Week in Review: June 21, 2024

June 22, 2024

In this issue of Week in Review for June 21, 2024: Dr. Bick is a Pride Month ally; Reentry participants earn scholarships; Playing basketball at Tehachapi; and Sierra Conservation Center staff attend ISUDT cross-training.

Observances

Pride Month Executive Ally Highlight: Dr. Joseph Bick, Director, CCHCS

What is important to you about being a LGBTQIA+ ally?

Throughout my life I have witnessed the pain and trauma experienced by people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or asexual (LGTBQIA).

LGBTQIA people are at increased risk of social stigma, discrimination, harassment, and violence.

Sexual minorities also experience an increased rate of unemployment, homelessness, addiction, depression, anxiety, and suicide.

As a result, many LGBTQIA persons choose to hide their sexual orientation and/or gender identity from family, friends, and coworkers. This secrecy can contribute to anxiety, stress, depression, and social isolation.

All of us, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity, can support the LGBTQIA community. Being an ally means standing up for equal and fair treatment of people who may be different from ourselves.

By doing so, we can a make a profound positive impact upon those who may be struggling to make their way in a world that does not yet fully embrace those who identify as a sexual minority. We can help create a more welcoming and inclusive workplace.

CDCR and CCHCS are committed to creating supportive spaces and ally-ships for our LGBTQIA+ community and to being supportive of all individuals in our communities, both inside and outside of our prisons. CDCR/CCHCS GARE has established a webpage of LGBTQIA+ resources to share with employees and their family: https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/gare/lgbtqia/

In the Community

VSP attends Career Technical Education event at local high school

Valley State Prison (VSP) staff attended Chowchilla High School’s Career Technical Education Public Safety/Health Event, joining multiple public service agencies to provide career advice to students.

The event highlight included a flyover from a black hawk helicopter.

A fire also broke out in the vacant fields near the high school allowing students a unique, firsthand experience of how the fire department responds to and extinguishes fires.

VSP staff engaged with interested students, answering numerous questions about careers in public safety.

They visited booths hosted by the California Highway Patrol, Cal-Fire, and the U.S. military branches, including the Marines, Army, Air Force, and Navy.

VSP had the opportunity to board the helicopter and network with other agencies, fostering valuable connections.

“It was a fun and informative day. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of questions, especially from female students, showing a strong interest in public safety careers,” said Lt. T. Costa.

Division of Adult Parole Operations

Reentry participants receive scholarships

Glendale Community College (GCC) recently hosted an honors and awards banquet for the associated students.

Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP) participants Carlo Brimway and Kevin McAninch were presented scholarships for Outstanding Rising Scholars at GCC.

Parole attends District Attorney’s Citizens Academy graduation

wide shot of Sacramento County District Attorney’s Citizens Academy Graduation

Sacramento Metro 2 Unit Supervisor (US) Roger Gold and Parole Agent Tracy Master represented the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) at the recent Sacramento County District Attorney’s Citizens Academy graduation. In this academy, Sacramento County residents learn about their local criminal justice system agencies, including non-profit groups and organizations working to reduce recidivism.

Participants met with representatives from the organizations to learn more about what they do and their role in public safety. Gold and Master educated citizens about DAPO’s multi-faceted mission to improve public safety by working towards the successful rehabilitation of supervised persons and enforcing their conditions of parole to ensure community safety. They also provided a demonstration of how a Global Positioning System (GPS) monitor operates and how the devices provide enhanced supervision for specialized caseloads of those on parole supervision.

In Our Institutions

CCI hosts Memorial Day Hope Walk and basketball tournament

California Correctional Institution’s (CCI) Facility C population participated with members of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) in a Salute to Courage and Hope Walk. This event raised funds for the Tehachapi Veterans of Foreign Wars to help remember the brave heroes who sacrificed all for our country.

Together with the walk, CCI hosted its first Memorial Day basketball tournament. Teams included members of the Occupational Mentor Certification Program, Pawsitive Change dog-training program, and specific housing units.

