California Correctional Health Care Services reported the passing of Joyce Ellen Hayhoe, 65. She passed away in her sleep on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, after a courageous battle with glioblastoma. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Gary, and their son Sean and his wife Alexandra Sanders. She’s also survived by her mother, Gloria Darragh, and members of her numerous family.
After 36 years working for the state, Joyce retired in 2017 as director of legislation and communications for California Correctional Health Care Services, where she was instrumental in the passage of the “medical parole” law, passage of funding necessary to upgrade health care infrastructure for prison facilities, and work related to a system-wide electronic medical record.
During her tenure with CDCR, she worked closely with the Legislature and the Administration to ensure passage of a number of landmark pieces of legislation. These laws include: “Three Strikes,” Sexually Violent Predator statutes, the reorganization of the State’s correctional boards and agencies into the CDCR in 2005, and AB 900, the Public Safety and Offender Rehabilitation Act of 2007.
In her capacity as Assistant Secretary for CDCR, and as Assistant Director of Legislative Affairs at the former California Youth Authority, Hayhoe was instrumental in the confirmations of numerous Governor appointees, including three CDCR secretaries. In 2009, she was honored by the California State Senate and Assembly for her career accomplishments.
There will be a memorial at 1387 56th Street, Sacramento, on Saturday, July 27, at 2 p.m. Remembrances can be made to the Center for Restorative Justice Works.