Appointments and Promotions, Beyond the Badge, Inside CDCR Video

Families carry on legacy at CDCR Academy

June 9, 2025

At the CDCR Basic Correctional Officer Academy, some graduates earn more than a badge — they carry on a legacy.

Each story is rooted deep in family service.

“Watching generations of one family commit to this work is incredibly powerful. It speaks to the pride people have in CDCR and the bonds that form here,” said Breann Cantu, Academy Administrator. “We don’t just welcome new officers — we welcome whole families into a tradition of service.”

Watch the video (story continues below):

Childhood promise fulfilled

Father and son correctional officers with the CDCR Academy Administrator. — Family Legacy: McQuilkin, father and son, with Breann Cantu, Academy Administrator.

Officer Timothy McQuilkin fulfilled a promise he made as a child when he wrote a note to his father, a CDCR officer, saying he wanted to be just like him.

“I remember being in first grade when he was in the academy,” said Timothy. “I wrote a note to my dad because he’s my role model. Even back then, I knew I wanted to be just like him.”

His father, Patrick McQuilkin, tucked the note away. On May 30, the note returned when his father placed the badge on his son’s chest.

“I kept that letter,” Patrick said. “It meant something. It reminded me I was inspiring him. And now that he’s graduated, it hits home. His words came full circle.”

Cantu and Patrick were in the same company and graduated from the academy together.

Twins on same path

New Correctional Officer Jalen Lott Bracy graduated the CDCR Basic Correctional Officer Academy May 30, 2025, in Galt, California. — Jalen Lott Bracy

Just 13 weeks earlier, Jalen Lott Bracy’s older twin brother, Jaden, graduated from the academy.

Though born just one minute apart, they took separate paths to the same goal.

Jaden and Jalen followed in their aunt’s footsteps, Lavett Stocker, who is currently a CDCR correctional officer.

“As a senior class member, I was able to provide him guidance as he navigated the early weeks of the academy,” said Jaden.

Their graduations, though weeks apart, told one continuous story of brotherhood, discipline, and shared ambition.

“We may not have graduated together,” Jalen said, “but we’re in this together. Now we wear the badge — and start our legacy.”

CDCR grows stronger family

“Every time a son, daughter, or sibling follows in a loved one’s footsteps, it reminds us of what this uniform represents/ It’s about trust, tradition, and the strength of the CDCR family.”
Scott Boyack, academy public information officer

With each company graduating from the academy, the roots grow deeper, and the CDCR family gets stronger.

“When we see second- and third-generation officers walk across that stage, it’s more than just a graduation — it’s a legacy continuing. It shows that this career isn’t just a job, it’s a calling passed down with pride. They’re not just joining the workforce — they’re joining the CDCR family,” said Academy Commander Ricardo Jauregui.

In case you missed it: Family ties in every academy class

April 11 was already a day of immense pride for Cadet Tory Brandsen, but it became even more special when his Marine daughter surprised him at his graduation.

>> Marine daughter surprises cadet dad at graduation – Inside CDCR

Dreaming of a career in law enforcement, Officer Joseph Celis joined CDCR in 2007 and has spent his career at the California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) in Norco. Proudly boasting of being an “all-girl dad,” Celis has always encouraged his daughters to chase their dreams as he was chasing his own.  

>> Week in Review: April 18, 2025 – Inside CDCR

With his recent graduation from the Basic Parole Agent Academy, Jonathan Wilson continues a family legacy. His father is a retired parole agent while his brother recently promoted to parole agent III.

>> New parole agent continues family legacy – Inside CDCR

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

>> Generations of Parole: Meet Agent Wilding – Inside CDCR

After Nancy Castro’s correctional lieutenant husband passed away, she decided to follow his CDCR career path. She left a 20-year career in banking to become a correctional officer, graduating in early January.

>> Cadet follows late husband’s CDCR career path – Inside CDCR

Story by Todd Javernick, information officer
Video by Richard Tan, television specialist
Office of Public and Employee Communications

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