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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The Unlocking History series uses extensive research culled from historical records while CDCR Time Capsule republishes historical documents as originally written.

Three historic photos from a 1990 Folsom State Prison calendar. At the top of the image are the words: Snapshots of life at Folsom State Prison.

1990: Folsom Prison prints calendar of historic photos

In 1989, Folsom State Prison’s vocational graphic arts class designed and printed a 1990 calendar packed with historic photos and...

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California Institution for Men at Chino Administration Building as seen in 1952 (University of Southern California photo).

California Institution for Men marks 85 years of public safety

In 2026, California Institution for Men (CIM) is celebrating 85 years of public safety. The Chino institution, the fourth state...

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A retired correctional officer discusses Folsom Prison History at the museum after it reopened Saturday, July 25, 2026.

History on display: Folsom Prison Big House Museum re‑opens

The Big House Museum at Folsom State Prison re-opened its doors to the public Saturday, July 25. The museum will...

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RA Lang, early parole officer who supervised youth, and an image of the Preston School of Industry in Ione, California.

History snapshot: Early parole officer urged youth diversion

In this installment of Unlocking History, we look more closely at early California state Parole Officer R.A. Lang. He originally...

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San Quentin Captain of the Yard Office of Samuel Randolph.

Remembering Samuel Randolph, SQ Captain of the Yard

Like many in CDCR’s history, some staff go above and beyond the call of duty with one example being San...

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A newspaper headline honoring Folsom Prison Warden Clarence Larkin, killed in 1937, and his photo overlaying a 1920s image of the prison.

Remembering Folsom State Prison Warden Clarence Larkin

In this installment of Unlocking History, we look at the life of Clarence Larkin, a longtime Folsom State Prison employee....

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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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