Visiting staff make 2025 holidays special

December 22, 2025

During the 2025 holiday season, prison staff and family volunteers made visiting rooms special for those spending some time with their incarcerated loved ones.

As more CDCR visiting submissions are received, this round-up will be updated. Email photos as separate attachments with an accompanying write-up to Don Chaddock and Emily Idleman (emails found in Global).

Salinas Valley State Prison hosts Santa in Visiting event

At B Visiting at Salinas Valley State Prison, Santa and Mrs. Claus greet staff as they arrive. — *As they arrive, Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted visiting staff at Salinas Valley State Prison.*

Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) hosted its annual Santa in Visiting holiday event. Thanks to a community volunteer, Santa and Mrs. Claus visited all four visiting rooms Dec. 13 to spread holiday cheer. The event brought genuine joy to the incarcerated population and their families, according to organizers.

Santa interacted with children at SVSP's holiday visiting event.

Santa arrived with a bag full of treats and greeted visitors throughout the visiting rooms, presenting candy to both children and adults.

Santa is always a hit with the children visiting their incarcerated loved ones in CDCR facilities such as Salinas Valley State Prison.

Interacted with children and families at SVSP during visiting.

“The excitement and happiness on the children’s faces were especially meaningful, highlighting the positive impact of this simple gesture,” said visiting staff. “Events like this help strengthen family connections and create positive memories during the holiday season.”

Visiting staff took photos with Santa as well at SVSP.

Visiting staff gets a photo with Santa at Salinas Valley State Prison.

The Santa in Visiting event was a great success. SVSP staff look forward to continuing this tradition annually, with hopes of the same success in future years.

Salinas Valley State Prison would like to extend special thanks to Santa Dan Ferguson and his wife, Mrs. Claus, for their time, generosity, and dedication in making this event possible.

Submitted by Lt. J. Sevey

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