A five-week summer program for high school students recently visited RJ Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD).
RJD as well as their chapter of the Chicano Correctional Workers Association (CCWA) partnered with STAR/PAL to host a summer school visit.
What is STAR/PAL? It stands for Sports, Training, Academics, Recreation/Police Athletic League. It is a San Diego nonprofit group who works with law enforcement to build positive community relationships.
STAR/PAL summer school learns about RJD
The organization hosts a summer program for San Diego County high school students who participate in educational, hands-on civic-engagement activities. The summer school offers a safe place for students to engage in experiences otherwise unavailable to them.
The now inactive RJD minimum support facility acted as a base of operations for the tour and activities. The tour included guest speakers from various areas of the prison and a display of inmate-manufactured weapons followed by lunch. There was also a presentation by the RJD Honor Guard and a K-9 demonstration. The students conducted a mock cell search, spoke with incarcerated firefighters, and were given an overview of the tools used by correctional officers.
CCWA president Sylvie Villeux said she was honored to be a part of hosting the students.
“I’m looking forward to further opportunities in building positive relationships between law enforcement and the community,” she said.
The students had the opportunity to ask questions about jobs, duties, and potential careers at the prison.
Events such as these also serve to educate people who might be interested in a corrections career.
Interested Correctional Officer applicants can apply online at JoinCDCR.com.
Submitted by Lt. Adam Garvey
Written by RJD Facility E Capt. Shelley Amador
See more community involvement stories.
Follow CDCR on YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.
Related content
Watch: 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run rallies in Sacramento
The final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Northern California received a ceremonious sendoff from CDCR…
Staff carry torch across California for Special Olympics
Across California, CDCR and CCHCS staff proudly carried the Special Olympics Flame of Hope during the Law Enforcement Torch Run.…
Mule Creek staff role up sleeves to donate blood
Mule Creek State Prison recently partnered with Vitalant to host a successful blood drive with staff. This gave employees the…
LAC staff interact with students during Read Across America
Staff from California State Prison, Los Angeles County (LAC), visited young students during Read Across America Week. A local elementary…
CSP‑Corcoran staff, incarcerated walk to fight cancer
California State Prison (CSP) Corcoran hosted the third annual Cancer Walk with staff and the incarcerated raising a record-breaking $12,900…
CMC custody staff find balance on a surfboard
Custody staff from California Men’s Colony (CMC) at San Luis Obispo recently attended an adaptive surf therapy clinic. The April…