Week in Review: April 26, 2024

April 26, 2024

In this Week in Review for April 26, 2024, CDCR observes National Crime Victim’s Rights Week, World Day of Safety & Health at Work, ‘The 50’ film screened with the department, and Mule Creek unites to support staff.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week 2004

Every year, in April, the nation comes together to observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a time dedicated to honoring those affected by crime and recognizing the strides made in advancing their rights. In 2024, this important week serves as a reminder of the ongoing commitment to support and empower victims throughout their journey towards healing and justice.

Leading the charge in upholding victims’ rights is the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Office of Victims and Survivors Rights and Services (OVSRS). OVSRS plays a pivotal role in ensuring that victims have access to essential resources and services, including notification of release, parole hearings, and distribution of restitution.

Additionally, OVSRS goes beyond mere support by actively assisting victims for parole hearings and facilitating Victim-Offender Dialogues for restorative justice. These initiatives not only empower victims but also foster understanding and healing for both parties involved.

For those seeking more information on how OVSRS supports victims and survivors, visiting (www.cdcr.ca.gov/victims).

As we commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week 2024, let us reaffirm our commitment to standing alongside victims, advocating for their rights, and fostering a society where healing prevails.

CDCR Unlocked

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, CDCR’s Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services discuss dedication to helping those impacted by crime

In honor of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, this three-part series features interviews from multiple representatives in the Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services.

Restitution Services Manager Chamere Lee as she details her professional journey that propelled her to a career dedicated to victim-centered work.

CDCR’s Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD) manager, Robert Love, explains what a VOD entails and how it can be key for the victim in the healing process.

Last, Tammy Fenton, who oversees outreach efforts as well as the Accountability Letter Bank (ALB) Program for the Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services, walks through the ways her office reaches the community and has recently made great strides in making those efforts more accessible with translation services.

Visit RSS.com to listen to the podcast.

Observances

World Day of Safety & Health at Work

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is April 28, which is significant within the unique and dynamic environment of correctional settings.

For professionals in these environments, this day serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to foster a safe and healthy workplace. Correctional settings present distinct challenges, from safeguarding physical safety to ensuring the psychological well-being of both staff and the incarcerated population.

Observing this day encourages us to reflect on and enhance our commitment to occupational safety and health practices, ensuring they are inclusive and address the diverse needs of our workforce. It’s an opportunity to reaffirm our dedication to creating an environment where safety protocols are not just followed but integrated into the culture of our institutions.

Let us use this day to champion a lifestyle of safety and health that supports every member of our correctional community, reinforcing our commitment to their well-being and our collective safety.

Submission by GARE Ambassador Luis Garnica

To encourage employees to expand their knowledge and gain new experiences, CDCR/CCHCS GARE Ambassadors are sharing celebrations and observances throughout the year. To learn more about the diversity, equity and inclusion efforts visit the GARE website.

What’s New?

‘The 50’ film screened with CDCR

On April 17 and 18, The 50 was screened separately at the Crest Theater in Sacramento and then at California State Prison, Solano.

The documentary focuses on 50 people serving life sentences at California State Prison, Solano, who seized the opportunity to become among the nation’s first incarcerated Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselors.

The documentary chronicles how the first participants of the Occupational Mentor Certification Program (OMCP) navigate their own traumas and harness those experiences to emerge as society’s most adept healers.

Members of the original OMCP group attended both screenings of the film, along with officials and staff from CDCR.

Visit Inside CDCR to read the full article.

Division of Adult Parole Operations

Center for Employment Opportunities Second Chance celebration

On April 19, Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) held their Second Annual Second Chance Month Celebration.

CEO is a reentry organization which the Riverside Parole Office has collaborated with to help those formerly incarcerated, find employment and job skill resources.

The celebration highlighted participants who have successfully completed the program, as well as current participants, inspirational speakers, and community motivators. Riverside Parole Office participated and helped celebrate this special day with CEO. Several community partners attended the celebration to provide community resources. Games, raffles, and tacos were enjoyed by all.

Rehabilitation

Pleasant Valley celebrates ISUDT graduation

Pleasant Valley State Prison (PVSP) hosted an Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment graduation ceremony. Approximately 52 participants graduated the course, with their loved ones present in the crowd. The participants completed a 14-week and a 28-week course, which they attended three (3) days a week. Participants showed dedication and drive in wanting to better their lives. PVSP would like to congratulate these individuals.

California Correctional Institution’s (CCI) education graduation

Tehachapi Mountain Adult School celebrated 40 graduates at California Correctional Institution (CCI). Students received the following education accomplishments:

10 GED certificates
5 High School Diplomas
3 Peer Literacy Mentor Certifications
21 Computer and Related Technology Completions
and an associate degree from Cerro Coso Community College.

