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The Unlocking History series uses extensive research culled from historical records while CDCR Time Capsule republishes historical documents as originally written.
After the Civil War, a grieving nation established Decoration Day to honor the dead, eventually becoming known as Memorial Day....
Read More About Prisons honored fallen soldiers in memorial ceremonies
In 1910, a former inmate wrote words being echoed today regarding the purpose of the state prison system: "The business...
Read More About Griffith Park, Observatory bear name of San Quentin inmate
In 1854, rumors surrounding the new State Prison, along with multiple escapes, sparked the governor to request specific details on...
Read More About 1854: Escapes led governor to ask for prison statistics
Rehabilitation has proven a collaborative effort between custody and support staff. The following are just some examples of such cooperation...
A 1928 report on the education, library, religious activities and women's department highlights the successes of early efforts to rehabilitate...
A Gold Rush-era doctor became the first prison physician at San Quentin when offenders were still kept on ships. It...
Read More About Meet Alfred Taliaferro, first San Quentin doctor
An 1874 report by the state prison investigative committee details rehabilitation efforts, lists a typical mess hall menu and describes...
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