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The Unlocking History series uses extensive research culled from historical records while CDCR Time Capsule republishes historical documents as they were originally written.
From Broadway actresses to silent screen stars, early performers tried to raise awareness about efforts to turn incarcerated people into...
Read More About Silent screen stars gave voice to rehabilitation
Joseph Wess Moore was a 15-year-old farm boy who joined the Union Army to fight in the Civil War. Decades...
Read More About Incarcerated Civil War veteran helps others earn parole
In 1913, Woodrow Wilson became the 28th President of the United States and the Ford Motor Company instituted the world’s...
Read More About San Quentin doctor pushes prison medicine into 20th century
Arts have long played a major role in rehabilitation efforts of California's incarcerated population and music is no exception. A...
Read More About Take a closer look at Preston’s Mother Lode Band
An anonymous letter from someone incarcerated at San Quentin led to performances from a band and world-famous escape artist Harry...
A deadly influenza pandemic swept across the globe a century ago, claiming more lives than all those lost in World...
Today's CDCR has numerous women working in all areas including wardens, correctional officers, parole agents and other leadership roles. While...
Read More About First female correctional officers faced resistance
Since Sarah Bernhardt and Harry Houdini performed in prison in the early 1900s, artists have been helping rehabilitate the incarcerated...
Read More About Artists have long helped rehabilitate incarcerated
The seeds of rehabilitation were planted early thanks to Walter Colton, a Navy chaplain appointed Monterey Alcalde in 1846.
Read More About Navy chaplain Walter Colton shaped early prison system
Former Correctional Officer William Conroy, who worked at San Quentin from 1903 to 1907, wrapped up his series on prison...
Read More About Jan. 5, 1912: Former officer on prison reform