Beyond the Badge, Division of Adult Parole Operations

Singing helps psychologist balance work, life

March 21, 2025

CDCR Clinical Psychologist Floyd McGregor and his jazz band, the Singing Doc Trio.

Floyd McGregor, a CDCR senior clinical psychologist specialist, turns to singing to balance his life with work.

He began his career with the department in 2006, shortly after earning his license as a clinical psychologist. At the time, the state’s corrections department was hiring.

“The department had a massive hiring fair at the state prison in Chino. They were looking for all allied health related fields such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, dentists, and nurses,” he said. “After several interviews, I was selected to work as a psychologist in the Lancaster Parole Office.”

From parole office to prison setting

He then found himself going from a parole office to working in a completely new environment.

“In 2012, the department downsized their Parole Outpatient Clinics (POC),” he recalled. “Luckily (the department) guaranteed they had jobs for displaced parole (staff to go to work in) the state prison.”

Going from a parole office to working inside a prison was a big difference.

“This really (kicked off) my singing career, which was lying dormant,” McGregor said. “(Singing) helped me survive the challenges of prison service. I had no idea was I was about to embark on working in the prison.”

His first assignment? He worked in what was then known as the Administrative Segregation Unit at California State Prison, Los Angeles County in Lancaster.

“To be honest, I was freaked out for the first six months,” he said. “I kept asking myself, ‘What are you doing here?'”

Finding his voice

With time on his hands, he started singing during the commute.

“I would sing for hours driving to and from work,” he said. “I was in the car for four-and-a-half hours each day round-trip from Los Angeles to Lancaster.”

McGregor was often in the car with others while carpooling.

“I’m ever grateful to my carpool buddies who encouraged me,” he said. “They would cut off the radio and say they wanted to hear me sing. I should’ve known. My crooning voice put them to sleep (and sometimes) their snoring was louder than my singing.”

Thanks to encouragement from his carpooling crew, he got up the courage to take singing lessons. As he puts it, “the rest is history.”

The carpooling crooner has now been singing professionally for three years. He even has a group, The Singing Doc Trio.

“Our main genre is classic jazz. We often perform in the South Bay, at restaurants in Redondo and Hermosa Beach. We also do birthdays, anniversaries and retirement parties,” he said.

Find balance through vacations, hobbies

For people looking to work for CDCR, he offers the following advice.

“First, give time to allow yourself to adjust to the CDCR population. It might take three months to a year,” he said. “Don’t over-judge. This could present itself as a barrier to block you from being able to connect and be effective when working with this population”

Balancing the stresses of work with home life can be challenging.

“Take as many vacations as you can. There are a lot of beautiful places to visit during your time off. Spend time at the beach, go on a hike, or take a road trip to rejuvenate your body and soul before returning to work,” McGregor explained.

He said it’s important to remind yourself what the world is like outside prison walls.

“This will remind you the world is not made up of negativity and sterile environments,” he said. “Also, find a hobby you can totally immerse yourself in to create a more balanced life.”

Finding your own mentor

“Find a co-worker whom you admire and can really talk to, who can mentor you and show you the ropes,” he said. “It’s great to know someone will have your back and show you how to deal with tough situations.”

With nearly two decades of service, McGregor said he’s grateful for his career. Nowadays he’s part of South Region Parole, Behavioral Health Reintegration (BHR).

>> Learn more about BHR.

“Overall, I would not trade my experience in working for CDCR for anything. It is priceless. I have met some of the most wonderful coworkers, agents and colleagues,” he explained. “I have made lifelong friends. Not to mention, my invaluable experience in working with CDCR has allowed me to accept people from all walks of life and truly appreciate them as well as appreciate myself more.”

His final piece of advice?

“Your life can change in the blink of an eye, so you better have a song to sing.”

Story submitted by the Division of Adult Parole Operations

Follow CDCR on YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.