Week in Review: July 19, 2024

In this issue of Week in Review for July 19, 2024, The Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services begins statewide campaign, Calipatria State Prison hosts a Tattoo Removal Event, and Marley’s Mutts Dog Rescue graduation.

Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services

OVSRS begins statewide campaign

Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services (OVSRS) recently began an extensive outreach campaign in multiple California DMV Field Offices in both Spanish and English.

This campaign will provide OVSRS contact information to California’s residents throughout the state.

This reaches many of the currently underserved victims. Promoting the services CDCR has available for victims of crimes such as notification, support services, restitution collection, and the opportunities to participate in restorative justice programs.

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In Our Institutions

Folsom State Prison invests in next generation of students

The Incarcerated Advisory Council at Folsom State Prison donated over $17,000 July 9 to the Foundation for California Community Colleges. The representatives from the prison’s advisory council presented the check to the foundation’s executive director, Barbara Webster-Hawkins, alongside prison leadership and CCHCS Director of Health Care Services Dr. Joseph Bick.

The funds were raised from a food sale fundraiser inside the prison and will provide education resources to the children of incarcerated people.

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Calipatria State Prison hosts tattoo removal

Calipatria State Prison (CAL) began the Tattoo Removal Program October 2023 and initiated its first visit at CAL. Since then, there have been at least six visits from the Ink Doctors who provide the service of assisting the incarcerated persons in removing some of the tattoos they no longer desire to have.

Over 55 incarcerated persons have participated in the program at Calipatria so far. The program brings a new opportunity for the incarcerated persons to have in the ability to be looked at for who they are and not for the tattoos they had at one point.

“I am grateful for this opportunity to leave the past behind. Making a change in my appearance is helping me prepare for my release,” said incarcerated person Rutherford.

To learn more about the tattoo removal program, check out our website: Tattoo Removal Program erases signs of the past (ca.gov)

Marley’s Mutts Dog Rescue Graduation

North Kern State Prison (NKSP) recently celebrated Marley’s Mutts’ Dog Rescue graduation at the institution. Marley’s Mutts Dog Rescue is a non-profit dedicated to saving the lives of Kern County’s shelter animals.

The program pairs incarcerated persons’ and dogs from high-kill shelters to rehabilitate one another.

The incarcerated people learn skills that will be useful when they reintegrate into society, and the dogs become adoptable after the training.

Eleven incarcerated persons from Pawsitive Change graduated the 10-week program along with three dogs. All three dogs have been successfully adopted.

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In the Media

From San Quentin to Harvard, SRJC grad’s life changed by education

Johnny Smith was wracked with self-doubt, impostor syndrome, and wrestling with feelings of being wildly out of place.

He had walked away from education as an eighth-grader years earlier, telling himself he hated school.

As an adult, he earned his General Education Diploma, but even then, he didn’t hit that one out of the park.

Visit The Press Democrat to read the full story.

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Model Prisons: California’s Push for Reform

Nearly 95% of people currently in prison will release back into society, and historically a significant percentage are likely to reoffend.

In California, authorities are trying to change that by providing inmates access to education, work and other rehabilitative privileges — programs that have been shown to reduce recidivism and increase public safety.

CBS Reports examines a controversial approach some see as being “soft on crime,” which now may be preventing it.

Visit CBS website to read the full story.

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Social Media

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For media inquiries, e-mail the Office of Public & Employee Communications.

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