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
CIM welcomes Between the Lines for special event
The Between the Lines foundation brought “Beyond the Lines Travel Beyond the Walls” to California Institution for Men (CIM) at…
CIW equine therapy pilot program making strides
The California Institution for Women (CIW) at Corona recently welcomed Rebel Ranch and their equine therapy program. This equine-assisted therapy…
While rebuilding barbershop, camp participant rebuilds self
A participant at Fenner Canyon Conservation Camp #41 rebuilt the barbershop while ultimately rebuilding himself. At the camp in Valyermo,…
Watch: CDCR supports BSCC Adult Reentry Grant summit
CDCR Undersecretary Jason Johnson was one of many leaders who attended a recent summit for the Adult Reentry Grant Cohort…
Nine earn CCM Pre‑Apprenticeship certificates at HDSP
Nine incarcerated students earned Correctional Construction Mentorship (CCM) Pre-Apprentice Program certificates July 21 at High Desert State Prison (HDSP) in…
Calipatria State Prison hosts soccer championship games
Sports as a rehabilitative tool was on display at Calipatria State Prison as the incarcerated population on Facility A sought…