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The Unlocking History series uses extensive research culled from historical records while CDCR Time Capsule republishes historical documents as originally written.
Deuel Vocational Institution (DVI) officially deactivated September 30, 2021, bringing an end to nearly 70 years of public service in...
Read More About Deuel Vocational Institution deactivation in photos
The first youths arrived at Paso de Robles Youth Correctional Facility on Sept. 30, 1947, a former 200-acre Army airfield...
Read More About 1954 Paso Robles youth facility time capsule opened
Acrobat Arva Case had her whole life ahead of her when cancer, followed by an addiction to pain medication, caused...
Read More About Early 1900s acrobat walked addiction tightrope
More than a decade before the California Institution for Women received its first residents, the state created the first reformatory...
Read More About 1920s rehabilitation included farm for women
An old saying claims a person's eyes are the windows to the soul. Archival photos of those convicted of crimes...
Read More About Behind the photo: Frederick Beck spirals into 1891 prison stint
Spanning a correctional career of more than three decades, retired Warden Celestine 'Teena' Farmon passed away July 18, 2021.
The 1913 Ruby Bartol case was scrutinized by the governor, attorney general, and warden. Years later, her parole officer helped...
Read More About Parole officer helps incarcerated mom earn pardon
The fourth facility in the California state prison system opened 80 years ago. The institution was geared toward people who...
The Preston School of Industry in Ione regularly observed patriotic holidays with decorations and activities. Opened in 1894, the facility...
Correctional Training Facility (CTF) recognized their 75th year of operations with a ceremony in the memorial garden of institution grounds...
Read More About Correctional Training Facility marks 75 years of service