All Inside CDCR stories

Above the Call

Correctional officer at CSP-Corcoran who helped find a missing hunter in late October 2025.

Inside CDCR 2025: A look back at the top stories

From tales of heroism and community involvement to rehabilitation and the people behind those efforts, Inside CDCR looks back at…

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CMC transportation officers helped crash victims on Highway 101 in Oxnard, California, Oct. 1, 2025.

CDCR transportation officers assist crash victims

While returning to California Men’s Colony from a southern California transport, two CDCR transportation officers recently assisted victims in a…

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A Day in the Life

Parole Agent Hector Castillo walks out of the parole office in Salinas.

Watch: Meet Hector Castillo, parole agent

Inside CDCR caught up with Hector Castillo, a parole agent in Salinas who works with the GPS unit. He discusses…

Appointments & Promotions

Mule Creek State Prison honoring dedication and commitment featured image with group photo of staff being promoted.

Mule Creek holds first promotional ceremony

Mule Creek State Prison (MCSP) marked a significant milestone by hosting its first promotional ceremony. The Dec. 30 ceremony honored…

Awards & Appreciation

Avenal State Prison (ASP) group photo of staff with 25-plus years of service to the department.

ASP honors staff with 25 years of service

Avenal State Prison (ASP) recently honored 18 dedicated staff who reached the extraordinary milestone of 25-plus years of CDCR service.…

Beyond the Badge

Community March for the Dream in Sacramento, Jan. 19, 2026.

CDCR, CCHCS staff March for the Dream

CDCR and CCHCS staff joined thousands for the 44th annual MLK365 March for the Dream at Sacramento City College on…

CALPIA

Retired General Manager Bill Davidson speaks during the ceremony for CALCTRA.

New year, new name: CALPIA becomes CALCTRA

The new year rang in a new name for the California Prison Industry Authority or CALPIA. The organization officially changed…

CDCR Time Capsule

At the 1990 Medal of Valor, Gov. Deukmejian speaks at a lectern.

1990 Medal of Valor ceremony honors 27 staff

The 1990 Medal of Valor ceremony was held May 25 at the State Capitol, paying tribute to 27 staff members.…

Community Involvement

Community March for the Dream in Sacramento, Jan. 19, 2026.

CDCR, CCHCS staff March for the Dream

CDCR and CCHCS staff joined thousands for the 44th annual MLK365 March for the Dream at Sacramento City College on…

DAPO

Parole agents lead Operation New Years Resolve in Fresno along with other law enforcement agencies.

Parole agents lead multi‑agency Fresno operation

A multi-agency Fresno compliance operation led by the CDCR parole agents resulted in 19 arrests and numerous checks on parole…

Division of Juvenile Justice

A woman holds an over-sized donation check presented by CALPIA as another person applauds.

CALPIA participants donate to crime victims

Crime victims’ support groups throughout the state received approximately $56,000 from incarcerated individuals participating in the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) Joint and Free Venture programs.

Dog News

Gifts of golden smiles: Golden retriever therapy dogs and five custody staff at CSP-Solano.

Golden retriever therapy dogs visit CSP‑Solano

California State Prison (CSP) Solano staff were seeing gold last week thanks to golden retriever therapy dogs. The dogs, part…

Employee Wellness

Featured image for CDCR alcohol awareness campaign.

Watch: CDCR launches staff alcohol awareness campaign

The department recognizes the difficult job performed by staff and the sacrifices they make every day. We also recognize staff…

Firefighters

Staff firefighters train at Wasco State Prison-Reception Center (WSP-RC), lifting a dummy on a stretcher.

WSP‑RC fire department holds staff training

The Wasco State Prison – Reception Center (WSP-RC) fire department held simulated staff fire training Jan. 12. This is part…

Inside CDCR Videos

CPOST Impact Awards video still

Watch: CPOST 2025 Impact Award ceremony

In mid-December, CDCR’s Commission on Correctional Peace Officer Standards and Training (CPOST) honored employees at the 2025 Impact Award ceremony.…

Jobs & Training

Staff firefighters train at Wasco State Prison-Reception Center (WSP-RC), lifting a dummy on a stretcher.

WSP‑RC fire department holds staff training

The Wasco State Prison – Reception Center (WSP-RC) fire department held simulated staff fire training Jan. 12. This is part…

Obituaries

Ernest Joseph Duarte, retired sergeant

Ernest Joseph Duarte, a retired correctional sergeant, passed away Jan. 20, 2026. He worked for the department for 25 years,…

Prison Health Care

Avenal State Prison health care leaders thank the incarcerated-person advisory council members for their help bridging the gap between staff and the incarcerated population.

ASP health care leaders thank advisory council

Avenal State Prison (ASP) hosted an appreciation lunch to honor the vital contributions of the incarcerated-person advisory council (IAC). The…

Rehabilitation

San Quentin pre-apprenticeship mentor program graduate with supporters and his instructor.

San Quentin celebrates 27 construction mentorship graduates

CDCR’s Facility Planning, Construction, and Management (FPCM), Correctional Construction Mentorship (CCM) Program, recognized 27 graduates. In cooperation with San Quentin…

Secretary's Corner

CDCR badge, uniform, and shoulder patch for correctional officers.

Secretary Macomber thanks staff for hard work

In this video message, CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber thanks staff for their hard work while looking back at 2024 milestones.…

Sports

CIW Twinning Project on the soccer field.

Watch: Twinning Project, Angel City FC at CIW

CDCR, the Twinning Project and Angel City Football Club (FC) teamed up to launch two new cohorts of a leadership…

Unlocking History

San Quentin stables with Rivera Smith, captain of the guard, overlaying the 1910 image.

SQ Captain Rivera Smith served nearly 4 decades

Rivera Smith was the longest serving staff member at San Quentin (SQ) when he passed away in 1950, serving nearly…

Victim & Survivor Rights

Thomas Morgan speaks at the Correctional Training Facility at Soledad.

Watch: Thomas Morgan discusses Victim Offender Dialogue

Thanks to the Victim Offender Dialogue program, when the person who shot Thomas Morgan was up for parole, he advocated…