The CDCR Week in Review for February 9, 2024, highlights Walter Gordon, events meant to enhance dynamic security, and recruitment.
Black History Month
Walter Gordon helped shape parole system
While working to earn his law degree, Walter Gordon became Berkeley’s first African American police officer. He later went on to serve on the Board of Prison Terms, followed by becoming chairman of the newly created California Adult Authority.
The grandson of Georgia slaves became “Berkeley’s genial favorite son (who never) swerved from his professional philosophy of integrity, loyalty to duty, efficiency and courtesy,” one reporter wrote in 1957.
His accomplishments came during a time of racial segregation and civil unrest, paving the way for those who followed. According to 1940s-era San Quentin Warden Clinton T. Duffy, Gordon recommended an African American man for a guard post. Swayed by Gordon, as well as the candidate’s abilities, the man was hired.
Visit Inside CDCR to read the full article.
CCWF screens ‘The Color Purple’
Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) honored Black History Month with a screening of the film “The Color Purple.”
The CCWF Book Club received movie theater snacks donated by Harpo Productions.
Community Resources Manager Courtney Waybright and her staff coordinated the successful event.
Black History Month, observed every February, is an annual celebration of achievements and contributions by African Americans.
Visit Inside CDCR to read the full article.
Recruitment
Recruiters visit District Attorney Youth Academy
During the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Youth Academy graduation, CDCR recruiters were on hand to share career information with the high school students.
Attending the academy were Sacramento-area high school students learning about the criminal justice system. CDCR recruiters presented information on the variety of correctional career fields.
When graduates visited the CDCR booth, they learned about future CDCR career paths in institutions, parole, and mental health services. The students also learned about the diverse array of professionals who ensure public safety and rehabilitation goals are met.
Visit Inside CDCR to read the full article.
In the Community
CDCR staff ride for fallen heroes
CDCR staff took part in the 21st annual High Desert Fallen Heroes Poker Run, raising funds for the families of fallen first responders.
Sponsored by Antelope Valley Harley Davidson, the event raises funds for families of those who worked for:
- Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
- California Highway Patrol
- Los Angeles County Fire Department
- US Forest Service
- and California State Prison (CSP), Los Angeles County
Riders included staff from CSP-Los Angeles County and California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi.
Visit Inside CDCR to read the full article.
K‑9 River given to veteran at Chargers game
The culmination of compassion, charity, and patience was displayed at a recent Chargers game when service dog River was gifted to a military veteran.
In December, Paws for Life and California Medical Facility staff attended the Inspire Change game at Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles for the Chargers game. Alex Tonner and Jon Grobman, of Paws for Life, were honored as the Charger’s Inspire Change Changemaker Award winners during halftime.
Following the awards ceremony, K-9 River was gifted as a service dog to a military veteran.
Visit Inside CDCR to read the full article.
California Model
Juvenile committee meets at Women’s Facility
The Juvenile Offenders Committee, an incarcerated activity group, held a special event at Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla. Hosted by acting Warden Anissa De La Cruz, the event brought together all levels of individuals involved with incarceration, from deputy district attorneys to facility staff and residents.
Healing circles and meaningful discourse were offered.
Circle topics focused on
- victim awareness
- public safety
- accountability
- advocacy
- rehabilitation efforts
- growth and maturity.
Retired Chief Deputy Warden Velda Dobson-Davis, a longtime volunteer, introduced each resident by name, age at time of incarceration, and time incarcerated. All in attendance combined for 1,465 years served among the 80 participating residents.
Rehabilitation
Tattoo removal at ISP
Ink Doctors visited Ironwood State Prison (ISP) to provide laser tattoo removal services to incarcerated individuals for the third time.
Incarcerated often select tattoos which represent gang activity or their lives as career criminals. Some were tattooed prior to incarceration and some during incarceration.
Those who participate in tattoo removal increase their odds of obtaining employment and improving the overall quality of their lives and the lives of their loved ones.
Pleasant Valley sees ISUDT cross training
The Pleasant Valley State Prison Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment (ISUDT) team held a cross training event over three days in early January.
The Pleasant Valley ISUDT team includes:
- Amity Foundation
- California Correctional Health Care Services
- and the Division of Rehabilitative Programs
Cross training was taught by the University of California, San Diego’s Center for Criminality and Addiction Research, Training and Application.
Visit Inside CDCR to read the full article.
In the Media
Salinas welder breaks barriers in male-dominated industry
Tiffany Orff owns Welding Women Syndicate, a company she started in 2020. She opened her shop in Salinas in 2021.
Growing up in Los Angeles, Orff got her start in real estate construction about 25 years ago. That led her to owning a fabrication shop before falling in love with welding.
“There’s just something about this process that you are just able to focus, and you shut down. And that’s all it is, is welding. It’s complete therapy,” said Orff.
Orff says from the start, she was hooked. Getting her formal training — an associate’s degree in welding tech — at Arkansas Tech University. Earning multiple certifications, a skills U.S.A. gold in welding and fabrication, and the distinguished WEMCO award from the American Welding Society.
Visit KSBW’s website to watch the video.
From prison to graduation, a ‘full circle’ moment of hope
It was no ordinary high school or college graduation, without pomp but plenty of circumstance.
Clad in a turquoise blue prison shirt, Douglas Woodall, his job training certificate in hand, walked up to a six-member receiving line in the visitor center in California State Prison, Solano, shook hands with everyone, smiled, turned around for a memento photo, then walked back to his seat.
He was one of nearly 80 graduates who received an accredited job certification or apprenticeship through the California Prison Industry Authority, qualifying for meaningful employment upon release.
Visit The Vacaville Reporter’s website to read the full article.
Uncuffed: Giving a voice beyond prison walls to the incarcerated
Every life has a story. Many are never shared.
For those incarcerated, there was a limited audience until 2012, when journalists from KALW and the podcast Life of the Law begin teaching radio workshops at San Quentin Prison.
In 2018, the program expanded to California State Prison, Solano with funding from the California Arts Council.
A year later, the Uncuffed podcast was launched, offering the ability to reach national and international audiences.
Visit the Daily Republic to read the full article.
College’s program takes education behind bars
At the age of 15, Lance Stark experienced homelessness after his parents died. He decided to join the Marines as a way to go to college. After serving in Afghanistan, however, he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and became incarcerated.
While in prison, he found the path to college when he had the opportunity to study in Columbia College’s Rising Scholars program and return later as a commencement speaker.
Columbia College’s Rising Scholars is among select community college programs leading California’s efforts to improve education programs for incarcerated individuals.
Columbia is part of the Rising Scholars Network, comprising 59 community colleges across the state.
Modesto Junior College is in the network, working with the California Health Care Facility and Stanislaus County Juvenile Probation.
Visit The Modesto Bee to read the full article.
Sac State faculty mentor Folsom prisoners who teach art classes to fellow prisoners
Stephen Blumberg and Rachel Clarke spend most of their working hours running Sacramento State’s School of Music and the Department of Art, respectively, ensuring their faculty have the tools and resources they need to effectively teach their students.
Twice a month, however, the two department chairs travel to Folsom to work with a different type of educator: incarcerated individuals who are teaching or learning how to teach art classes to fellow prison inmates.
“The way it becomes clear by the end of a class how much everyone has grown through the whole experience, it’s just really moving and inspiring,” Blumberg said.
Visit Sacramento State’s Newsroom to read the full article.
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