CDCR visiting efforts make holidays brighter

Across California, CDCR visiting staff and family councils made the holidays brighter for those visiting their incarcerated loved ones.

Editor’s note: To be included in this round-up of holiday visiting events, submit photos and stories to Don Chaddock (email found in Global).

Mule Creek visiting staff gets into holidays

Visiting at Mule Creek State Prison (MCSP) transformed into a magical winter wonderland Dec. 21 for its Candy Cane Lane celebration. Families, children, and the incarcerated population came together to enjoy an unforgettable day filled with holiday cheer, sweet treats, and festive surprises.

The highlight of the event was a surprise visit from Santa Claus, who delighted everyone by handing out candy canes and posing for photos. The joy on the children’s faces and the laughter echoing through the visiting rooms created an atmosphere embodying the spirit of the season.

Cookies were also served in the visiting rooms, providing families an opportunity to enjoy a sweet treat together. These were made possible by the incarcerated individuals family council as well as Ladawn Maldonado, Bobby Padgett and Sheri Ackerman. Their dedication and generosity ensured the day was extra special for everyone involved.

“Mule Creek extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed and worked to bring smiles so many,” said organizers. 

Submitted by Lt. Beau Campbell

RJ Donovan, STAR/PAL distributes gifts to visiting families

On Christmas Day the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, children and families visiting their incarcerated people loved ones had a surprise in store, thank to prison staff and STAR/PAL. For the second year, STAR/PAL received gift donations for incarcerated people to give their child during Christmas Day visiting.

The gifts were wrapped by STAR/PAL volunteers and placed under the visiting room trees. Those trees and ornaments were donated by the incarcerated individuals’ family council members. The incarcerated people grabbed an assigned gift from under the tree, handing it to their loved one. RJ Donovan acknowledges incarcerated people may not always have the ability to play a positive role in their child’s lives. Additionally, the partnership with STAR/PAL enables the institution to have a positive role in the San Diego community.

“We have to open our hearts and be positive role models, not only, but especially during the holiday season,” said acting Warden R. Acevedo.

Story by Capt. S. Amador
Submitted by Lt. A. Garvey

Grinch-themed visiting at Ironwood State Prison

Ironwood State Prison’s Visiting staff celebrated the holidays this year by festively decorating all the visiting rooms. This year’s theme was, the Grinch who stole Christmas. The Grinch even made a special appearance and interacted with families, making the event even more special.

Submitted by Lt. C. Whalen

CRC-Norco hosts toy drive for visiting families

The California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) in Norco hosted a Christmas toy drive for visiting families. Thanks to the generosity of Patria Church, this event was a heartwarming success.

Families and incarcerated persons came together to create special moments of joy and connection. Children were delighted to receive stuffed animals as they were greeted by their incarcerated loved one. The smiles on their faces were priceless, according to organizers.

The atmosphere was filled with holiday cheer. Adding to the festive spirit, talented incarcerated musicians serenaded the visiting center with Christmas melodies, creating a sense of peace and togetherness.

“Thank you to all the Visiting Unit staff who contributed time and effort to make this celebration possible,” organizers said.

Submitted by Lt. Joe Lopez

Avenal makes visiting special for holidays

Festive cheer and glittering ornaments transformed Avenal State Prison’s visiting areas into winter wonderlands. Rooms resonated with the infectious sounds of merriment as families celebrated the holidays. In a collaborative spirit, the incarcerated individuals’ family council and prison visiting staff gathered a bounty of toys, meticulously preparing them as gifts for the children. 

Incarcerated individuals and staff alike toiled with dedication, wrapping each present in vibrant tissue paper, anticipating the children’s delighted squeals as they tore into them.

Whimsical props provided an element of lightheartedness as families posed for photographs against festive backdrops.

Submitted by Lt. A. Schuller

Unique Christmas Day visiting at High Desert

High Desert State Prison visiting staff celebrated Christmas by making Dec. 25 special for the incarcerated population and their loved ones. Since High Desert is located in Susanville, considered remote by many, the institution doesn’t get a lot of visitors during the holidays. This year, High Desert allowed the incarcerated families to send in a gift to be given to the child by their incarcerated loved on.   

Visiting rooms were decorated in a holiday theme with traditional Christmas trees and lights. Family and friends wore Christmas pajamas and drank hot chocolate. Holiday meals with desserts were available to all in attendance, as sharing family dinner is a great way to create lasting memories, and bond with loved ones.

Families played games, made Christmas cards, painted ornaments, and ended their visit with memorable photographs.

When asked what was special about the day, one incarcerated person said it was about family bonding.

“Being able to give my child a gift, where they truly believed the gift was from me, was magical,” he said.

Submitted by Lt. J. Micone

CHCF visiting sees visit from Santa

This Christmas, Santa joined the California Health Care Facility (CHCF) Visting department in Stockton to pass out gifts to the kids. Santa also posed for pictures with visitors and the incarcerated population. The visiting rooms were decorated and ready for Santa’s arrival, creating a fun and cheerful environment for all. Visitors and the incarcerated population joined in on holiday crafts, making this a memorable event for all that joined us here at CHCF for this special holiday.

Submitted by Lt. M. Orozco

Gifts for visiting kids at Folsom State Prison

Every child, 34 in all, received an unwrapped toy and a holiday backpack with goodies inside during Folsom State Prison’s annual Ugly Sweater visiting event. During the Dec. 21 event, every incarcerated person was able to choose a gift for their child, but most decided to let their child choose their own gift. 

“We had game stations, an art station making ornaments and holiday music playing. We were inclusive with the adults as well. The Ugly Sweater contest winner won a holiday gift and door prizes for minors and adults. All in all, everyone enjoyed the day,” said Folsom State Prison visiting staff.

Submitted by Lt. C. Deal

CMF rings in the season with Christmas holiday event

On Christmas Day, Dec. 25, incarcerated persons, their loved ones, and California Medical Facility (CMF) staff celebrated the holiday season. Visiting families participated in games, gift giving, and holiday cheer.

Incarcerated individuals and their families were surprised with the winter wonderland theme in visiting. They posed for photos and opened gifts.

“I am happy to spend Christmas morning with my dad,” said one of the children.

This was all a part of CMF’s annual Christmas event. Staff, incarcerated persons and their families were appreciative to spend the day in a positive lighthearted festive setting. To quote IP,

“It makes this time with my wife and children more like a special family gathering and less like a prison setting,” said incarcerated person Bruno-Martinez.

Children were treated to presents donated to the CMF visiting department. They also participated in holiday inspired games and activities.

Staff and the families interacted throughout the day’s events.

“There was a lot of planning that went into today I’m grateful to the CMF staff and the incarcerated persons’ family council for helping put this together,” said Visiting Officer K. Mouaxiong.

Community Resource Manager Sara Vazquez, the CMF visiting team, and volunteers from visiting families planned the day’s events. All agreed it was a resounding success.

“In Vacaville, or at least CMF, they say that the Grinch’s heart grew three sizes that day,” said organizers.

Story by acting Capt. C. Bennamon
Submitted by Lt. A. Toomer

Salinas Valley hosts special holiday visiting

Santa and Mrs. Claus made a special visit to Salinas Valley State Prison Dec. 21, bringing holiday cheer to the incarcerated persons and their children. Dressed in his iconic red suit, Santa entered the visiting room, where the air buzzed with excitement from visiting families. Then, Santa distributed wrapped gifts. Children’s faces lit up as they opened their gifts, with laughter echoing through the room. The children also visited with Santa.

Submitted by Lt. W. Fonseca

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