Ready to distribute care packages to the incarcerated population at Pleasant Valley State Prison. 
A CDCR K-9 gives the boxes a once-over before distribution to the incarcerated population at PVSP. 
Pleasant Valley Prison staff ready care packages for the incarcerated population. 
Pleasant Valley State Prison staff line up to receive meals from food trucks.
By Lt. Michael Harris
To thank prison staff, Pleasant Valley State Prison Warden (A) R. Godwin, Community Resource Manager J. Bragg and Custody Captain J. Lopez teamed up with Mount Tamalpais College (MTC). They also provided items of comfort to the incarcerated population.
The effort acknowledges the hard work of the institutional staff during the pandemic while also reminding the incarcerated population of their larger connection to the community outside of the prison.
Formally known as the Prison University Project, MTC provides free Associate of Arts degrees and college preparatory programs to people incarcerated in California’s prison system.
On Jan. 29, MTC and PVSP custody staff worked together to distribute approximately 3,000 care packages to the population. Consisting of foodstuffs, stationary items and a letter of encouragement, the care packages were well received.
On Feb. 1, MTC staff contracted with the catering service Roaming Hunger who engaged the two food trucks for the staff appreciation day. The trucks cooked for the event and were welcomed by all of the staff. During the nearly 24-hour event, both food trucks provided free meals to PVSP staff on all three watches. In total, they prepared 2,500 meals for staff.
Learn more about Mount Tamalpais College at https://www.mttamcollege.org/.