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.

Avenal State Prison hosts Christmas Day visiting

Holiday p[hoto for an incarcerated person with his family at Avenal State Prison during Christmas Day visiting.

An incarcerated person, a woman, and a baby at Avenal State Prison.

Avenal State Prison and the incarcerated-person family council (IFC) hosted visiting on Christmas Day in which incarcerated persons presented gifts to their children. The visiting room was calm and respectful as Incarcerated Persons handed their children small, meaningful gifts they had earned or made. Despite the walls separating them from everyday life, the visit allowed families to share holiday moments of warmth and connection.

Submitted by Lt. P. Chavez

CCI hosts Christmas Day visiting

Opening presented at CCI Christmas visiting.

Children with donated gifts at CCI Christmas visiting.

On Christmas Day, incarcerated individuals, the incarcerated-person family council (IFC) and California Correctional Institution (CCI) Visiting staff collaborated to make the holiday special.

Families enjoyed wearing their matching Christmas pajamas while doing crafts and posing for family photos. There were also goodie bags and incarcerated individuals gave children teddy bears.

Additionally, children were able to pick out other gifts, which were donated by visitors and staff.

Story by Visiting Sgt. S. Zazueta
Submitted by Lt. T. Harrison

CMF hosts Christmas visiting

Crafts at CMF during Christmas holiday visiting.

Crocheted gifts for family visiting at CMF for Christmas.

On Christmas Day, incarcerated persons, their loved ones, and California Medical Facility (CMF) staff celebrated the holiday season. Visiting families participated in games, gift giving, holiday cheer, and enjoyed a visit from a very busy visitor.

Incarcerated individuals and their families were transported away with the Holiday theme in visiting as they posed for photos and opened gifts.

This was all a part of CMF’s annual Christmas visiting event. Incarcerated persons and their families were appreciative to spend the day in a positive lighthearted festive setting.

This year’s event was planned by CMF visiting staff in conjunction with the CMF incarcerated-person family council (IFC) and included a special treat for the visiting families. The CMF Crochet group headed by incarcerated persons Clay Turner and Billy Worth donated their time and skills to present the families with festive items crocheted by the group.

Children were treated to presents donated by the CDCR staff and the IFC. They also participated in holiday inspired games and activities. Families also took photos by the sleigh built by CMF’s Plant Ops team.

Staff and the families interacted throughout the day’s events which were highlighted by a visit by Santa Claus.

“These events are a great way for all of us to come together and for the incarcerated population to build and strengthen strong connections to family and outside support system,” said organizers.

Story by Lt. C. Bennamon
Submitted by Lt. A. Brown

High Desert State Prison hosts Christmas day visiting

Two children open gifts on Christmas day during visiting at High Desert State Prison in Susanville, California.

A child opens gifts on Christmas day during visiting at High Desert State Prison in Susanville, California.

On Dec. 25, High Desert State Prison hosted a Christmas event for incarcerated people and their families. Visiting staff worked collaboratively with the incarcerated-persons family council (IFC) to put together a toy drive during the entire month of November. Families were able to donate toys for all ages. High Desert State Prison received a total of 31 gifts including two bicycles.

Families were able to paint an ornament, craft a gingerbread house, play games and take memorable photographs.

The toys were wrapped by the prison’s community resources manager team. Prison visiting staff then passed out the toys to all children who came to visit on Christmas Day.

Submitted by Lt. J. Micone

Mule Creek visiting hosts Merry Grinchmas

Visiting family with a baby and incarcerated person at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California, for a holiday event called Merry Grinchmas.

Families came together at Mule Creek visiting for a Grinch-themed holiday event.

The Mule Creek State Prison Visiting Department hosted its annual holiday event, Merry Grinchmas, on Saturday, Dec. 20. Thanks to donations from the incarcerated-person family council (IFC), toys were handed out to the visiting children.

An incarcerated person with a wrapped Christmas gift to present to his visiting loved one at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California.

The incarcerated population was also able to pass out stockings to their visiting minors. The stockings were filled with candy and crafts provided by the IFC.

An incarcerated dog trainer with his visitor during a Grinch-themed event at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California, a CDCR facility.

The IFC also provided great holiday props the population and their visitors were able to use to take photos.

“We would like to thank the Mule Creek State Prison IFC for all of their donations which helped make this Merry Grinchmas such a successful event,” said visiting staff.

Written by Visiting Sgt. J. Wohnhas
Submitted by Lt. J. Vina

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.

Santa and Mrs. Claus greet visitors at Salinas Valley State Prison. — *Santa and Mrs. Claus greet visiting families at Salinas Valley State Prison.*

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

Valley State Prison hosts Christmas visiting event

An incarcerated person gives a gift to his child during a holiday visiting event at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla.

An incarcerated person barbecues food for visiting families at Valley State Prison.

The incarcerated-person family council (IFC), in collaboration with Valley State Prison Visiting staff, hosted a Christmas event in the visiting area on Saturday, Dec. 20.

The event promoted family reunification by providing meaningful opportunities for incarcerated individuals to connect with their children and loved ones.

Families enjoyed holiday photos, festive crafts, and gift bags, creating a warm and memorable experience for all who attended.

Submitted by Lt. A. Salas

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