Rehabilitation

Visiting staff, volunteers get into Valentine’s Day

CDCR Valentine's Day visiting 2025 with two photos of families and the words "Family Bonding" with a red background.

Valentine’s Day was celebrated in CDCR and camp visiting areas as staff and volunteers decorated to make the day special. The following institutions, camps, and parole offices offered families a chance to make memories during their visits.

Editor’s note: As more submissions are received, this story will be updated. Send submissions to editor Don Chaddock (email found in Global).

CRC-Norco goes all in for Valentine’s Day

On Saturday, Feb. 15, the California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) Visiting Unit at Norco hosted a Valentine’s Day event. The day brought together families and incarcerated individuals for a day filled with laughter and connection. Overall, the event was a tremendous success, with 450 people gathering in the visiting center to celebrate the occasion.

Attendees embraced the festive spirit, wearing Valentine’s themed outfits while enjoying decorated backdrops for photos. Children played, families bonded, and warm, heartfelt interactions filled the visiting room, creating cherished memories for both visitors and incarcerated persons. The event highlights the importance of family connections and provides a meaningful opportunity for loved ones to come together in a positive and uplifting environment.

Submitted by Lt. J. Lopez

Centinela visiting staff, volunteers host Valentine’s Day crafts

On Saturday, Feb. 15, Centinela State Prison Visiting staff along with the incarcerated persons’ family council hosted craft activities in honor of Valentines Day. Visitors and their incarcerated loved ones were provided with a heart shape jewelry box and picture frames to paint. A bag of goodies was also given to the children when exiting the visiting processing area.

Visitors said this event had a great turn out and made them feel like they were on a family-fun day or date with their significant other.

Submitted by Lt. D. Loop


Ironwood State Prison staff present roses to people in a nursing home.

Ironwood surprises care facility residents

On Valentine’s Day, nursing facility residents were surprised with cards, roses, and kind words from Ironwood State Prison (ISP) staff. Read the story.


Read more rehabilitation stories.

Follow CDCR on YouTubeFacebookX (formerly Twitter).

Related content

CDCR's back to school campaign featured education and transforming lives with teachers in prison classrooms against a chalkboard background.

Transforming lives: How CDCR is redefining prison education

A sprawling education system, complete with accredited adult schools, college classes and career training designed to transform lives, exists within…

Read More
A student learns welding at California State Prison, Solano.

Why CSP‑Solano’s vocational programs are on the rise

When Summer Peterson officially started at California State Prison (CSP) Solano, last September, she came with an understanding of the rehabilitative…

Read More
Leaders and Readers book club at California State Prison, Sacramento, a level IV institution in Folsom.

Level IV institution finds community through book club

California State Prison, Sacramento, is a Level IV maximum-security institution, but within its walls in a book club, there’s an…

Read More