Meet veterans in CCHCS Corrections Services

This Veterans Day, we honor the people behind the uniforms and recognize CCHCS staff in Corrections Services whose military experiences continue to inspire their work and strengthen our mission of care.

Legacy of Service: On and off duty

Inside the Corrections Services Division at California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS), teamwork, integrity, and service aren’t just professional values, they are personal. For several of the leaders in this division, those values were forged long before they ever entered state service.

From the discipline of the Air Force, the courage of the Marine Corps, the camaraderie of the Army Reserves, and the honor of the Navy, their experiences in uniform continue to shape the way they lead today.

Five CCHCS veterans share how their military experiences left lasting marks on their lives and the lessons they still carry with them every day.

Antronne Scotland: A family tradition of service

For Deputy Director Antronne Scotland, service is more than a personal calling; it’s a family legacy.

“Both my father and I served, as well as my sons,” Scotland shared. “I take great pride in our family’s legacy of service.”

Those years in the U.S. Air Force taught him discipline and presence. He learned early that consistency builds trust.

“In the military, attendance is paramount,” he said. “That commitment has contributed to my strong work record, as I seldom take time off. Still, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential.”

Today, Scotland leads with that same dependability, whether he’s overseeing Field Operations or supporting staff who bridge the gap between custody and health care.

“Veterans Day is a time to honor those who dedicated parts of their lives to protect the freedoms we enjoy, it’s a moment to pause and be thankful.”

Sadie Richmond: Leading with integrity

Twelve years in the U.S. Army Reserves taught Correctional Administrator Sadie Richmond the kind of courage that doesn’t fade with time.

“Always do the right thing, stand up for your beliefs, and never sell your soul,” she said.

Those lessons still drive her as she supports the complex work of Corrections Services. To Richmond, Veterans Day isn’t just a holiday; it’s a moment to look back with gratitude and pride.

“It’s a day of remembrance and thankfulness for the life lessons and experiences that built strong, lasting family memories,” she said. “The military gave me a family that’s still a part of who I am.”

In every project and decision, Richmond carries the same authenticity and grit that carried her through her service years.

Angel Infante: Living the Navy’s core values

For Capt. Angel Infante, the U.S. Navy was where he learned the values that still guide him: Honor, Courage, and Commitment.

“Working in a challenging field, we face decisions that affect our partners, the public, and the incarcerated population,” Infante said. “Those core values help me stay confident in making choices that are best for the mission at hand.”

These days, his mission is ensuring incarcerated individuals have access to health care while supporting the teams that make it happen. But Veterans Day takes him back to his time at sea and the friendships forged there.

“It’s a time of remembrance,” he said. “I think about the shipmates I served with, the laughs we shared, and the lessons we learned. I also use the day to appreciate the present, spending time with family, sharing good food and laughter, and being thankful for the freedoms we all enjoy.”

Dharmendra Sharma: Adapting and overcoming

As a correctional captain in field operations, Dharmendra Sharma credits his time in the Marine Corps for shaping the mindset he brings to every challenge.

“Serving in the Marines taught me how to adapt and overcome any obstacle that presents itself,” he said. “It taught me that anything is possible, you just need the right plan of attack.”

Sharma, who served in Iraq, proudly recalls his time in service. He said the lessons from the Marine Corps remain central to his leadership style today.

“Veterans Day is about honoring the men and women who chose to defend this nation,” he shared. “It’s also about recognizing the knowledge and understanding veterans bring back, a perspective that very few people have experienced.”

Kerry Clark: The power of teamwork

For Capt. Kerry Clark, success begins with collaboration, a principle learned early in his Army career.

“Being a scout in the Army taught me to adapt and overcome obstacles or problems that arise,” he said. “Teamwork and collaboration were essential to the success of the team.”

Those lessons continue to shape how he leads today in Field Operations, where coordination between custody and health care is critical to achieving CCHCS’s mission.

Clark sees Veterans Day as a personal reminder of duty, sacrifice, and connection.

“Veterans Day has a lot of meaning to me,” he said. “It’s a chance to reflect on my commitment to the country, to remember my fellow soldiers I served with, and the co-workers’ who served as well”

Continuing the mission

For these five veterans, the uniforms may be folded away, but the mission hasn’t ended. Their service to country now lives on through service to others, strengthening the bridge between custody and care inside California’s prisons.

This Veterans Day, CCHCS and CDCR thank all staff who have worn the uniform and continue to make a difference every day.

Story written by Amanda Spangler, communications analyst
California Correctional Health Care Services

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