What’s New?
Report to transform San Quentin submitted to CDCR
CDCR today announced the San Quentin Transformation Advisory Council submitted its independent report aimed at improving public safety in California by reshaping San Quentin into a premier rehabilitation center through a scalable model.
The independent report, which is divided into 11 sections consisting of more than three dozen independent recommendations, calls for expanding rehabilitation and reentry plans, optimizing education and job training programs, and evolving correctional officer training to create a more rehabilitative culture. Among other recommendations, the Advisory Council suggests reducing the size of the incarcerated population to improve programming and outcomes, improve housing for both the population and facility staff, invest in reentry beds, and reduce costs for new construction at San Quentin.
CDCR, in partnership with the Governor’s Office and stakeholders including the Legislature, will thoroughly review the report and identify feasible next steps related to the Advisory Council’s recommended action items.
Medal of Valor nominations open until Jan. 31
Nominations for Medal of Valor will be accepted through Jan. 31, 2024. The awards recognize employees who distinguished themselves the previous year.
The awards recognize heroism, bravery, or service beyond the normal demands of correctional and community service.
Last year, the department honored 27 people. The awards noted bravery in responding to crises and life-threatening situations. Exemplary work of benefit to the department and the community also drew awards.
Microsoft Teams monthly awareness backgrounds
As we begin this new year, we strive to make our space one in which diversity is celebrated and we recognize each other’s unique talents and achievements.
The below link will take you to the website for the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), where you can view our new January Microsoft Teams backgrounds to showcase some important awareness/celebration days for the month.
Click here to visit the GARE website.
Staff Spotlight
Lt. Chan represents CDCR at AUSA Leadership Solarium
In 2022, the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) launched the Leadership Solarium, a unique initiative to gather innovative ideas from 100 junior leaders. Correctional Lieutenant Richlin Chan, California State Prison, Sacramento, one of 15 Reservists chosen, presented his group’s proposal to Army Secretary Christine Wormuth, Chief of Staff General Randy George, and Sergeant Major Michael Weimer.
This year’s Solarium inspired participants through exposure to senior leadership, expert discussions, and industry collaboration, all focused on empowering the “Total Army” to face future challenges.
Lt. Chan, a 23-year veteran with deployments to Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay, Korea, and Poland, currently serves as a Military Police Captain in the Army Reserve. Chan has spent seven years on the CDCR recruitment team, connecting veterans and service members with CDCR opportunities.
Interested applicants can apply online at JoinCDCR.com.
Story submitted by Marisa Warnock, Recruitment Analyst
Office of Peace Officer Selection
CDCR Unlocked
Freedom to create: SVSP mural artists
Where some would see thousands of square feet of gray prison walls, a group of artists at Salinas Valley State Prison saw blank canvases. With the support of staff and enthusiasm to change their environment, incarcerated artists joined forces to create colorful, beautiful, and meaningful murals throughout the institution.
Those supporters include Associate Warden Veronica Lomeli, a lifelong art enthusiast with an outlook aligned with the California Model’s foundational pillar of normalization – creating prison environments that more closely resemble the community. Lomeli, now at Central California Women’s Facility, started the mural program during her time at the Soledad prison in an effort to reduce violence by creating a more welcoming environment.
Upward Mobility
Dr. Heather Bowlds has been appointed Deputy Director of the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO).
California Model
California Model in action at Valley State Prison
Valley State Prison has fully embraced the California Model, with employees, incarcerated people and community stakeholders invested in enhancing public safety through rehabilitation and positive experiences.
For years, the prison has been at the forefront of rehabilitation, implementing the Youth Offender Program to tailor rehabilitation to the unique needs of those who experience incarceration at a younger age. More experienced incarcerated mentors guide them through their journey, sharing their experiences and wisdom through meaningful, impactful programs.
High Desert hosts jazz performance
Susanville’s local jazz band, Clarity, performed live at High Desert State Prison with more than 100 incarcerated people in attendance. Chief Executive Officer Dr. Todd Murray is Clarity’s drummer. Murray and several of his band members have performed together around Susanville over the past 17 years.
Patient Advisory Council member Michael James joined Clarity on drums. Coach Penny Thiels and Community Resources Manager Jolene Speers co-hosted the event.
CCWF staff Meet & Greet
Warden (A) Anissa De La Cruz hosted Central California Women’s Facility’s (CCWF) first ever Meet & Greet event. The event focused on leadership addressing CCWF staff and their loved ones.
Speakers at the event included:
- Anissa De La Cruz, (A) Warden
- Alonzo Del Toro, In-Service Training Instructor
- Jennifer Fanzo, Chief Psychologist
- Joseph Quintero, Peer Support Team Leader
- Katherine Segars, Employee Association Committee President
- Courtney Waybright, Community Resources Manager
- Lt. Monique Williams, Administrative Assistant/Public Information Officer
- and Ashton Peterson and Cheyanne Witcher, Office of Employee Wellness.
The event highlighted stressors staff face each day and what resources the department has to offer to support and strengthen families.
CCWF is looking to change how staff is affected by the work done inside the walls. The institution wants to ensure staff and their loved ones have and know all the tools available to them.
