Week in Review: March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025

In this Week in Review for March 21, we spotlight a parole agent’s dedication to rehabilitation, follow Chief El-Menshawi at a victims’ rights symposium, and celebrate Sgt. Sepulveda’s victory as the new ASP Chili Cook-Off King.

Staff Spotlight – 3 Questions

3 Questions with Parole Agent II Markeisha Brignac

Parole Agent II (Specialist) Markeisha Brignac has dedicated her career to helping others within CDCR and her community. Beginning as a correctional officer in 2008 at California State Prison, Los Angeles County, she then moved to the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) in 2015. Now, as a specialist with the Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP) in Los Angeles, she supports individuals’ rehabilitation journeys.

Beyond her work with CDCR, she is deeply committed to giving back. She started as a volunteer with Toys for Tots, providing holiday gifts to families of those under parole supervision. Her passion led her to establish True Purpose, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting disadvantaged families and youth in the San Fernando Valley. Recently, her organization has shifted efforts to support those impacted by the Southern California wildfires.

Agent Brignac is dedicated to rehabilitation

Markeisha Brignac with three other women

Why did you choose to work for CDCR?

I’m passionate about helping individuals reach their potential. That passion led me to earn a degree in teaching, and I originally wanted to work as a teacher within CDCR.

However, I found I could make a significant impact as a correctional officer and later as a parole agent, guiding individuals toward positive change.

What’s a typical day like in your role?

Each day, I assist individuals under supervision by connecting them with employment training, resume-building resources, education and medical referrals. I also offer guidance to help them navigate personal challenges. My goal is to set them up for success and reduce barriers to reentry.

How do you balance work and home life?

I’ve learned to separate work from my personal life. While I wear two hats, I make it a priority to value my time with my family. My nonprofit work also helps me stay grounded volunteering is rewarding and keeps me in a positive state of mind.

The Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS)

Advancing justice: Chief El-Menshawi joins Victims’ Rights Symposium

Mariam El-Menshawi, chief of OVSRS, speaks at a symposium on victims' rights.

Mariam El-Menshawi, chief of OVSRS, recently participated in the Victims’ Rights Movement: Past, Present, and the Future symposium. The event brought together legal scholars, practitioners, and advocates. They reflected on the movement’s history, examined current trends, and explored future challenges. El-Menshawi joined discussions on the significant progress made in advocating for victims’ rights and the work still needed to ensure justice and support for survivors.

Learn more about Victim Services here.

Fire Response

CIM Staff Donations Aid to Altadena Fire Victims

A van full of donations to go to fire victims in Southern California.

The generosity of California Institution for Men (CIM) staff made a significant impact on victims of the Altadena Fires through a successful hygiene and food drive.

Donations were delivered to a Pasadena pastor whose church burned down during the fires. Since securing a new location, he has transformed it into a community hub, providing essential supplies to those in need. The contributions from CIM staff exemplify the power of collective generosity, proving that even small individual donations can create a meaningful difference for a greater cause.

As recovery efforts continue, CIM encourages ongoing support and unity in assisting those affected by the disaster.

Observances

Patient Safety Week: CRC Promotes Patient Safety with Interactive Health Fair

Patient safety fair at California Rehabilitation Center in Norco.

California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) in Norco marked Patient Safety Week with a series of activities highlighting the importance of patient-centered care. Staff participated in word searches, electronic scavenger hunts, and games, reinforcing key safety practices in a fun and interactive way.

The event culminated in a Patient Safety Fair for staff and incarcerated individuals, hosted by CRC’s Quality Management Team and healthcare stakeholders. This year’s theme, “Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety,” emphasized the role individuals play in their own care. The fair featured demonstrations on completing healthcare request forms, proper hand washing, Narcan administration, and dental hygiene, with giveaways for participants.

CRC Chief Executive Officer Dr. M. Nasir and acting Warden L. Quiroz commended the Quality Management Support Unit for creating this event. They noted the event empowers individuals to take an active role in their health and well-being.

National Social Workers Month: Spotlight on CMF Medical Social Workers

Medical social workers at California Medical Facility in Vacaville.

In honor of National Social Workers Month, we celebrate the impactful work of medical social workers like Kenneth Langill and Shauna Rose.

With three decades of experience, Rose’s social work career has been dedicated to supporting patients in hospice and palliative care.

At California Medical Facility (CMF), she brings comfort to families in their most difficult moments. She facilitates reconnections, like helping a patient video call his brother after 20 years of separation.

Read full story and watch video here.

In Our Institutions

Fourth Annual Avenal Chili Cook-Off: A New Champion Rises

Registered Nurse Ulery fought to defend her title as Chili Cook-Off Queen against some of Avenal State Prison’s toughest culinary competitors. Participants brought their best chili recipes ranging from all-meat to vegetarian, complete with cornbread and toppings. The goal was to see whose dish would reign supreme.

Chili cookoff table with staff serving samples

Sergeant Supulveda. Winner of fourth annual chili cook off

With 10 unique entries, taste testers ranked their favorites before casting their final votes. As the last bowls were emptied and the votes were counted, an upset was revealed—Ulery was dethroned. The new champion, Sgt. Sepulveda, claimed the coveted title of Chili Cook-Off King. He proudly donned the championship belt, earning bragging rights until next year’s competition.

North Kern’s Got Talent! Creativity Takes Center Stage

On March 6, North Kern State Prison held its first-ever NKSP Got Talent show at A-Yard. The event was sponsored by the integrated substance use disorder treatment (ISUDT) Ambassador Team. More than 100 people gathered in person, while an additional 200 tuned in via livestream, allowing staff to witness the remarkable talents of incarcerated individuals.

