Weekender Digest: Books, kids, promotions

This Weekender Digest dives into new correctional officers, books, kids, celebrating promotions and parole. Catch up on this week’s stories.

Appointments & Promotions

New correctional officers graduate; Meet Myrna Hernandez

The department welcomed 142 new correctional officers at the recent academy graduation in Galt. Inside CDCR also caught up with new Correctional Officer Myrna Hernandez.

CCI‑Tehachapi holds first promotional ceremony

CCI Warden Brian Cates thanked staff for their hard work, then talked about what leadership means. “As new leaders here at CCI, you will face complex issues, make tough decisions and navigate the intricacies that keep this institution running,” Cates said. “I want to remind you that leadership is not just about giving orders or making decisions; it also includes inspiring, motivating and empowering those around you.” Read the story.

CDCR to launch enhanced Upward Mobility Program

A revamped Upward Mobility Program is being launched to help employees promote. More information will be coming as the project is rolled out. Read the original story.

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Division of Adult Parole Operations

Parole division supports supervised individuals

A collaborative effort between state parole and county probation resulted in a resource fair for supervised individuals.

The Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) is dedicated to aiding supervised individuals in their successful reintegration into society. To support this mission, they collaborated with the San Diego County Probation Department to organize a Feb. 20 community resource fair in Vista.

Cory Alvarez, the Chief Deputy Administrator of the Community Reentry Unit at DAPO, emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts in enhancing their programs.

“Collaborating with our external stakeholders is crucial for the success of events like these. It enables us to connect individuals under our supervision with available community services,” he explained. Read the full story.

DAPO Community Reentry tours Pomona facility

The Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) Community Reentry Unit (CRU) recently toured a treatment and employment facility in Pomona. Read the full story.

Rehabilitation

CALPIA honors 34 graduates at CSP‑Corcoran

It was a day of celebration at California State Prison, Corcoran, as the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) honored 34 graduates receiving job certifications and/or apprenticeships. Read the full story.

Kids, moms bond over books at CIW

California Institution for Women (CIW) in Chino, along with Gordon Philanthropies, celebrated Read to Your Child Day with books and baked goods Feb. 15. Read the full story.

SCC crochet group helps kids in need

A group of incarcerated persons at Sierra Conservation Center (SCC) used their crochet skills to donate stuffed animals to kids in need. Assigned to Facility C, a non-designated programming facility, incarcerated persons have been attending the rehabilitative Hooks and Needles class. For a year, they’ve gathered weekly to learn the art of crochet. Read the full story.

Obituaries

CDCR mourns loss of current correctional officer, three retirees

Teresa Rascon, a retired case records analyst, passed away Feb. 14. She retired in 2020 from California Correctional Institution at Tehachapi. Read her obituary. Jason Ferrario, a correctional officer with the Statewide Transportation Unit Northern Hub, passed away Feb. 26. Read his obituary. Ward James “Jim” Estelle, Jr., a retired corrections official, passed away Feb. 13. He was 93 years old. In addition to his CDCR career, Estelle headed the Texas Department of Corrections in the 1970s. He returned to California and retired from CALPIA in 1991. Read his full obituary notice. Pedro Meza, a retired correctional counselor II from Salinas Valley State Prison, passed away Feb. 18. Read Meza’s obituary. 

Unlocking History

1913: Turkey swindler lands in San Quentin

Only three years after California introduced wild turkeys to the state, a swindler found himself behind bars. Turkeys were big business at the time. In the shadow of the state’s efforts to establish wild turkeys in California, Sam Tomsky saw an opportunity. Turkey-swindler Tomsky forged checks to defraud ranchers, especially in Hungry Hollow. While short-lived, his criminal endeavor took the ranchers for thousands of dollars’ worth of fowl. In this installment of Unlocking History, we’re talking turkey. Read the full story.

Week in Review

In this Week in Review for February 28, we highlight CDCR/CCHCS teams honored for Special Olympics fundraising, hiring events, and CrossFit certification at Avenal State Prison. Read the Week in Review.

See more stories from the CDCR Weekender.

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