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The Unlocking History series uses extensive research culled from historical records while CDCR Time Capsule republishes historical documents as they were originally written.
Hazel Belford-Glab found herself the center of attention but not in the way she hoped. Her motion picture career had...
Hazel Belford was a young actress trying to make her mark in silent pictures. She won beauty contests, had a...
This is the story James G. Fleenor, a seemingly prosperous Los Angeles businessman who was instead a career criminal.
Glimpses into everyday settler life can be gleaned from many sources, including a dusty 1855 report on the state prison.
Read More About 1855 report describes state’s first prison inmates
Often the only information available on CDCR's pioneering penologists come from obituary notices. Republishing some of those notices is part...
When Gen. James Estell ran San Quentin prison under a contract, he sought tough-as-nails gritty staff with proven records of...
Read More About Western pioneer was 1850s San Quentin Captain
As a young man, Robert Eugene Russell crossed the country with explorer John C. Fremont, helped lead a group of...
Read More About Early SQ guard RE Russell helped California win statehood
When a music composer landed behind bars in 1915, he put his musical talent to work, assuming a leadership role...
California prisons have housed and attempted to rehabilitate some notorious offenders such as stagecoach robber Charles “Black Bart” Boles, Richard...
Read More About Infamous forger’s career ends at San Quentin
When San Quentin received mail from the east in the 1850s, they probably had John Thompson to thank.
Read More About Snowshoe Thompson risked life to deliver prison correspondence