The CDCR and CCHCS Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) committee highlight the importance of Black History Month.
How does the department recognize and celebrate Black History Month within its facilities and among its staff?
CDCR and CCHCS actively honor the history and achievements of staff who identify as African American and/or black. Both agencies place a high value on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and Black History Month offers a platform to highlight the contributions of staff members in our publications such as Inside CDCR or Week in Review. We also celebrate their dedication to our mission through various channels.
Additionally, CDCR and CCHCS have developed a diversity calendar (opens in new tab) to commemorate important dates for different cultures. We encourage and support local-level acknowledgments and celebrations to recognize and thank staff for their valuable contributions.
What initiatives or programs have been implemented to promote diversity, inclusion, and awareness of African American history and contributions within the department?
In recent years, CDCR has made significant strides in supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. CDCR and CCHCS have actively participated in GARE, a national network dedicated to creating equitable systems.
Additionally, we have implemented implicit bias training for both rank-and-file staff and managerial/executive staff. This training, facilitated by retired Sacramento Police Department Chief Daniel Hahn, aims to encourage reflection on subconscious beliefs regarding race, gender, and other social constructs. Chief Hahn’s perspective, rooted in his personal experiences as an African American man, offers valuable insights into privilege, equity, and biases, empowering staff to foster a more inclusive environment.
Furthermore, our recruitment efforts are deliberately focused on reaching out to communities of color and promoting career opportunities within CDCR and CCHCS. Our leadership is fully supportive of DEI efforts, and many staff members across the state have joined in earnest initiatives to foster DEI at both local and headquarters levels.
These initiatives include policy reviews to ensure inclusive language, as well as facilitating communications about DEI through newsletters and meetings with local leadership and GARE volunteers. While there is still work to be done to support DEI for African Americans and other historically marginalized groups, we are proud of the progress we have made thus far.
How does Black History Month foster a more inclusive and understanding environment for CDCR staff and incarcerated individuals?
Acknowledging Black History Month provides an important opportunity to spotlight and celebrate the contributions of African Americans to our profession and society as a whole. Historically, African American communities have faced marginalization and inequity within American systems.
Through the efforts of civil rights advocates and individuals committed to justice, our society has evolved, and conversations about equity have become more prominent.
Inclusion is fundamental to our profession and society, and research has shown that diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes for organizations.
By celebrating diversity, embracing our commonalities, and valuing each other’s humanity, we create a more inclusive and understanding environment for staff and incarcerated individuals within CDCR.
Submitted by the GARE Committee
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