Governor Gavin Newsom announced the appointment of two people to leadership posts at CDCR.
Kimberly Thornton, of Lassen County, has been appointed Warden of High Desert State Prison (HDSP), where she has been serving as Acting Warden since 2025. Thornton held multiple positions at HDSP, including Chief Deputy Administrator from 2022 to 2025 and Correctional Administrator from 2018 to 2022.
She was Chief Support Executive at Pelican Bay State Prison from 2015 to 2018. Thornton held multiple positions at Avenal State Prison, including Correctional Health Services Administrator from 2013 to 2015 and Staff Services Manager I from 2008 to 2013. She was the Health Program Specialist at California Substance and Abuse Treatment Facility at Corcoran from 2007 to 2008.
Thornton held multiple positions at the California Substance and Abuse Treatment Facility, including Staff Services Analyst and Associate Governmental Program Analyst from 2004 to 2007 and Office Technician from 2001 to 2004. She held multiple positions at California State Prison, Corcoran, including Office Technician from 2000 to 2001 and Office Assistant from 1998 to 2000. Thornton was an Office Assistant at Avenal State Prison from 1996 to 1998. This position does not require Senate confirmation.
Brian Allo, of San Bernardino, has been appointed Warden of the California State Prison, Los Angeles County (LAC), where he has been serving as Acting Warden since 2025. Allo held multiple positions at the California Rehabilitation Center, including Chief Deputy Administrator from 2024 to 2025 and Correctional Administrator from 2023 to 2024. He was an Associate Warden at the California Institution for Men in 2023.
Allo held several positions at the California Rehabilitation Center from 2011 to 2022, including Associate Warden, Correctional Captain and Correctional Lieutenant. He held multiple positions at Ironwood State Prison, including Correctional Sergeant from 2006 to 2011 and Correctional Officer from 2001 to 2006. This position does not require Senate confirmation.
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