Inside CDCR News Blog

FEATURED STORIES

Parole Agent Hector Garcia, center, was recognized by his supervisors for saving a teenager who was threatening to jump from a freeway overpass.

Parole Agent Garcia saves teenager

Thanks to recently graduated Parole Agent Hector Garcia, a teenager is safe after threatening self-harm. Parole Agent Hector Garcia was…

VIDEOS

CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber is flanked by Medal of Valor honorees Parole Agent Marcello Yciano and Correctional Officer Teng Thao.

CDCR, CCHCS staff gather for 40th Medal of Valor

CDCR and CCHCS staff gathered at the academy in Galt for the 40th annual Medal of Valor Ceremony. The Sept.…


Staff hide in a corner behind a barricade during an active shooter mass casualty training exercise at High Desert State Prison (HDSP) in Susanville in 2026. Words overlaying the image are: "training to save lives."

HDSP holds mass casualty training

High Desert State Prison (HDSP) in Susanville recently held a comprehensive mass casualty training exercise in the administrative building. The…

Requests for CDCR history of two people on the left and a 1915 photo of Harry Houdini.

CDCR history requests come from families, writers, professors

Requests for CDCR history can come from a variety of sources. They range from family members tracking down a rumor…

BEYOND THE BADGE

Isabella Espinoza with her recently retired dad, J. Espinoza, at her graduation from the CDCR Academy.

Espinoza begins CDCR career same day her father retires

Editor’s note: Isabella Espinoza graduated the academy with Class 3-26A, beginning her CDCR career the same day her father retired…

Three women wear shirts with the words "It's OK not to be OK."

LAC hosts Suicide Awareness Month events for staff

California State Prison-Los Angeles County (LAC) staff participated in multiple initiatives to highlight Suicide Awareness Month. The observances and activities…

Group photo of Pelican Bay State Prison staff around a classic car.

Pelican Bay hosts annual Employee Appreciation Day

The annual Employee Appreciation Day at Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP) in Crescent City brought staff together for camaraderie, competition…

LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS

OCS Operation Coast to Coast by the numbers graphic.

OCS joins effort targeting nationwide human trafficking operation

The Office of Correctional Safety (OCS) assisted the Sacramento Regional Human Trafficking Task Force (SRHTTF) in Coast to Coast, a…

DAPO Operations Sunset Time and Oceanside Sunrise with images of parole agents.

Seven arrested in two DAPO parole sweeps

Two Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) sweeps resulted in seven arrests in Oceanside, Carlsbad and Riverside County. Parole uncovers…

Parole agents from Chula Vista parole unit 2 during Operation Imperial Heat.

Parole agents, DA, OCS partner for Operation Imperial Heat

In late August, the Chula Vista 2 Parole Unit partnered with Imperial County District Attorney (DA) investigators and CDCR’s Office…

INSIDE CDCR VIDEOS

CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber is flanked by Medal of Valor honorees Parole Agent Marcello Yciano and Correctional Officer Teng Thao.

CDCR, CCHCS staff gather for 40th Medal of Valor

CDCR and CCHCS staff gathered at the academy in Galt for the 40th annual Medal of Valor Ceremony. The Sept.…

Isabella Espinoza with her recently retired dad, J. Espinoza, at her graduation from the CDCR Academy.

Espinoza begins CDCR career same day her father retires

Editor’s note: Isabella Espinoza graduated the academy with Class 3-26A, beginning her CDCR career the same day her father retired…

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Painting Over It: Healing Through Arts at CIM

Damian Reyes has converted incarceration into rehabilitation, thanks to Healing Through Arts, a program started at California State Prison, Los Angeles County.…

Jobs, Training & Facilities

Staff hide in a corner behind a barricade during an active shooter mass casualty training exercise at High Desert State Prison (HDSP) in Susanville in 2026. Words overlaying the image are: "training to save lives."

HDSP holds mass casualty training

High Desert State Prison (HDSP) in Susanville recently held a comprehensive mass casualty training exercise in the administrative building. The…

A CCI registered nurse and a custody staff member talk to Tehachapi high school students during career day.

CCI staff participates in high school career day

Staff from California Correctional Institution (CCI) recently participated in the annual Tehachapi High School career day, giving students a firsthand…

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

A CCI registered nurse and a custody staff member talk to Tehachapi high school students during career day.

