All Inside CDCR stories

Above the Call

K-9 Bosco resting on the grass.

CIM mourns loss of K‑9 Bosco

The California Institution for Men (CIM) is mourning the loss of retired K-9 Bosco, an 11-year-old Belgian Malinois. Bosco served CDCR for three years in the K-9 Unit, passing away May 16, 2023.

Read More

A Day in the Life

Officer Webb and Warden Robertson in a decorated prison lobby.

Meet Officer Michael Webb, gate keeper

For over two decades, Correctional Officer Michael “Mike” Webb has helped CDCR fulfill its mission. As the General Population Entrance Gate Officer for Pelican Bay State Prison, he is the first line of defense.

Appointments & Promotions

New academy officers celebrate their graduation.

Academy graduates 230 new officers

After weeks of training, 230 cadets from class 2-23A of the Basic Correctional Officer Academy (BCOA) graduated as officers.

Awards & Appreciation

ASP staff honors given to PIO Lt. Campbell

ASP, city honors staff

Avenal State Prison (ASP) and Golden Hills Adult School staff recently received honors for contributing to ASP and the community.

Beyond the Badge

ASP staff honors given to PIO Lt. Campbell

ASP, city honors staff

Avenal State Prison (ASP) and Golden Hills Adult School staff recently received honors for contributing to ASP and the community.

CALPIA

20 CCWF graduates holding certificates

CCWF celebrates 20 CALPIA graduates

Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) honored 20 graduates for completing their CALPIA Pre-Apprentice Construction Labor, Pre-Apprentice Carpentry, and Healthcare Facilities Maintenance program.

CDCR Time Capsule

A female correctional sergeant and female cadets.

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

Prison employees carry a torch and flag during a run.

Join Special Olympics Torch Run teams

The Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run serves as a powerful symbol of unity, bringing together law enforcement officers and personnel, athletes, and communities across the state.

DAPO

People on parole get help with "treatment and housing" according to a sign hanging from a reentry fair booth.

CDCR, partners providing critical reentry help

The new Reentry Resource Center at Mather now offers weekly face-to-face help for registered participants with 300 visiting a reentry fair.

Division of Juvenile Justice

A large group of young people and some adults stand in a line. Two young people hold a poster with colorful artwork on it.

Youth honor women in Ventura

A luncheon in Ventura celebrated women while raising awareness of the importance of gender equity. The well-attended event was part of Ventura Youth Correctional Facility (VYCF)’s celebration of Women’s History Month. The luncheon was sponsored by Women of Substance, Men of Honor (WOSMOH), which provides programs at VYCF, and Bank of America.

Dog News

K-9 Bosco resting on the grass.

CIM mourns loss of K‑9 Bosco

The California Institution for Men (CIM) is mourning the loss of retired K-9 Bosco, an 11-year-old Belgian Malinois. Bosco served CDCR for three years in the K-9 Unit, passing away May 16, 2023.

Employee Wellness

Unlocked podcast equipment

Podcast highlights Mental Health Awareness

Even though May is Mental Health Awareness Month, professionals at CDCR and CCHCS work every day to ensure incarcerated patients’ needs are met. At the same time, the Office of Employee Wellness provides wellness support, education and resources to staff.

Firefighters

CAL FIRE training crew

CAL FIRE: Jason Barr makes most of rehabilitation

Thanks to rehabilitation opportunities and career training, Jason Barr has earned the chance to prove himself with CAL FIRE. At the Ventura Training Center in 2019, Barr was part of the second cohort in the Firefighter Training and Reentry Program. He graduated in July.

Inside CDCR Videos

Correctional Business Manager Sonia Padilla smiling at sitting near her desk.

Meet Correctional Business Manager Sonia Padilla

Sonia Padilla, the Correctional Business Manager for California Rehabilitation Center (CRC), is a busy woman. In her role, she is responsible for all the business aspects of the institution such as paying the bills or purchasing food.

Jobs & Training

Unlocked podcast equipment

Wellness throughout your correctional career

In the May 11 episode, experts from CDCR’s Office of Employee Wellness discuss what it’s like once you’re not quite “new” in your CDCR career, but also don’t have decades of experience in the department.

Obituaries

K-9 Bosco resting on the grass.

CIM mourns loss of K‑9 Bosco

The California Institution for Men (CIM) is mourning the loss of retired K-9 Bosco, an 11-year-old Belgian Malinois. Bosco served CDCR for three years in the K-9 Unit, passing away May 16, 2023.

Prison Health Care

A man wearing a tan correctional uniform and a hairnet scoops eggs and gravy onto a plate for a man in a light blue buttondown shirt.

New healthy food option put to the test

Executives try new pea protein The selection of nutritious food options is increasing throughout California prisons. CDCR is introducing a…

Rehabilitation

Captain Antonio speaking at podium

CTF Veterans Hub gives back to those who served

The CTF Veterans Hub held a ceremony in observance of Memorial Day to honor the fallen soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

Secretary's Corner

Heroes work here sign with the CDCR logo and an American flag.

Secretary, Receiver thank staff for service

As we enter the month of May, and reflect on the year behind us and the one before us, we wanted to send a collective thank you to all of our incredible staff across the state. Whether you are in one of our 35 prisons, working in a parole office, in DJJ, in a field office, or in headquarters, thank you for your hard work.

Sports

CMF warden plays pickleball with incarcerated people.

CMF learns the sport of pickleball

Pickleball has conquered community parks, cable television and is scoring big with the population and staff at California Medical Facility (CMF).

Unlocking History

Sketches and portraits of four murder victims from late 1890s to 1910.

Giving voice to crime victims

Victims and survivors have long fought to have a voice in investigations, trials, sentencing and parole hearings. Since the first incarcerated people boarded the prison ship in 1851, crime victims and their families have fought for their rights.

Victim & Survivor Rights

CMC incarcerated at day of atonement

CMC hosts Day for Atonement ceremony

California Men’s Colony (CMC) created and hosted its inaugural “A Day for Atonement” ceremony. Jonathan Duke, hundreds of incarcerated individuals, and staff members collaborated for this event.