The incarcerated population donated their own funds to provide food and drink for everyone involved. They also raised funds for the Tehachapi Veterans of Foreign Wars organization.

SCC ISUDT participates in cross-training

SCC DRP and UCSD participate n cross training

Sierra Conservation Center’s (SCC) Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment (ISUDT) ambassadors, Division of Rehabilitative Programs (DRP), and UC San Diego hosted a three-day cross-training. The session featured competitive interactive activities and information sharing at the historic Copperopolis Armory.

Cross-training creates a collaborative environment in the custody setting where the contracted treatment professional, custody, educational and medical staff can successfully interact to deliver rehabilitative services. Through intense team building, problem solving training and relevant knowledge for treatment providers and CDCR staff, these sessions help ensure consistent application of evidence-based treatment principles in a safe and secure setting.

Rehabilitation

CTF-Soledad hosts Cognitive Behavioral Interventions (CBI) graduation

incarcerated at CTF shaking hands with staff

Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program (ISUDT) held a CBI completion ceremony for 75 students at the Correctional Training Facility at Soledad.

The students completed the 14-week Living in Balance course, addressing substance use disorders, or the 28-week Cognitive Behavioral Change course, addressing a variety of social skills and criminogenic thinking. The ceremony recognized the students’ dedication toward change, encouraging them to maintain sobriety.

High Desert State Prison hosts DRP graduation

High Desert State Prison (HDSP) hosted a Division of Rehabilitative Programs (DRP) graduation to celebrate participants who have successfully completed curriculum in cognitive behavioral interventions and integrated services outpatient programs.

The graduation ceremony demonstrated the possibility to maintain a therapeutic relationship and advocacy for the program treatment. This ceremony allowed counselors and management to thank and award the students for their hard work and dedication to achieving their goals.

In the Media

CALPIA’s Entry to Employment paves way for incarcerated people to find work

For the first time, incarcerated individuals are able to connect with employers and secure job offers before leaving prison through the Entry to Employment (E2E) network. The California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA), in partnership with the California Employment Development Department (EDD), is offering the web-based employment network through contract provider Geographic Solutions.

“The Entry to Employment network is a game changer when it comes to successful reentry for incarcerated individuals,” said CALPIA’s General Manager Bill Davidson. “CALPIA wants individuals to have a career before they return to their communities and this first-of-its-kind network is definitely helping in the process.”

Visit PRnewswire’s website to read the full article.

Program helps transition incarcerated people into workforce upon release

One of the biggest hurdles for the incarcerated population when they get out of prison is finding a job.

Without work, many who have been incarcerated for years simply have no chance at successfully transitioning back into society, but a new program inside California state prisons is working to change that.

Visit CBS’s website to read the full article.

Non-profit program teaches coding inside prisons in California

NBC News’ Steve Patterson reports from the California Women’s Institution, where the Last Mile Program is teaching coding to those behind bars.

The program aims to lower the chance of repeat offending and getting the chance at a new career.

Visit NBC’s website to read the full article.

From 20 years in California prison to success as an optician, one man hopes to inspire more paths to redemption

CALPIA on Wednesday launched a new program at California State Prison, Solano, that, for the first time, allows incarcerated people to apply for and secure jobs months before their release.

It’s something CALPIA leaders call a “game changer” when it comes to building pathways for a seamless transition from prison back into society and the workplace.

Robert Castaneda, who was incarcerated at California State Prison, Solano, for 20 years, said this program would have made his transition to a successful life beyond prison walls much easier. He was behind bars from the age of 16 to 36.

Visit KSBY’s website to read the full article.

Program offers chance to search for and secure jobs before leaving prison

A program that allows California’s incarcerated population who are nearing the end of their sentence to search for, apply for and secure jobs before leaving prison, is expanding to other facilities.

The Entry to Employment program started at California State Prison, Solano, and it’s already making an impact on some prisoners’ lives.

“To have something like this is a blessing,” said inmate Fausto Basso. “I am getting job offers, and this reduces my anxiety.”

Visit KCRA’s website to read the full article.