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CDCR 2025 reorganization: Regional leadership

December 27, 2024

Folsom State Prison will fall into the Sacramento region for restructuring CDCR.

CDCR reorganization means the department is switching to a regional leadership structure beginning Jan. 1, 2025.

This way, leaders will be closer to the prisons they manage, making it easier to oversee day-to-day operations.

This new structure brings together key areas like the Division of Adult Institutions (DAI), California Correctional Health Care Services Regional Administrators, Division of Adult Parole Operations, and Division of Rehabilitative Programs

The goal is simple: to work more efficiently, improve communication, and provide better support for staff and the incarcerated population.

This change is part of CDCR’s commitment to improving the system for everyone involved.

Watch the video (story continues below):

What is regionalization?

Regionalization means dividing CDCR’s DAI operations into four regions to align with other divisions, each with its own leadership team. Here’s a breakdown of the regions and the institutions they will oversee:

Region I: Sacramento

Aerial view of Folsom State Prison taken from a CDCR reorganization video about converting to a regional leadership structure. — Folsom State Prison will fall into the Sacramento region for restructuring CDCR.

High Desert State Prison aerial view. — Folsom State Prison will fall into the Sacramento region for restructuring CDCR.

Folsom State Prison
California State Prison, Sacramento
High Desert State Prison
Pelican Bay State Prison
Mule Creek State Prison
Sierra Conservation Center
California State Prison, Solano
and San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.

Region II: Fresno

Central California Women's Facility aerial view. — Central California Women’s Facility, Chowchilla.

Aerial shot of CTF prison surrounded by agricultural land. — Central California Women’s Facility, Chowchilla.

Central California Women’s Facility
Valley State Prison
Salinas Valley State Prison
Correctional Training Facility
California Health Care Facility
California Medical Facility
and California Institution for Women.

Region III: Bakersfield

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility aerial view. — Substance Abuse Treatment Facility, Corcoran.

California Men's Colony aerial view. — Substance Abuse Treatment Facility, Corcoran.

California State Prison, Corcoran
The Substance Abuse Treatment Facility
Avenal State Prison
California Men’s Colony
Kern Valley State Prison
North Kern State Prison
Pleasant Valley State Prison
and Wasco State Prison.

Region IV: Rancho Cucamonga

Ironwood State Prison aerial view. — Ironwood State Prison.

California Correctional Institution aerial view. — Ironwood State Prison.

Calipatria State Prison
California Correctional Institution
Centinela State Prison
California Institution for Men
California Rehabilitation Center
Ironwood State Prison
California State Prison, Los Angeles County
and Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility.

Each region will have teams supporting the institutions. This will enable faster decision-making and more focused leadership.

Key benefits of regionalization

Regionalization offers several important advantages:

Improved Efficiency: By routing tasks like assignments, projects, and reporting through regional offices, this approach reduces delays and streamlines operations.
Enhanced Staff Support: With leadership located closer to staff, challenges can be resolved more quickly, and consistent guidance on critical issues will be readily available.
Better Services for Incarcerated Individuals: Health care and rehabilitative services will be coordinated at the regional level, improving program effectiveness and supporting safety and rehabilitation efforts.
Increased Accountability and Collaboration: Regional leaders will take direct responsibility for their institutions, promoting greater collaboration across programs and facilities.

What changes will staff and institutions notice?

The transition will roll out gradually, with full implementation expected through staff attrition. Here’s what to expect:

Reporting Changes: Wardens and hiring authorities will report to regional offices.
New Protocols: Updates to handling reportable incidents.
Streamlined Projects: Monthly assignments and projects will route through regional offices.

Leadership’s vision

This reorganization is about strengthening partnerships and positioning CDCR to serve better.

“We’ll be able to work together with the healthcare and rehabilitation regional leaders. To make this successful, it takes a team,” said acting Associate Director Byran Phillips.

Looking ahead

This change may bring challenges, but it represents a critical step toward modernizing CDCR’s operations. Staff, incarcerated individuals, and their families will receive regular updates to ensure transparency and address concerns.

For more information, visit our FAQ page. (Link)

By David Maldonado, Deputy Chief
Strategic Communications and External Affairs
Office of Public and Employee Communications

Video by Richard Tan, TV Specialist
Office of Public and Employee Communications

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