Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday announced three people appointed to CDCR leadership positions.
Director of Division Adult Institutions
Ronald Broomfield has been appointed Director of Division of Adult Institutions at CDCR. Broomfield has been Warden at San Quentin State Prison since 2021.
He’s served in several positions at San Quentin since 2017, including Chief Deputy Administrator. From 2002 to 2017, he held several positions at CSP-Corcoran including Associate Warden, Correctional Captain, Correctional Counselor II Supervisor, Correctional Counselor and Correctional Officer.
He started with CDCR as a Correctional Officer at Salinas Valley State Prison in 2001.
Previously, Broomfield was Jail Officer at the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Department from 1998 to 2001. He was Claims Adjuster at Amica Mutual Insurance Company from 1993 to 1998. Broomfield earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from California Lutheran University.
This position requires Senate confirmation.
Deputy Director of Facility Operations, DAI
Jennifer Benavidez has been appointed Deputy Director of Facility Operations, Division of Adult Institutions at CDCR, where she has served as Acting Associate Director of Female Offender Programs and Services since 2023.
She has been Warden of the California Medical Facility since 2022, holding several positions since 2020, including Acting Warden and Chief Deputy Warden. Benavidez was Acting Chief Deputy Administrator at the California Health Care Facility in 2020.
She served in several positions at Folsom State Prison from 2016 to 2020, including Associate Warden and Correctional Captain. Benavidez was a Correctional Captain at CDCR Headquarters from 2013 to 2016, where she served as a Correctional Counselor from 2008 to 2013 and Correctional Lieutenant from 2007 to 2008. Benavidez served as a Correctional Sergeant and Correctional Officer at CSP-Solano from 2003 to 2007. She was also a Correctional Officer at the Northern California Women’s Facility from 1997 to 2003.
This position does not require Senate confirmation.
Director of Division of Adult Parole Operations
Jason Johnson has been appointed Director of the Division of Adult Parole Operations at CDCR, where he has been Chief Deputy Regional Administrator since 2017. From 2006 to 2023, he held several positions including Parole Administrator, Parole Agent Supervisor and Parole Agent.
Previously, Johnson was a Probation Officer at the San Bernardino County Probation Department from 2001 to 2006.
He is a member of the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs’ Association, Orange County Chiefs of Police and Sheriffs Association, and the CDCR Career Development Advisory Committee.
Johnson earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Redlands. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Fullerton.
This position requires Senate confirmation.
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