Week in Review: May 31, 2024

May 31, 2024

In this issue of Week in Review for May 31, 2024: ARC celebrates graduation at Corcoran; Victim services visits CSP-Los Angeles County for Pathway to Progress; and High Desert participates in Every 15 Minutes program.

Rehabilitation

Anti-Recidivism Coalition celebrates Corcoran graduation

A total of 64 Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) program graduates were celebrated at California State Prison, Corcoran.

The program empowers formally and currently incarcerated people to thrive by providing a support network, comprehensive services, opportunities to advocate for policy change, and to be of service in their communities.

Upward Mobility

Carlos Arce has been assigned as acting Warden at Salinas Valley State Prison.

Christian Pfeiffer has been assigned as acting Warden at Wasco State Prison.

Patwin Horn has been assigned as acting Warden at Kern Valley State Prison.

Mary Comperini, Psy.D., has been assigned as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Health Care (Safety) at California Men’s Colony.

In the Community

High Desert participates in Every 15 Minutes program

HDSP at Lassn High school for every 15 minutes

High Desert State Prison’s Investigative Services Unit transported incarcerated person Saeturn to Lassen High School for their Every 15 Minutes program.

Saeturn spoke in front of approximately 300 students, teachers, community, and family members.

Every 15 Minutes is a two-day program, focusing on high school juniors and seniors. The program challenges students to think about drinking, driving, personal safety, the responsibility of making mature decisions, and the impact their decisions have on family, friends, their community, and many others.

“It only takes one minute, one second of making a bad choice to change the rest of your life, and someone else’s life,” said Saeturn.

“We understand a lot of Every 15 Minutes is simulated, but seeing a convicted person here is real and has a lasting effect on your way of thinking,” said one Lassen High School student.

Male Community Reentry Program, Long Beach, celebrates Mother’s Day

Fifteen participants from the Male Community Reentry Program, Long Beach, participated in a Mother’s Day breakfast. The breakfast took place at restaurant in Paramount.

Various staff members from within the reentry program, along with Parole Agent Quesada, assisted in transportation, coordinating, and overseeing the event.

The breakfast gave participants an opportunity to reunite with their mothers and loved ones to celebrate Mother’s Day.

In Our Institutions

Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS)

OVSRS visits California State Prison, Los Angeles County for Pathway to Progress

California State Prison, Los Angeles County’s hosted a Pathway to Progress program. Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS) staff participated in the program providing the incarcerated population with restitution resources.

Participants were able to access a wide range of services aimed at supporting individuals on their journey to a brighter future including job readiness programs, educational resources, and mental health support.

San Quentin Rehabilitation Center hosts OVSRS for tour

OVSRS staff had the opportunity to tour San Quentin Rehabilitation Center led by Associate Warden Eric Patao.

The tour included the condemned unit with its remaining incarcerated awaiting transfer to other institutions as part of the Condemned Inmate Transfer Program (CITP).

Staff were also able to see one of the dining halls where previously incarcerated person Alfredo Santos painted the murals.

In addition, the tour included seeing San Quentin Rehabilitation Center’s puppy-training program facilitated by the incarcerated persons who spoke about what it takes to train the canines.

The historical facts of San Quentin Rehabilitation Center made this tour unique as well as the invaluable insight of the types of programs available for the incarcerated population at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.

(See a photo timeline of San Quentin published in 2021, prior to the name change.)

A key area for the incarcerated population to positively transition] to the community is family: reunification and support. Those individuals who have a strong family support system are more likely to succeed in reintegrating back into society.

The event was filled with lots of smiles, and the opportunity for the participants to begin working towards positive relationships within their families.

California Health Care Facility hosts Government Alliance on Race and Equity

California Health Care Facility in Stockton hosted the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) Steering Committee for their monthly meeting.

The committee was fortunate enough to receive a tour of the facility including the Puppy Program, Canine Companions for Independence.

Nurse’s Week celebrated at Corcoran

California State Prison, Corcoran, recently celebrated National Nurses Week at the institution. Thank you banners, food, and gifts were provided to show appreciation for the medical staff.

Senator Kelly Seyarto speaks with incarcerated at CRC

California Rehabilitation Center hosts legislative tours

California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) in Norco hosted Senator Kelly Seyarto and his executive team at the institution.

Senator Seyarto was interested to learn more about the institution and their contributions to public safety.

Warden Glen Pratt and his team took the opportunity to highlight their recent achievements, rehabilitative endeavors, and vision in making CRC what it is today.

The senator and his team toured the institution venturing into housing units, speaking with incarcerated people about their programming experiences and needs. The incarcerated population expressed their appreciation for the institution’s programming efforts highlighting their rehabilitative achievements and educational milestones.

They presented college degrees and career technical education certificates they obtained while at CRC.

The tour ended with Warden Pratt discussing additional progressive forthcoming rehabilitative efforts and CRC’s mission contributing to safer communities through education and rehabilitation.

CHCF hosts 2024 staff appreciation barbecue

California Health Care Facility (CHCF) celebrated National Correctional Officers Week, Teacher Appreciation Week, and National Nurses Week by hosting a staff appreciation barbecue.

CHCF’s Executive Management team and supervisors organized the event and served food to approximately 2,700 employees throughout the institution.

Managers arrived at the institution in the early morning hours and stayed past midnight as they fired-up the grills for CHCF cookout.

They served cheeseburgers, chips, desserts, and beverages to all second, third, and first watch staff.

California Correctional Supervisors Organization Headquarters and the local California Correctional Peace Officers Association also attended the barbecue, passing out swag and mingling with staff.