All Inside CDCR stories

Above the Call

Medal of Valor closer look at the honor guard holding flags.

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.

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Medal of Valor with people standing up.

CDCR honors staff at 38th annual Medal of Valor

SACRAMENTO – CDCR honored 27 employees today during its 38th annual Medal of Valor Ceremony. CDCR awards its employees for exceptional work that benefits the department and the community.

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A Day in the Life

Three CCI female staff members stand on stairs.

Meet the women behind three CCI positions

To shed light on often overlooked positions, Inside CDCR caught up with three CCI staff members who keep the institution on task.

Appointments & Promotions

Gena Jones, Warden of CHCF.

Governor Newsom appoints CHCF Warden

Gena Jones was appointed Warden at California Health Care Facility (CHCF) in September. She has served as acting Warden since April 2022.

Awards & Appreciation

Medal of Valor closer look at the honor guard holding flags.

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.

Beyond the Badge

Three CCI female staff members stand on stairs.

Meet the women behind three CCI positions

To shed light on often overlooked positions, Inside CDCR caught up with three CCI staff members who keep the institution on task.

CALPIA

DAPO executives at FSP for law enforcement meeting

DAPO hosts regional law enforcement leaders

Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) hosted the Sacramento Regional Law Enforcement Executive breakfast.

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

bicycle being donated from VSP bicycle refurbishing

VSP donates refurbished bicycles

Valley State Prison’s (VSP) Bicycle Refurbishing Program (BRP) recently distributed more bicycles to the local community.

DAPO

Parole agents at a symposium and training in San Diego.

DAPO attends San Diego training, symposium

DAPO recently attended the National Asian Peace Officer Association (NAPOA) Annual Training Symposium and Exposition in San Diego.

Division of Juvenile Justice

Honor guard holds flag.

DJJ ceases operations, transfers last youths to counties

On June 30, CDCR announced the last youths in the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) were transferred to counties, completing juvenile justice realignment as required under Senate Bill 823.

Dog News

Retired CVSP K‑9 Roxy passes away

Roxy, a retired CDCR K-9, passed away Sept. 7, 2023. Roxy graduated K-9 Academy in 2010 and retired from CVSP in 2016.

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

Three conservation camp students take a video GED class.

Camp firefighters work on earning GED

Currently, 120 firefighters and camp participants across 10 CDCR Conservation Camps are enrolled in the Camp GED program. Coursework is offered online, in-person, and through independent study packets.

Inside CDCR Videos

Medal of Valor closer look at the honor guard holding flags.

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.

Jobs & Training

VSP staff together for group photo suicide awareness

VSP hosts staff suicide prevention event

Valley State Prison (VSP) recently held their annual staff suicide prevention and awareness event.

Obituaries

Garret Houston wearing a correctional officer uniform.

Garret Houston, correctional officer, passes away

Garret Houston, a correctional officer at California City Correctional Facility, passed away Sept. 22, 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

incarcerated playing basketball at ASP

ASP, Uncle Chucky’s Kids host basketball game

Avenal State Prison (ASP) hosted a memorable basketball tournament inside institution walls.

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

Chief Deputy Warden throws pitch at San Quentin Giants unveiling

Historic team, new name: San Quentin Giants

The San Quentin Rehabilitation Center (SQ) baseball team has a new name, thanks to the San Francisco (SF) Giants. The professional team visited SQ to unveil the new SQ Giants name as well as present them with team uniforms, helmets and other equipment.

Unlocking History

group photo of CDCR employees holding SQ intake log book

1903 log books discovered, turned in to SQ

Log books for San Quentin and Santa Clara County jail were recently found and turned in to San Quentin (SQ).

Victim & Survivor Rights

ALB visits VSP group photo

Apology Letter Bank program visits VSP

Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS) Apology Letter Bank (ALB) program coordinators visited Valley State Prison (VSP).