ISUDT Ambassador team along with winning incarcerated individuals grouped in front of a talent show banner surrounded by balloons

The competition featured 14 diverse performances, including motivational speeches, rap, stand-up comedy, and poetry. A panel of five judges, three incarcerated individuals and two custody staff, evaluated acts based on creativity, presentation, and overall impact. The top three winners earned prizes: a large pizza for first, a medium for second, and small third.

Beyond entertainment, the event fostered a sense of community and personal growth. Booths from Mental Health, Recreation Therapy, and ISUDT provided valuable resources, reinforcing North Kern’s commitment to the California Model and its emphasis on normalization and rehabilitation. The talent show was more than a competition, it was a powerful reminder of the potential for creativity, connection, and transformation within the facility.

CIM Hosts Softball and Handball Tournament with Anti-Recidivism Coalition

On Jan. 14, the incarcerated population at California Institution for Men (CIM) Facility C faced off against members of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) in spirited softball and handball tournaments.

Leading up to the event, CIM Coach B. Horan organized an internal softball competition, selecting the most successful team to challenge ARC. The incarcerated team rose to the occasion, securing a decisive 48-14 victory in softball and a 2-0 win in handball.

The all-day event concluded with presentations and a lunch provided by ARC. This tournament was made possible through collaboration between CIM’s Community Resources Office, Education Department, and ARC, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to rehabilitation and community engagement.

VSP Hosts Timothy Shriver for Polar Plunge to Raise Funds for Special Olympics

Valley State Prison (VSP) in Chowchilla got into the Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics. Timothy Shriver, grandson of Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, was even on hand for the event. He is also one of the organization’s board members. Caesar, an incarcerated person at VSP, said these types of events give people a chance to do some good. “It’s doesn’t matter where we’re at. We can always give back,” he said. “Just because we’re incarcerated doesn’t mean that we aren’t touched by things like this.” Read full story: VSP gets into Special Olympics Polar Plunge – Inside CDCR

CIM Launches CAPS Academy, Graduates First Peer Support Specialists

The California Institution for Men (CIM) marked a major milestone Jan. 25 with the graduation of its first cohort from the California Association of Peer Supporters (CAPS) Academy. Eleven participants successfully completed the CalMHSA-approved Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist (MCPSS) training.

This program is designed to empower justice-involved individuals with lived experience in recovery from mental illness, substance use, or both.

The CAPS Academy provides 80 hours of classroom and in-cell instruction, featuring guest subject matter experts with over 30 years of experience. Graduates receive support in preparing for the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist exam upon release. They also receive employment assistance to transition into careers in peer support. Priority enrollment is given to those within two years of parole.

CAPS is a statewide joint venture between two peer-run agencies, Project Return Peer Support Network and Mental Health America of California. By equipping participants with valuable skills and credentials, CIM is fostering pathways to rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO)

CSUSB Reentry Initiative Transforms Lives at Moreno Valley Center

The Cal State San Bernardino Reentry Initiative (CSRI) continues to support justice-involved individuals through its four Inland Empire centers. These centers provide education, vocational training, housing assistance, and reentry support.

Staff from the Division of Adult Parole Operations Community Reentry Unit (CRU) toured CSRI’s Moreno Valley Center Feb. 7. The center serves up to 150 participants and hosts Parole and Community Team (PACT) Meetings each month. The center offers GED programs, life skills training, employment development, and substance abuse education. Through a partnership, they are able to cover GED testing costs. Its domestic violence program has seven active classes with no waitlists, ensuring immediate access to support.

Center Manager L. Coles summed up the initiative’s mission: “It’s about the human element—helping participants see how change benefits their families. They are a vital part of this community.”

Beyond education, CSRI provides essential resources, including professional attire for job interviews, hygiene products, and a fully stocked kitchen. A participant highlighted the program’s impact, calling the anger management class life-changing and the food assistance invaluable.

Learn more about CSRI at Home – Cal State San Bernardino Reentry Initiative (csricenters.org)

MCRP Helps Formerly Incarcerated Man Rebuild His Life

Two people at a Male Community Reentry Program facility.

The Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP), part of CDCR’s Division of Rehabilitative Programs, helps incarcerated men transition back into society. They do this by allowing eligible participants to serve the remainder of their sentence in the community.

Johnny Huerta, 62, graduated from MCRP Kern County Feb. 6, marking a turning point after decades of homelessness and substance abuse resulting in multiple prison terms. In November 2024, he chose sobriety and volunteered for MCRP, determined to change his future.

At MCRP, Huerta focused on education and addiction recovery, attending classes to help him break destructive cycles. With the support of counselors and parole agents, he rebuilt his life.

“Huerta came in with a positive attitude. His tenacity inspired others,” said Parole Agent II-Specialist Simon Escobar. “With the right mindset and MCRP’s resources, he had a head start in reintegrating into society.”

Since his release, Huerta has secured stable housing, earned his driver’s license, and found full-time work as a tow truck driver—milestones he credits to MCRP.

“MCRP gave me stability and the chance to focus on school,” he said.

MCRP offers rehabilitative services in substance use treatment, mental health, employment, education, and family reunification, helping individuals like Huerta build a brighter future beyond incarceration.

In the Media

Mar. 18: A Central Valley Women’s Prison Runs Its Own Newspaper. We Interviewed The Editors.

The Central California Women’s Facility is one of the largest prisons housing only women. On this episode, we go inside the facility to hear about a unique program: the incarcerated people at the prison are running their own newspaper. Listen to the podcast and read the story: Mar. 18: A Central Valley Women’s Prison Runs Its Own Newspaper.

Window on the World Column | Polar Plunge for a Good Cause

Celebrating diversity is a core value for CDCR and one that is upheld in the local facility in Soledad. Read full story here: Window on the World Column | Polar Plunge for a Good Cause