning to pre COVID-19 visiting operations.
Visitation Information • Read the memo
Observations
CCJBH plans informational events around suicide prevention, awareness
September is Suicide Prevention and Recovery Awareness Month. Throughout September, the Council on Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health (CCJBH) will host virtual lunch-and-learn webinars on topics related to suicide prevention and substance use disorder recovery resources. CCJBH will also share helpful resources with its listserv each Monday and Friday of the month. Below are the proposed webinar topics:
• Week 1: September 6, 2022: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Implementation
• Week 2: September 14, 2022: Addiction Treatment: Shatterproof
• Week 3: September 21, 2022: Co-Occurring Disorders
• Week 4: September 28, 2022: Recovery Services
CCJBH
Council sets September workgroup schedule
Juvenile Justice Workgroup
- When: September 30, 2022, from 12:45-2:45 p.m.
*Note that the webinar date has been changed. - Where: Virtual via Zoom
- Description: At the Juvenile Justice Workgroup, CCJBH will discuss the CCJBH 2022 recommendations related to the juvenile justice system in California.
- The agenda will be posted to the CCJBH website by September 20, 2022.
Diversion and Reentry Workgroup
- When: September 30, 2022, 3-5 p.m.
- *Note that the webinar date has been changed.
- Where: Virtual via Zoom
- Description: At the Diversion and Reentry Workgroup, CCJBH will discuss the CCJBH 2022 recommendations related to the furtherance of diversion and reentry activities throughout California.
- The agenda will be posted to the CCJBH website by September 20, 2022.
Diversion and Reentry Workgroup
- When: September 30, 2022, 3-5 p.m.
- *Note that the webinar date has been changed.
- Where: Virtual via Zoom
- Description: At the Diversion and Reentry Workgroup, CCJBH will discuss the CCJBH 2022 recommendations related to the furtherance of diversion and reentry activities throughout California.
- The agenda will be posted to the CCJBH website by September 20, 2022.
In our Institutions
VSP hot dog sale helps local children
Valley State Prison’s Community Resource Office raised over $1,200 dollars through its Annual Back to School – BBQ Hot Dog Sale event.
The proceeds from the sale were used to purchase an additional 70 backpacks filled with essential school supplies. On August 30, Business Service Manager R. Lindsey, Public Information Officer LT. H. Gastelum, and the Community Resource Manager’s Office attended Migrant Night at Rose Elementary in Madera and handed out backpacks to 70 migrant students who completed a two-week summer school course at California State University, Fresno.
Business Service Manager, R. Lindsey who assisted in delivering the backpacks, stated, “Giving back to local schools and children makes me really appreciate my job because I feel like we are actually making a difference within the community.”
Mayor Santos Garcia thanked VSP staff for their donations, stating, “I was a migrant school student growing up and now I am the mayor of the city of Madera. I really appreciate all migrant programs, along with the people who help make these programs possible.”
Division of Juvenile Justice
ARC hosts DJJ staff at LA Headquarters
Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) staff recently visited the Los Angeles headquarters of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) for a facility tour. Parole Agent II and Re-Entry Coordinator Erika Mutchler along with Parole Agent I Tracee Agee were invited to learn firsthand how this organization, dedicated to hands-on rehabilitative services, operates. The tour was provided by ARC Executive Director Sam Lewis.
The Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) is headquartered in Los Angeles and Sacramento and works to end mass incarceration in California while providing treatment-oriented housing for juvenile and adult parolees. ARC empowers formerly and currently incarcerated people to thrive by providing a support network, comprehensive reentry services and opportunities to advocate for policy change.
At the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility, DJJ has a dedicated ARC staff member, Life Coach Tommy Lewis, who facilitates weekly workshops and mentoring sessions regarding emotional intelligence and reentry goal-setting. Additionally, ARC provides its services at all DJJ facilities and the Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp.
In the Media
Exploring the relationship between entertainment and imprisonment
Musician Ingibjörg Friðriksdóttir’s newest release, Brotabrot,” explores the complex relationship between entertainment and imprisonment, calling into question the morality of the wildly popular true-crime genre.
By blending interviews with former prisoners with dance-worthy electronic music, Ingibjörg—who goes by the stage name Inki—poses this question and urges us to think more critically about the entertainment we consume, specifically in relation to those who are incarcerated.
While attending the Mills College Center for Contemporary Music in California, Inki became involved as a producer on the ‘San Quentin Mixtape,’ the first album released from behind bars in the United States. Working on this project opened her eyes to the world of imprisonment and gave her insight that most lack.
Prisoner painted skateboards to be auctioned off, nonprofit helps youth in need
A local nonprofit is at it again, auctioning another round of skateboards that have been painted by inmates and will benefit underprivileged Central Valley teens.
FOX26 have previously reported on Fresno Skateboard Salvage (FSS) and the work they do with prisoners in Avenal, Chowchilla, and Corcoran.
Rodney Rodriguez, president of FSS made a trip to the Chowchilla prison on Friday to pick up the skateboards that are ready to be auctioned off on Sunday, Sept. 11.
Sac State ‘Project Rebound’ for incarcerated individuals
A Cal State program called “Project Rebound” creates a higher education pipeline for those incarcerated. Learn about the program at Sac State in this NPR story.
Inside CDCR Top 5
3,138 Meet Heidi Wippel, the coach transforming gyms and lives
3,054 CDCR hosts two officer One Stop recruiting events
2,306 Re-entry participants attend college on campus
1,855 Meet DJJ math teacher Craig Stewart
1,786 Twins employed at CMF offer double inspiration
This August, the Office of Public and Employee Communications (OPEC) celebrated Back-to-School month with a series of education-related stories highlighting our staff and our incarcerated population. Some of our stories featured education in reentry, Career Technical Education, and employees pursuing higher education. The readership for these and more stories, featured in Inside CDCR, exceeded 343,000 views. We want to take this time to thank all of our loyal readers, and the people who submit ideas to highlight the good things happening in our department. Thank you!
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