Weekender Digest: Honoring, remembering staff

November 9, 2024

This Weekender Digest focuses on honoring staff and remembering those who’ve passed away. It was a packed week for Inside CDCR stories.

Compressing the week’s stories into this new weekly digest is another way to help keep our busy staff up to date with the latest news.

CDCR Unlocked podcast

Annette Lambert speaks into a microphone. — Learn about the California Model normalization pillar from Annette Lambert, deputy director of Quality Management, in the latest episode of the CDCR Unlocked podcast.

CDCR Unlocked: Discussing normalization

In the latest CDCR Unlocked podcast, Annette Lambert and Ashton Harris discuss the normalization pillar of the California Model. Lambert, deputy director of Quality Management within CDCR’s health care services, discusses the changes being made within our institutions. Harris, information officer with the Office of Public and Employee Communications, hosted the latest episode. Listen to the latest episode of the CDCR Unlocked podcast. Read the full story on Inside CDCR.

Division of Adult Parole Operations

Parole staff took time to celebrate with the community at a trunk-or-treat festival in Elk Grove. Capitol District parole staff are shown handing out candy. — Capitol District parole staff at Elk Grove’s trunk-or-treat event.

Capitol District parole with a decorated vehicle for a Halloween trunk-or-treat event. — Capitol District parole staff at Elk Grove’s trunk-or-treat event.

Parole takes time to celebrate with community

Parole agents and other staff took time to celebrate harvest festivals and Halloween with the community through fairs and trunk-or-treats. Read the full story.

Remembering staff

Dia de los Muertos display with staff standing in front at Centinela. — Centinel staff who’ve passed are being honored with a Dia de los Muertos display in the institution’s administration building.

First warden and current warden at Centinel State Prison for Dia de los Muertos observance. — Centinel staff who’ve passed are being honored with a Dia de los Muertos display in the institution’s administration building.

Centinela is honoring staff with Dia de los Muertos

Centinela State Prison recently observed Dia de los Muertos by showing respect for deceased staff who worked at the prison. “We are a family. I want you all to know, we will always be here for you,” said Warden Fidencio Guzman. Former Rosie Garcia also stopped by the institution. She was Centinela’s first warden, serving from 1994 until 2000. Read the full story.

Halloween and Harvest

Mule Creek State Prison employees dressed as Wizard of Oz characters at the trunk-or-treat community event. — Mule Creek’s Wizard of Oz crew.

Staff wear costumes at a trunk-or-treat event at California State Prison, Solano. — Mule Creek’s Wizard of Oz crew.

Solano, Mule Creek and CIW get into spirit of Halloween

CSP-Solano, Mule Creek State Prison and California Institution for Women got into the spirit of Halloween through costumes, decorating or hosting trunk-or-treating events. Read the updated round-up.

A family enjoys Halloween at Avenal State Prison.

Avenal, CCI make Halloween visiting special

Avenal State Prison and California Correctional Institution (CCI) are the latest institutions to submit their information to the Halloween visiting round-up. At CCI, incarcerated artists painted Halloween themed backdrops for visiting. Meanwhile at Avenal (above), they held a special visiting event for families. Read the updated round-up.

CIM pooch parade with incarcerated person and dog in costume.

CIM holds Halloween costumed pooch parade

A Halloween costumed pooch parade brought smiles to the incarcerated and staff at California Institution for Men (CIM) in Chino. See even more photos: Read the full story.

Recruitment

A new officer hugs a child after his graduation. — CDCR welcomed 169 new officers as they graduated the Basic Correctional Officer Academy in Galt.

Correctional officer cadets clap their hands during the graduation ceremony for class 7-24A of the Basic Correctional Officer Academy in Galt, California. — CDCR welcomed 169 new officers as they graduated the Basic Correctional Officer Academy in Galt.

CDCR welcomes 169 new correctional officers

Staff and executives welcomed 169 new officers as they graduated from the Basic Correctional Officer Academy in Galt Nov. 1. These new officers from Class 7-24A will serve at CDCR institutions across California. Read the full story.

Daughter follows dad’s CDCR footsteps

For new correctional officer Gloria Balderas, joining CDCR is a way to follow in her dad’s career footsteps. Read the full story.

Week in Review

Week in Review: November 8, 2024

In this Week in Review for November 8: Read the secretary’s message regarding Veterans Day; Substance Abuse Treatment Facility hosts A Day of Abilities; Peace Officer Recruitment virtual career fairs; and South Coast parole hosts a workshop. Read the Week in Review.

Recognizing Veterans

CDCR veteran patch can be worn during November in honor of Veterans Day.

Honoring our veterans: Introducing the new CDCR patch

In recognition of Veterans Day, CDCR proudly introduces the new veteran patch, authorized for all staff who have served in the US military. To all our veterans, we say thank you for your service. Read the story.

Sports in CDCR

Group photo of incarcerated soccer players and the Sacramento Republic team. — Sacramento Republic FC soccer team with the incarcerated population at Folsom State Prison.

Sac Republic FC plays soccer at Folsom prison

The Folsom State Prison October event was unique as it was the first time the soccer club’s entire roster of nearly 30 players came to train and play, with the Sac Republic playing against incarcerated players. Read the full story.

Prison Health Care

A photo of Brandi Abshire overlaying the medical area of a prison. — Of honor of Rad Tech Week, meet Brandi Abshire, Senior Radiology Tech for the Medical Imaging Headquarters Program.

Staff spotlight on Senior Radiology Tech Brandi Abshire

In honor of National Radiologic Technology Week (Rad Tech), Inside CDCR caught up with Senior Radiology Tech Brandi Abshire to learn more about her career, aspirations and challenges. Read the full story.