Frank Yoldi, a retired clinical social worker from Folsom State Prison, passed away Feb. 28, 2026, just a week shy of turning 89 years old.
He worked for the prison for 18 years before retiring in 2023 when he was 86 years old.
Yoldi earned his master’s degree in social work from Sacramento State University. After getting his license, he went to work for Sacramento Crisis Clinic, assigned to the Sacramento County Jail. He later opened a private practice. After 25 years, as he began to wind down his practice, he took a part-time job at Folsom State Prison.
According to his family, prison work was his calling. After six months, Yoldi closed his private practice to work for the prison full-time.
At the institution, his work included running lifers support groups, educating correctional officers and staff on mental health issues, and translating for Spanish-speaking-only incarcerated persons.
“For relaxation, Frank loved to putter in his garden, read history, philosophy, and theology books on his Kindle, and have pillow fights with his grandson,” according to his family.
Yoldi is preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister. He is survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter. He is also survived by three grandsons, a niece, two nephews and numerous cousins.
Services have already been held.
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