Inside CDCR News Blog
FEATURED STORIES
SATF Lieutenant creates positive Facility E newsletter
The Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison (SATF) at Corcoran is saluting a lieutenant for creating a positive newsletter for Facility E.
VIDEOS
‘The 50’ film screened with CDCR
On April 17 and 18, The 50 was screened separately at the Crest Theater in Sacramento and then at California State Prison, Solano.
Calipatria salutes administrative professionals
On Wednesday, April 24, Calipatria State Prison (CAL) hosted a spring picnic themed lunch to honor the prison’s administrative professionals.
Meet Matthew Colvin, a CDCR Senior Librarian
Matthew Colvin’s 16-year CDCR career has gone from librarian to correctional officer and back again. Since 2019, he’s served as the Senior Librarian at Folsom State Prison.
BEYOND THE BADGE
Calipatria salutes administrative professionals
On Wednesday, April 24, Calipatria State Prison (CAL) hosted a spring picnic themed lunch to honor the prison’s administrative professionals.
SATF Lieutenant creates positive Facility E newsletter
The Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison (SATF) at Corcoran is saluting a lieutenant for creating a positive newsletter for Facility E.
CDCR Unlocked podcast talks outreach
In this episode of the CDCR Unlocked podcast, we sat down with Tammy Fenton, who oversees outreach efforts as well as the Accountability Letter Bank Program for the Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services.
INSIDE CDCR VIDEOS
‘The 50’ film screened with CDCR
On April 17 and 18, The 50 was screened separately at the Crest Theater in Sacramento and then at California State Prison, Solano.
Super Bowl: San Quentin style
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center staff put together a Super Bowl watch party with acting Warden Chance Andes at the helm.
Chess tournament bridges gap at San Quentin
A San Quentin Rehabilitation Center chess tournament was put on for staff and residents thanks to the Mechanics’ Institute and SkunkWorks.
CALIFORNIA MODEL
Equine therapy benefits CCWF staff, residents
Rebel Farms recently provided equine therapy for Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) staff and the incarcerated population.
Super Bowl: San Quentin style
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center staff put together a Super Bowl watch party with acting Warden Chance Andes at the helm.
Chess tournament bridges gap at San Quentin
A San Quentin Rehabilitation Center chess tournament was put on for staff and residents thanks to the Mechanics’ Institute and SkunkWorks.
HISTORY
San Quentin and the case of the clairvoyant crime ring
A tale of confidence men, swindlers, and a clairvoyant crime ring are part of the historical fabric of San Quentin. One early 1900s case involved clairvoyants, fraudulent sales of radium mining stock, and tall tales told by a smooth-talking mystic.
California prisons have long celebrated Easter
Celebratory events marking Easter have long played a rehabilitative role in California prisons to help reentry efforts.
DOGS IN CDCR
K‑9 Mango retires after six years of service
K-9 Mango, a 7-year-old Labrador retriever, is retiring after six years of service at California State Prison, Corcoran.
Meet Penny, Men’s Colony first peer support dog
The California Men’s Colony Peer Support Team is welcoming new member Penny, a 2-year-old Labrador Retriever.
Retired CDCR K‑9 Villain passes away
For nearly four years, K-9 Villain helped CDCR fulfill its public safety mission at Sierra Conservation Center. Villain retired in December 2023 and passed away Feb. 15, 2024.
REHABILITATION
SATF Lieutenant creates positive Facility E newsletter
The Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison (SATF) at Corcoran is saluting a lieutenant for creating a positive newsletter for Facility E.
‘The 50’ film screened with CDCR
On April 17 and 18, The 50 was screened separately at the Crest Theater in Sacramento and then at California State Prison, Solano.
Meet Matthew Colvin, a CDCR Senior Librarian
Matthew Colvin’s 16-year CDCR career has gone from librarian to correctional officer and back again. Since 2019, he’s served as the Senior Librarian at Folsom State Prison.
CALPIA
CTF sees 123 earn certifications, apprenticeships
In front of family and friends, 123 incarcerated individuals at the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) at Soledad received their apprenticeships and industry accredited job certifications at a CALPIA graduation.
San Quentin sees 52 earn job certifications
It was a day full of music and celebration as 52 incarcerated individuals received their industry accredited job certifications at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Skateboards, prison artists give youth options
Thanks to the efforts of incarcerated artists and Fresno Skateboard Salvage, over 50 skateboards were distributed to youth in Fresno County.
CCWF incarcerated firefighter warns of DUI dangers
Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) actively supports the Every 15 Minutes program organized by the California Highway Patrol.
Pelican Bay artists pitch in for Guitars of Hope
Ten incarcerated artists at Pelican Bay State Prison hand-painted guitars to raise money for the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Del Norte.
SPORTS
Super Bowl: San Quentin style
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center staff put together a Super Bowl watch party with acting Warden Chance Andes at the helm.
Centinela prison, volunteers host Home Run Derby
On March 20, Centinela State Prison’s Physical Education Department and Mastery Prison Ministry offered a Home Run Derby on A, B, and D Facilities.
FIREFIGHTERS
Child thanks prison firefighters who saved his life
When a 10-year-old child asked to meet the firefighters who saved his life, he wasn’t expecting two of them to be incarcerated.
Butte MCRP celebrates first Future Fire Academy graduation
On Thursday, March 14, the Future Fire Academy held its graduation ceremony for the inaugural class of cadets from the Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP) in Oroville.
Youthful camps program comes to Growlersburg
Growlersburg Conservation Camp in Georgetown has some new arrivals, as CDCR implements a new Youthful Offender Program (YOP) for camps.
WEEK IN REVIEW
Week in Review: April 26, 2024
In this Week in Review for April 26, 2024, CDCR observes World Day of Safety & Health at Work, ‘The 50’ film screened with the department, and Mule Creek unites to support staff.
Week in Review: April 19, 2024
In this Week in Review for April 19, 2024, Division of Adult Parole Operations, Ukiah holds Parolee and Community Team meeting, High Desert State Prison and Centinela State Prison celebrate Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment graduates, and California State Prison, Corcoran hosts Health & Wellness Fair.
ABOVE THE CALL
Officer saves crash victim, catches suspect
When a CSP-Corcoran correctional officer came upon the scene of a violent two car head-on crash, he saw the victim was a fellow officer.
Medal of Valor 2023: A closer look
Take a closer look at the 2023 Medal of Valor ceremony, celebrating the bravery of CDCR and CCHCS staff.
CDCR honors staff at 38th Medal of Valor
CDCR honored 27 employees today during its 38th annual Medal of Valor Ceremony, recognizing exceptional work and bravery.
OBITUARIES
Douglas Jeffery, retired librarian, passes away
Douglas Jeffery, retired senior librarian, passed away April 7, 2024. He worked for the department for 35 years before retiring in 2020.
Reymundo Caldera, officer, passes away
Reymundo Caldera, a correctional officer at Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran (SATF), passed away April 18, 2024.
Amber Dronet, retired officer, passes away
Amber Dronet, a retired correctional officer, passed away March 20, 2024. She worked for the department for nearly a decade, retiring in 2012.