Compiled by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor
Office of Public and Employee Communications
Across California, 34 adult institutions and five community correctional facilities observed the first Day of Peace and Reconciliation during the last week of January. Nearly 7,400 inmates took part in the events offered by chaplains of all faiths. Read another story about the event.
California City Correctional Facility in pictures
Chaplain Charles Richey speaks at the event at CAC. 
Chaplains Ron Sparks, Joey Brown and George Peate all spoke at the event at CAC. 
The panel of distinguished speakers for the event included Charles Richey, Warden George Jaime and Chaplain Brown (all standing).
California Correctional Center
CCC inmates participate in the Day of Peace and Reconciliation. 
The event was offered throughout CCC for those following various religions. Attending the events were voluntary.
By Lt. Charlene Ruggiero
California Correctional Center chaplains reminded attendees about the importance of peaceful coexistence within the stressful environment of a state prison.
The chaplains and Community Resources Manager spoke about the different religious leaders throughout the world, who all encourage peaceful living and forgiveness. They also discussed opportunities to change and live in peace.
A few incarcerated people prepared speeches and spoke about setting an example for children by reducing racial unrest and the crime rate.
One gave a speech about crimes within communities. He said those crimes prevent children from simply playing at parks or walking down the street.
The social worker spoke about how she can see every person as individuals. She shared a success story of someone who changed his life and met his 6-year-old child for the first time. He paroled from CCC and has since married. He has not returned to prison.
The Arts in Corrections music instructor and local Opera Singer, Liudmila Mullin, and the inmate choir sang peaceful music for the audience.
Warden S. Peery relayed Secretary Diaz’s message and encouraged forgiveness and peaceful behavior while incarcerated and when they are released into the community.
California Correctional Institution
Music was performed at the Day of Peace and Reconciliation at California Correction Institution. 
A CCI Jewish Chaplain speaks during the Day of Peace and Reconciliation. 
Volunteers and chaplains of all faiths organized and put on the Day of Peace and Reconciliation at institutions across the state. 
Music was performed at the Day of Peace and Reconciliation at California Correction Institution.
California Health Care Facility
The CHCF theatrical group put on a short play. 
The CHCF music program put on a show during the Day of Peace and Reconciliation.
By Lt. Wilona Lewis
California Health Care Facility’s Day of Peace and Reconciliation was a huge success, according to organizers.
The event began with an opening prayer led by Chaplin Cedarholm followed by a memorandum authored by Secretary Ralph Diaz read by Warden Laura Eldridge.
CHCF’s inmate Drama Team put on a play titled “Hate & Division” and CHCF’s rendition of Rock Soup.
During the ceremony inmates shared stories of encouragement and the positive benefits CHCF programs have had on the inmate population. They also recognized they were able to put prison politics aside.
One said, “I was on a level 4 yard and you have to wear boots all day, boots to bed and boots in the shower and you can’t talk to different races. I arrived at CHCF and now all I wear is flip flops and I can speak to any race.”
CHCF’s music group performed a medley of songs including one they titled “Peace and Reconciliation.”
California Institution for Women
Photos by Jonathan Mumm, TV Specialist
CIW Chaplain Maryloyola Yettke. 
Native American drumming at California Institution for Women.
California Medical Facility
California Men’s Colony
From left are Clint Jacob, Rabbi Dov Gottsfeld and Randy Guerra. 
Chaplain Mark Williams speaks during Day of Peace and Reconciliation at California Men’s Colony. 
Muslim volunteer Mirza Alikhan at California Men’s Colony. 
Jason Drabek prays during a Native American ceremony during Day of Peace and Reconciliation at California Men’s Colony. 
Drumming, from left, are Anthony Noreiega, Native American Spiritual Advisor Juan Fregoso, Rudy Cline, Jason Drabek and Randy Guerra.
California Rehabilitation Center
Jewish Chaplain Yosef Berkowitz speaks at California Rehabilitation Center for the Day of Peace and Reconciliation. 
A Native American drum gathering at California Rehabilitation Center. 
Performing at the California Rehabilitation Center.
CSP-Corcoran
Correctional Training Facility
Deuel Vocational Institution
Folsom State Prison
Folsom Prison Warden Rick Hill. 
An inmate band performs during the events at Folsom State Prison. 
All faiths were represented during the Day of Peace and Reconciliation at Folsom State Prison. 
CDCR Secretary Ralph Diaz speaks during the Day of Peace and Reconciliation at Folsom State Prison. 
