Week in Review: November 22, 2024

November 22, 2024

In this Week in Review for November 22: California Correctional Institution awards staff, Pickleball in Prison at California Men’s Colony, and California Medical Facility hosts education event.

Staff Spotlight

California Correctional Institution honors Employee and Supervisor of the Month

California Correctional Institution recognized two outstanding staff members for October. Correctional Officer Michael Blanco was named Employee of the Month, and Correctional Lt. Joshua Tyree received Supervisor of the Month honors.

Officer Blanco began his 18-year career in 2006 and has been instrumental in the Facility A conversion beautification project. He led an incarcerated work crew, overseeing several successful initiatives making a visible impact on the facility. His leadership and dedication to numerous tasks have earned him praise from both staff and inmates.

Lt. Tyree, with the department for 24 years, has been a key asset to California Correctional Institution. Known for his expertise in gang management, Tyree also contributed significantly to his role as Disciplinary Lieutenant. He recently trained all California Correctional Institution custody supervisors on proper interview techniques and reporting.

Blanco and Tyree’s exceptional contributions earned them these well-deserved recognitions.

Visit Inside CDCR to read more Beyond the Badge stories.

3 Questions with Stacey Hoffman, Supervisor of Correctional Education Programs, Kern Valley State Prison

Stacey Hoffman, Kern Valley State Prison/Kern Valley Adult School Principal, has been an active volunteer with the Scouts of America for over a decade. His journey began in 2007, when his eldest son expressed an interest in joining Cub Scouts. Since then, Hoffman has dedicated his time to serving local youth and leading youth on adventures while balancing his role at CDCR.

What inspired you to get involved in scouting?

In September 2007, our eldest Eagle Scout son brought home a flyer about joining Cub Scouts. My wife and I hosted a den meeting and when the den leader couldn’t continue, we stepped in. This moment marked the beginning of our involvement, and I officially became the Cubmaster in 2009. I later served as an assistant scoutmaster and then as the scoutmaster of my eldest son’s troop. Scouting has been a central part of our family’s life ever since.

What experiences has your involvement in scouting provided?

Scouting has taken me across all six time zones in the country, leading youth on summer camps in California, Hawaii, Montana, West Virginia, and Wyoming. We are planning our 2025 summer camp trip to Washington. Then, we will attend the 2026 National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia. This will be my third time attending the National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia (2013, 2017, and 2026).

In addition to attending numerous summer camps, I have coached many Scouts through earning merit badges such as Rifle Shooting and Shotgun Shooting. Before I could do this, I had to become certified as a National Rifle Association Range Safety Officer, Rifle Instructor, and Shotgun Instructor.

Throughout my years in Scouting, I have also participated in well over 100 hours of community service projects. My favorite community service projects have been honoring our veterans at events such as placing United States flags on all the veterans’ gravesites at the Historic Union Cemetery in Bakersfield over Memorial Day weekend and working on my youngest son’s Eagle Scout project at Bakersfield’s Portrait of a Warrior Gallery – Kern County. We assisted the gallery in organizing dog tags for approximately 13,000 of the approximately 70,000 missing in action from every state throughout all our nation’s wars. Once completed, this will be the only exhibit in the nation honoring all our missing in action with each of their dog tags. Finally, Scouting has been an incredible opportunity to mentor and help young men accomplish things they never thought possible.

What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering for any organization?

Find something you’re truly passionate about. I never expected to be so involved in Scouting, but after completing multiple trainings, participating in many camp outs and summer camps, I realized how much I enjoy it.

Volunteering has given me the chance to create lasting memories with my sons, from Tiger Cubs (1st grade) to both becoming Eagle Scouts, and help other youths experience achievements they might not otherwise have. It is incredibly rewarding to see young men accomplish things for the first time.

Visit the Portrait of a Warrior Gallery – Kern County to learn more about the exhibit.

Visit Scouts of America website for more information on the organization.

In Our Institutions

Pickleball in Prison at California Men’s Colony

CMC staff playing pickleball with incarcerated

It was a pickleball takeover at several institutions across the state. Pickleball in Prison began filming their documentary, visiting five prisons last week. These pictures are from the filmmakers’ Nov. 12 visit to California Men’s Colony. Dozens of incarcerated men flocked to the gym to learn the rules of pickleball from Roger BelAir, the pioneer of teaching pickleball in prisons across the country.

Chief Deputy Warden Nathan Gaughan joined in on the fun. He learned game strategy, playing against and with the population.

“To have some camaraderie and friendly competition is awesome to have fun times with a sport we all share a passion for,” he said.

The filmmakers also filmed at San Quentin, Corcoran, Central California Women’s Facility, Valley State Prison, and the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility.

Visit Pickleball in Prison website to learn more about the organization.

