High Desert State Prison recently hosted Camp Grace, a five-day music and art-based program for families impacted by incarceration.
Team Place4Grace arrived at High Desert and received invitations to an Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment (ISUDT) graduation. The camp participants sat and watched their incarcerated parents’ graduate. The children’s faces beamed with pride as they watched their fathers accomplish this goal.
Throughout the week, the incarcerated parents participated in daily activities with their children such as music, art, dancing, and writing to each other. Staff from the prison and the organization said they could visibly see changes in the participants.
High Desert and Camp Grace staff also hosted a scavenger hunt for the children. This experience showed children how CDCR staff are not to be feared, thanks to positive interactions.
To complete the Camp Grace experience, High Desert staff hosted a barbecue to show appreciation to the Camp Grace staff and the children.
Story submitted by Monica Hess, Executive Assistant to Warden Rob St. André
High Desert State Prison
Learn more about the California Model on the CDCR website.
Follow CDCR on YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.
Related content
Watch: From farm to tray: CDCR’s Farm to Corrections impact
Nearly six years of collaboration among correctional leaders, local farmers, and community organizations came into focus during the recent stakeholder…
Canine Companion puppies begin Kern Valley program
Kern Valley State Prison has implemented a new Canine Companion dog training program on their Level III Non-Designated Program Facility.…
Watch: Paws on a Mission finds meaning in training
The Paws on a Mission program at California State Prison-Solano provides incarcerated individuals with the opportunity to train rescue dogs.…
RJD hosts Low and Slow Car Show for staff, incarcerated
The RJ Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD) successfully hosted its third annual Low and Slow Car Show. The June 3 event,…
CMC’s Cuesta Camp trains for 2026 fire season
Cuesta Conservation Camp at California Men’s Colony (CMC) held their annual fire preparedness drills to be ready for the 2026…
Eel River hosts 18th Redwood Coast Fire Preparedness Exercise
The 18th annual Redwood Coast Fire Preparedness Exercise was successfully conducted by CAL FIRE personnel assigned to Eel River Conservation…