CCI staff participates in high school career day

Staff from California Correctional Institution (CCI) recently participated in the annual Tehachapi High School career day, giving students a firsthand…

CDCR staff gather across California to honor the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks after 25 years.

CDCR remembers lives lost 25 years after 9/11 attacks

Across California, CDCR paid tribute to the lives lost during the 9/11 terror attacks. Staff and communities united to remember…

California Institution for Men, Warden Eric Mejia and California Institution for Women, Warden Sonia Padilla were invited to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Ontario Tower Buzzers minor league baseball game.

CIW, CIM wardens throw ceremonial first pitches

Before a packed crowd at Ontario’s ONT Field, wardens from two institutions threw out the ceremonial first pitches. California Institution…

FIREFIGHTERS & CAMPS

Fire Captain Ries, with CCWF, in a fire engine.

CCWF Fire Captain Ries is making a difference

While CDCR firehouses and camps are battling fires across California, Inside CDCR caught up with Fire Captain Robert Ries, a…

Before and after of a barbershop makeover at Fenner Conservation Camp.

While rebuilding barbershop, camp participant rebuilds self

A participant at Fenner Canyon Conservation Camp #41 rebuilt the barbershop while ultimately rebuilding himself. At the camp in Valyermo,…

REHABILITATION

CCWF CALCTRA graduate hugs a family member after the ceremony.

CALCTRA celebrates 56 graduates at CCWF

A milestone achievement was celebrated at Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla as 56 graduates completed the California Correctional…

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Painting Over It: Healing Through Arts at CIM

Damian Reyes has converted incarceration into rehabilitation, thanks to Healing Through Arts, a program started at California State Prison, Los Angeles County.…

CDCR's back to school campaign featured education and transforming lives with teachers in prison classrooms against a chalkboard background.

Transforming lives: How CDCR is redefining prison education

A sprawling education system, complete with accredited adult schools, college classes and career training designed to transform lives, exists within…

CDCR Weekender

CDCR staff gather across California to honor the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks after 25 years.

CDCR remembers lives lost 25 years after 9/11 attacks

Across California, CDCR paid tribute to the lives lost during the 9/11 terror attacks. Staff and communities united to remember…

Two people walk along the automotive show at CHCF in Stockton.

CHCF thanks staff through third annual automotive show

The California Health Care Facility (CHCF) in Stockton recently hosted its third annual automotive show. This event provides staff with…

CALCTRA

CCWF CALCTRA graduate hugs a family member after the ceremony.

CALCTRA celebrates 56 graduates at CCWF

A milestone achievement was celebrated at Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla as 56 graduates completed the California Correctional…

Dave Dahl, co-founder of Dave's Killer Bread, watches an AUTOCAD CALCTRA student at Folsom State Prison.

CALCTRA podcast features Dave’s Killer Bread co‑founder Dave Dahl

The California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA) featured Dave Dahl, co-founder of Dave’s Killer Bread, on the latest episode…

Suzie Changus speaks at the Centinela graduation for CALCTRA.

CALCTRA honors graduates at Centinela State Prison

The California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA) recognized 25 incarcerated individuals at Centinela State Prison for successfully completing their…

ABOVE THE CALL

Parole Agent Hector Garcia, center, was recognized by his supervisors for saving a teenager who was threatening to jump from a freeway overpass.

Parole Agent Garcia saves teenager

Thanks to recently graduated Parole Agent Hector Garcia, a teenager is safe after threatening self-harm. Parole Agent Hector Garcia was…

CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber is flanked by Medal of Valor honorees Parole Agent Marcello Yciano and Correctional Officer Teng Thao.

CDCR, CCHCS staff gather for 40th Medal of Valor

CDCR and CCHCS staff gathered at the academy in Galt for the 40th annual Medal of Valor Ceremony. The Sept.…

DOGS IN CDCR

Three CDCR K-9s: Skipper, Tokyo and Yankee.

Meet the CDCR K‑9s: Skipper, Tokyo, Yankee

Three CDCR K-9s assisting their handlers to help keep institutions safe are Skipper, Tokyo and Yankee. Every day, CDCR K-9s…

Shadow and Sammy, CDCR K-9s.

