Week in Review: January 9, 2026

January 9, 2026

In this January 9 Week in Review, we spotlight Prince Harry visiting VTC, CALPIA officially becomes CALCTRA, and HDSP hosts mentor appreciation day.

What’s New

CALCTRA new name from CALPIA with staff standing in front of the hill.

The new year rang in a new name for the California Prison Industry Authority or CALPIA. The organization officially changed its name to the California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority or CALCTRA.

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Division of Adult Parole Operations

DAPO, VTC hosts Prince Harry

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, recently visited the Ventura Training Center (VTC) in Camarillo. Organized by the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), his arrival was a pleasant surprise.

Prince Harry toured the facility, meeting with staff, and speaking with formerly incarcerated individuals participating in the 18-month Firefighter Training and Reentry Program (FTRP). Prince Harry discussed his pleasure with the participants for their bravery and hard work while being part of California’s most dangerous fires in early 2025.

Fire Crew #3, who happened to be at the center during his visit, met with Prince Harry, sharing stories of how they ended up at VTC. The discussion was positive and uplifting, centered around “a life of service.” The prince shared stories and memories from his own upbringing, and how a life of service has greatly benefitted him.

Prince Harry also met with Parole Agent II Angelica Garcia and Parole Agent III Brandon Moore. He was eager to listen and learn how parole supervision at VTC has evolved and is offering a dynamic change to reentry services.

Prince Harry and DAPO team members — Left to Right, Brandon Moore, Gloria Aguirre, Prince Harry, Angelica Garcia, Leonor Vasquez

Prince Harry speaking with Parole Agent II Garcia — Left to Right, Brandon Moore, Gloria Aguirre, Prince Harry, Angelica Garcia, Leonor Vasquez

VTC celebrates firefighter graduates

Ventura Training Center graduates celebrate as they earn their firefighter certification.

The Ventura Training Center celebrated 32 graduates and their completion of the 18-month Firefighter Training and Reentry Program (FTRP). Families, friends, administrators, and dignitaries traveled to celebrate their accomplishments.

Upward Mobility*

Charles Hougland, Chief Deputy Warden, Mule Creek State Prison

Joseph Tuggle, Associate Director, Region I, Division of Adult Institutions

Kelly Santoro, Warden, Salinas Valley State Prison

Nathan Gaughan, acting Warden, California Men’s Colony

Patrick Eaton, Deputy Director of Facility Support, Division of Adult Institutions

Patwin Horn, Warden, Kern Valley State Prison

Rafael Acevedo, Warden, Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility

Sircoya Williams, Warden, California Medical Facility

*Listed in alphabetical order by first name

Observances

National Mentoring Month

January is National Mentoring Month, a time to acknowledge the many ways mentoring shows up across CDCR/CCHCS. From sharing experience and guidance to offering encouragement or simply being someone others can learn from, staff at every level help support growth and connection in the workplace. Through formal mentoring, peer support, or everyday interactions, these moments help build trust, strengthen teams, and support the professionalism that keeps our operations running effectively.

In Our Institutions

HDSP hosts DRP Mentor Appreciation Day Celebration

High Desert State Prison (HDSP) recently made a big effort to express gratitude for the support and expertise Occupational Mentor Certification Program (OMCP) mentors provide to the Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment (ISUDT) Program at HDSP via the Division of Rehabilitative Programs (DRP).

OMCP is a voluntary program which provides mentors with the training and education needed to become Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselors. Upon graduating from the OMCP, these mentors are assigned and paid as co-facilitators in ISUDT’s Cognitive Behavioral Interventions (CBI) programs (through DRP) throughout all adult institutions. OMCP mentors provide guidance and peer-to-peer support to incarcerated individuals assigned to a CBI program.

At HDSP, Amity faculty and DRP/CDCR staff hosted a mentor appreciation event that included lunch, games and fellowship. This event was enhanced by a monetary donation from local business owner, Russ Bates, of Novah Electric, who shared the motivation for his generosity in an inspirational manner, stating that he will continue to support the purpose of the program. This is the third appreciation event held at HDSP and is a celebrated success.

participants eating lunch, listening to a guest speaker

Fire Response

From Training to Fireline: LA County fires one year later

Three Ventura Training Center (VTC) graduates discuss the January 2025 fires. — *VTC graduates Samuel Rodriguez, Troy Beatty, and Curtis Drake reflect on the devastating January 2025 Los Angeles fires.*

Three Ventura Training Center (VTC) cadets who graduated from the program in December reflect on their time battling the deadly fires in Los Angeles (LA) County.

One year ago, on Jan. 7, 2025, the Palisades Fire was ignited, followed by 14 destructive wildfires in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas throughout the month of January.

In total, more than 40,000 acres burned, destroying thousands of homes and businesses, resulting in at least 27 deaths.

PORU recruits courtside at Sac State

CDCR’s Peace Officer Recruitment Unit (PORU) and Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) agents Jon Garcia and Amante Abero attended Sacramento State women’s basketball game. The agents and PORU team engaged with students, alumni, and the community, interacting with attendees throughout the game.

Visitors learned about CDCR career pathways, academy preparation, and long-term opportunities within the department. This event provided an opportunity to highlight CDCR’s “30×30” pledge, aiming to increase the number of women in correctional officer roles to 30% by 2030.

“Events like women’s basketball games align closely with CDCR’s commitment to increasing the representation of women in law enforcement,” emphasized Recruiter Inderpal Dhaliwal. “Women bring critical leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills to our institutions, and outreach like this supports our 30×30 pledge to build a workforce that better reflects the communities we serve.”

PORU’s continued presence at Sacramento State events reflects CDCR’s commitment to proactive, community-based recruitment and sustained campus partnerships.

Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services

OVSRS receives training for restorative justice

ovsrs staff attending restorative justice training class

The Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS) staff welcomed a restorative justice expert to further their education and skills. The in-depth training on restorative justice and practices included information on the history of restorative justice, differences between the traditional criminal legal system and restorative justice, and best practices when communicating these options to crime victims.

In the Media

Incarcerated reveal CALPIA'S new name in stone, CALCTRA

CALPIA transitions to California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority

The California Prison Industry Authority officially became the California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority earlier this year, marking a rebranding that state corrections leaders say more clearly reflects the agency’s long-standing focus on rehabilitation, workforce development and successful reentry.

A California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation incarcerated firefighter works as the Hughes Fire burns in Castaic Lake on Jan. 22, 2025. Photo by David Swanson, Reuters

Fighting LA wildfires broke my heart but prepared me for life outside prison

On a cold January day at our fire camp in Northern California, I learned my crew was being sent south. On the bus, I kept wondering why they would need our help with a fire in the winter.