All Inside CDCR stories
Above the Call
Officer saves crash victim, catches suspect
When a CSP-Corcoran correctional officer came upon the scene of a violent two car head-on crash, he saw the victim was a fellow officer.
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Medal of Valor 2023: A closer look
Take a closer look at the 2023 Medal of Valor ceremony, celebrating the bravery of CDCR and CCHCS staff.
Read MoreA Day in the Life
DAPO Making a Difference: Meet Agent Richardson
CDCR Parole Agent Jonathan Richardson of the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) shares a day on the job, demonstrating how he makes a difference in the lives of the people he supervises.
Appointments & Promotions
Anissa De La Cruz appointed CCWF Warden
Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Anissa De La Cruz as Warden of Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla.
Awards & Appreciation
Calipatria salutes administrative professionals
On Wednesday, April 24, Calipatria State Prison (CAL) hosted a spring picnic themed lunch to honor the prison’s administrative professionals.
Beyond the Badge
CCWF event promotes staff wellness
Promoting staff wellness was the purpose of a recent event held at Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF).
CALPIA
CTF sees 123 earn certifications, apprenticeships
In front of family and friends, 123 incarcerated individuals at the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) at Soledad received their apprenticeships and industry accredited job certifications at a CALPIA graduation.
CDCR Time Capsule
1987: Department publication highlights need for females in corrections
Revisit this 1987 story originally published in Correction News. — When Daniel J. McCarthy first became a correctional officer in 1949, the California Department of Corrections prohibited women from working inside a prison. In fact, women weren’t even allowed to tour prisons.
Community Involvement
Honoring National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Across California, staff from CDCR and California Correctional Health Care Services facilitated, organized or took part in events in honor of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
DAPO
South Coast parole empowers women
In the South Coast District, supervised women are finding strength and support through the monthly Women Empowerment meetings.
Division of Juvenile Justice
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
K‑9 Mango retires after six years of service
K-9 Mango, a 7-year-old Labrador retriever, is retiring after six years of service at California State Prison, Corcoran.
Employee Wellness
CDCR and CCHCS employees attend PSP training
CDCR and CCHCS Peer Support Program (PSP) administrators and leaders gathered to receive their first advanced training.
Firefighters
Child thanks prison firefighters who saved his life
When a 10-year-old child asked to meet the firefighters who saved his life, he wasn’t expecting two of them to be incarcerated.
Inside CDCR Videos
‘The 50’ film screened with CDCR
On April 17 and 18, The 50 was screened separately at the Crest Theater in Sacramento and then at California State Prison, Solano.
Jobs & Training
Preview of CDCR/CCHCS 2024 training initiatives
As we find ourselves in April, CDCR/CCHCS continues implementing new training programs, which commenced in January 2024.
Obituaries
Melissa Velo, psychiatric technician, passes away
Melissa Velo, a psychiatric technician at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, passed away April 28, 2024.
Prison Health Care
Meet Brittany Brizendine, Regional Health Care Executive
In honor of Women’s History Month and celebrating inspirational leaders within CDCR/CCHCS we spoke with Brittany Brizendine, Regional Health Care Executive for CCHCS in Region II, Fresno.
Rehabilitation
Honoring National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Across California, staff from CDCR and California Correctional Health Care Services facilitated, organized or took part in events in honor of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Secretary's Corner
Message of gratitude from Secretary Macomber
As we approach the end of 2023, and with the holiday season upon us, I want to thank each and every one of you working in our institutions, our parole offices, our headquarter units and other areas within the department for the great work you are doing day in and day out.
Sports
Super Bowl: San Quentin style
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center staff put together a Super Bowl watch party with acting Warden Chance Andes at the helm.
Unlocking History
Jazz music blamed for 1925 murder
In the 1920s, a teenage girl, a mother’s murder, and jazz music made headlines when they converged in San Francisco. This is the story of how a misunderstood musical genre took center stage in a high-profile California murder trial.
Victim & Survivor Rights
CDCR Unlocked podcast talks outreach
In this episode of the CDCR Unlocked podcast, we sat down with Tammy Fenton, who oversees outreach efforts as well as the Accountability Letter Bank Program for the Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services.