Butte reentry learns from fish hatchery visit

September 30, 2024

Butte County reentry participants and staff visit the fish hatchery.

Butte reentry program participants took part in an outing others would probably take for granted: visiting a fish hatchery.

“Where else are you going to have this time to do nothing but work on yourself (to) change those behaviors you’ve lived with your whole life?”
Jody Alsdurf, program director, Butte Male Community Reentry Program

Richard Tan, TV specialist with the Office of Public and Employee Communications, tagged along with the group to learn more about the reasons behind the visit.

Watch the video (story continues below):

Reentry staff said these visits help participants acclimate to being out in public. Another goal is taking them to places they otherwise might not experience.

“We see there are activities we can do (to) better our lives,” said one of the participants.

The Butte County Male Community Reentry Program in Oroville serves multiple northern California counties. These include Colusa, Glenn, Nevada, Placer, Sutter, Tehama, and Yuba.

Reentry programs help pave way for returning home

Group photo of people near a river. — Male Community Reentry Program, Butte, staff and participants at the fish hatchery.

Reentry programs help people with job placement, living situations, and resources in the community for when they are released.

“(We also help them with) education assistance and things like going to college,” said Michael Burcham, correctional counselor III. “Helping them integrate back into their communities. And it’s a voluntary program so a lot of them come here because they want to be here.”

Jody Alsdurf, director for the Butte County program, said reentry programs are an opportunity for the participants to work on themselves before they return to the community.

“Where else are you going to have this time to do nothing but work on yourself (to) change those behaviors you’ve lived with your whole life,” she said.

While outings like these benefit the participants, they also foster camaraderie among staff.

“We are out in the community and see the fish ladders and learn a little bit of stuff,” said DeEtta Rubiolo, counseling supervisor and case manager. “We’re by the river. It’s relaxing and kind of nice to get out and feel human.”

Learn more about the Feather River Fish Hatchery on their website.

Story by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor
Video and photos by Richard Tan, TV specialist
Office of Public and Employee Communications