Inside CDCR News Blog
FEATURED STORIES
Cadet to officer: Meet class 2‑26A graduate Barajas
A cadet in class 2-26A of the CDCR Academy received high praise from his training sergeant and fellow cadets. “Cadet…
VIDEOS
Watch: From farm to tray: CDCR’s Farm to Corrections impact
Nearly six years of collaboration among correctional leaders, local farmers, and community organizations came into focus during the recent stakeholder…
Staff Peer Support Program expands at Calipatria
During annual staff Peer Support Program (PSP) training, Calipatria State Prison welcomed 10 new members to the team. With these…
Operation Golden Grizzly: Parole leads multi‑agency sweep
Operation Golden Grizzly, a June 3 multi-agency parole compliance operation led by the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO), resulted…
BEYOND THE BADGE
CRM Heather Duarte earns CIF coaching honor
Calipatria State Prison Community Resources Manager (CRM) Heather Duarte has devoted over three decades to coaching, mentoring, and inspiring student-athletes.…
Staff Peer Support Program expands at Calipatria
During annual staff Peer Support Program (PSP) training, Calipatria State Prison welcomed 10 new members to the team. With these…
Cadet to officer: Meet class 2‑26A graduate Barajas
A cadet in class 2-26A of the CDCR Academy received high praise from his training sergeant and fellow cadets. “Cadet…
LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS
Operation Golden Grizzly: Parole leads multi‑agency sweep
Operation Golden Grizzly, a June 3 multi-agency parole compliance operation led by the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO), resulted…
Operation Hands Down disrupts Central California gangs
CDCR staff assisted local, state and federal law enforcement agencies May 28 for Operation Hands Down, a large-scale gang takedown.…
CDCR special agents recognized at Law Enforcement Awards ceremony
After taking part in a major multi-agency investigation, two special agents in CDCR’s Office of Correctional Safety, Special Service Unit…
INSIDE CDCR VIDEOS
Watch: From farm to tray: CDCR’s Farm to Corrections impact
Nearly six years of collaboration among correctional leaders, local farmers, and community organizations came into focus during the recent stakeholder…
Watch: Paws on a Mission finds meaning in training
The Paws on a Mission program at California State Prison-Solano provides incarcerated individuals with the opportunity to train rescue dogs.…
Watch: 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run rallies in Sacramento
The final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Northern California received a ceremonious sendoff from CDCR…
Jobs, Training & Facilities
Staff Peer Support Program expands at Calipatria
During annual staff Peer Support Program (PSP) training, Calipatria State Prison welcomed 10 new members to the team. With these…
Cadet to officer: Meet class 2‑26A graduate Barajas
A cadet in class 2-26A of the CDCR Academy received high praise from his training sergeant and fellow cadets. “Cadet…
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Watch: 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run rallies in Sacramento
The final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Northern California received a ceremonious sendoff from CDCR…
Staff carry torch across California for Special Olympics
Across California, CDCR and CCHCS staff proudly carried the Special Olympics Flame of Hope during the Law Enforcement Torch Run.…
Mule Creek staff role up sleeves to donate blood
Mule Creek State Prison recently partnered with Vitalant to host a successful blood drive with staff. This gave employees the…
FIREFIGHTERS & CAMPS
CMC’s Cuesta Camp trains for 2026 fire season
Cuesta Conservation Camp at California Men’s Colony (CMC) held their annual fire preparedness drills to be ready for the 2026…
LAC acting Fire Captain Diaz honored for saving child’s life
California State Prison-Los Angeles County (LAC) acting Fire Captain Jose Diaz was honored during a recent ceremony after saving a…
REHABILITATION
Watch: From farm to tray: CDCR’s Farm to Corrections impact
Nearly six years of collaboration among correctional leaders, local farmers, and community organizations came into focus during the recent stakeholder…
Canine Companion puppies begin Kern Valley program
Kern Valley State Prison has implemented a new Canine Companion dog training program on their Level III Non-Designated Program Facility.…
Watch: Paws on a Mission finds meaning in training
The Paws on a Mission program at California State Prison-Solano provides incarcerated individuals with the opportunity to train rescue dogs.…
CDCR Weekender
SCC Officer Masterson named Angels‑Murphys Officer of Year
Sierra Conservation Center (SCC) Correctional Officer Masterson received the Angels-Murphys Rotary Club of California Officer of the Year. The award…
CRM Heather Duarte earns CIF coaching honor
Calipatria State Prison Community Resources Manager (CRM) Heather Duarte has devoted over three decades to coaching, mentoring, and inspiring student-athletes.…
CALCTRA
San Quentin hosts showcase for employers, community partners
In partnership with California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA) and CDCR, The Last Mile (TLM) hosted a showcase event…
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…
ABOVE THE CALL
LAC acting Fire Captain Diaz honored for saving child’s life
California State Prison-Los Angeles County (LAC) acting Fire Captain Jose Diaz was honored during a recent ceremony after saving a…
Watch: CDCR welcomes 38 new parole agents
CDCR welcomed 38 new parole agents after they graduated at the Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center in Galt. The…
DOGS IN CDCR
Canine Companion puppies begin Kern Valley program
Kern Valley State Prison has implemented a new Canine Companion dog training program on their Level III Non-Designated Program Facility.…
Watch: Paws on a Mission finds meaning in training
The Paws on a Mission program at California State Prison-Solano provides incarcerated individuals with the opportunity to train rescue dogs.…
Rescue dogs graduate WSP‑RC training program
A partnership between Wasco State Prison-Reception Center (WSP-RC) and PAW Estate Rescue & Shelter reached a milestone April 21 as…
SPORTS
VSP hosts second soccer tournament
Valley State Prison (VSP) held its second soccer tournament April 25 in partnership with Fuego FC, a Fresno-based team representing…
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…
WEEK IN REVIEW
Week in Review: June 12
In this June 12 Week in Review, we highlight Correctional Sergeant Melissa Garcia, the 20th anniversary of CTF’s Alternative to…
Week in Review: June 5, 2026
In this June 5 Week in Review, we highlight CDCR and CCHCS at the Law Enforcement Torch Run, Peace Officers…
CDCR HISTORY
Trains and Treasure: Dig into 1894 case of Alva Johnson
When Inside CDCR received a question regarding the identity of a man from the 1890s, we found the story of…
Explore photos, stories of two men from 1890s
A request from longtime San Quentin Museum volunteer Jeff Craemer had us digging into the stories of two men from…
Look back at Folsom Prison teacher Burton Wilcox
Burton Wilcox began his career with Folsom State Prison as a guard in the 1930s, before becoming a teacher. For…
OBITUARIES
Brian Fenderson, retired correctional lieutenant
Brian Fenderson, a retired correctional lieutenant, passed away June 1, 2026. He worked for the department for 24 years, retiring…
Ralph Torres, retired correctional counselor II
Ralph Torres, a retired correctional counselor II, passed away May 16, 2026, at the age of 76. He dedicated more…
Calipatria State Prison mourns loss of Carlton Hargrave
Calipatria State Prison announced the May 27, 2026, passing of staff member Carlton Hargrave, a materials and stores supervisor II.…
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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