Weekender Digest: Public safety, history, rehabilitation

October 10, 2025

In this Weekender Digest, we look at stories featuring public safety joint law enforcement operations and prison contraband sweeps.

Public Safety

Maintaining public safety is part of CDCR’s mission and values. Through coordinated efforts with regional and state law enforcement agencies, CDCR assists with anti-gang sweeps and operations targeting drugs.

Operation Folsom Blues with confiscated weapons, ammunition and money.

CDCR joins Operation Folsom Blues, conducts 146 arrests

CDCR agents recently participated in Operation Folsom Blues. This multi-agency sting operation in Sacramento County resulted in 146 arrests. >> Read the story published Friday.

DAPO Oakland parole sweep with agents huddled together to plan operations. Overlaying the photo are the words: Public safety in action.

DAPO leads multi-agency Oakland sweep

CDCR Community Compliance Unit (CCU) parole agents led a multi-agency Oakland compliance sweep, resulting in nine arrests. The operation also included checks on sex offenders, gang-affiliates and others on parole supervision. >> Read the Oct. 6 story.

Catching contraband with photos of weapons, drug paraphernalia and a smart watch.

Catching Contraband: Drugs, weapons found in September

Staff at three CDCR institutions found drugs, tattoo equipment, phones and weapons during searches of cells and common areas in September. Institutions reporting contraband finds include CSP-Solano in Vacaville, Pelican Bay State Prison in Crescent City and San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. >> Read the Oct. 6 story.

History

This marks the fourth year for Inside CDCR’s Cemetery Tales. This seasonal series publishes every October, digging into the stories of those who are buried at Folsom, San Quentin and Preston School of Industry in Ione.

Cemetery Tales with image of Folsom Prison's cemetery and two mugshots of Raymond Blade and Henry Hunt. — Raymond Blade, at left, and Henry Hunt represent two extremes of a criminal life. Blade was 19 when he was incarcerated while Hunt was in his 70s, passing away during one of his many stints in state prison.

Cemetery Tales: Blade and Hunt

The second installment of this month’s Cemetery Tales looks at two incarcerated people at different stages in their lives when they passed away: Raymond Blade and Henry Hunt.

Blade, 19, found himself in Folsom State Prison serving two years for burglary when he was killed during an escape attempt in 1914. At the other end of the age spectrum, 81-year-old Hunt, serving a 40-year sentence at San Quentin, died in prison. His California state prison history began in 1881 and ended in 1909 while serving his third prison sentence. >> Read the Oct. 9 story.

The first Cemetery Tales for the season focused on John Beebe and Joseph Balado. >> Read the Oct. 2 story.

Week in Review

Lieutenant speaks to high school students about CDCR careers

Pelican Bay State Prison Correctional Lt. Robyn Fillippa visited students at Del Norte High School to talk about the rewarding career opportunities within CDCR. Fillippa is a 19-year veteran of the department with a long CDCR family history. Both of her parents were officers who rose through the ranks, as is her husband. >> Read about her effort in the Week in Review.

Rehabilitation

Former reentry program participant speaks during the 10-year anniversary celebration. — A previous MCRP participant shares his journey.

MCRP 10-year anniversary for reentry efforts. — A previous MCRP participant shares his journey.

CDCR marks decade of reentry program

CDCR recently celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its first Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP) established in the state.

The celebration featured former MCRP participants who shared stories about how the program helped them prepare for their post-release lives. Two of the alumni are employed as chefs, one at UCLA and the other at the MCRP, while another is pursuing a degree in aircraft maintenance.

“This is an important milestone that underscores the positive impact CDCR reentry programs have on the participants and the communities they return to,” said Jorge Moreno, associate warden over community reentry programs. “They equip participants with the tools they need to thrive when they are released.” >> Read the Oct. 8 story.

Group photo of staff and incarcerated people at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.

San Quentin hosts American Penal Press Contest

San Quentin Rehabilitation Center became the stage for a historic moment in prison journalism with the revival of the American Penal Press Contest. >> Read the Oct. 8 story.

One of the graduates holds her certificate at Puerta La Cruz Conservation Camp.

Puerta La Cruz camp honors 10 graduates

Ten female fire crew members recently graduated the Forestry Fire Training program at the Puerta La Cruz Conservation Camp, hosted by CAL FIRE and CDCR. >> Read the Oct. 7 story.

Learn more about DRP’s e‑learning program

E-learning is one of the many methods the Division of Rehabilitative Programs offers incarcerated people to help them achieve education goals. >> Watch the Oct. 7 video.

Weekender Digest is compiled by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor

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