Graduates’ families and education staff cheered them on. Guest speakers included students Louis J. Comaduran and Michael E. Blanco and Assistant Principal Keith Thompson.

CCJBH

Get ready for an enlightening May

This May, the Council on Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health (CCJBH) is holding a special Mental Health Awareness Month series. Join us for engaging weekly webinar Lunch and Learns, featuring guest speakers sharing their invaluable insights and experiences. This is your chance to deepen your understanding of behavioral health and justice system involvement. The Week One event will be:

May 1st: Empowering Justice-Involved Youth in Higher Education

Explore how Rising Scholars supports students transitioning from incarceration back into their communities, assisting them through college. Learn about the resources offered to formerly incarcerated individuals, with emphasis on mental health support and successful reintegration.

Visit Microsoft TEAMs to register for the event.

In Our Institutions

Mule Creek unites to support staff

Mule Creek State Prison (MCSP) staff coordinated a barbecue fundraiser to help support Correctional Officer Bernal, whose wife unexpectedly passed away. The fundraiser included smoked pulled pork sandwiches and a Blackstone Grill giveaway.

MCSP Fallen Families Resource Foundation attended the event. The event was made possible by staff volunteering, donating, and County BBQ preparing the food.

The CDCR family sends condolences to Officer Bernal and his family.

CTF check presentation to Monterey County

CTF Veterans Hub ‘Stuff the Bus’ fundraiser

On April 18, Correctional Training Facility (CTF) Veterans Hub presented a donation check of over $6,500 to United Way of Monterey County. The money was raised through a food sale by CTF staff, Veterans Hub participants, and the CTF Veterans Transition Center.

The donation helps support Monterey County’s “Stuff the Bus” campaign, supplying new school materials to homeless students or those living in inadequate conditions.

These funds will provide essential school supplies for 266 disadvantaged children, helping to ease their educational journey.

COR celebrates 4B Bootcamp graduation

On April 16, California State Prison, Corcoran (COR) celebrated 4B Bootcamp Graduation. 4B Bootcamp is a program that was designed and led by the incarcerated persons at (COR). The program was designed to facilitate a peer-to-peer mentorship with staff interaction to assist the participants with substance abuse and other common challenges. Over 20 friends and family came to observe the first graduation and celebrate the over 20 participants.

Life skills graduation at HDSP

On April 16, High Desert State Prison hosted a life skills graduation on Facility B. Sixteen graduates received their certificates for completing a 28-week course learning about and challenging themselves to improve their own lives.

Several students shared stories. Also, the Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment mentors spoke specifically to this class about the dedication and how close this class became with each other.

In the Media

How some programs help with post-prison life: ‘I’m signing checks. This is crazy.’

Timothy Jackson never thought about becoming an entrepreneur until he spent 12 years in prison.

That’s where he came across, and got inspired by, other formerly incarcerated people who had started their own businesses. He then enrolled in a training program that gave him the skills and confidence to do the same.

“I saw people come back from the program empowered — they were changed,” Jackson said.

Now he owns and runs Quality Touch Cleaning Systems, a San Diego-area business he started mostly to keep himself employed. He has five employees plus a couple of independent contractors. He said his clients are in biotech, health care and other industries.

Visit CalMatters website to read the full article.

California to expand re-entry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals. Here’s how they work

As California closes prisons and shifts its focus to rehabilitation, it is expanding programs that help formerly incarcerated people transition back into society.

CDCR is touting its male and female community re-entry programs as among its most successful tools in helping former inmates become self-sufficient after they get out of prison.

Data cited by the state shows participation in both programs helped reduce repeat offenses — and could save the state money.

The women know they face an uncertain future. While some worry their convictions will make it difficult to find jobs, a few told CalMatters they’re grateful for the help.

Visit CalMatters website to read the full article.

Walking the Yard in Street Clothes: Premiering Quentin Blue Inside San Quentin

My first day in San Quentin was filled with hugs.

We walked the yard in street clothes, my cinematographer and I trailing with handheld equipment behind our documentary subjects, Dwight, Billy and Richie. It turns out that walking a prison yard with guys who have gotten out is what I imagine hanging out with a movie star to be like.

All three of our subjects were paroled in 2020: Richie after 34.5 years, Dwight after 18 years and Billy after 17 years of incarceration. Each of them spent time at several California prisons, but they all finished their sentences together at San Quentin, and on the day of their return, were greeted with joy by old friends.

Visit TalkHouse website to read the full article.

Week in Review archive

Week in Review: May 3, 2024

In this Week in Review for May 3, 2024, CMF Bring Your Kids to Work Day and High Desert State Prison donates $1,400 to Lassen High School.