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The Unlocking History series uses extensive research culled from historical records while CDCR Time Capsule republishes historical documents as they were originally written.
Captain of the Yard Archibald McAllister earned the respect of the incarcerated at San Quentin then went on to serve...
Take a closer look at the unsolved murder of Ah Yee, a popular merchant in the late 1800s. More than...
Read More About An unsolved 1890s murder and a likely suspect
While the state created the prison matron position in 1885, job roles didn't expand until the suffrage movement.
Read More About Women’s prison jobs expanded during suffrage
Jean "Bessie" Barclay, daughter of a prominent attorney, found life for women in the early 1900s limiting and stifling. Bucking...
Read More About Bessie Barclay, seeking ‘boy’s life,’ lands in San Quentin
A woman sent to San Quentin in 1905 managed to turn her life around, later finding herself in a position...
In 1914, the effort to reform the two state prisons and further inmate rehabilitation. One of the first priorities was...
Read More About Women’s ward matron focused on mental health
In 1855, rumors regarding mismanagement of the state prison at Point San Quentin caused alarm with state lawmakers. California was...
Read More About 1855: San Quentin probe recommends hiring warden, dressing inmates alike
One of the early correctional officers at the state's two prisons survived an attack by a notorious inmate, helped track...
Read More About SQ Officer tracks down 1898 escapee, advocates for other inmate’s pardon
A 1950 departmental training manual encapsulates training into 20 pages. The manual's introduction, written by Director of Corrections Richard A....
Read More About 1950 training manual emphasizes professionalism
A veteran of multiple wars was one of the early correctional staff at what would eventually become San Quentin State...
Read More About Ranger, soldier Bill Byrnes was 1850s San Quentin captain