Beyond the Badge, Division of Adult Parole Operations

Julie Kaplan retires after 30 years with CDCR

December 26, 2024

December 2023: Parole staff members, from left, are Parole Agents Omar Cuevas and Tiffany McGrue, Chief Deputy Regional Administrator (A) Jaimee Lacey, Parole Administrator (A) Gilbert Clements, Deputy Director Julie Kaplan, Director Jason Johnson, Parole Agent III Caesar Jimenez, and Parole Agent II Angelica Garcia.

After 30 years with CDCR, including 28 at the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO), Assistant Deputy Director Julie Kaplan is retiring.

She began her CDCR career in 1995 as a correctional officer at Deuel Vocational Institution and two years later joined DAPO as a parole agent in Stockton. In 2003, she moved to Modesto as a parole agent III. From 2008 to 2016 she served as a parole administrator in all areas of DAPO, including Valdivia Parole Administrator at Deuel Vocational Institution; District Administrator for Delta District – Northern Region DAPO; Parole, Planning and Placement Administrator (now Community Transition Program) and Assistant Regional Parole Administrator – Northern Region DAPO.

Kaplan served as associate director at DAPO headquarters in 2018; as regional parole administrator for Northern Region DAPO in 2021; and most recently as assistant deputy director starting in 2022.

Before her retirement, Inside CDCR caught up with Assistant Deputy Director Kaplan.

Q&A with Julie Kaplan, assistant deputy director at DAPO

What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishments at DAPO?

I believe one of my biggest accomplishments is being part of the development of the Ventura Training Center and Firefighter Training and Reentry Program.

Julie Kaplan, Assistant Deputy Director, CDCR, Division of Adult Parole Operations, retired in December 2024. — Julie Kaplan

CDCR, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), and California Conservation Corps (CCC) developed an enhanced firefighter training and certification program at the Ventura Training Center (VTC), located at the Ventura Conservation Camp, in Ventura County. Trainees are formerly incarcerated persons who have been part of a trained firefighting workforce housed in fire camps operated by CAL FIRE and CDCR, or at institutional firehouses.

This project was assigned to me on Day 1 of my appointment as Associate Director and within eight months, we had our first cohort. I have been a member of the VTC Executive Team since Day 1 and have been able to share in each of the VTC graduations. The collaboration with each of the State agencies have produced a successful reentry program leading to a career in firefighting workforce.

What have you enjoyed most about working at DAPO?

All of the hard work our staff do on a daily basis is evident when I see the positive results and the successes we have in the community. We are not only assisting with employment, housing and resources, but we rebuild families, give individuals the confidence and guidance to do the right thing. So, to answer the question, I enjoyed working with the staff who want to make a difference with the population we work with daily.

What advice would you give someone considering a career with DAPO?

CDCR has treated me and my family well. There was never a day that went by that I regretted my career choice and the path I took; it led me to where I am now. I would advise someone taking a career in DAPO to be understanding, learn as much as you can from everyone, and to enjoy the journey.

Story by Mary Xjimenez, information officer II
Office of Public and Employee Communications

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