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The Unlocking History series uses extensive research culled from historical records while CDCR Time Capsule republishes historical documents as they were originally written.
As part of the Cemetery Tales series, Inside CDCR takes a closer look at the stories behind two grave markers...
In honor of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, Inside CDCR takes a closer look at the history of custody staff...
Read More About Walking the Walls: A history of custody staff
Perfume, purloined jewelry and a millionaire's son form the complex story of Herbert Repsold, also known as the Perfumed Burglar.
The fates of two women, one serving time at San Quentin and the other executed in the gas chamber, are...
Even though poor choices landed people in state prisons, holiday observances such as Thanksgiving continued even during incarceration.
CDCR institutions have witnessed moments in aviation history while at the same time helped further the field through job training...
Read More About California prisons linked to aviation history
The last names appearing on the lists for each prison cemetery at San Quentin and Folsom are Leong Ying and...
While Folsom and San Quentin's cemeteries are most well-known, Preston School of Industry also serves as the final resting places...
Read More About Tales from the Cemetery: Preston holds remains of 18
A horse thief named Robert Southern and career criminal John Pastor are two forgotten prison cemetery tales. They are just...
Read More About Tales from the Cemetery: Southern and Pastor
The tales of two men laid to rest in prison cemetery grounds at San Quentin and Folsom go beyond the...