This Weekender Digest focuses on the new California Model Magazine; the Paper Trail; and the Peer Support Specialist Program. This new weekly digest has been created to help keep our busy staff up to date with the latest news.
Appointments & Promotions
Governor appoints wardens at Centinela, CTF
Governor Gavin Newsom appointed two new wardens: Fidencio Guzman at Centinela State Prison and Edward Borla at the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) at Soledad. Both have served as acting wardens since 2023. Read the full story.
California Model
New magazine offers inside look at California Model
The first issue of the California Model Magazine is available for view now. This print and digital magazine, scheduled for release twice a year, contains important information and updates on the implementation and impacts of the California Model. Read the story and watch the video by Ike Dodson, Information Officer II, California Correctional Health Care Services.
Peer Support Specialists deliver improvements for staff, population
An incredible resource is growing quickly inside California prisons: Peer Support Specialists (PSS). They are incarcerated people trained to use their lived experiences to provide valuable and trusted recovery and rehabilitative support to their peers. Read the full story by Ike Dodson, Information Officer II, California Correctional Health Care Services.
CDCR highlights Suicide Prevention Week
Staff and the incarcerated population across CDCR and CCHCS promoted Suicide Prevention Week and Month to raise awareness. Read the round-up compiled by Don Chaddock.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation through journalism: CCWF Paper Trail
The Central California Women’s Facility celebrated its inaugural guild graduation for the institution-wide newspaper, the Paper Trail. Read the full story and watch the video by Quinn Sheppard, Office of Public and Employee Communications.
Pre‑Release Fair offers resources at RJ Donovan
The mental health department at RJ Donovan Correctional Facility, in partnership with custody staff, hosted a Pre-Release Fair on Echo Yard. Read the full story submitted by Nadia Camarillo, Supervising Psychiatric Social Worker.
Strategic Communications & External Affairs
Netherlands officials tour two CDCR prisons
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. Read the full story by David Maldonado, Deputy Chief, Strategic Communications and External Affairs.
See more stories from the CDCR Weekender.
Follow CDCR on YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.
Recent CDCR Weekender stories
CDCR leadership attends Women Leaders Conference
CDCR recruiters highlighted female leadership at the recent Women Leaders in Law Enforcement Conference. The department was well-represented this year…
Kern Valley promotion ceremony honors staff
Kern Valley State Prison recently held a promotion ceremony to acknowledge 15 staff for their career accomplishments. The ceremony honored…
Weekender Digest: Public safety, history, rehabilitation
In this Weekender Digest, we look at stories featuring public safety joint law enforcement operations and prison contraband sweeps. Public…
Weekender Digest: Award, wellness, and two tales
This Weekender Digest looks back at an award for officer of the year, a week of wellness fairs, and two…
SATF Operation Hope highlights staff mental health
The quiet hum of anticipation broke into laughter and applause as the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison at…
Fitness at 50: OCS Special Agent Scott Givens
When Office of Correctional Safety (OCS) Special Agent Scott Givens turned 50 years old, he ramped up efforts to focus…