Costumes, kids and fall festivals
Compiled by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor
Office of Public and Employee Communications
Across the state, staff at CDCR institutions and divisions donned costumes for contests, passed out candy to trick-or-treaters or got into the spirit of Halloween through decorations.
Group activities such as these help foster creativity, team-building and camaraderie.
CDCR Headquarters
The annual Halloween open house, hosted by CDCR Secretary Ralph Diaz, drew dozens of employees’ children, who toured parts of the building and visited the executive staff. The CDCR leadership handed out candy and posed for photos.
CDCR Headquarters staff also held a costume contest, ensuring other off-site areas were invited to participate via electronic submissions.
Kern Valley State Prison
On Oct.28, KVSP participated in the community Trunk-or-Treat event at Caesar Chavez Park in Delano.
The event was developed to provide the kids in Delano a safe and friendly environment to dress up in Halloween costumes and Trick or Treat. KVSP staff donated candy for the more than 1,000 kids who attended this event.
KVSP set up one of Medical’s SUVs and decorated the trunk, then handed out candy from 2 to 7:30 p. m.
Staff volunteers included all KVSP staff donating about $600 worth of candy, six KVSP staff donating their time to assist with the event, and “Tuff Teddy” donated from California Correctional Peace Officers Association.
CSP-Los Angeles County
According to Lt. Karla Graves, LAC held is second fall festival at the institution on Oct. 19.
The event was open to the community and featured costumes, food, law enforcement partners, a haunted house, car show and trunk-or-treating.
Pelican Bay State Prison
Crescent City’s first Halloween Trunk-or-Treat, coordinated by the CHP, drew plenty of families on Oct. 31. “It was a stellar community event,” wrote Correctional Lt. Del Higgerson. “It was a huge success.” Pelican Bay State Prison staff participated alongside other first responders, businesses and churches. There over 50 trunks for kids to visit, with more than 1,000 kids attending.
Pelican Bay State Prison administration staff also donned costumes at the institution.
Salinas Valley State Prison & Correctional Training Facility
The SVSP/CTF’s ninth annual Family Day took was a little different this year. The family-themed day was combined with Halloween for a Trunk-or-Treat event.
SVSP/CTF staff decorated their vehicle trunks and passed out candy for several children who attended. There was also a haunted house, bounce house and obstacle course in addition to a chili and pie contest.
This event is about giving back to prison staff and their families.
CSP-Solano
It was a costumed craze for non-custody employees at California State Prison, Solano. Snow White’s seven dwarfs could be found in one area of the institution while other areas featured sports-themed costumes.