Inmate Activity Groups
Community Based Organizations, religious groups, and volunteer service providers afford vital programming opportunities for California’s incarcerated men and women. These programs are invaluable to the program participants they serve, and significantly benefit the safe operation of our institutions. The objectives of the Inmate Activity Groups programs are to:
- Increase inmate programming opportunities.
- Actively encourage inmate interest and participation in available programs.
- Contribute toward the public’s accurate knowledge of the Department’s operations.
- Provide a needed interchange between the community and the Department.
- Ensure the public is informed about the Department’s rehabilitation efforts through volunteers.
- Create a more positive work environment for staff.
- Foster reconciliation with family.
- Create a more positive environment for inmates and an attitude of hope.
- Provide direct interaction, a model for success, and to prepare inmates for their rehabilitation and successful return to society.
- Reduce recidivism.
- Identify potential resources for inmates.
Inmate Activity Groups can be classified as the following listed below:
- Veterans Support
- Reentry Preparation
- Victim Awareness/Impact
- Parenting/Family Support
- Anger Management
- Cultural, Recreational, Educational Groups
- Substance Abuse Recovery
- Criminal and Addictive Thinking
- Youth Diversion Programs
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Community Service
- Lifer and Long Termer Support Groups
- Self-Awareness and Improvement
- Women’s Groups
- Health & Wellness
- Literacy Student Groups
Credit Earning
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is committed to incentivizing incarcerated people to participate in rehabilitative programs and positive activities, and to commit to sustained good behavior. In November 2016, California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 57, the Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act of 2016. Under Proposition 57, CDCR has incentivized incarcerated people to take responsibility for their own rehabilitation by providing credit-earning opportunities for sustained good behavior, as well as in-prison program and activities participation. Additional information regarding credit earning programs can be found at Proposition 57 – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Grant Funded Programming
The Division of Rehabilitative Programs (DRP) offer varying types of Innovative Programming Grants. Innovative Programming Grants offer funding to eligible nonprofit organizations to provide programs that have demonstrated success and focus on incarcerated individuals’ responsibility and restorative justice principles. Applications and more information can be found at Innovative Programming Grants – Division of Rehabilitative Programs (DRP) (ca.gov).