Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor, Author at Inside CDCR

Retired correctional officer Robert “Bobby” Deatherage passed away peacefully at home Nov. 27, 2025, following a brief battle with cancer....

Read More About Robert Deatherage, retired correctional officer

Patricia Rodriguez, an office technician at Wasco State Prison-Reception Center, has 40 years of state service. She tells people to enjoy their time where they are and not worry about getting to retirement because time quickly passes.

Patricia Rodriguez has seen plenty of changes during her four decades of state service, including 33 years with CDCR. We...

Read More About Meet Patricia Rodriguez: Four decades of service

Counterfeiters Emile Bruder and Clement Duchesne were sent to San Quentin in 1903 to serve a five-year federal prison sentence.

A recent question came across the Inside CDCR desk regarding a counterfeiter who was incarcerated at San Quentin in 1903....

Read More About Family seeks information on 1903 counterfeiter

Associate Director Bryan Phillips received a health care medical liaison award, presented during an October conference.

Associate Director (AD) Bryan Phillips received the Custody Medical Liaison Award during a recent health care conference. The award was...

Read More About AD Phillips receives Custody Medical Liaison Award

Correctional Officer Marcus Monzon, who started with the department just last year, passed away Dec. 3, 2025. He began his...

Read More About CSP‑SAC mourns passing of Officer Marcus Monzon

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

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

Read More About Golden retriever therapy dogs visit CSP‑Solano

Catching Contraband at CDCR institutions in November 2025 with photos showing weapons, a phone, and charging block.

Thanks to the efforts of staff, contraband was discovered at two prisons in November: High Desert and Pelican Bay. Weapons,...

Read More About Catching Contraband: Discoveries in November

Wasco State Prison-Reception Center (WSP-RC) mourns the passing of Information Technology Supervisor II Juan Carlos Garcia Espinoza. He passed away...

Read More About WSP‑RC mourns passing of Juan Carlos Garcia Espinoza

Peer Literacy Program Mentor graduation ceremony at Central California Women's Facility, known as CCWF, in Chowchilla, California.

Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla celebrated five new certified Peer Literacy Mentor Program graduates. “We’re celebrating five mentors,...

Read More About Watch: CCWF celebrates 5 new peer literacy mentors

An incarcerated artist holds his painted skateboard being donated to Fresno Skateboard Salvage.

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison artists salvage more than skateboards thanks to artwork created by the incarcerated population....

Read More About Watch: Artwork salvages more than skateboards

Author: Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor