Week in Review: January 24, 2025

January 24, 2025

In this Week in Review for January 24, we highlight CDCR fire strike team and a new parole agent following her parents’ career footsteps.

Fire Response

CDCR Fire Strike Team Checks Door-to Door

“We’re checking for any type of extension of the fire or any still remaining hot spots.”
Justin Deaton, fire captain
Mule Creek State Prison
CDCR strike team at the Palisades fire

The 21-member CDCR staff strike team has been at the Palisades fire searching door-to-door for people needing help.

Read the story.

Observances

Honoring Dr. King’s Legacy: CDCR Joins the 43rd Annual March for the Dream

Group of CDCR recruiters at Martin Luther King Jr. Day march in Sacramento.

The 43rd annual March for the Dream at Sacramento City College brought together thousands to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. Among the participants were staff from the CDCR Peace Officer Recruitment Unit, San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, California State Prison Sacramento, and Sierra Conservation Center. Their families and friends also attended.

Community leaders, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper, and Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, delivered inspiring speeches before participants embarked on a 4.3-mile walk. CDCR staff’s involvement highlighted the department’s dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“This event brought CDCR teams together to be one with the community. This is community policing at its best,” said San Quentin Warden C. Andes.

The march emphasized unity, meaningful dialogue, and social justice, reinforcing the ongoing importance of Dr. King’s vision of dignity and respect for all.

January is National Mentoring Month

Focus on Peer Support Specialist Program

January is National Mentoring Month, a time to celebrate the profound impact mentors have in shaping lives and driving positive change. In systems like corrections, mentorship has proven to be transformative, providing unique and effective support to both staff and the incarcerated population. This month, we highlight the Peer Support Specialist Program (PSSP).

As an integral component of the California Model, peer support specialists help incarcerated individuals overcome obstacles, build resilience, and successfully reintegrate into society. Through the program’s work, peer support specialists foster trust, drive positive change, and create pathways to success for both incarcerated individuals and the broader CDCR/CCHCS community.

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness about eye health and glaucoma prevention, a leading cause of blindness. At CDCR/CCHCS, it’s also an opportunity to recognize the hard work of staff, particularly those involved in Western University Vision’s mobile eye care visits.

CCHCS has begun onsite mobile eye care visits through Western University of Health Sciences at select institutions for low vision patients. The program is helping CCHCS healthcare staff improve appointment attendance. Meet the Staff Committed to Improving Vision Health at CCHCS

5 things to know about Glaucoma link: 5 Things to Know About Glaucoma | National Eye Institute

Staff Spotlight

Cadet follows in her late husband’s career footsteps

Meet Nancy Castro, one of CDCR’s newest correctional officers. Before she graduated in early January, we spoke to her about her choice to join the department. Her late husband was a correctional lieutenant at Calipatria State Prison. Seeing how her husband was able to care for their family through his career, she decided to follow his CDCR career path. Casto left a 20-year career in banking to become a cadet at the academy.

“(My kids) were around law enforcement growing up and at first they were worried about me working inside a prison,” she recalled. “My family was hesitant because I left a job (I held) for so long. (Now,) my family is so proud of me. They all drove 10 hours to be here (for the graduation).” Read the full story on Inside CDCR.

In Our Institutions

Gardening Fosters Rehabilitation at LAC

LAC garden program with a person digging into dirt while planting flowers.

Meet the team behind the gardening program at California State Prison, Los Angeles County: Recreation Therapists Claire Stacy and Sarah Upfold with Senior Psychologist Specialist Sarah Parhami. See how the program is making a difference for incarcerated patients in the developmental disability program. Watch the video & read the story.

High Desert State Prison Celebrates ISUDT Graduates

High Desert State Prison (HDSP) recently celebrated its first cohort of 12 integrated substance use disorder treatment (ISUDT) participant graduates. The participants completed cognitive behavioral interventions focusing on substance use disorder and life skills.

“Thank you for showing up for every class and dedicating yourself to this program,” said Warden R. St. Andre.

Graduates celebrated with photos, refreshments, and inspiring words from guest speakers.

“This program helped me better myself in ways I never realized,” said one graduate.

The ISUDT program is a comprehensive approach to treating substance use disorder in California prisons. ISUDT requires active involvement of all business areas within CDCR and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) to provide timely and effective evidence-based treatment and transitions to incarcerated individuals. The long-term goals of ISUDT are to reduce substance use disorder-related morbidity, mortality, and recidivism. Learn more about ISUDT at www.cchcs.ca.gov/isudt

CCHCS

CDCR/CCHCS Hosts Blood Drive at Headquarters

On Jan. 15, CDCR/CCHCS Headquarters hosted a successful blood drive, bringing staff together for a rewarding community service. In collaboration with Vitalant and its mobile blood donation bus, the event had a fantastic turnout, with employees donating blood to help those in need. The event served as a reminder of the power of community and the collective effort to support vital health care services.

In the Community

John Legend thanks CDCR fire crews

Incarcerated fire crews meet with John Legend at the Eaton fire incident command post at the Rose Bowl.

John Legend visited the Eaton fire incident command post to thank CDCR staff and incarcerated fire crews for their efforts. The award-winning recording artist said he was grateful for the hard work and dedication, saving lives and homes. “I really can’t tell you enough how much we appreciate you all,” Legend told the crew from Washington Ridge Conservation Camp. Read the full story.

Local Charities Benefit from Incarcerated Purchases

CDCR officials are shown presenting a check during a city council meeting.

For third quarter 2024, the incarcerated population at California Institution for Men contributed to their local community by purchasing meals from two Chino eateries: Juan Pollo and Fresh Donuts.