New program launches at Central California Women’s Facility for incarcerated seniors

Velda Dobson-Davis passing out hygiene kits

Central California Women’s Facility launched their new program called Grandma’s Hands. This program is designed to support incarcerated people over 60.

The event was held in the chapel and highlighted the needs of the seasoned population to engage in institution activities.

“We have needed a program like this for years. It is amazing to be finally included,” said Tamara Lynette Robinson, an incarcerated person.

The kickoff included the distribution of 167 hygiene kits donated by Fritzi Horstman with the Compassion Prison Project. Attendees appreciated the donated kits filled with essentials like toothpaste and shampoo. Velda Dobson-Davis, a retired annuitant, oversaw the delivery with the help of volunteers from Jesse Vasquez, Pollen Initiative, and Jenny Andrade, Bridges of Hope.

“What a great opportunity to keep busy and stay connected together,” said Renee Robinson, incarcerated person. The event marks a significant step in supporting the well-being of the more mature incarcerated women.

Visit Compassion Prison Project website for more information on the organization.

Rehabilitation

Centinela State Prison hosts graduation for incarcerated students

Centinela State Prison recently partnered with Imperial Valley College to celebrate the graduation of incarcerated students who earned associate degrees after more than two years of hard work. With the support of college faculty, administrators, and institutional staff, the graduates were able to achieve this milestone. Family members were present to celebrate their loved ones’ accomplishments.

“Congratulations on your tremendous achievement. You earned this and are setting an example to your children,” said Warden Fidencio Guzman.

Many graduates plan to pursue their bachelor’s degree through a program Centinela offers with San Diego State University. The prison’s mission focuses on equipping incarcerated individuals with tools for safe reintegration into society as positive role models.

“This achievement should be used to better ourselves but more importantly, everything around us,” said an incarcerated graduate.

Visit the CDCR website to learn more about programs offered by the department.

California Medical Facility partners with Solano Community College for trauma and education event

California Medical Facility hosted Healing from Trauma Through the Lens of Higher Education event in partnership with Solano Community College. The event featured panels on resilience, recovery, and effective teaching strategies for justice-impacted students.

Shanan Danley, Director of Students Overcoming Adversity and Recidivism (SOAR) organized the day-long event, which included personal stories from incarcerated college students and a keynote speech by Gunner Johnson, Program Director of UC Davis Underground Scholars.

Over 300 participants attended the symposium including visitors from UC Davis, UC Berkeley, and several California State Universities. Special recognition was given to California Medical Facility staff, including Warden Cueva, for their commitment to fostering an inclusive educational environment.

This collaboration exemplifies the California Model’s four pillars: Dynamic Security, Normalization, Peer Mentorship, and Trauma-Informed Organization.

Visit Solano Community College website to learn more about the SOAR program.

Anti-Recidivism Coalition participants graduate at Corcoran

Over 50 participants of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition celebrated their achievements with a graduation ceremony at California State Prison, Corcoran.

Family and friends attended to support the graduates, marking a significant milestone in their journeys toward successful reentry.

The event included food, drinks, and socializing as graduates connected with loved ones. Anti-Recidivism Coalition, a program dedicated to reducing recidivism, has hosted numerous graduations at Corcoran, continuing to support individuals affected by incarceration.

The coalition provides a robust support network, reentry services, and policy advocacy. The organization also creates safer, healthier communities by empowering formerly and currently incarcerated individuals to thrive, while promoting a more just and equitable criminal justice system.

Visit Anti-Recidivism Coalition website to learn more about the organization.

Superintendent Swain discusses higher education in prison

Shannon Swain, superintendent of the Office of Correctional Education, participated in the American Society of Criminology (ASC) President’s Plenary Panel at the ASC Conference. The session focused on the impact of higher education in prison.

Swain shared insights on the four pillars of the California Model, a framework for rehabilitative programs in correctional facilities. Two incarcerated students from Valley State Prison, enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program through Fresno State University, joined the session via Zoom.

The panel included Fresno State faculty Dr. Emma Hughes, UC Irvine faculty Dr. Keramet Reiter, and formerly incarcerated UC Irvine doctoral student Gabe Rosales. They highlighted the challenges and successes of providing college education in prison, underscoring its critical role in rehabilitation and reentry.

Visit American Society of Criminology website to learn more about the organization.

Upward Mobility

Cynthia Mendonza has been appointed Deputy Director, Office of Fiscal Services, Division of Administrative Services.

Chelsea Standish has been appointed Associate Director, Budget Management Branch, Office of Fiscal Services, Division of Administrative Services.

Leo Quiroz has been appointed Chief Deputy Warden, California Rehabilitation Center.

Division of Adult Parole Operations

Parole participates in STRIVE Community Health Institute Symposium

Executive staff from the Division of Adult Parole Operations, including Director Jason D. Johnson, attended the STRIVE Community Health Institute Symposium in Sacramento. The event featured a resource fair, lunch and learn sessions, and expert roundtable discussions. The symposium aimed to strengthen collaborations with families affected by incarceration, substance abuse, homelessness, and mental health issues.

