The family visiting center at Wasco State Prison-Reception Center received an update to bring it more in line with the spirit of the California Model.
In December, Warden Heather Shirley held an opening ceremony with executive staff, Visiting staff, and representatives from the prison Inmate Family Council to dedicate the newly updated family visiting center.
The renovations make the visiting room accessible for those with disabilities while also offering a more family friendly environment. Some improvements include new bathroom flooring, cookware, furniture, countertops, a fresh coat of paint, and decorations.
Visitors said it feels more like a modern-day vacation rental than an institutional family visiting unit. This is exactly what Warden Shirley had in mind. Visiting, procurement, and plant operations staff put their heads together and made this vision a reality, creating a space dedicated to family reunification, embodying the concept of normalization.
Submitted by Lt. J. Farley
Learn more about the California Model on the CDCR website.
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