Menu options included Juan’s Big Burrito, a half-chicken meal, apple fritters, assorted donuts, and soft drinks.

Proceeds from these sales raised a total of $8,658, which was distributed among three local charities. The Chino Cowboy Huddle received funding to support Chino High School’s football program, ensuring students have access to uniforms, reconditioning gear, and safety equipment. The HOPE Program, serving the Chino Valley Unified School District, helps connect students and families with essential community resources. Additionally, The Key, a community-focused organization in the Inland Empire and Los Angeles County, uses its funding to assist residents with counseling, food banks, and career support to improve their quality of life.

Each charity received a check for $2,886, presented during a city council meeting Dec. 3, 2024.

These donations reflect the continued desire of the incarcerated population to give back and make a positive impact on their community.

Avenal State Prison Impact Community

Check presentation to Avenal city parks.

Incarcerated persons at Avenal State Prison united to make a significant impact on the Avenal community by raising an impressive $4,352 for the Avenal Parks and Recreation – Community Activities Department. This vital department serves thousands of residents, warmly welcomes all families, hosts engaging community events, and provides a variety of family-friendly programs and activities that enrich our community.

Division of Adult Parole Operations

Generations of Parole: Meet Agent Wilding

When Megan Wilding graduated the Basic Parole Agent Academy, she was cheered on by her retired parole agent parents. Wilding was one of 43 agents to graduate the first parole academy in 2025. Watch the video & read the story.

A Cut Above the Rest

Christopher Hunt, a 33-year-old participant in the Male Reentry Community Program (MCRP) in Kern County, has transformed his life. Growing up in Los Angeles and Bakersfield, he faced numerous challenges, losing his father at age 11 and grappling with his mother’s substance abuse. Hunt eventually served three years at North Kern State Prison for robbery.

A person stands in front of a barber shop.

Determined to break the cycle of criminal behavior, he joined MCRP-Kern, where he discovered an unexpected interest in barbering. Though initially skeptical, he enrolled at Bakersfield Barber College in November 2024. Under the guidance of his instructor, Mr. Ryan, Hunt steadily improved.

“I don’t want my past decisions to ever define me,” he said, reflecting on his motivation. He is set to graduate in January 2025, proving second chances can lead to success.

Compton Day Reporting Center: A Community Resource

The Community Reentry Unit toured the Compton Day Reporting Center (DRC) on Jan. 7. Managed by GEO Reentry Services, the center offers supervised individuals up to six months of comprehensive support, including cognitive behavioral treatment, life skills development, domestic violence prevention, and job preparation.

Clothing and hygiene products on shelves

Participants also benefit from therapy, receiving clothing for job interviews, hygiene products, and transportation services through Medi-Cal insurance or transit passes. According to Program Manager Johanna Basurto, the center has no waitlist and provides transitional housing.

Recognized with the GEO Positive Outcomes Award two years in a row, the DRC exemplifies successful reentry programs. For more information, visit their website.

Women’s Empowerment Meeting Focuses on Self-Esteem

The Harbor Parole District in Compton hosted a Women’s Empowerment Meeting Jan. 7. The gathering featured guest speakers Josephine Scott and Tashawna Chambers from First to Serve. The event emphasized the importance of self-esteem, offering group discussions, quizzes, and journaling activities.

Supervised individual Ueemaee Russell praised the session. “I learned to practice more self-care, and that self-esteem is a vital part of my journey,” she said.

The Harbor Parole District holds these meetings monthly to promote wellness and personal growth. First to Serve provides transitional housing and support services for underserved communities. Learn more at firsttoserve.org.

San Diego Parole District Hosts Job Fair for Supervised Persons

A group in San Diego for the workforce job fair.

On Jan. 15, 2025, the San Diego Parole District partnered with the San Diego Workforce Partnership to host a job fair for supervised persons at the Chula Vista Parole Office. Over 70 supervised persons attended the event, some bringing resumes and dressing in their best professional attire. Nine employers participated in the event discussing job opportunities, collecting resumes, and setting up interviews. Several of the employers had immediate hiring needs, offering supervised persons an opportunity to secure employment.

In the Media

Travis Barker hails incarcerated fire crews: ‘These guys are heroes’

Travis Barker meets with incarcerated fire crews at the Los Angeles fires. — CDCR photo.

The Blink-182 drummer met a group of individuals who have been working to help extinguish the devastating fires in the city and posted a personal message to them on his Instagram Story afterwards. “These guys are heroes,” he wrote. “They are risking their lives to serve people. Save people. Help people. And becoming men in the process.” Read the NME story.

Folsom part of CDCR strike team assisting with LA fires, recovery

Fire captains with the CDCR strike team at the wildfires in the Palisades in Southern California. — CDCR Fire Captains with the strike team, from left, Ramon Solorio, Folsom; Rosamber Ambriz, Corcoran; Andrew Rios, Corcoran; Blake Barron, Correctional Training Facility, Soledad.

A specialized strike team from CDCR has joined more than 75,000 firefighters in battling relentless wildfires across Southern California. Working tirelessly to protect lives and communities, the 21-person team was deployed to the Palisades fire Jan. 8. Read the story on Folsom Times.

Incarcerated firefighters would get a pay boost under proposed Calif. bill

Incarcerated fire crews. — *(Associated Press photo/Noah Berger, Jan. 12, 2025)*

In California, incarcerated firefighters, many of whom have helped battle the blazes that have ripped through Los Angeles County since last week, could see their pay — which is far below the state’s minimum wage — increase if a bill introduced this week becomes law. Read the story at Corrections1.com.