As 2021 comes to a close, Inside CDCR looks back at the top stories for the year. The month logging the most views this year was November.
CDCR employment logs highest 2021 readership numbers
The story logging the most views deals with employment and how to become a correctional officer in CDCR.
According to the Office of Peace Officer Selection (OPOS), CDCR’s current staff serve as our best recruiters. They help get the word out to the community that we are hiring.
“We really appreciate the support we get from our employees to meet the department’s correctional officer hiring needs,” said OPOS Chief Rob Calderon. “We couldn’t do it without them.”
Published in June, this story ranked number one for 2021. Read the story.
Only published a few days ago, the story ranking number 11 for the entire year is the new class of 223 cadets joining the Basic Correctional Officer Academy. Read the Inside CDCR story.
Rehabilitation hits high notes with the public
Whether the story dealt with visiting or rehabilitation, Inside CDCR was a place to turn for information.
A new class class inside Valley State Prison ranked in the top 35 stories for 2021, demonstrating the importance of rehabilitation. Originally published in June, read the story.
The tablet project ranked high in readership. Originally published March 1, see the story.
An October story on pickleball at California Men’s Colony proved popular as well. View the story.
CDCR, CCHCS, DJJ good deeds are noted and appreciated in 2021
After a tumultuous two years, staff was ready for some cheerful news. Surprisingly, a story published recently ranked top for the entire year. Read the compilation of good deeds of staff and the incarcerated population.
Staff retirements prove popular
After 35 years of fulfilling CDCR’s mission, Correctional Officer Joseph Castillo said he was looking forward to retiring from California Correctional Center. Read the December 20 article.
When counselor Regina Walker retired from CDCR, she turned her love of baking into more than a hobby. Read Walker’s story.
With 54 years of state service, Gloria Torres left a lasting impression, retiring earlier this year. Learn more about Gloria Torres.
Stories of loss hit close to home
CDCR mourned the loss of coworkers, K-9s and retirees. These are only some of the stories we published in 2021.
CSP-Los Angeles County Correctional Officer Ericka England and her four grandchildren were shot and killed on November 28. Read her story.
CDCR lost a legend with the passing of K-9 Drako (published Oct. 25). Drako retired after his handler, Brian Pyle, passed away in 2017.
Retired San Quentin Associate Warden Richard Nelson passed away January 26. Nelson was an author, historian and a driving force behind the San Quentin Museum. See his story.
Telling stories of heroism
Above the Call, a category in Inside CDCR, is always a well-read section.
Staff saluted those who received recognition at the annual Medal of Valor ceremony.
Governor Gavin Newsom recognized Sergeant Villarreal with a statewide honor.
Avenal State Prison staff rushed to the aid of a coworker. Read the original Above the Call story.
Three Ironwood State Prison staff rescued a baby from a crash. Read the story published in July.
DVI deactivation, George Moore photos top CDCR list for 2021
As Deuel Vocational Institution wound down operations for a warm shutdown, the Office of Public and Employee Communications visited to catalog the facility’s rich history. Staff appreciated the effort, with many reading the story and viewing the photos. See the original story.
Another popular story in the Unlocking History category was the recently published piece on George Moore. The man had a long criminal career ranging from the early 1900s through 1938, when his final prison photo was taken. See his evolution in photos.