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CDCR welcomes 139 new correctional officers

September 4, 2026

Class 3-26A’s 139 cadets graduated the Basic Correctional Officer Academy in a ceremony in front of family and close friends.

The Aug. 28 graduation was held at the Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center in Galt. The cadets are now prepared to embark on their careers as correctional officers.

New correctional officers take the oath after graduating.

A new correctional officer holds a child after the graduation.

“Over the course of your career, you will be forced to make choices – many of which will not earn you recognition,” said Rafael Acevedo, Region IV Associate Director for the Division of Adult Institutions. “The choices you make when no one is watching will ultimately tell the story of who you are. Doing the right thing isn’t always easy and there are times when it comes at a cost – do it anyway. Integrity is choosing to do what’s right, regardless of the cost.”

*Class 3-26A cadets celebrate after graduating the CDCR Academy in Galt.*

The cadets underwent 13 weeks of rigorous training in the Basic Correctional Officer Academy (BCOA) at the Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center. The newly graduated cadets will serve in institutions across the state of California.

Marking the occasion, family and friends attended the graduation ceremony to cheer on their loved ones stepping into their new careers.

Family support

A daughter and her father hug after Class 3-26A graduated. — *New Correctional Officer Isabella Espinoza with her father.*

“I was really inspired by my dad, who served 29 years in the Department,” said Isabella Espinoza, one of the graduates. “I looked up to him and watched him promote through the ranks. Because of him, I chose this path – I made it through the academy and I now have what it takes to be a correctional officer.”

Twenty-nine of the graduates are women, highlighting the continued efforts being made by CDCR to achieve the “30×30” pledge to have women make up 30 percent of correctional officer cadets by 2023.

Interested Correctional Officer applicants can apply online at JoinCDCR.com.