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Espinoza begins CDCR career same day her father retires

September 16, 2026

Isabella Espinoza with her recently retired dad, J. Espinoza, at her graduation from the CDCR Academy.

Editor’s note: Isabella Espinoza graduated the academy with Class 3-26A, beginning her CDCR career the same day her father retired after nearly three decades.

Isabella Espinoza arrived at the CDCR Basic Correctional Officer Academy wondering: “What am I getting myself into?”

Months later, she’s walking out stronger, surer and ready to follow the same path her father spent 29 years building.

Her graduation is a full-circle moment in the timing of their careers.

“I was always thinking, I want to be a correctional officer. I want to come back and do exactly what I wanted to do since I was little,” she said.

Watch the video (story continues below):

Espinoza father, daughter CDCR careers come full circle

Her father retired from CDCR June 1, the same day she started the academy. His first day of work in 1997 was Sept. 1 while her first day of work will also be Sept. 1.

The symmetry is no surprise. Her father inspired the path. Espinoza said her father worked 29 years for CDCR.

“People always talked very highly of him. He was always a great leader. I looked up to him a lot, especially seeing him progress through the ranks,” Espinoza said.

She looked up to him and wanted to follow the same path.

“I really hope when he sees me walk the stage, he knows I can do it. I made it through the academy, so I honestly hope he’s proud,” she said.

Espinoza said one of her biggest challenges was learning to trust her gut.

If she could talk to herself on her first day, she would remind herself to not be afraid and to ask questions, speak up and to understand she can always move forward. She now feels completely different from the person she was when she arrived, and she’s glad for that change.

“I’m a lot stronger than I think I am. There are so many different routes that you can go through, and I’m just really excited to learn about everything there is with the department,” Espinoza said. “I was consistent, persistent (and) determined. I’m really happy to be here.”

Read the previous story on Class 3-26’s graduation.

Story by Eric Escalante, information officer
Video by Vanessa Uriarte, TV specialist
Office of Public and Employee Communications

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