Meet the CDCR K‑9s: Shadow and Sammy

Two CDCR K-9s assisting their handlers to help keep institutions safe are Shadow and Sammy. Every day, CDCR K-9s work…

Mayor, Ranger and Penny with their correctional officer handlers for the Meet the CDCR K-9s series.

Meet the CDCR K‑9s: Mayor, Penny, Ranger

Three CDCR K-9s assisting their handlers to help keep institutions safe are Mayor, Penny and Ranger. Every day, CDCR K-9s…

SPORTS

Players at the CIM Between the Lines exhibition game.

CIM welcomes Between the Lines for special event

The Between the Lines foundation brought “Beyond the Lines Travel Beyond the Walls” to California Institution for Men (CIM) at…

Calipatria State Prison hosted a soccer championship in July on Facility A.

Calipatria State Prison hosts soccer championship games

Sports as a rehabilitative tool was on display at Calipatria State Prison as the incarcerated population on Facility A sought…

A team of correctional professionals from San Quentin Rehabilitation Center (SQRC) and California State Prison, Solano defended their title at the 2026 United States Police & Fire Championships, earning back-to-back gold medals in the 3-on-3 basketball tournament.

San Quentin Jailblazers capture back‑to‑back gold

A team of correctional professionals from San Quentin Rehabilitation Center (SQRC) and California State Prison, Solano, defended their title at the…

WEEK IN REVIEW

PVSP with new sculpture as feature image

Week in Review: September 25, 2026

In this September 25 Week in Review, we highlight PVSP celebrating California with new sculpture, VSP’s health and wellness fair…

2026 Medal of Valor Week in Review image featuring honorees

Week in Review: 2026 Medal of Valor

In this September 18 special edition of Week in Review, we highlight the 2026 Medal of Valor Ceremony and honorees.…

CDCR HISTORY

Requests for CDCR history of two people on the left and a 1915 photo of Harry Houdini.

CDCR history requests come from families, writers, professors

Requests for CDCR history can come from a variety of sources. They range from family members tracking down a rumor…

The Correctional Training Facility at Soledad with photos from the 1950s through the 1970s.

Explore 80 years of CTF‑Soledad’s history

Explore the history of the state’s fifth prison, the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) at Soledad. Activated in 1946, CTF was…

Three historic photos from a 1990 Folsom State Prison calendar. At the top of the image are the words: Snapshots of life at Folsom State Prison.

1990: Folsom Prison prints calendar of historic photos

In 1989, Folsom State Prison’s vocational graphic arts class designed and printed a 1990 calendar packed with historic photos and…

OBITUARIES

Paul Goforth III, retired correctional officer

Paul Edward Goforth, III, a retired correctional officer, passed away Aug. 18, 2026. He was 48 years old. Goforth retired…

Konnie Morrison, retired correctional supervising cook

Konnie Morrison, a recently retired correctional supervising cook, passed away Sept. 14, 2026. Morrison began her CDCR career at Pelican…

Robert Stanley, Jr., retired correctional officer

Robert Stanley, Jr., a retired correctional officer, passed away Aug. 31, 2026. He worked for the department for 23 years…

CEMETERY TALES

Two 1910 mugshots of Ah Sun, 24410, and his grave marker at San Quentin. Ah Sun died in the prison hospital in 1915.

Go behind SQ grave marker of Ah Sun

A photo of a grave marker in a local newsletter led San Quentin (SQ) Museum volunteer Jeff Craemer to ask…

Cemetery Tales, with Folsom prison cemetery and Folsom Dam in the background overlaid with a mugshot of Harry Stewart, 15561.

Cemetery Tales: Harry Stewart, Fresno embezzler

In our final Cemetery Tales of the season, we look more closely at Harry Stewart, early 1900s embezzler, thief, and…

JE McKim mugshot from 1907 and 1926 overlaying the Folsom State Prison.

Cemetery Tales: Meet JE McKim, thieving drifter

In our third installment of this month’s Cemetery Tales, we look at a drifter with a long criminal record dating…

SAFETY & SECURITY UPDATES

Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) aerial view, Safety and Security Update

SVSP investigating two separate attacks on correctional officers

Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) is investigating two separate attacks on correctional officers Sept. 1. In the first incident, at…

Wasco State Prison - Reception Center Safety and Security update

Wasco State Prison‑Reception Center investigating riot

A total of 48 incarcerated persons were involved in a riot at Wasco State Prison – Reception Center (WSP) on…

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