All Inside CDCR stories

Above the Call

KVSP officers were honored for their heroic actions during an incident at an outside hospital.

KVSP officers recognized for heroic actions

Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP) Correctional Officers Jim Rhyu and Alexander Klopfenstein were recognized March 27 for a recent heroic…

Read More
Two CMC transportation officers helped a driver whose truck burst into flames Jan. 16.

CMC officers help driver after truck burst into flames

Two correctional officers from California Men’s Colony (CMC) helped a driver after her truck burst into flames on Interstate 5.…

Read More
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…

Read More

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

Chief Deputy Warden shakes hands with a recently promoted staff member at CCI.

CCI‑Tehachapi holds third promotion ceremony

California Correctional Institution (CCI) in Tehachapi hosted its third promotion ceremony on Friday, April 17. The ceremony honored 13 promoted…

Awards & Appreciation

Attendees celebrate honorees at the first CCWF Clover Awards.

CCWF hosts staff Clover Awards Ceremony

Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) recently hosted its first Clover Awards Ceremony, recognizing staff who lead with integrity, courage, and…

Beyond the Badge

Guest speaker at Centinela State Prison for Crime Victims' Rights Week.

Centinela State Prison honors crime victims

Centinela State Prison Warden Andre Green welcomed local dignitaries and staff to honor victims and survivors of crime during the…

CALPIA

At Folsom State Prison, 126 incarcerated individuals earned job certifications through CALCTRA on Feb. 10, 2026.

CALCTRA graduates earn job certifications at FSP

California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA) recognized 126 incarcerated individuals during a graduation ceremony at Folsom State Prison (FSP).…

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

Headquarters (HQ) staff in Elk Grove donated blood during an April 29, 2026, blood drive.

HQ staff roll up sleeves to donate blood

Headquarters (HQ) staff from CDCR and CCHCS rolled up their sleeves to donate through a blood drive in Elk Grove.…

DAPO

Parole Community Reentry Unit event with a guest speaker.

Reentry Unit hosts Women’s Empowerment event

The Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) Community Reentry Unit recently hosted the Central District Women’s Empowerment event. Held March…

Dog News

CMF Paws for Life banquet shows woman hugging dog with the following words superimposed: Better futures for all: rescue dogs, trainers, and CMF staff.

CMF hosts annual Paws for Life banquet

The gymnasium at California Medical Facility (CMF) in Vacaville was transformed for the annual banquet honoring Paws for Life K-9…

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

Person demonstrates a hydraulic ram tool at CMF.

Watch: CMF Fire demonstrates new rescue tools

Thanks to grants and the hard work of staff, the California Medical Facility (CMF) Fire Department now has new tools…

A Mexico prison official presents a thank-you pin to the Sierra Conservation Center warden.

Mexico prison staff tour Oak Glen Conservation Camp

Corrections staff from the Queretaro State Prison in Mexico toured Oak Glen Conservation Camp to learn about California’s fire camp…

Ventura Training Center, or VTC, participants speak to Camp Cuesta crews at California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo.

Ventura Training Center visits CMC’s Camp Cuesta

Participants from the Ventura Training Center (VTC) hit the road to talk with incarcerated fire crews about the center’s resources.…

Inside CDCR Videos

A woman, Maria Franco, graduated a mentor certification program at CCWF. Video is part of Second Chance Month.

Watch: Franco finds Second Chance via mentor program

Maria Franco, formerly incarcerated at Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla, was serving a 34-to-life sentence when she began…

Jobs & Training

Energy efficient lights installed at Wasco State Prison-Reception Center (WSP-RC).

WSP‑RC energy efficiency project is success

The recent energy efficiency project at Wasco State Prison-Reception Center (WSP-RC) was so successful, it generated $650,000 in rebates after…

Obituaries

Mike Mojarro, retired correctional sergeant

Mike Mojarro, a retired correctional sergeant, passed away April 29, 2026. Mojarro worked for the department for nearly 15 years.…

Prison Health Care

WSP-RC health and wellness fair for the incarcerated population with staff at a booth.

WSP‑RC holds population health, wellness fair

Wasco State Prison-Reception Center (WSP-RC) held a health and wellness fair for the incarcerated population during the week of March…

Rehabilitation

Correctional Training Facility, or CTF, at Soledad featured a large gathering of staff and the incarcerated population for National Crime Victims' Rights Week 2026.

CTF marks National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

The Correctional Training Facility (CTF) commemorated National Crime Victims’ Rights Week 2026 with a series of events held April 20-24.…

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

Staff and volunteers also participated in the National Crime Victims' Rights Week fundraiser at CTF-Soledad.

CTF raises funds for Crime Victims’ Rights Week

The Correctional Training Facility (CTF) recently hosted a fundraiser to support the institution’s second National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The…

Unlocking History

The chapel and school room at San Quentin in 1910 along with a photo of WH Lloyd, chaplain at the prison.

Chaplain Lloyd educated public on rehabilitation

In 1905, WH Lloyd was tapped to replace an ailing minister at a church in Folsom and act as chaplain…

Victim & Survivor Rights

The OVSRS answers questions about victims' rights at an event in 2025.

OVSRS helps victims know, access legal rights

In 2025, the Office of Victims and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS) contacted over 40,000 victims’ families to aid them…