SAC’s incarcerated artists hold talent show
California State Prison, Sacramento is creating new programming opportunities. Both visual and performing artists displayed their talents in a community-wide forum. This is designed to help foster a stronger sense of community between staff and incarcerated people within the prison walls.
SAC staff joined together to be the panel judges. This group included:
- Dr. J. Gamboa, Enhanced Outpatient Program Senior Psychologist Supervisor
- Mr. W. Thompson, Health Program Specialist
- Sgt. Ramirez, Officer’s Carpenter and Rios, CA Model Custody Staff.
In the Community
CHCF gives to Children’s Home of Stockton
California Health Care Facility’s Inmate Advisory Council Executive Body members and Warden Gena Jones donated $2,000 to the local Children’s Home of Stockton. The incarcerated population raised funds as a part of a recent Costco food sale.
The Children’s Home of Stockton is one of the largest social services organizations in Stockton and the largest licensed Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program in San Joaquin County. The Children’s Home of Stockton has been serving at-risk youth in San Joaquin County and throughout California for more than 140 years.
Rehabilitation
ISP celebrates 113 at education graduation
One hundred and thirteen students graduated from Desert Oasis Adult School at Ironwood State Prison. The school offers various educational programs,including:
- GED
- High school diploma
- Auto Body
- Career Technical Education
- Computer and Related Technology
- and the Peer Literacy Mentor Program.
Graduates received diplomas and certificates, depending on which program they successfully completed. Afterward, graduates enjoyed cake with visitors who attended in support of each graduate’s achievements.
CHCF, Our Promise showcase dog program
The Canine Companions non-profit program and the Our Promise team collaborated to show how staff support the work going on in institutions across California. Canine Companions and California Health Care Facility (CHCF) train a select group of incarcerated persons to become dog handlers. The trained dogs provide specialty services to adults, children, and veterans with disabilities.
VSP celebrates achievements of 80 graduates
Valley State Prison’s Education Department recently witnessed the graduation of 80 inspiring individuals. Principal Wayne Tilley emphasized that this graduation marks a celebration of choices. Among the graduates, 23 earned their associate degrees, a testament to their dedication to higher education. 33 secured high school diplomas/GEDs, while 24 proudly received Career Technical Education certificates.
The significance of this achievement resonates beyond the prison walls. The prison’s Media Center live-streamed the event, allowing friends and family to witness the milestone from the comfort of their homes.
“These choices pave the way for new challenges, open doors to fresh prospects, and infuse new hope into their futures,” said Principal Tilley.
The graduation affirms that education has the power to transform lives, offering a positive beacon for the journey that lies ahead.
In the Media
Folsom Prison Braillist is first in the world to receive top award
For more than 21 years, Lyale Shellman has mastered the world of Braille. A soft-spoken man who works at his desk, not from home, but inside Folsom State Prison, Lyale provides leadership and guidance to the California Prison Industry Authority’s Braille program.
“When people go inside our Braille program, Lyale is that shining light offering them insight as to what it takes to be a top-notch Braillist,” said General Manager Bill Davidson. “Lyale is a great example of what it takes to be a success story in our programs.”
I’d never owned a computer. After 17 years in prison, I finally have one of my own
A professor is attempting to teach 24 of us how to log in to Canvas, a learning management system many universities use to collect student work. She says something about saving our homework to the student cloud, but I’m not paying attention.
I’m lost in my obsession with learning what these laptops are actually capable of. I open all the apps—Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint. And then, momentarily, I freeze: Google Chrome. I open the app and am immediately let down, realizing I can access only a few URLs preapproved by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Still, the gates are ajar, and it feels like freedom—or at least a road there.
Seeking redemption: A journey into L.A. County’s largest psych ward
The yelling surprised no one. Yet still Craigen Armstrong was concerned.
Ray was always acting out. This time he had just come back from medical and was standing at the glass wall, screaming at the sheriff’s deputies on the other side. He was furious, accusing one of them of sleeping with his wife.
Armstrong and the other inmates in the cell block hoped the disruption would blow over. But Ray only got louder and more frustrated.
“He had severe delusions,” Armstrong said as he recalled the incident.
How I motivate my incarcerated brother, even when it feels pointless
As the sister of an incarcerated younger brother, I am at a loss when it comes to motivating him to feel inspired and live his best life. I can tell from previous visits and phone calls that Isaac feels lost and struggles to get in touch with his emotions.
He believes his life is at a standstill because he’s locked up — and it’s hard to blame him. Prison wears on you. It’s a slow, grinding corrosion that can devour your energy and leave you lethargic and hopeless.
Insight Garden Program: Cultivating second chances for incarcerated people in California
Throughout California state prisons, Insight Garden Program is on a mission to transform the lives of incarcerated individuals and help them reintegrate into their communities. They recently received the prestigious Bank of America Neighborhood Builders® Award, underscoring the significance of their work.
With over two decades of experience, Insight is a nationally recognized leader at the intersection of social, economic, and environmental justice. Their innovative approach has been acknowledged by organizations such as the California Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Board of State Community Corrections, and the Department of Justice. Additionally, IGP has partnered with University of Notre Dame to lead the nation’s first randomized study of its kind that will explore the impacts and outcomes of programs inside prisons.
Top Inside CDCR Stories
California Model in action at Valley State Prison
Education Officer breaks down barriers