For the first time, California State Prison-Solano hosted a tree-lighting ceremony for staff, complete with a sergeant dressed as Santa. The event was a way of boosting morale and raising spirits.
Putting on the red suit is first-timer Maxwell Carson, a sergeant with the Investigative Services Unit (ISU).
“I am volunteering as Santa because I love the Christmas season and feel like it is a great way I can give back to my institution,” he said.
While he has worn the suit before, it was only for a family party. This will be his first time for an event.
“This will be a new experience for me being Santa for the public,” he said.
Carson has been with CDCR for seven years, all of them at CSP-Solano. He was promoted to sergeant three years ago and has been with the ISU for about a year, but being Santa is all new.
Other Santa volunteers and their stories:
By Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor
