CDCR visiting celebrates Mother’s Day

May 13, 2024

Across California, CDCR visiting staff observed Mother’s Day with special decorations, activities, and treats. Meanwhile, in the southern region, female parole participants engaged in a Mother’s Day Women’s Empowerment meeting.

Editor’s note: This story will be updated as submissions are received. Send Mother’s Day visiting to Inside CDCR editor Don Chaddock (email found in Global).

California Medical Facility honors mothers

CDCR visiting with an incarcerated person presenting a rose to a visiting loved on during Mother's Day. — Joseph Jackson presents a rose to his loved one at CMF.

A man behind security glass and a woman holding a rose. — Joseph Jackson presents a rose to his loved one at CMF.

On May 12, staff, incarcerated individuals, and families at the California Medical Facility (CMF) came together to celebrate Mother’s Day with a morning filled with appreciation and festivities. Families began the day by enjoying pastries, beverages, and commemorating the essence of motherhood. It was a heartening sight as incarcerated individuals expressed their feelings.

“It’s gratifying to have the opportunity to honor the women in our lives who provide unwavering support and let them know they are valued,” said one incarcerated participant.

As part of the celebration, incarcerated individuals had the privilege of presenting roses to their mothers. The roses were generously donated by CMF families.

A female visitor said she was surprised and grateful. As a mother to an incarcerated individual, she said there are often overlooked challenges.

Visiting Sgt. Sara Vazquez played a pivotal role in orchestrating the event, coordinating with families who contributed food, roses, and other items.

Vazquez said it’s important to express gratitude to the women who provide unconditional love and support. The day concluded with a gesture of appreciation as visiting mothers were presented with special care packages, symbolizing the culmination of the Mother’s Day festivities.

Story written by Visiting Lt. Christian Bennamon
Photos by Visiting Sgt. Sara Vazquez
Submitted by Lt. Priscilla Gonzalez, public information officer

Mule Creek State Prison honors mothers

A mother and child visiting their incarcerated loved one for Mother's Day at a CDCR prison in Ione, California. — A visiting family at Mule Creek.

A woman holds a rose while being hugged by her incarcerated loved one. — A visiting family at Mule Creek.

Mule Creek State Prison’s Mother’s Day visiting event was well received by families and staff. Each incarcerated individual was given a rose to give to their loved ones, including those in family visiting.

Visiting staff handed out craft bags to the children, visitors and incarcerated individuals donated by the Inmate Family Council (IFC).

“Mule Creek would like to thank the families, staff and the IFC for their support,” said organizers.

Submitted by Lt. Beau Campbell, public information officer

Solano gets into Mother’s Day

Incarcerated person and a woman holding two roses. — Flowers for Mother’s Day visiting at CSP-Solano.

A woman holds a rose and standing beside an incarcerated man. — Flowers for Mother’s Day visiting at CSP-Solano.

According to staff, the California State Prison-Solano Mother’s Day event was a huge success.

The visiting rooms were filled with flowers donated by the IFC. They also provided photo frames for visitors as well as photos.

Incarcerated individuals were given cards to write a note and give to their mothers prior to entering the visiting room.

Mother’s Day flowers, previously purchased by the incarcerated through the Community Resource Manager’s office, were issued Saturday and Sunday.

Given it was a hot day, staff provided ice water in cooler for visitors who were waiting outside to be processed into visiting.

Story Visiting Sgt. T. Baker
Submitted by Lt. Kari Fisk, public information officer

Sierra Conservation Center visiting

A woman is held by her incarcerated loved one at Sierra Conservation Center during a visiting event. — Mother’s Day visiting at Sierra Conservation Center.

Mother's Day visiting with woman and incarcerated person hugging. — Mother’s Day visiting at Sierra Conservation Center.

At Sierra Conservation Center, the Incarcerated population took pictures with their mothers and spouses memorializing Mother’s Day 2024. The Community Resource Manager’s office organized incarcerated muralists to paint backdrops for the event.

Additionally, the Visiting Department passed out flowers to visiting mothers throughout the weekend. The mothers said they were appreciative.

