Back to Inside CDCR

California Model, Rehabilitation

Visiting staff makes Thanksgiving special

Across the state, staff at institutions made the Thanksgiving holiday special for families visiting their incarcerated loved ones. A full list of participating institutions can be found at the bottom of this story.

Sip and Paint Thanksgiving visiting event at CHCF

A Thanksgiving visiting event at CHCF.
Creativity on display at CHCF for Thanksgiving.
People hold up their paintings at California Health Care Facility for Thanksgiving visiting.
CHCF’s first Sip and Paint Thanksgiving event was a success.
Smiling people hold up their paintings at a visiting event inside a correctional facility.
All smiles during Sip and Paint at CHCF.

The California Health Care Facility (CHCF) held their first Spectacular Thanksgiving Sip and Paint event.

The CHCF Visiting department held the event for the incarcerated population and their loved ones. They were able to sip hot cocoa and coffee while creating Thanksgiving Day paintings and unforgettable memories. The incarcerated population and visitors also took photos with Thanksgiving themed inflatable décor and painted backdrops, created by the CHCF incarcerated population.

“I’ve been down for over 14 years and worked in visiting for over seven years,” said John Keene, an incarcerated person. “I’ve never seen anything like this, this is great.”

Submitted by Lt. M. Orozco, AA/PIO

CIW visiting event welcomes families for Thanksgiving

Families color a turkey wanted poster during a visiting event at CIW.
Families shared their artistic abilities.
A paper gratitude tree with wanted posters featuring turkeys colored by children.
A gratitude tree displays messages from visiting families and incarcerated individuals at CIW for Thanksgiving.
CIw Thanksgiving visiting event with a photo backdrop.
Families gathered during special Thansgiving visiting at CIW.

California Institution for Women (CIW) Visiting celebrated Thanksgiving weekend with four days of in-person visiting.

Many new faces were seen as visitors came from all over the state to spend time with their loved ones over the holiday weekend. Families were able to capture the moment with photos against a fall backdrop. Also, families reflected on what they were grateful for by displaying their blessings on CIW’s Thankfulness Tree.

Children and adults showed off their creative skills by participating in a coloring activity which helped disguise some turkeys to save them from the dinner table.

Overall, the visiting building was filled with laughter and joy as families and friends came together to be grateful for their visit.

Submitted by Lt. William Newborg, AA/PIO

WSP-RC Visiting staff create Thanksgiving fun for families

Wasco State Prison visiting staff offered a Thanksgiving turkey treasure hunt and fun for families during their visit.
The turkey treasure hunt was a big hit with the children visiting their incarcerated parent at WSP-RC.
A family visiting at WSP-RC during Thanksgiving.
Families enjoyed their Thanksgiving visit at WSP-RC.
Thanksgiving event for visiting at Wasco State Prison-Reception Center with a family playing a game in the visiting room.
Games and fun for families at the WSP-RC Thanksgiving event.

Wasco State Prison-Reception Center (WSP-RC) Visiting staff offered a special event for the incarcerated and their children and families.

The visiting room boasted a Thanksgiving Turkey Treasure Hunt. When the children found a turkey, they were able to redeem it for a prize out of the treasure art.

This event was designed to spread holiday cheer for the children visiting as well as the the incarcerated population at WSP-RC. Visiting families and the incarcerated offered words of thanks for staff efforts.

Submitted by Lt. J. Farley, AA/PIO

HDSP Visiting staff decorate rooms, offer Thanksgiving meal

High Desert State Prison Thanksgiving visiting event with decorations.
A family enjoys a Thanksgiving visit at HDSP.

High Desert State Prison (HDSP) celebrated Thanksgiving where family, friends, and relatives were able to give thanks and spend time with their incarcerated loved ones. They also had the opportunity to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast.

Visiting rooms were decorated in a harvest theme and traditional Thanksgiving meals were available to all who attended. The dinner included turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. Following dinner, desserts were available, including pumpkin and apple pies.

After dinner, families played games, did arts and crafts, and ended their visit with memorable photographs.

“I am thankful for my family being allowed to visit me on Thanksgiving and my family showing their support by showing up,” said one incarcerated person.

Submitted by Lt. J. Micone, AA/PIO

Participating institutions

A total of 28 institutions hosted Thanksgiving visiting events for incarcerated people and their families:

  1. San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
  2. California Medical Facility
  3. CSP-Sacramento
  4. Ironwood State Prison
  5. Pelican Bay State Prison
  6. High Desert State Prison
  7. Valley State Prison
  8. California Health Care Facility
  9. California Institution for Women
  10. California Men’s Colony
  11. Folsom State Prison
  12. Central California Women’s Facility
  13. California Institution for Men
  14. Avenal State Prison
  15. Chuckawalla Valley State Prison
  16. Calipatria State Prison
  17. Centinela State Prison
  18. CSP-Los Angeles County
  19. RJ Donovan Correctional Facility
  20. Substance Abuse Treatment Facility
  21. California Rehabilitation Center
  22. Mule Creek State Prison
  23. Correctional Training Facility
  24. California Correctional Institution
  25. Wasco State Prison
  26. CSP-Corcoran
  27. North Kern State Prison
  28. and Pleasant Valley State Prison.

Read more rehabilitation stories.

Learn more about the California Model on the CDCR website.

Follow CDCR on YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.

Previous Post Staff helps community during Thanksgiving
Next Post CMF earns distinguished school designation