Weekender Double Digest: Padres, retirement, holiday

In this special two-week Weekender Double Digest, we look at Thanksgiving holiday events, retirements and the San Diego Padres. Due to the Thanksgiving holiday last week, this digest covers Nov. 25-Dec. 6.

To help keep our busy staff up to date with the latest information, we created this new digest, compressing stories into one document.

A Day in the Life

Meet Correctional Counselor Maria Zamora

For nearly 24 years, Correctional Counselor Maria Zamora has helped the department fulfill its mission of public safety through rehabilitation. “As correctional counselors, we have many responsibilities. One of our main responsibilities is classification of incarcerated individuals. As a general population correctional counselor, we review their central files in order to determine their appropriate placement for custody, housing and programs,” she explained. Read the full story.

Beyond the Badge

Undersecretary Foss retires after nearly 30 years

After nearly 30 years with the department, Undersecretary Tammy Foss is looking forward to the next chapter in her life: retirement. Her career began as a correctional officer in 1996 at Pelican Bay State Prison in Crescent City. She’s worked various jobs across the department, serving in leadership roles at Pelican Bay, San Quentin, High Desert State Prison, headquarters, California Correctional Health Care Services, and leading Salinas Valley State Prison as warden 2018 to 2019. Inside CDCR caught up with Foss just before she retired. Read the full interview.

Pleasant Valley marks 30 years of service

To mark 30 years of public safety, Pleasant Valley State Prison recently held a staff appreciation day. Observing the 30th anniversary of the 1994 activation of the prison, staff gathered to mark the occasion. The anniversary also served as a way to recognize employees’ enduring contributions to the institution. Read the full story.

Staff get into Thanksgiving events

This round-up features staff participating in community activities celebrating Thanksgiving such as Turkey Trots, runs, festivals and parades. So far, Inside CDCR has received one submission. If staff from your institution took part in a community event, submit photos and information to Don Chaddock (email can be found in Global). See how the California Institution for Men’s Crisis Response Team continues their own tradition with a Turkey Trot. Read the round-up.

Community Involvement

Staff, incarcerated help fight hunger

Staff and the incarcerated population across California are taking steps to fight hunger in the communities we serve. This story will be updated as more submissions are received. As of Friday, Dec. 6, three institutions had submitted stories about helping the community fight hunger: Avenal State Prison, Valley State Prison, and Parlin Fork Conservation Camp. Read the full round-up.

Sports

Pickleball in Prison filming enhances rehabilitation

Pickleball was the name of the game as filmmakers for the documentary Pickleball in Prison visited six prisons across California in November. The crew includes cinematographer Vicente Franco, Ray Day for sound, and producer Daniel Ostroff who are filming pickleball instructor Roger Belair. Read the full story.

RJD hosts first intramural soccer game

In late October, RJ Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD) in San Diego hosted their first intramural soccer game. Capt. Franckowiak, of Facility D, and Capt. Amador, over Facility E, partnered with coaches Torres and Anguiano-Vega to facilitate the friendly competition between the two facilities. Read the full story.

Staff Appreciation

Padres thank RJD staff for their hard work

Pitchers Joe Musgrove and Jeremiah Estrada, along with pitching coach Ruben Niebla, provided an exciting and uplifting experience during their surprise visit to the RJ Donovan Correctional Facility Staff Appreciation Day. Read the full story.

Obituaries

The three most recent obituary notices include retired Personnel Supervisor Sonia Ladyman, Pharmacy Technician Demetrio Abiva, and retired Correctional Officer Jeremy Waldrop. View the most recent obituary notices.

Our Promise

Pelican Bay kicks off Our Promise

Pelican Bay State Prison officially kicked off the Our Promise campaign with a special Nov. 1 event. The campaign launch also served as a celebration of team spirit through National Jersey Day. Read the full story.

Rehabilitation

Staff, families make Thanksgiving visiting special

Across California, staff and the families of incarcerated individuals helped make visiting special for the Thanksgiving holiday. Meanwhile, community reentry programs and parole offices also held special events promoting family reunification. This round-up of visiting events will be updated as submissions are received. Send submissions to Don Chaddock (email in Global). As of Friday, Dec. 6, the round-up includes Avenal State Prison, California Health Care Facility (shown above), and San Gabriel Valley Parole. Read the update.

Avenal State Prison celebrates 61 graduates

Avenal State Prison’s Golden Hills Adult School recognized 61 graduates who earned diplomas, college degrees and certifications. The Oct. 3 graduation recognized incarcerated individuals for their achievements. Read the full story.

CTF‑Soledad recognizes 160 graduates

The Correctional Training Facility (CTF) in Soledad celebrated the achievements of over 160 student graduates in November. Hosted by Valley Adult School and Career Technical Education, the graduations marked significant milestones with students earning GEDs, high school diplomas, associate and bachelor’s degrees, and vocational program certifications. CTF Warden Edward J. Borla expressed his admiration for the graduates’ dedication to self-improvement through education.

“These ceremonies are not just a celebration of academic achievement, but a testament to the power of education in transforming lives,” he said. “I am immensely proud of each graduate and encourage all to continue on this path of learning and rehabilitation.” Read the full story.

Corcoran reaches youth via diversion

A dozen at-risk youth took part in the California State Prison-Corcoran diversion program.

The effort included the youth and their four chaperones from the Tule River Alcohol Program in Porterville. They participated in the prison’s Rehabilitate, Educate, and Create Hope (REACH) youth diversion program.

This initiative provides juveniles with an unfiltered glimpse into prison life, fostering understanding and awareness of its realities. The program’s mission is to inspire and empower at-risk youth to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Read the full story.

CIW celebrates ISUDT fall 2024 graduation

California Institution for Women (CIW) recently celebrated the fall 2024 graduation for the Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment (ISUDT) program.

The ISUDT Cognitive Behavioral Interventions graduation was a celebration of individual milestones, as well as a testament to the collective strength and resilience of those on the path of recovery. Read the full story.

Two rank top 10 in ASP Chad 1000X challenge

Two incarcerated individuals at Avenal State Prison (ASP) ranked in the top 10 in the Chad 1000X training challenge. Several incarcerated persons took part in the rigorous challenge. Chad 1000X is held in honor of Chad Wilkinson, a 20-year Navy veteran who died by suicide. The challenge raises awareness for suicide prevention. Read the full story.

Training

Corcoran management bonds at AOD training

The California State Prison, Corcoran, management team recently gathered for Administrator of the Day (AOD) training. “When management shares common goals, while continuing cohesiveness among their staff, it promotes the mission of building teamwork and succeeding as one,” said organizers. Read the full story.

Week in Review

Week in Review: High Desert officer receives law enforcement award

This week’s Week in Review covers multiple topics, but one to celebrate is a High Desert State Prison correctional officer being recognized by the American Legion in Susanville. Officer Andrew “Andy” Roberts, left, was honored with the American Legion Post 204 Law Enforcement Award during a ceremony for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He’s shown here with Warden St. Andre and the award he was presented. The event recognized local law enforcement officers for their outstanding service. Read the Dec. 6 Week in Review.

The Weekender Digest is compiled by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR.

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