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The Unlocking History series uses extensive research culled from historical records while CDCR Time Capsule republishes historical documents as they were originally written.
Victims and survivors have long fought to have a voice in investigations, trials, sentencing and parole hearings. Since the first...
While horses were used to build the first California prisons, they were also the reason rustlers and bandits ended up...
Before motorized vehicles, horses powered construction of the early California prison system. As the cars of their day, horses also...
Poorly cooked food, a lack of basic standards, and food-borne illness resulted in a standardized food service manual for Civil...
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