Jobs, Training and Facilities, Rehabilitation

Netherlands officials tour two CDCR prisons

Netherlands touring two CDCR prisons.
Ministry of Justice officials from the Netherlands toured two CDCR prisons in Soledad.

Officials from the Netherlands Ministry of Justice recently toured the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) and Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) in Soledad.

The tours, led by CTF Public Information Officer Lt. Landrum and SVSP Lt. Fonseca, aimed to explore how CDCR manages large prison populations and offers innovative programs.

Netherlands Ministry of Justice learns CDCR methods

The visiting officials focused on CTF’s non-designated programming facilities and observed how SVSP supports the California Model. They were impressed by pillars of the California Model including normalization and dynamic security.

“We’re amazed at how California manages such large populations while offering so many programs, promoting family reunification, and supporting staff wellness,” said one Netherlands official. “We hope to take some of these concepts back to our system.”

The visit left the Netherlands delegation inspired, saying they plan to explore some of CDCR’s successful strategies in their own correctional facilities.

Story by David Maldonado, Deputy Chief
Strategic Communications and External Affairs
Office of Public and Employee Communications

Read more rehabilitation stories.

Follow CDCR on YouTubeFacebookX (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.

Related content

California State Prison, Corcoran, hosted their third annual Cancer Walk with staff and the incarcerated population, shown walking around a prison yard togther.

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…

An incarcerated barber student cuts hair at SATF in Corcoran, California.

Watch: SATF’s Touch of Class barber program

The Touch of Class barber program is helping incarcerated people learn a trade before they are released. At the Substance…

Second soccer tournament at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla, California, with the Fresno Fuego team.

VSP hosts second soccer tournament

Valley State Prison (VSP) held its second soccer tournament April 25 in partnership with Fuego FC, a Fresno-based team representing…

WSP-RC incarcerated people donated money to the dog training program.

Rescue dogs graduate WSP‑RC training program

A partnership between Wasco State Prison-Reception Center (WSP-RC) and PAW Estate Rescue & Shelter reached a milestone April 21 as…

An incarcerated mother blows bubbles with her daughter at CIW in Corona during Mother's Day visiting.

Visiting staff, volunteers make Mother’s Day special

From reentry facilities to conservation camps, CDCR prisons and institutions, visiting staff and volunteers made Mother’s Day special. This round-up…

Coach Chapin at California Health Care Facility in Stockton, or CHCF, teaches a physical education class to incarcerated people.

Watch: Coach Chapin brings energy to CHCF

After three decades as a teacher, Coach Carl Chapin is bringing energy to his second career as a CDCR physical…