Weekender Digest: New officers, fire crews

January 10, 2025

In this Weekender Digest, we look at 136 new correctional officers and five women graduating the Future Fire Academy. Meanwhile, CDCR and CAL FIRE continue to respond to the devastating Southern California wildfires. We compress the week’s stories into this one digest, allowing our busy staff to stay informed.

Wildfire Response

Incarcerated fire crew member cuts a fallen tree at the fires in the Los Angeles area. — Owens Valley Conservation Camp fire crews respond to the devastating fires in southern California. Photo by CAL FIRE

CDCR continues to increase the number of incarcerated firefighters assisting CAL FIRE in Southern California. As of Friday morning, 939 Fire Camp firefighters have been working around the clock cutting fire lines and removing fuel from behind structures to slow fire spread, including 110 support staff. Read the Week in Review for Jan. 10 or check for updates on the CDCR Facebook page and CAL FIRE social media pages. To learn more about the latest happenings, CDCR also issues press releases on the website.

Academy

Cadets at the graduation ceremony in Galt.

Congratulations Class 1-25A: CDCR 136 correctional officers

San Quentin Rehabilitation Center Warden Chance Andes spoke to the newest correctional officers at their graduation ceremony held Jan. 3. “Congratulations to the graduating class and thank you to the family, friends and staff who supported them during this journey. I commend you all for the hard work you have put in during this 13-week academy. It is now time for you apply everything you’ve learned,” said Warden Andes. Read the story on Inside CDCR.

California Model

CDCR Unlocked podcast graphic with a photo of David Gonzales, public information officer at California State Prison, Sacramento, discussing the California Model pillar of normalization.

CDCR Unlocked: Normalization part 2

In this episode, Ashton Harris, information officer with CDCR’s Office of Public and Employee Communications, interviews Lt. David Gonzales about the normalization pillar of the California Model. This is the second of a two-part podcast focused on normalization. Read the story and listen to the podcast on RSS.

Community Involvement

Bay Area Rescue Mission receives donated coats from San Quentin staff. — Staff deliver coats to the Bay Area Rescue Mission.

San Quentin staff tours local rescue mission

In mid-December, executive staff from San Quentin Rehabilitation Center toured the Bay Area Rescue Mission in Richmond after delivering numerous coats to help the mission’s clients. Read the story.

Rehabilitation

A female graduate of the Future Fire Academy takes her certificate.

A graduate speaks to those attending the ceremony.

First all-female cohort graduates Future Fire Academy

Five women participating in the Female Community Reentry Program recently graduated the Future Fire Academy. Earning certifications and learning firefighting job skills, this program helps prepare them for careers as firefighters. Read the full story.

Graduates wearing caps and gowns at LAC.

Cal State LA celebrates graduates at LAC

Cal State LA celebrated 16 graduates as the third cohort of the Prison Graduation Initiative (PGI) at California State Prison, Los Angeles County (LAC). “PGI prepares our graduates to return to their communities with highly valued degrees, applied skills, and the knowledge and insights to reenter their communities and serve as agents of change that they have become,” said Bidhan Chandra Roy, program manager for PGI at Cal State LA. Read the story on Inside CDCR.

Incarcerated person and medical doctor at CMF health fair.

Medical staff holds CMF population health fair

California Medical Facility (CMF) hosted an informational health fair organized by medical staff in mid-December. Staff got the word out to educate the incarcerated population on a range of topics including high blood pressure, diabetes, nutrition, dental care, immunizations and more. Chief Nursing Executive A. Mulumba was pleased with the turn out: “I think this was a success. Hopefully we can build on this for next year’s event.” Read the story.

Three incarcerated individuals stand at a lectern during the event at San Quentin. — Residents Angie Smith, Arriana, and Cassandra Evans hosted the event.

San Quentin warden speaks with two incarcerated people at the second Transgender Day of Remembrance. — Residents Angie Smith, Arriana, and Cassandra Evans hosted the event.

SQ marks Transgender Day of Remembrance

“We want to honor and bring awareness to the senseless violence that surrounds our community,” said Cassandra Evans, one of the incarcerated event hosts. Read the story.

Golden State Warriors and Twinning Project at California State Prison, Solano.

Warriors, Twinning Project host Solano clinic

The Golden State Warriors, in collaboration with the Twinning Project and CDCR, hosted a six-week basketball clinic at the California State Prison (CSP) Solano. The program, aimed at decreasing recidivism rates, helps enhance the readiness of incarcerated individuals for life post-release. Read the story.

Inside CDCR video

CCWF, university students hold debate (video)

Students from California State University, Fresno, took part in a debate with a twist: some are incarcerated at Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF). Read the story.