From tales of heroism and community involvement to rehabilitation and the people behind those efforts, Inside CDCR looks back at the some of the top stories of 2025.
It was also an epic year as Inside CDCR racked up more than 5 million views for the first time.
The following stories are organized by the Inside CDCR categories, listed in alphabetical order. To see more top stories, check out the 2025 Year in Review.
Above the Call
No. 1: Correctional officer finds missing hunter
The top 2025 Above the Call story featured an off-duty correctional officer and his two friends who found a missing hunter. Published Nov. 26, the story is the ninth most viewed of all Inside CDCR stories published this year. >> Read the story.
No. 2: Two CDCR staff save driver having seizure
Two transportation officers at Pleasant Valley State Prison helped save a driver having a seizure. >> Read their Above the Call story.
No. 3: Nurse saves coworker from choking
A dinner between two nurse coworkers took a serious turn recently when one began choking. >> Read their Above the Call story.
No. 4: Nurse assists passenger mid‑flight
While aboard a 15-hour flight, a CCHCS nurse consultant quickly acted during a mid-flight medical emergency. >> Read his story.
Awards and Appreciation
No. 1: Staff appreciation shown through football
CDCR institutions showed staff appreciation through a shared love of football. CSP-Corcoran held a Superbowl-themed event while California Medical Facility staff donned hats sporting football team logos. >> See the football round-up.
No. 2: Department shows staff appreciation
With many employee-focused observances landing in early May, several CDCR institutions held staff appreciation events. There were barbecues, games, and team-bonding activities.
>> See the round-up.
No. 3: AD Phillips receives Custody Medical Liaison Award
CDCR Associate Director (AD) Bryan Phillips received the Custody Medical Liaison Award during an October health care conference. >> Learn more about the award.
No. 4 CIM honors contraband-detecting K-9s
In 2025, California Institution for Men (CIM) held its first ceremony to honor the K-9s who work tirelessly to detect drugs, phones, and other contraband inside prison walls. >> Check out the story.
Beyond the Badge
No. 1: New officer ranks top in Beyond the Badge
Inside CDCR’s most viewed Beyond the Badge story focused on new Correctional Officer Myrna Hernandez, published Feb. 27. Her story was the sixth most viewed for the year.
>> Read her story.
No. 2: Meet the twin Jauregui brothers
The twin Jauregui brothers wear nearly identical uniforms, which leads to a fair bit of confusion. >> Read their story.
No. 3: Staff appreciation shown at CDCR institutions
In May, several institutions held staff appreciation events, offering food and fun. >> Read the round-up.
No. 4: After 47 years, John Bennett retires
To mark his retirement from CIM after 47 years, Bennett got in the saddle one last time. >> Read his story.
California Prison Industry Authority
Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) will become California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority. The new name will more accurately reflect the authority’s work and mission. >> Learn more on the website.
CALPIA graduates recognized at RJD
Sixty-four incarcerated individuals received their job certifications and/or apprenticeships from the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) at RJ Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD) in May. >> Read the story.
Community Involvement
Across California, staff and the incarcerated population help communities through donations, activities, and making a difference. The following stories drew the most views in 2025. >> Explore all the Community Involvement stories.
No. 1: Staff run for Special Olympics
Across California, staff volunteers laced their running shoes to take part in the 2025 Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics.
>> Read this special round-up of the 2025 Torch Run.
No. 2: DAPO hosts softball game for charity
The first Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) softball charity event held in June raised over $6,500 for Special Olympics. >> Learn more about the event.
No. 3: Staff donate clothes to FCRP-Stockton
After receiving staff-donated clothing, Female Community Reentry Program (FCRP) participants in Stockton are better equipped for job interviews. >> Read the story.
No. 4: Watch: CIW hosts run for fire victims
California Institution for Women (CIW) held a 5k run to raise funds for Los Angeles fire victims. In all, $2,150 was donated to relief efforts. >> Watch the video.
Division of Adult Parole Operations
Other parole-related stories, such as those related to the death of Parole Agent Joshua Byrd, can be found in the Year in the Review.
