Inside CDCR News Blog
FEATURED STORIES
KVSP officers recognized for heroic actions
Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP) Correctional Officers Jim Rhyu and Alexander Klopfenstein were recognized March 27 for a recent heroic…
VIDEOS
Watch: Knighten finds Second Chance through education
When Johanna Knighten was incarcerated at Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, she began making changes through education. She got…
Undersecretary observes VR program at CMC
CDCR Undersecretary Jason Johnson visited California Men’s Colony (CMC) to observe the Creative Acts Virtual Reality (VR) Program. Johnson observed…
Centinela State Prison hosts Junior Cadet Academy
During spring break on an early Thursday morning, 240 Junior Cadets reported for this year’s Academy at Centinela State Prison.…
BEYOND THE BADGE
Centinela State Prison hosts Junior Cadet Academy
During spring break on an early Thursday morning, 240 Junior Cadets reported for this year’s Academy at Centinela State Prison.…
CMF hosts annual Paws for Life banquet
The gymnasium at California Medical Facility (CMF) in Vacaville was transformed for the annual banquet honoring Paws for Life K-9…
Mother & Daughter: Legacy of service
A mother’s work ethic and positive outlook inspired her daughter to continue the legacy and follow in her CDCR career…
INSIDE CDCR VIDEOS
Watch: Knighten finds Second Chance through education
When Johanna Knighten was incarcerated at Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, she began making changes through education. She got…
Second Chance Month: Meet Antón Irvin
Editor’s Note: April marks Second Chance Month, recognizing the impact of rehabilitation and reentry in supporting success after incarceration. Across…
Watch: CCWF hosts first‑ever film festival in a women’s prison
California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla is again making history, this time by hosting a film festival. The same institution…
Jobs, Training & Facilities
WSP‑RC energy efficiency project is success
The recent energy efficiency project at Wasco State Prison-Reception Center (WSP-RC) was so successful, it generated $650,000 in rebates after…
OVSRS helps victims access their legal rights
Since 1988, CDCR’s Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS) has worked to bridge gaps in accessing information…
Mule Creek ISU disrupts crime, contraband
At Mule Creek State Prison, the Investigative Services Unit (ISU) helps keep the institution safe, out of sight and behind…
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
RJD hosts Crime Victims’ Rights Week event
RJ Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD) recently hosted a National Crime Victims’ Rights Week awareness event for staff and the incarcerated…
Calipatria observes Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Staff and community partners gathered at Calipatria State Prison for a solemn National Crime Victims’ Rights Week ceremony. The April…
CDCR, McGeorge School of Law host Crime Victims’ Rights event
In honor of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS) hosted a…
FIREFIGHTERS & CAMPS
Watch: CMF Fire demonstrates new rescue tools
Thanks to grants and the hard work of staff, the California Medical Facility (CMF) Fire Department now has new tools…
Mexico prison staff tour Oak Glen Conservation Camp
Corrections staff from the Queretaro State Prison in Mexico toured Oak Glen Conservation Camp to learn about California’s fire camp…
REHABILITATION
Undersecretary observes VR program at CMC
CDCR Undersecretary Jason Johnson visited California Men’s Colony (CMC) to observe the Creative Acts Virtual Reality (VR) Program. Johnson observed…
RJD hosts Crime Victims’ Rights Week event
RJ Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD) recently hosted a National Crime Victims’ Rights Week awareness event for staff and the incarcerated…
CMC hosts annual Day for Atonement
California Men’s Colony (CMC) in San Luis Obispo hosted its annual Day for Atonement event in the Protestant Chapel on…
CDCR Weekender
RJD hosts Crime Victims’ Rights Week event
RJ Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD) recently hosted a National Crime Victims’ Rights Week awareness event for staff and the incarcerated…
Calipatria observes Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Staff and community partners gathered at Calipatria State Prison for a solemn National Crime Victims’ Rights Week ceremony. The April…
CALCTRA
CALCTRA graduates earn job certifications at FSP
California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA) recognized 126 incarcerated individuals during a graduation ceremony at Folsom State Prison (FSP).…
CALCTRA launches Prison to Purpose podcast
The California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA) launched its new podcast, Prison to Purpose: Building Futures Behind Bars, in…
New year, new name: CALPIA becomes CALCTRA
The new year rang in a new name for the California Prison Industry Authority or CALPIA. The organization officially changed…
DOGS IN CDCR
CMF hosts annual Paws for Life banquet
The gymnasium at California Medical Facility (CMF) in Vacaville was transformed for the annual banquet honoring Paws for Life K-9…
K‑9 searches find contraband at Gabilan, Wasco
Two recent searches led by the CDCR Central Region K-9 Unit turned up contraband at Gabilan Conservation Camp and Wasco…
Golden retriever therapy dogs visit CSP‑Solano
California State Prison (CSP) Solano staff were seeing gold last week thanks to golden retriever therapy dogs. The dogs, part…
SPORTS
CTF raises funds for Crime Victims’ Rights Week
The Correctional Training Facility (CTF) recently hosted a fundraiser to support the institution’s second National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The…
SQRC Torch Run Kick Off supports Special Olympics
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center (SQRC) got the department started in style for this year’s Law Enforcement Torch Run with a…
Watch: Bonding on the Field: CIM flag football
On a foggy Friday afternoon at California Institution for Men (CIM) in Chino, competition and camaraderie came together as players…
WEEK IN REVIEW
Week in Review: April 24, 2026
In this April 24 Week in Review, we highlight CAL’s autism awareness walk, OVSRS victim advocacy efforts and FCRP’s Pretty…
Week in Review: April 17, 2026
In this April 17 Week in Review, we highlight the OVSRS community efforts supporting National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, SQRC’s…
CDCR HISTORY
Chaplain Lloyd educated public on rehabilitation
In 1905, WH Lloyd was tapped to replace an ailing minister at a church in Folsom and act as chaplain…
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…
Meet the first matrons of San Quentin
With 15 women incarcerated at San Quentin in the mid-1880s, the state decided to create a matron position to oversee…
OBITUARIES
Freddy Contreras, retired correctional officer
Freddy Contreras, a retired correctional officer, passed away April 19, 2026. He worked for the department for more than two…
Weljan Estrella, retired accountant trainee
Weljan Estrella, a retired accountant trainee, passed away April 21, 2026. Estrella worked for the department for 18 years. He…
Joe Servin, retired plumber II
Joe Servin, a retired plumber II, passed away April 21, 2026. Services will be held April 28-29. He began his…
ABOVE THE CALL
KVSP officers recognized for heroic actions
Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP) Correctional Officers Jim Rhyu and Alexander Klopfenstein were recognized March 27 for a recent heroic…
CMC officers help driver after truck burst into flames
Two correctional officers from California Men’s Colony (CMC) helped a driver after her truck burst into flames on Interstate 5.…
CEMETERY TALES
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: Harry Stewart, Fresno embezzler
In our final Cemetery Tales of the season, we look more closely at Harry Stewart, early 1900s embezzler, thief, and…
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
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…
Salinas Valley State Prison investigating attack on 4 officers
Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) is investigating an attack on four correctional officers that occurred Friday afternoon. On Jan. 23,…
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