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The Unlocking History series uses extensive research culled from historical records while CDCR Time Capsule republishes historical documents as originally written.
Art as rehabilitation dates to 1911, when the warden partnered with public organizations and local media to offer a play...
Read More About 1911 play ushers in ‘new era’ of rehabilitation
When Theodore Durrant was sentenced to death for murdering two women, a pioneering filmmaker requested permission to film inside the...
Read More About 1897 film of convicted killer Durrant shapes prison policy
San Quentin Warden James Johnston published an article on San Quentin State Prison reforms on Oct. 31, 1914, in The...
Read More About 1914: San Quentin warden focuses on prison reforms
Early in CDCR's history, ships played a vital role in rehabilitation and transportation. Before automobiles or railroad expansion, let alone...
Read More About Ships served California prison in early years
At one time, the California prison system relied on ships for transport, supplies and the housing of the incarcerated population.
Read More About Ships served as first prisons for fledgling state
Many bandits of the Old West ended up hanging at the end of a rope but there were exceptions, such...
Read More About 1870s stagecoach bandit Black Bart reforms, learns job skills
Institutions for young offenders sparked the need for more oversight, resulting in the creation of the California Youth Authority, which...
Read More About State creates new agency for young offenders
With the closure of the two previous reform schools in San Francisco and Marysville, the state established two new schools...
To deal with youth crime, San Francisco set aside land to build a reform school, but when plans stalled, the...
Read More About State opens first reform school, acquires ship
Crimes committed by youth ranged from murder to theft but without alternatives to state prison, most ended up in San...