Observances
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day 2024
January 9 was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Then and every day, we extend our deepest gratitude to all law enforcement personnel who have dedicated themselves to the protection of the public.
CDCR is honored by those peace officers in our department who champion public safety while excelling in facilitating and promoting the department’s mission. Thank you.
Staff Spotlight
Meet Parole Agent Mitchell Tarrar
During National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, coinciding with the 130th anniversary of parole in California, Inside CDCR caught up with Parole Agent Mitchell Tarrar.
Tarrar has been with the department for nine years, starting at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. Later, he promoted to the Division of Adult Parole Operations in Oakland. While there, he worked a variety of parole caseloads, including sex offenders and gang overflow. Two years ago, he transferred closer to home to work court compliance in the Delta District.
Visit Inside CDCR to read the full article.
Training Center honors recruiters of month
CDCR recognized two staff members as Recruiters of the Month for December: Sergeant Timothy Dunham and Staff Services Manager Lisa Hamrick. Both are with the Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center in Galt.
The Training Center recruitment team attended more than 65 events in 2023, with almost half of those occurring since October.
These included:
- Galt community events
- Academy graduations
- Sacramento Kings games
- Sacramento State University Athletics
- and virtual career fairs.
Visit Inside CDCR to read the full article.
California Model
California Model Pillar: Dynamic Security
This foundational pillar of the California Model focuses on relationship building as part of dynamic security. When thinking about correctional institutions, relationships are usually not at the top of the list.
There are three types of security found in correctional facilities:
- Static security involves physical barriers such as walls and fences.
- Organizational security is anything involving policies and procedures, creating a structured framework.
- Dynamic security focuses on relationships between staff and the population, striving to enhance overall wellbeing, ultimately fostering a safer environment for everyone.
Through dynamic security, correctional staff who actively participate in meaningful conversations forge vital relationships, reducing incidents and promoting rehabilitation.
Dynamic security is one of four California Model pillars: normalization, dynamic security, peer mentorship, and becoming a trauma-informed organization.
Learn more about the California Model.
Visit Inside CDCR to read the full article.
Upward Mobility
Kurtis Aronsen has been assigned as the Assistant Deputy Director, Office of Internal Affairs.
Oscar Galloway has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Pleasant Valley State Prison (PVSP).
In the Community
Valley Children’s Hospital Cancer Walk and Donation
California State Prison, Corcoran held a walking competition between Facilities 3B and 4B at the institution. Staff and incarcerated people from each facility joined together to compete against the opposing facility.
The institution donated the funds raised from the competition to Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera. The institution raised over $10,500. Facility 3B walked away with bragging rights from the competition.
California Men’s Colony donates to the Children’s Resource Network
Members of the California Men’s Colony (CMC) Incarcerated Advisory Committee requested a food sale. Their intent was to generate funds for the Children’s Resource Network and the Los Padres division of the Boy Scouts of America.
The food sale raised $12,000 to the Children’s Resource Network. The organization plans to provide resources for youth with these funds.
“It is an absolute honor and privilege to partner with CDCR to provide clothing and other important resource to support children in need through our many stationary and mobile clothing closet programs,” said Lisa Ray, CEO and Founder of The Children’s Resource Network. “I look forward to personally thanking the prisoners and staff for their generosity and kindness.”
The food sale also generated $8,00, for the Boy Scouts of America, Los Padres division, and over $66,000 for local small businesses and restaurants.
Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services
Office tours California Medical Facility
Lieutenant Priscilla Gonzalez guided Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services staff through a tour of California Medical Facility. The tour included visiting incarcerated persons given the opportunity to train service animals. The atmosphere was filled with a sense of purpose as incarcerated individuals channeled their energy into fostering these animals. Witnessing the dedication and skill exhibited by the participants not only sheds light on the rehabilitative aspects of the program, but also underscores the potential for positive change within the incarcerated population.
Rehabilitation
Folsom Braille participant first to receive 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, Shellman provides leadership and guidance to the California Prison Industry Authority’s Braille program.
For his dedication, he was recently recognized, being the first incarcerated person in the world to receive the award.
“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 CALPIA General Manager Bill Davidson. “Lyale is a great example of what it takes to be a success story in our programs.”
Visit Inside CDCR to read the full story.
SAC theater program holds performance
California State Prison, Sacramento recently presented a performance for the Actors’ Gang Prison Project participants. Since 2006, the program provides theater arts programming in prisons and reentry facilities. The Prison Project invites vulnerability, breaks down barriers, recognizes humanity, and supports human connections. The family presentation allows loved ones and community members to witness the work that participants undertake.
For some participants, the family presentation has created an opportunity to reconnect with people and to be seen by their loved ones in a healthy, playful, creative, and productive environment. This year’s holiday performance was a testament to the hard work put in by the participants, alumni, teaching artists, and staff.
OCE coaches retreat in San Diego
Office of Correctional Education Academic Coaches attended a retreat in San Diego. This served as an opportunity to collaborate with each other on the coaching cycle and process. Coaches shared best practices and co-developed training materials. They discussed how to continue to improve communication with the full team and shared the vision of the academic program.
The retreat provided opportunities for team building and improving the culture and climate of the unit. After their first day, the entire team and unit administrators attended a photo session arranged and paid for by the academic coaches.
In the Media
Inside California’s new prison model
CDCR is testing a new model aimed at rehabilitation in hopes to lower violence behind bars and cut down the rate of reoffending after release. NBC’s Steve Patterson visited Valley State Prison to see how the state is implementing the changes.
Female prisoners find purpose thanks to some very good dogs
California wants to make big changes to its massive prison system by implementing a unique program that focuses on rehabilitation: puppy training. NBC’s Steve Patterson visits the largest women’s prison in the world to learn how it works and meet the female inmates finding a new sense of purpose.
Visit the Today Show’s website to watch the video.
ESPN films CDCR staff vs. incarcerated soccer match
ESPN Deportes, the Spanish-language channel, filmed a friendly soccer match between staff and incarcerated people at the Correctional Training Facility.
“Today, we recognized and addressed the emotional needs and past experiences of our population. We are taking a step forward in creating a supportive and understanding environment,” said Associate Warden K. Binning, who played in the match.
The event is expected to be included in an upcoming documentary.
Visit Corrections1 to read the full story.
New report lays out what it will take to transform San Quentin
Fleshing out Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to transform San Quentin State Prison into a more humane enclave, his advisers say the population of California’s oldest prison should be reduced by 30% or more, correctional officers should be retrained to foster “a more rehabilitative culture” and Death Row should be replaced by “dignified housing.”
“The only way to make the environment more livable and rehabilitative, and to give all who are incarcerated at San Quentin access to its strong programming, is to reduce the population and fund efforts to improve the living conditions of those who are still incarcerated,” Newsom’s Advisory Council on San Quentin said in a report released Friday. “From a humanitarian, public health, and public safety perspective, it is time for change.”
Visit the San Francisco Chronicle to read the full article.
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