Submitted by Lt. Ruben S. Jauregui, public information officer

Mother’s Day visiting at Ironwood

Family visiting with a woman, her child and an incarcerated man. — Treats were available thanks to the prison’s family council.

Ironwood State Prison with desserts on a table and two people standing behind it. — Treats were available thanks to the prison’s family council.

At Ironwood State Prison, Mother’s Day was celebrated with a variety of desserts as well as arts and crafts for the children. All crafts and food were provided by the prison’s IFC.

Submitted by Lt. Chelsi Whalen, public information officer

California Rehabilitation Center for Mother’s Day

Family visiting with children at California Rehabilitation Center in Norco. — Staff with visiting moms at California Rehabilitation Center.

Presenting a flower to a woman. — Staff with visiting moms at California Rehabilitation Center.

On Sunday, May 12, California Rehabilitation Center in Norco hosted a Mother’s Day coffee bar with enchanted espressos. In addition to the beverages, there were also door prizes for rose bouquets and other items.

Every incarcerated person was given a rose with a card to greet and present to their visitor for Mother’s Day.

Submitted by Lt. Joe Lopez, public information officer

California Institution for Women honors mothers

Activities for children during visiting in a California women's prison. — Activities for children at California Institution for Women.

A group of kids and incarcerated mom at a California prison. — Activities for children at California Institution for Women.

Those with approved visits were allowed to purchase carnations at California Institution for Women for May 12 visiting.

The California Institution for Women celebrated the significance of Mother’s Day with maternal love and admiration by allowing Incarcerated persons to show their gratitude and thanks with the gift of fresh carnations.

Under the direction of Facility Captains R. Ortega and A. Mendoza, the Inmate Advisory Council (IAC) hosted a crafting activity, providing families an opportunity to interact with their loved ones as they designed and customized flowerpots and picture frames with a variety of acrylic paints, stickers, rhinestones, decorative tape and pom poms.

In addition to visiting, the culinary staff offered a special Mother’s Day breakfast including oatmeal, fresh banana pancakes, syrup, fresh strawberry topping and whipped cream, scrambled eggs with cheese, breakfast sausages and chocolate milk. Dinner included baked chicken on the bone; green salad with cucumbers and tomatoes topped by Italian dressing; creamy macaroni and cheese; seasoned broccoli; simmered white beans; holiday cakes such as carrot, chocolate, caramel, and red velvet.

According to the Community Resource Manager’s office, thanks to fundraisers by the population, over 250 carnations were donated to the community for Mother’s Day. The carnations were distributed to two Chino churches: The Bridge Ministry and the Rhythm of Life Church.

Submitted by Lt. William Newborg, public information officer

Central California Women’s Facility Mother’s Day visiting

Central California Women's Facility Mother's Day with a family sitting at a table in the prison's visiting room.

A table with snacks for visiting families at a prison.

On Saturday, May 11, Central California Women’s Facility Visiting and the Community Resource Manager’s office hosted a Mother’s Day event for families of incarcerated people to visit their loved one. This event was held in person. Family and friends received a much-needed opportunity to connect with their loved ones.

Games and activities were set up throughout visiting for the children and adults. These activities brought smiles to the faces of the visitors and incarcerated.

The event served as a reminder of the importance of maintaining connections and relationships, even in challenging circumstances. It allowed families to demonstrate their unwavering support and reaffirm their commitment to their incarcerated loved ones’ rehabilitation.

Submitted by Lt. Monique Williams, public information officer

Mother’s Day at California Men’s Colony

A baby and mother with their incarcerated loved one at California Men's Colony.

Mother's Day photo backdrop with an incarcerated person, a woman and a child.

The California Men’s Colony (CMC) and members of the Inmate Family Counsel (IFC) hosted a Mother’s Day Tea Party event in the Visiting room.

Visiting was decorated in a variety of flowers and charming back drops to accentuate the event. Hot tea, hot cocoa, a coffee bar with Mother’s Day themed crafts and photo frames were provided by the IFC to ensure all could enjoy the festivities. Crocheted flowers were made for each mother and wife.

