CDCR staff, incarcerated help guide at‑risk youth

October 9, 2019

CDCR staff spoke to youth at Woodland Community College.

Staff from the Division of Adult Institutions (DAI), Headquarters and Folsom State Prison participated in a conference to help guide at-risk youth.

The conference, called My Future Starts with Me, was held at Woodland Community College on Saturday, Oct. 5.

Staff and the incarcerated population attended the conference hosted by Friends Care, a nonprofit organization providing prevention for at-risk youth and children of incarcerated parents. Folsom State Prison Warden Rick Hill and Lt. Ernie Valencia led the workshop “Choices have Consequences,” giving the incarcerated population a chance to speak to the youth.

People incarcerated at Folsom State Prison and Folsom Women’s Facility shared their stories with the youth via a live closed-circuit television. The population gave youth advice on not making the poor choices that leads to prison. The youth were encouraged to ask questions.

Folsom State Prison Investigative Services Unit also hosted a gang awareness workshop. This was led by Lt. Emily Castro, Sgt. Jason Pagan and Correctional Officer Lindsey Schroeder.

The final workshop was organized by Sonia Mercado. Capt. Patrice Davis served as moderator for a panel consisting of Judge Steven Basha, DAI Director Connie Gipson, Hill and Valencia. Students asked questions ranging from topics about their childhood to their current roles within the department.