Week in Review: August 9, 2024

August 9, 2024

In this issue of Week in Review for August 9, Visions Adult School holds six graduation ceremonies; Male Community Reentry Program Los Angeles hosts first softball tournament, and Avenal’s fitness program honors a Navy SEAL.

Observances

International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

Aug. 9 is International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

Celebrated globally, this day honors the role of indigenous societies as stewards of cultural and biological diversity, promotes protecting the rights of indigenous people, and acknowledges the lasting and damaging impact of colonialism on indigenous cultures.

In many countries, indigenous people were forcibly removed from their land while governments restricted the expression of indigenous language and culture. A history of exclusion, relocation, inequality, and violence has hindered indigenous people’s access to essential services, justice, politics, and impactful decision-making. There are 476 million indigenous people around the world across 90 countries.

On this day, we encourage the world to consider the struggle of indigenous cultures, work to stop discrimination against indigenous people, and reflect on the need for indigenous societies to achieve full autonomy and equal rights.

Submitted by GARE

National Wellness Month

Wellness incorporates physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Physical health refers to the physical body. Exercise and diet are key components. We all know we need to exercise thirty minutes daily. But it doesn’t need to be in a formal way. We can exercise doing household chores or chasing after kids. The big thing is to move your body.

Healthy diets do not need to be horrible. Enjoy your food. Make wise decisions. Remember portion sizes.

Mental health is important. Do things that make you happy daily. Rember to take care of yourself. Take time to sleep. Do little things that make you smile. Learn something new each day.

Spiritual health is also important. Be grateful for the blessings daily. Trust in a higher power. Love yourself.

Submitted by GARE Ambassador Rebecca Ferrall

To encourage employees to expand their knowledge and gain new experiences, CDCR/CCHCS GARE Ambassadors are sharing celebrations and awareness days throughout the year. To learn more about the diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, visit the GARE website.

Rehabilitation

Visions Adult School holds six graduation ceremonies at Corcoran

Visions Adult School (VAS) at California State Prison, Corcoran, celebrated over 130 students in six graduation ceremonies for the 2023-2024 academic year.

They earned two bachelor’s degrees, eight associate degrees, 23 GEDs, and five high school diplomas during the graduation ceremony.

Incarcerated graduates also celebrated certifications in:

Computer Technology (26)
Building Maintenance (8)
Sheet Metal (2)
Electronics (3)
and Peer Literacy Mentoring (3).

Those attending the ceremonies included:

families and friends
prison teachers and correctional staff
representatives from Bakersfield College’s Rising Scholars Program and Coastline College.

Each ceremony featured introductions, the national anthem, and student speakers. The events concluded with a pizza, cake, and iced tea.

“Becoming a mentor allowed me to correct past mistake. I have given all to my fellow students, helping them obtain life skills and getting closer to returning home to their loved ones,” said incarcerated person Nelson, after receiving his Peer Literacy Mentoring certificate.

In the Community

High Desert State Prison Honor Guard leads annual Lassen County Fair parade

Each July, Lassen County hosts a fair parade where local businesses showcase their pride to the community. This year, High Desert State Prison’s (HDSP) Honor Guard led the parade down Susanville’s Main Street.

Officers Tracy Palmer, Leonard Balding, Patrick Parrish, and Andrew Lane marched in unison, carrying two flags and rifles.

“It was an absolute honor to lead the parade and represent our flag in front of our community,” said one participating officer.

LA MCRP participants at softball tournament

MCRP Los Angeles hosts inaugural softball tournament

Approximately 50 participants in the Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP) from all three Los Angeles County locations took part in an inaugural softball tournament.

Pastor Michael J. Ealey hosted the event in partnership with Reclaiming America’s Communities through Empowerment (RACE).

The tournament took place at Del Amo Park in Carson. Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes presented the winning team with a trophy and rings. She also gave participation medals to all other players.

RACE served a barbecue lunch as well as a gaming truck. They also invited community groups to offer mental health and job reentry resources.

Upward Mobility

Leanna Lundy has been appointed warden at California State Prison, Los Angeles County.

In Our Institutions

Salinas Valley State Prison holds staff appreciation event

Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad celebrated staff with an appreciation luncheon.

More than 2,500 employees attended including custody, non-custody, and medical.

All first, second, and third watch staff received tacos and chocolate donated by the California Crime Victims Coalition.

Organizing the event were the prison’s executive management, supervisors, and Anthony Blanco, with the victims coalition.

Corrections Federal Credit Union and Chicano Correctional Workers Association also attended, sharing] their services with staff.

“A simple gesture goes a long way. A good team coming together for the greater good is invincible,” said a prison staff member.

California Health Care Facility hosts inaugural Pride banquet

California Health Care Facility (CHCF) hosted its first Pride banquet.

The event recognized and celebrated the LGBTQ+ incarcerated population.

Warden Jones, community resources staff, CHCF custody and management attended the event with about 75 members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies.

For more information, read the full story on Inside CDCR.

Avenal prison fitness program honors Navy Seal Lt. Michael Murphy

Avenal State Prison’s Functional Fitness program participants took on the Murph Challenge.

This rigorous test includes a one-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, and 300 squats, followed by another one-mile run.

The challenge pays tribute to Lt. Michael Murphy, a member of the US Navy Sea, Air and Land, more commonly known as a Navy SEAL. Murphy died saving his team during Operation Red Wings.

To honor those who fought for freedom, incarcerated people raised over $2,700 for the Lt. Michael Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation.

In the Media

correctional officer mother and daughter

New CDCR graduate becomes 3rd generation to join Calif. corrections

A recent graduate of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Academy has achieved a significant milestone, continuing a proud family legacy in law enforcement.

Correctional Officer Yahsiia Fowler represents the third generation of her family to enter the corrections field, according to CDCR.

Fowler has been assigned to California State Prison Solano in Vacaville, a short distance from where her mother works.

Visit Corrections 1 website to read the full story.

Life prisoner reflects on academic milestone at Coastline College

The summer of 1991 feels so long ago, and yet, reminders of the earliest chapters of my carceral life still glare up from the otherwise crisp Coastline College transcript that now reflects the three AA degrees I recently earned via the Hope Scholars program, and the Honors distinction my grades entitle.

The dated University of LaVerne and Ventura College transfer coursework references squatting therein shade the Youth Training School and Ventura School carceral settings that formed the only college classrooms I’d ever known – remnants of the state’s earliest outside-in college programs offered within California’s now-defunct Youth Authority apparatus.

Visit the Davis Vanguard website to read the full story.