Inside CDCR News Blog
FEATURED STORIES
CDCR holds July hiring workshops in Central Valley
The CDCR Specialized Recruitment and Outreach Unit will hold two Central Valley hiring workshops in July.
VIDEOS
Meet Bailey, the donated award‑winning K‑9
What a treat for Sarah and Brandon Adkins to see a dog they raised for a year, then donated, training at the CDCR K-9 Academy in Stockton. The academy is located inside the former Northern California Women’s Facility.
CDCR launches ‘Unlocked’ podcast
CDCR is taking a new step to better educate its staff and their families through the CDCR Unlocked podcast.
Pride Month Staff Spotlight: Officer Mandi Hauwert
As part of its Pride Month coverage, The Government Alliance on Race & Equity (GARE) caught up with Correctional Officer Mandi Hauwert from San Quentin State Prison. Here, Hauwert shares her thoughts on Pride Month and what it means to her.
REHABILITATION
Salinas Valley prison raises thousands for youth sports
On June 3, the incarcerated men of Salinas Valley State Prison donated $4,890 to Little League players, coaches and their president.
Incarcerated artists give kids the gift of skateboarding
Fresno Skateboard Salvage works with several California prisons to help underprivileged kids enjoy the many benefits of skateboarding on National Go Skateboarding Day and beyond.
CSP‑Sac concert offers hope through music
Over 100 incarcerated people at California State Prison-Sacramento (SAC) witnessed a hope-inspiring concert June 8-9.
ABOVE THE CALL
CDCR, MCRP staff save two following explosion
Chatting in the parking lot after their shift, two MCRP staff were suddenly shaken by a large explosion. That’s when they jumped into action.
Watch Gold Medal presentation for Sergeant Villarreal
Correctional Sergeant Hector Villarreal was recently honored with a Gold Medal for his heroic actions in protecting the citizens of Kerman and his family from a serial shooter in 2018.
CDCR K‑9 units help rescue two from crash
While driving on Highway 99 near Madera, three K-9 officers spotted a vehicle flipped on its side. As the first to arrive at the March 6 crash, the officers pulled their state vehicles onto the shoulder and rushed to help.
BEYOND THE BADGE
CDCR launches ‘Unlocked’ podcast
CDCR is taking a new step to better educate its staff and their families through the CDCR Unlocked podcast.
Pride Month Staff Spotlight: Officer Mandi Hauwert
As part of its Pride Month coverage, The Government Alliance on Race & Equity (GARE) caught up with Correctional Officer Mandi Hauwert from San Quentin State Prison. Here, Hauwert shares her thoughts on Pride Month and what it means to her.
Mental health providers put patient care first
While May is Mental Health Awareness Month, for CDCR’s Statewide Mental Health Program, it is their focus everyday, all year long.
HISTORY
1987: Department publication highlights need for females in corrections
Revisit this 1987 story originally published in Correction News. — When Daniel J. McCarthy first became a correctional officer in 1949, the California Department of Corrections prohibited women from working inside a prison. In fact, women weren’t even allowed to tour prisons.
By the numbers: History of the inmate numbering system
A mid-1990s report penned by San Quentin Associate Warden Dick Nelson looks closer at the inmate identification numbering system and how it got started in California. Some who have been assigned numbers include stagecoach bandits Black Bart, Rattlesnake Dick and Charley Dorsey. Inside CDCR revisits Nelson’s report to put the number system into context.
Photo Timeline: CSP‑Corcoran
During the 1980s and ’90s, California expanded the prison system. The original 12 prisons were supplemented with new facilities ranging from Pelican Bay State Prison in Crescent City to R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. Today, CDCR operates 35 adult institutions. One of those newer facilities is California State Prison, Corcoran. The men’s facility was activated in 1988 after two years of planning and another two years of construction.