Sandra Alfaro, a retired annuitant serving in the Chief Deputy Warden capacity, passed away Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. She worked for the department for 35 years.
Alfaro began her long CDCR career as a cadet at Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center in October 1988.
After graduating the Basic Correctional Officer Academy, she reported to Avenal State Prison. In 1993, she promoted to correctional sergeant, followed by correctional counselor in 1996 and then lieutenant in 1998.
In December 2004, she promoted to captain. She then promoted to associate warden at Central California Women’s Facility in 2008 and chief deputy warden at California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility in 2011.
She served as warden at North Kern State Prison from 2013 through 2016.
Alfaro was appointed Associate Director, High Security (Males) Mission, in March 2016, where she remained until retiring in December 2019.
Her retirement was brief. She returned to serve the state in 2020 as a Chief Deputy Warden retired annuitant, where she remained until her passing.
Read more tributes to staff and retirees who have passed away.