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The Unlocking History series uses extensive research culled from historical records while CDCR Time Capsule republishes historical documents as originally written.
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
Former Youth and Adult Correctional Agency (YACA) Secretary Robert Presley passed away Sept. 22, 2018, at age 93. He was...
Read More About Former YACA Secretary Robert Presley passes at 93
The Santa Cruz Evening News published this piece by former correctional officer William Conroy on Jan. 4, 1912. Conroy describes...
Read More About Jan. 4, 1912: San Quentin officer describes duties
"It is often people ask me, 'What do you see at San Quentin going through the prison?' And about the...
Read More About 1912: Former officer describes SQ visitors tour
Former Correctional Officer William Conroy, who worked at San Quentin prison from 1903 to 1907, wrote this piece regarding food...