Week in Review: March 8, 2024

March 8, 2024

In this Week in Review for March 8, 2024, CCJBH 22nd Annual Legislative Report; Encouraging words help woman prepare for reentry; and Sgt. Haynes reflects on 30‑year career.

TIME CHANGE: Remember to turn your clocks one hour ahead when you go to bed Saturday night. Officially, Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, 2 a.m., March 10.

Rehabilitation

An educator plays cards with people at CMF at an education station.

CMF teachers inspire interest in education

The California Medical Facility (CMF) Mountain Oaks Adult Education Center is using innovating approaches to spark interest in education.

Principal Bowman and Assistant Principal Vang encourage staff and students to create an environment full of learning, laughter, and curiosity. It has become an environment where students feel safe making mistakes, asking questions, and speaking up.

To further this approach, CMF has created monthly Education Stations. The stations help engage student interest and connect teachers with potential students, all while creating a sense of community across the institution.

Visit Inside CDCR to read the full article.

A woman at a female community reentry program in Stockton.

Encouraging words help woman prepare for reentry

When Kristine Collier first stepped foot in prison eight years ago, she was terrified.

Feeling unprepared, she recalls a sergeant approaching her, obviously recognizing her apprehension.

“You must be new here,” he said. Then he gave her some advice she’s applied to every day since then: “Start doing today what you know you want to be doing when you get out. Also, treat every day like you are leaving tomorrow.”

Since her first day at Central California Women’s Facility and through her time at California Institution for Women, Collier focused on rehabilitation programs and her eventual reentry.

Visit Inside CDCR to read the full article.

California Model

Incarcerated women at resource reentry fairs held at two prisons.

CIW, CCWF host reentry resource fairs

Reentry plans are essential, which is why California Institution for Women (CIW) and Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) recently hosted resource fairs. In all, more than 100 providers offered crucial information on housing, education, employment, support services, treatment and more.

The CIW and CCWF reentry fairs are part of CDCR’s ongoing commitment to provide a gender-responsive approach addressing unique needs of this population. These events assist newly paroled people overcome reentry barriers.

Visit Inside CDCR to read the full article.

Observations

Celebrate Women’s History Month with CDCR

Meet inspiring women of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) at a virtual event hosted by the Office of Peace Officer Selection.

This exclusive event will provide an overview of the 30×30 Initiative, which aims to increase female representation within CDCR. You’ll also hear firsthand experiences from a K-9 Officer, Academy Instructor, Public Information Officer, and Associate Warden.

Event details:

Date: Wednesday, March 13^th
Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm
Location: Virtual

The event is open to everyone. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with and learn from the remarkable women shaping CDCR.

Visit Zoom to register for the event here.

Staff Spotlight

Sergeant Jonathan Haynes sits in a CDCR vehicle, smiling, as he prepares to retire from his 30-year career.

Sergeant Haynes reflects on 30‑year career

Sergeant Jonathan Haynes, looking to retire after decades of service, recently sat down with Inside CDCR to reflect on his 30-year career.

He’s spent his entire career at Valley State Prison, starting when it was activated as a women’s prison in 1995.

At 22, he earned an associate of arts degree, certifications in firefighting, Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) as well as emergency medical technician programs.

Originally planning to move forward with a bachelor’s degree, he instead chose to join the department.

Visit Inside CDCR to read the full article.

CCJBH

Reminder: One Week Left to Provide Feedback on the Draft CCJBH 22nd Annual Legislative Report

The Council on Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health (CCJBH) has drafted its 22nd Annual Legislative Report detailing the Council’s efforts to convene stakeholders, facilitate dialogue, and share best practices and research culminating in findings and recommendations to inform policy and practice improvements to address the needs of California’s behavioral health/justice-involved population.

We encourage interested stakeholders to review the report and participate in the public comment period as your perspectives and feedback, and even awareness of our efforts, are vital as we continue to serve as a resource, mediator, and facilitator in this critical area of public interest to address the complex challenges at the intersection of behavioral health and criminal justice.

Please email your feedback by close of business on March 13th to the CCJBH inbox at ccjbh@cdcr.ca.gov or by replying to this email.

Click here access the report.

For assistance accessing the document or accessibility requests, please contact ccjbh@cdcr.ca.gov.

K-9s

Retired CDCR K‑9 Villain passes away

For nearly four years, K-9 Villain helped CDCR fulfill its public safety mission at Sierra Conservation Center.

Villain retired in December 2023 and passed away Feb. 15, 2024.

Villain, the retired Investigative Services Unit K-9, began in March 2020 at Sierra Conservation Center, partnered with Correctional Officer Ashley Brockmire.

Villian was certified in narcotics detection as well as other contraband.

Visit Inside CDCR to read the full article.

Upward Mobility

Gina Savala has been assigned Deputy Director, Peace Officer Selection and Employee Development (POSED).

Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services

OVSRS attends Sacramento’s 36th Annual Black History Month Black Expo

Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services participated in Sacramento’s 36th Annual Black History Month’s Black Expo at the Safe Credit Union Convention Center.

Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services passed out information about registration for notification of incarcerated person’s release, death, escape, parole hearing, restitution, restorative justice programs.

Questions from the public were answered in efforts to reach out to underserved population and to bring awareness to services that may be available.

Black History Month is observed every February.

Stephen McDonald volunteers at Folsom State Prison Museum

Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services staff member Stephen McDonald recently volunteered at Folsom State Prison Museum.

He tended the cash register as well briefed visitors on the history of Folsom State Prison. Stephen’s wealth of knowledge about Folsom State Prison taught visitors new information regarding the institution’s history and interesting artifacts.

In the Media

San Quentin to host live music show for incarcerated population

When Joe Rogoff first heard Matt Butler’s album, “Reckless Son,” he knew he’d stumbled upon something special.

Butler’s folksy acoustic sound and lyrics about the relationships of fathers and sons immediately resonated with Rogoff.

But it was later, in his research for his show — The Joe Show on radio station KOWS (92.5 FM) in Sonoma County — that Rogoff realized Butler wasn’t a typical recording artist. For the past seven years, the musician has been playing live performances for the nation’s incarcerated population.

Visit San Francisco Examiner’s website to read the full article.

Incarcerated artists from different prison systems collaborate in ‘The View From Here’

Artists incarcerated inside State Correctional Institute Phoenix, in Montgomery County, collaborated with their counterparts inside San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, near San Francisco, California, to stage an art exhibition.

“The View From Here” is on view at Paradigm Gallery in Philadelphia’s Old City.

The bicoastal show features over 40 pieces by 23 artists serving sentences of various lengths. The artists communicated with one another through letters, many of them written longhand and delivered via two organizations operating art programs inside each facility: Mural Arts Philadelphia and the William James Association.

Visit Whyy’s website to read the full article.