No. 1: CDCR welcomes 41 new parole agents
CDCR welcomed 41 new parole agents as they graduated the Basic Parole Agent Academy at the RA McGee Correctional Training Center in Galt.
>> Read the top DAPO story.
No. 2: Watch: Meet Agent Hector Castillo
Inside CDCR caught up with Hector Castillo, a parole agent in Salinas who works with the GPS unit. He discusses his career, the duties of a parole agent, and achieving public safety through successful reentry. >> Watch the video.
No. 3: Watch: Parole agent continues family legacy
With his 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. >> Watch the video.
No. 4: Parole agents lead Oakland compliance sweep
CDCR Community Compliance Unit (CCU) parole agents led a multi-agency Oakland compliance sweep, resulting in nine arrests, checks on sex offenders, and others under parole supervision. >> Learn about the operation.
Firefighters & Camps
The Year in the Review features stories on the Los Angeles fires and responses from CDCR staff firefighters and incarcerated hand crews.
No. 1: Camp holds first fire training graduation
Puerta La Cruz Conservation Camp became the first camp to successfully graduate a firefighter training program. The June ceremony featured guest speakers from CALFIRE, CDCR, and Sacramento Fire Academy. >>Read the story.
Prison Health Care
No. 1: CMF memory care nurse supports patients in cognitive decline
In recognition of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in June, Inside CDCR caught up with Kathleen Salacup, supervising registered nurse II, above at left, at California Medical Facility’s (CMF) Memory Care Unit. Her story was the most viewed in the Prison Health Care category. >> Read her story.
No. 2: Spotlight on CMF medical social workers
In March, we celebrated the impactful work of medical social workers like Kenneth Langill and Shauna Rose at California Medical Facility in Vacaville.
>> Read their story.
No. 3: Meet the veterans of Corrections Services
Inside the Corrections Services Division at CCHCS, teamwork, integrity, and service aren’t just professional values, they are personal. >> Read the Veterans Day story.
No. 4: Dawn Freeman leads with compassion
When a friend suggested a correctional institution nursing career, Dawn Freeman hesitated but now, she’s grateful for her career journey. >> Read her story.
Unlocking History
No. 1: Top history story featured Beebe and Balado
The most viewed history story in 2025 was the first installment of October’s Cemetery Tales series. This story looked more closely at the lives of career criminal John Beebe and Joseph “Jose” Balado, dubbed the Jamestown Slayer by the press. Their poor choices led them to serving sentences at Folsom State Prison and San Quentin. >> Read the history story.
No. 2: 1915 letter details SQ Fourth of July
“Most assuredly it was a safe, sane Fourth for us in our little walled city by the sea. No undue noise, no accidents, fights or fire,” the letter states. >> Read the history story.
No. 3: Drifter served time in three western states
Another Cemetery Tales story proved popular. The story looked at a drifter with a long criminal record dating from 1905. >> Read JE McKim’s history story.
No. 4: Raymond Blade and Henry Hunt
Our fourth most-viewed history story looks at two incarcerated people at different stages in their lives when they passed away. >> Read their Cemetery Tales story.
Follow CDCR on YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.
See more stories highlighting CDCR/CCHCS staff.
Related content
ASP honors staff with 25 years of service
Avenal State Prison (ASP) recently honored 18 dedicated staff who reached the extraordinary milestone of 25-plus years of CDCR service.…
CCI bids farewell to retiring Warden Brian Cates
California Correctional Institution (CCI) at Tehachapi said farewell to Warden Brian Cates during a special gathering held Dec. 19, 2025.…
Mule Creek holds first promotional ceremony
Mule Creek State Prison (MCSP) marked a significant milestone by hosting its first promotional ceremony. The Dec. 30 ceremony honored…
CALPIA General Manager Bill Davidson retires
The California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) said goodbye to General Manager Bill Davidson on Dec. 30, 2025. Davidson retired after…
Battle of the Badges: High Desert staff ring bells
Volunteers from High Desert State Prison in Susanville were busy ringing bells for charity as part of the Battle of…
Inside CDCR 2025: A look back at the top stories
From tales of heroism and community involvement to rehabilitation and the people behind those efforts, Inside CDCR looks back at…