Week in Review: March 29, 2024

April 2, 2024

In this Week in Review for March 29, 2024, SCC Northern Camp donates to the community, FCRP Los Angeles participants share success, and Chino salutes public safety.

What’s New?

CDCR partners with local gyms for Correctional Officer Recruitment

CDCR is partnering with gyms across California, including In-Shape Family Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness, and City Sports Gyms, to host a series of recruitment events.

Recruitment Coordinator, Danny Royster, shared “these events offer an exciting opportunity for the public to learn more about the rewarding career of a Correctional Officer and connect directly with our CDCR staff.” These gyms foster a community of individuals who prioritize fitness, discipline, and commitment – qualities that are valuable assets for Correctional Officers. By hosting events at these locations, CDCR can connect with potential candidates who possess the foundation for a successful career in corrections.

Recruitment teams from WSP, SQRC, MCSP, SVSP, SCC, CMF, CRC, and CSP-SAC have participated in these events, demonstrating the program’s reach and potential to connect with qualified candidates.

“The Gym Partnership Program has been a huge success, allowing our staff to build relationships with potential applicants. The positive energy of the establishment facilitates our connection with the community in a fresh, new way,” said Lieutenant Farley, Wasco State Prison-Reception Center.

Written by Danny Royster, Office of Peace Officer Selection

Women’s History Month

FCRP Los Angeles participants share success

Zuri James and Shawna Hernandez, two participants from the Female Community Reentry Program – Los Angeles, recently graduated from La Entrada.

Ms. James spoke at an Amity Foundation fundraising event alongside City of Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass and congresswoman Sidney Kamlager-Dove. She shared her story of transformation in front of more than 300 people. She not only received a standing ovation, but she also moved the audience to tears with her success story.

Ms. Hernandez acquired a job right before graduating. She transitioned to shared housing where she continued to work full-time at her first real job. She continues a life of sobriety and consistently visits her daughter on her days off. She spoke during an Amity Foundation community call to share her story of success. For the first time in her life, she has heard her family tell her that they are proud of her.

Congratulations to both women on their success.

Observances

Calipatria State Prison Celebrates Patient Safety Week

Calipatria State Prison (CAL) celebrated Patient Safety Week for 2024. The institution organized a staff appreciation booth with snacks and stickers for the selfless acts performed daily.

To acknowledge the dedication and outstanding efforts of staff, a ceremony was held to celebrate the seven staff members nominated as Patient Safety Champions by their peers. Staff members recognized included:

Juan Flores, Supervising Registered Nurse III
Iainnardo Black, Associate Warden (A)
Monica Terrazas-Mackall, Health Program Manger III
Cynthia Abubo, Public Health Nurse I
Dr. Cynthia Galaviz-Olivas, Psychologist
Kimberly Manuel, UM Nurse
and Tanya Nunez, Licensed Vocational Nurse.

Champions were recognized for advocating for patients, reporting health care incidents, encouraging patient health literacy, promoting self-care for staff and patients, and facilitating improvement opportunities for patient health care services.

Recruitment

Take the next step to become a Parole Agent I

Are YOU on the list for Parole Agent I? If so, congratulations. You are well on your way to the next level in your career. You may join the thousands of members of the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) building partnerships and promoting successful reintegration within the State of California.

From the coastal north to the sunny south, available location positions are open now on CalCareers. No matter where you want to continue your career, we have a location for you.

For an overview of the hiring process, visit the CDCR website at www.cdcr.ca.gov, go to Careers and Join DAPO. You may also contact one of our Recruitment and Inclusion Analysts at careers@cdcr.ca.gov for assistance.

Read this 2019 story and watch a ride-along video.

Rehabilitation

SOL celebrates ARC graduations

California State Prison Solano (SOL) recently held two Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) program graduations. A total of 122 incarcerated members graduated between Facilities II and III.

In the Community

SCC Northern Camp donates to local community

Sierra Conservation Center Northern Camp Office and Antelope Camp staff donated approximately 25 dozen fresh eggs to local churches for the Easter Sunday breakfast for the community. The staff donated almost 300 plastic filled eggs to a local elementary school.

“It’s very important to us to support our local community. Whenever the fire camps can help, they will always step up to support the local communities,” said Northern Camp Captain James Crandall.

City of Chino’s 2024 Salute to Public Safety Awards

On March 21, the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce recognized the City of Chino’s Public Safety in the 2024 Salute to Public Safety Awards. The Chamber of Commerce honored two nominees from the following agencies:

California Institution for Men
California Institution for Women
Chino Police Department
Chino Valley Fire District
Chino Hills Police Sheriff’s Department

This year’s 2024 Salute to Public Safety Awards from the California Institution for Men (CIM) were Correctional Officer Arturo Perez and Associate Governmental Program Analyst Carmen Jimenez.

Acting Warden Travis Pennington honored the CIM’s nominees by addressing on how both employees dedicated themselves to their job and dedicating themselves to helping the less unfortunate within the Chino Community.

In the Media

As San Quentin’s Death Row empties, condemned prisoners get a glimpse of hope

There’s an utterly new feeling at San Quentin’s Death Row these days, and it’s not just for the people running the place. You can feel it like electricity all up and down the grim, time-worn cell blocks housing the worst criminals in the state.

It’s hope.

For the first time since they were sentenced to death and locked into the 170-year-old prison to await execution, the 402 men on the infamous cell block are going to other California prisons.

They’ll still be freighted with their death sentences, but they’ll be in the general population there, able to move around more and able to socialize and get a wide range of rehabilitation and educational services.

Visit the San Francisco Chronicles website to read the full article.

Barking up a new life: Inmates, rescue dogs create paw-sitive changes together

Some days can be rough, not just for the dogs locked up in shelters but also for the people who are locked behind bars.

One organization in Kern County is working to change that.

Marley’s Mutts is a rescue shelter with a program known as Pawsitive Change.

They are creating hope for both incarcerated people and dogs by giving each other another leash on life.

Visit BakersfieldNow’s website to read the full article.

California’s inmate fire program expands to young offenders

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has expanded its inmate firefighter program.

In the past, only inmates who committed minor offenses could be firefighters. But four months ago, CDCR started a pilot program allowing some inmates ages 18-26, who are serving sentences for more serious charges, to become firefighters.

“It’s go time,” said inmate Carlos Valdivia. “We need to be our best for our community, for our families and for us.”

Thirty young men are now housed at the Growlersburg Conservation Camp near Georgetown.

They are all trying to right the wrongs of their past.

Visit KCRA3’s website to read the full article.

Ethnic studies healing our incarcerated communities

The Asian Prisoner Support Committee (APSC) based in Oakland, California, has been providing in-prison Asia-Pacific-focused ethnic studies and community-based social services to a growing population incarcerated Asians and Pacific Islanders and their families.

According to research from the Vera Institute of Justice, the number of Asians and Pacific Islanders in America’s prisons has gone up 423% from 1990 through 2021.

Eddy Zheng, the formerly incarcerated Chinese American around whom the APSC formed as a movement 22 years ago, has consistently told the press that education and, specifically, ethnic studies, saved his life during and after imprisonment.

Visit AsAmNews website to read the full article.