Secretary Diaz and others listen during Folsom State Prison’s Day of Peace.
High Desert State Prison
Nate Williams speaks at the ceremony at High Desert State Prison Facility B. 
High Desert State Prison Warden Jason Pickett speaks during the event on Facility D. 
HDSP Facility D listens to a performance. 
Facility A sings during the Day of Peace at HDSP. 
Arts in Corrections takes part in the ceremony on Facility D at High Desert State Prison.
Ironwood State Prison
Ironwood State Prison Warden Neil McDowell speaks during the Day of Peace and Reconciliation. 
Protestant Chaplain Samuel Burton speaks to inmates at Ironwood State Prison. 
Ironwood State Prison A Facility Chapel.
Kern Valley State Prison
Muslim Chaplain Maurice Howard speaks during the Day of Peace and Reconciliation at Kern Valley State Prison. 
Kern Valley State Prison CRM Kevin Nugent speaks during the Day of Peace and Reconciliation. 
Chaplains, custody staff, prison leadership and inmates were involved in the events.
CSP-Los Angeles County
Group prayer at CSP-Los Angeles County. 
Inmates pose for a photo with staff. From left are Facility C Captain Miller, Community Resources Manager Ericka Lake, Chaplain A. Omeira, Prison Fellowship M. Woods, Father Kennedy and R. Garcia of Jesuit Restorative Justice Initiative, Rabbi Lazar, and LAC Warden R.C. Johnson. 
CRM Ericka Lake welcomes staff and inmates to the Day of Peace and Reconciliation.
Mule Creek State Prison
Chaplains spoke during a Day of Peace at Mule Creek prison. 
MCSP Catholic Chaplain Diogo Baptista addresses everyone during the event on Facility A. 
From left, MCSP CEO Traci Patterson, Director Connie Gipson, MCSP Warden (A) Patrick Covello and CRM Lance Eshelman observe a moment of silence. 
Mule Creek State Prison’s Day of Peace also featured music.
By Lance Eshelman, Community Resources Manager
Tucked away in the foothills, Ione is surrounded by majestic wildlife and green flora. On a crisp January morning, you can see a family of deer calmly grazing the hillside.
It is the backdrop of serenity, yet sharing this same tranquil terrain are 4,000 men housed at Mule Creek State Prison with crimes of different variation as well as length of stay.
On the week of Jan. 27, an event held for inmates and staff offered encouraging messages of peace and unity.
Warden (A) Patrick Covello made an appearance along with the state chaplains and the Inmate Advisory Council. The message was clear, we live and work in a dark place, but we need to be the light to make it better.
In a packed room with a max capacity of 288, there wasn’t an empty chair. CDCR Division of Adult Institutions Director Connie Gipson stopped in for the event as well.
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility
Custody staff took part in the ceremonies across the state, including this one at RJ Donovan Correctional Facility. 
All faiths were represented during the Day of Peace and Reconciliation at R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. 
Native American spiritual leaders took part in the ceremonies at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility and across the state. 
A quick prayer huddle during the Day of Peace and Reconciliation at RJ Donovan Correctional Facility.
CSP-Sacramento
The Day of Peace and Reconciliation at CSP-Sacramento. 
Spiritual leaders from all faiths took part in the Day of Peace and Reconciliation. 
A guitar performance was part of the Day of Peace and Reconciliation at CSP-Sacramento.
Sierra Conservation Center
Substance Abuse Treatment Facility & State Prison, Corcoran
All religious faiths were represented during the Day of Peace and Reconciliation at SATF. 
Custody participated in the Day of Peace and Reconciliation at SATF. 
SATF C yard inmates listen to Secretary Ralph Diaz during the Day of Peace and Reconciliation. 
Secretary Ralph Diaz addresses inmates at Substance Abuse Treatment Facility’s F yard.
Valley State Prison
Photos by Rob Stewart, TV Specialist
CDCR Office of Public and Employee Communications
All faiths were represented at the Day of Peace and Reconciliation, such as this ritual dance at Valley State Prison. 
The Day of Peace and Reconciliation was observed by all faith groups at Valley State Prison and across the state. Muslim Chaplain Maurice Howard speaks during the Day of Peace and Reconciliation at Kern Valley State Prison. 
Observing the Native American faith, drumming is used at Valley State Prison for the Day of Peace and Reconciliation. Kern Valley State Prison CRM Kevin Nugent speaks during the Day of Peace and Reconciliation. Chaplains, custody staff, prison leadership and inmates were involved in the events.
Wasco State Prison-Reception Center
