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CDCR History

CDCR California prison history explores the stories of the people, places and programs that shaped the current state penal system. Within the CDCR History category, there are two sub-categories. The Unlocking History series uses extensive research culled from historical records while CDCR Time Capsule republishes historical documents as originally written.

Mugshots of CJ Bosenko and an undated photo of the Cottonwood Hotel in Cottonwood, California.

Family seeks info on Cottonwood robber Clifford Bosenko

Robbers Clifford Bosenko and Sid Horn knocked down a man in 1905 in Cottonwood, relieving his pockets of $45. More...

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A newspaper headline, a mugshot of Ignatius Asedo and an image of San Quentin from the 1920s.

Asedo family seeks answers on 1920s San Quentin rumors

A family legend regarding Ignatius Asedo serving time at San Quentin in the 1920s turned out to be fact: He...

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Alva Johnson, 16339, and San Quentin circa 1895.

Trains and Treasure: Dig into 1894 case of Alva Johnson

When Inside CDCR received a question regarding the identity of a man from the 1890s, we found the story of...

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Ah Sing, 15804, at San Quentin in late 1890s.

Explore photos, stories of two men from 1890s

A request from longtime San Quentin Museum volunteer Jeff Craemer had us digging into the stories of two men from...

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Classroom in Folsom State Prison in the 1920s.

Look back at Folsom Prison teacher Burton Wilcox

Burton Wilcox began his career with Folsom State Prison as a guard in the 1930s, before becoming a teacher. For...

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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...

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Two 1910 mugshots of Ah Sun, 24410, and his grave marker at San Quentin. Ah Sun died in the prison hospital in 1915.

Go behind SQ grave marker of Ah Sun

A photo of a grave marker in a local newsletter led San Quentin (SQ) Museum volunteer Jeff Craemer to ask...

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Early female prison staff supervised women at San Quentin, like in this early courtyard image.

Meet the first matrons of San Quentin

With 15 women incarcerated at San Quentin in the mid-1880s, the state decided to create a matron position to oversee...

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Roosevelt 'Ted' Clopton, correctional officer and parole agent from 1960-1973, then an administration of justice instructor at Sacramento City College. He was also a veteran of World War II and Korea.

Roosevelt Clopton served state as officer, agent

For military veteran Roosevelt “Ted” Clopton, being a lifelong student guided his choices from joining the Army to becoming a...

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San Quentin stables with Rivera Smith, captain of the guard, overlaying the 1910 image.

SQ Captain Rivera Smith served nearly 4 decades

Rivera Smith was the longest serving staff member at San Quentin (SQ) when he passed away in 1950, serving nearly...

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