The most viewed Inside CDCR stories for 2023 range from new correctional officers graduating the academy to history tales. These are some of those stories broken down by category.
Beyond the Badge: Top stories feature staff
The most popular stories on Inside CDCR come from the Beyond the Badge category. Whether on the job or off, these stories explore the lives of staff.
CDCR welcomes 252 new correctional officers
Garnering the most views for any story in 2023 was the graduation of Class 5-23A from the Basic Correctional Officer Academy. The Aug. 4 graduation saw 252 new officers join the ranks of CDCR. Read the full story.
190 graduate Basic Correctional Officer Academy
The second most-viewed story in Beyond the Badge, and the third most viewed overall, was published in May when 190 cadets from Class 3-23A graduated the Basic Correctional Officer Academy. Families and CDCR officials turned out for the April 28 graduation at the Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center in Galt. Read the full story.
CDCR is a tradition for Morales family
When Class 1-23A graduated the Basic Correctional Officer Academy in January, Inside CDCR caught up with the Morales family. Two decades ago, Miguel Morales became a correctional officer, forging a career path followed by four of his other family members. This story was the third most viewed in the category and the fourth overall. Read the full story.
Above the Call: Staff put themselves in danger to save others
This category of stories recognizes the efforts of staff who go above and the beyond the call of duty to help rescue others. See all the Above the Call stories on the website.
Off‑duty officer responds to fatal accident
While driving to work in the early morning, CSP-Sacramento Correctional Officer John Costello came across a single-car accident in Lincoln. At 4:35 in the morning on Feb. 23, by the light of his vehicle, Costello could see a vehicle crashed into a tree with one person inside. Read the full story.
Medal of Valor ceremony draws readers, viewers
The second most-viewed story in the category was the annual Medal of Valor ceremony during which CDCR honored 27 employees for exceptional work. A story and video proved popular with readers and viewers. Read the full story.
Associate Warden dives into canal to save crash victims
In June, Wasco State Prison-Reception Center Associate Warden Daniel Pierce jumped into a canal to help save two after spotting a car crash. The story was the third most viewed in the category. Read the full story.
Unlocking History: Readers learn department’s history
Learning from the department’s history helps inform future leaders and staff. Did you know? In 1944, the department was established. This means 2024 marks 80 years since the department’s founding. Also, in 1893, the parole law went into effect, with the first four people earning parole in November and December of that year. So 2023 marked 130 years since the parole law passed. The following are the top stories from the Unlocking History category.
Explore the history of Folsom Prison
The most viewed history story was published in June, featuring Folsom State Prison. Archive photos of the prison were combined with stories of early staff and those serving sentences behind the granite walls. Read the full story.
Explore history of California Men’s Colony
Coming in second place for history stories, this one on California Men’s Colony was published in August. Read the full revamped story.
Walking the Walls: A history of custody staff
In January, Unlocking History explored early custody staff ensuring public safety in California’s penal institutions. This story looked at the first prison ship the Waban, the first female correctional officers, and the historic San Quentin prison matrons before a separate women’s prison was constructed. It barely claimed the third most-viewed spots. Read the full story.
Horses powered early prison construction
As an honorary mention, and separated by only 28 views from third, was a piece exploring how horses powered early prison construction. Transporting everything from people to food and materials, horses were critical to the state’s early development. Read the full story.
Division of Adult Parole Operations
Parole has its own category on Inside CDCR and the following stories had the most views in 2023.
Day in the Life: Parole Agent Vivian Miramontes
A video story published in December drew the most views in the category. “Parole agents are human, just like everybody else,” said Parole Agent Vivian Miramontes. “I want to try to assist people, not take them back to prison.” Read the full story and watch the video.
Meet Mark Cruise, Parole Administrator
Parole Administrator Mark Cruise gives us a closer look at the life of parole agents. He started his career as a Parole Agent in Oakland. His story was the second most viewed in the category.
Meet Danielle Bourgeois, DAPO Employee of the Year
Danielle Bourgeois, Parole Administrator, was awarded the 2022 Employee of the Year and readers were very interested. Her story came in third for most viewed stories in the parole category. Read the full story.
Compiled by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor
Office of Public and Employee Communications
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