CMC staff and the IFC said they love collaborating on these special events.

Submitted by Lt. Trad Eilers, public information officer

Wasco State Prison-Reception Center hosts Mother’s Day visiting

Wasco State Prison visiting department staff with Mother's Day decorations.

Wasco State Prison-Reception Center Visiting staff went above and beyond to make Mother’s Day visiting a success, according to organizers.

Staff decorated the visiting room to help make the day special.

One visitor expressed their appreciation for staff efforts decorating and creating activities.

Submitted by P. Horn, Warden

CHCF hosts first Mother’s Day visiting event

A woman and a baby visiting an incarcerated man in a prison. She is holding a rose. — CHCF visiting staff.

Visiting staff with a happy Mother's Day backdrop. — CHCF visiting staff.

The California Health Care Facility (CHCF) Visiting Department hosted its first delightful Mother’s Day event. This event was about celebrating the mothers who came to visit their loved ones at CHCF.

The CHCF Insight Garden Program donated flowers, giving the incarcerated people the opportunity to surprise their loved ones with roses for Mother’s Day.

The ambience in the visiting area was full of happiness, smiles, and few tears of joy. Visitors and the incarcerated people enjoyed the day with beverages, pastries, and activities.

One visitor thanked CHCF staff for hosting events that help create a stronger bond between the incarcerated people and their loved ones.

Story written by CHCF Visiting Sgt. F. Lenh
Submitted by Lt. Michelle Orozco, public information officer

High Desert State Prison pays tribute to mothers

An incarcerated man bends on one knee to present flowers to a visiting woman at High Desert State Prison.

As wives and mothers arrived to visiting at High Desert State Prison, they were greeted by their loved ones with flowers as a symbol of appreciation for everything a mother does.

Mother’s Day is a day for honoring motherhood that is celebrated throughout the world. Celebrating mothers inside the wall is no different.

Mothers spent the day with their loved ones and family creating handmade photo frames and taking memorable photographs.

“Everything good I’ve learned in life, I learned from my mother,” said one incarcerated person.

A visiting mother expressed gratitude for staff’s efforts to make the visit special.

“There has never been, nor will there ever be anything quite so special as the love between a mother and son. I am very thankful as a mother to get to spend time with my son,” she said.

Submitted by Lt. Jeremy Michone, public information officer

Corcoran Mother’s Day visiting

An incarcerated man on his knees presenting a rose to a woman.

The 13th institution to submit Mother’s Day visiting information is California State Prison, Corcoran. Staff and volunteers decorated visiting room and offered flowers to the visitors.

Submitted by Lt. Robert Clifton, public information officer

El Monte, Los Angeles Central Parole holds Mother’s Day event

Women create vision boards during a Mother's Day themed meeting at a parole office. — Participants create vision boards.

Group of women at a table. — Participants create vision boards.

On May 8, the El Monte and Los Angeles Central Parole Districts held their Women’s Empowerment meeting in honor of Mother’s Day.

The highlight of the meeting was the creation of vision boards, where each person visualized their dreams and mapped out their path to successful reintegration.

Inspired by the California Model peer mentorship pillar, attendees bonded and shared stories, fostering a supportive and nurturing environment.

Over lunch, the women discussed personal and professional goals, sparking their motivation to pursue ambitions. As a reminder of the importance of self-care and embracing one’s individuality, attendees had a unique opportunity to select dresses for Mother’s Day and other stylish clothes and accessories donated by parole agents.

Written by Jessica Witty, parole services associate, El Monte District

California Correctional Institution observes Mother’s Day

Two women holding flowers visit their incarcerated loved one on Mother's Day. — Photo opportunities for loved ones at CCI.

CCI Mother's Day flowers to be handed out. — Photo opportunities for loved ones at CCI.

At California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi, an incarcerated artist painted a backdrop for use in visiting while staff set out crayons and coloring books for children. Meanwhile, the family council brought in roses for the incarcerated people to give to their visitors.

Submitted by Lt. Adrian Hart, public information officer
Written by visiting Sgt. S. Zazueta