Parole participated in the resource fair, promoting recruitment efforts and partnerships with community-based organizations. STRIVE, a nonprofit organization, focuses on non-traditional pathways into healthcare, education, and management, with a strong emphasis on mental health services for underserved populations.

Among those representing parole at the event included Alexa Wasserman, Chief Psychologist; Christina Pham, Parole Agent II; Heather Bowlds, Deputy Director; and Arti Parmar, Special Assistant to the Director.

Visit the STRIVE website to learn more about the organization.

Parole participates in California Montessori Project’s Harvest Festival

The Division of Adult Parole Operations participated in the California Montessori Project’s Harvest Festival in Sacramento. The school serves over 2,700 students across six locations and invited parole staff to engage with approximately 500 students, families, and friends.

Assistant Deputy Director Sabrina Williams and Reentry Parole Agent Kenneth Madan attended, bringing vehicles with emergency lights flashing to excite the children. The agents provided junior officer stickers, treats, and photo opportunities, with many kids proudly wearing their stickers throughout the event.

Parole agents took part in the school’s chili cook-off and carnival games, helping foster community trust and strengthen relationships with law enforcement. The event successfully promoted positive interactions with the community, aligning with CDCR’s core values of service, integrity, and collaboration.

Visit the CDCR website to learn more about how to join parole.

In the Community

Our Promise kick‑off event highlights charities

During the department’s Our Promise kick-off event in Elk Grove, staff learned various ways they can help charities.

The Nov. 6 kick-off for the 2024 Our Promise California State Giving at Work campaign featured food trucks, games, and door prizes.

Visit Inside CDCR to read the full story.

California Correctional Health Care Services

Meet Anthony Hales, SATF nurse practitioner

Nurse Practitioner Anthony Hales works on a patient's knee at SATF.

For more than half a century, nurse practitioners (NPs) have been providing primary, acute and specialty health care to millions of patients across their lifespan. NPs evaluate patients, order and interpret tests, make diagnoses, write prescriptions and bring a comprehensive perspective to health care. This week we celebrate the important contributions of all NP’s and provide special thanks to the dedicated CDCR-CCHCS NP’s across the state.

We had the opportunity to speak with a valued, long-time, SATF nurse practitioner, Anthony Hales, to find out more about the NP role and his unique career experiences.

Visit Inside CDCR to read the full story.

Dr. Mariana Lotersztain provides CPR training to incarcerated

incarcerated people conducting CPR on mannequins

Dr. Mariana Lotersztain, Chief Medical Executive at California Correctional Institution, recently led a CPR training session for incarcerated people in C Yard. After months of requests and looking for a trainer, Lotersztain volunteered to teach the class herself.

The session included a video from the American Heart Association, demonstrating chest compressions and automated external defibrillator (AED) use, followed by hands-on practice with mannequins. Over 50 incarcerated people participated, learning life-saving skills such as CPR and proper compression techniques.

Lotersztain’s initiative, supported by institution leadership and staff, was met with enthusiasm. Incarcerated people expressed gratitude for the opportunity to gain valuable skills. Lotersztain hopes to expand the program to other CDCR facilities, emphasizing the importance of CPR as a life-saving tool in and out of prison.

Visit Inside CDCR to read more prison health care stories.

In the Media

Reentry Fall Festival outreach for people on parole and families

People on parole supervision and others struggling through post- incarceration challenges will be offered a range of free services in a pre-Thanksgiving Reentry Fall Festival in Riverside, where volunteers from a nonprofit will be on hand to provide help.

Moreno Valley-based Immanuel House, which focuses on outreach to people on parole and their families, is hosting the festival at CDCR’s Division of Adult Parole Operations Riverside Parole office.

Visit the Patch website to read the full story.

Transforming lives: Project Rebound Outreach Coordinator helps students get a second chance

Project Rebound Outreach Coordinator Michael Love’s guidance for formerly incarcerated students makes second chances a possibility.

Love helps them apply, enroll and graduate with a college degree from Sacramento State.

Love is a communications studies major at Sac State working toward his master’s degree after earning several associate degrees while in custody at California State Prison, Solano. Upon his release, Love was asked to return to the prison to deliver a valedictorian speech.

Visit The State Hornet website to read the full story.

LA’s Chevalier’s Books sponsors a book drive for prisons

When Nat Eastman was a kid growing up in the San Fernando Valley, she and her oldest brother would read Harry Potter novels and write letters to each other about the books.

It wasn’t always easy to maintain the connection.

“My oldest brother spent 17 years in California prisons,” says Eastman, the assistant manager and adult book buyer for Chevalier’s Books in the Larchmont neighborhood of Los Angeles. “But we had a little two-person book club.”

Visit The Orange County Register website to read the full story.