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The Unlocking History series uses extensive research culled from historical records while CDCR Time Capsule republishes historical documents as originally written.
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 manual condenses training into 20 pages. The manual’s introduction, written by Director of Corrections Richard A. McGee,...
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 Bill Byrnes was 1850s San Quentin captain
When a CDCR employee asked about ancestor Joseph Munz, who was incarcerated at San Quentin in 1904, Inside CDCR did...
A Santa Rosa health retreat was the scene of an explosion Feb. 5, 1910, when a mother and her 9-month-old...
Read More About Curious case of dynamiting doctor Willard Burke
Correctional officers in California have walked the toughest beat in the state since the prison system was founded with the...
Read More About Correctional Officers have long walked state’s toughest beat
An 1877 report of the prison directors shows the determination of staff as they dealt with a devastating fire that...
Read More About 1877 report: Incarcerated population, staff contain massive San Quentin fire
Adolph Weber was a young man from a well-off family. Why he chose to throw a mask over his face...
Read More About Adolph Weber case influences state inheritance laws