Weekender Digest: Education and Our Promise

November 22, 2024

In this Weekender Digest, CDCR celebrates education; a dog finds his forever home; and Our Promise kicks off at headquarters in Elk Grove. This new weekly digest is one more way to help keep our busy staff informed on the latest happenings in the department.

American Education Week

Celebrated Nov. 18-22, American Education Week honors the contributions of those who contribute to the success and well-being of students. The department spent the week highlighting staff and education programs through social media posts and Inside CDCR stories.

Jody Lewen portrait with the words: "In a normal world, prisons would also be schools."

Founder of nation’s first prison college earns award

Jody Lewen, founder of the nation’s first college exclusively for incarcerated people in prison, has been awarded the 2024 McGraw Prize for Higher Education. Lewen serves as the president of Mount Tamalpais College (MTC) at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. Read the story published Monday.

Guest speaker at the CMC graduation with family members attending for the first time.

CMC hosts first graduation with family attending

Incarcerated students at California Men’s Colony (CMC) celebrated a milestone as their family members attended the graduation. This was the first time CMC hosted family members at a graduation ceremony. Read the story published Tuesday.

At Valley State Prison, 79 students crossed the stage to graduate education programs.

Valley State Prison sees 79 students graduate

Approximately 79 students recently crossed the stage to graduate education programs at Valley State Prison. The Nov. 14 event celebrated students who earned college degrees, high school diplomas and GEDs. The ceremony also recognized those who earned Career Technical Education certificates. Read the story published Wednesday.

Vocational training study report from 1971. — 1971 report from the Research Division, “A Study of Vocational Training.”

1971: Vocational training study looks at reentry

Inside CDCR took a deep dive into a 1971 study examining the effectiveness of vocational education in helping people find jobs after incarceration. Read the history story published Thursday.

Speaking at his graduation, Ornelas thanks officer Samaco for his encouragement and positive attitude. — Ornelas was selected to speak at his graduation.

Graduate thanks officer for education success

A Valley State Prison (VSP) correctional officer is receiving thanks from a graduate for his education success. Read the story publish Friday.

Dog programs

Incarcerated trainers with Tyson, who recently graduated training with four other dogs, at Corcoran prison. — Tyson was one of five dogs to graduate the training program at Corcoran. He’s also found his forever home with the Johnsons, a captain and vice principal at Corcoran.

5 dogs graduate training at CSP‑Corcoran

Five dogs recently graduated a training program at California State Prison, Corcoran, with one finding a forever home with staff. The dogs go through eight weeks of training with incarcerated handlers at CSP-Corcoran before they graduate and are ready for adoption. Read the full story.

Community Involvement

Our Promise campaign kicks off at Elk Grove headquarters

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. Read the full story.

CDCR staff at the 2024 Law Enforcement Torch Run Conference in Texas.

CDCR attends Law Enforcement Torch Run Conference

CDCR recently attended the 2024 International Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Conference for Special Olympics in San Antonio, Texas. Read the story.

Rehabilitation

Sac360 is making rehabilitation strides

Recreational therapists are making rehabilitation strides through the Sac360 program. C. Bellisario, a recreation therapist, said the growing program works closely with the California Model at California State Prison, Sacramento, in Folsom. Read the full story.

Obituaries

Sandra Deboe, case records technician, passed away. — Sandra Deboe

Richard McGowan obituary image. — Sandra Deboe

CDCR mourns loss of a staff member, two retirees

Sandra Deboe, a case records technician employed by the department for over 30 years, passed away Nov. 19. Meanwhile, retired correctional officers Richard McGowan and Charles “Chuck” Havron also passed away in November. CDCR also lost retired K-9 Viking. Read their tributes in the obituaries section.

Week in Review

Week in Review: November 22

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

By Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor

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