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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The Unlocking History series uses extensive research culled from historical records while CDCR Time Capsule republishes historical documents as originally written.

San Quentin Warden Fred Dickson on a TV game show in 1958.

1958: San Quentin warden competes on game show

A popular 1958 television game show featured San Quentin Warden Fred Dickson as one of the contestants. In “To Tell...

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CRC superintendent and two others walk at prison.

First CRC superintendent took non‑punitive approach

Superintendent Roland Wood forged a revolutionary program in 1962 at California Rehabilitation Center (CRC), treating drug addicts as patients rather...

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Former Folsom Warden Archibald Yell and another man speaking.

Folsom Warden Yell advocated rehabilitation

Archibald Yell, the new warden at Folsom State Prison, sought to stop contraband, improve job prospects for the incarcerated population,...

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1989: Director declares women a major force in corrections

"Twenty years ago, the only place you would see a female in a male prison was in an office behind...

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Two women in uniform stand beside a truck with the words Folsom State Prison Fire Dept.

1989: First full‑time women firefighters hired in department

"Folsom recently hired the department's first full-time women firefighters. Marianne Breeland and Kathy Williams, both former correctional officers, transferred to...

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Bright yellow newspaper with the word "extra" in big bold type.

1930: SQ warden thanks volunteers

"As he left the stands at the conclusion of San Quentin's seventeenth annual field and track meet, Warden James B....

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Mugshots of women layered over a canvas background texture.

1922 SQ Women’s Ward report offers insight

A yellowed, typed spreadsheet titled "Report of Inmates, Women's Ward, San Quentin Prison, May 1922" gives some insight into the...

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Folsom prison buildings spread out near a river.

1921: A snapshot of life in Folsom Prison

A 1921 Folsom Prison inspection report, penned by Agent AC Jensen, landed on the Inside CDCR desk. Photographs and detailed...

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Group of people pose for a photo, sitting and standing, at Sierra Conservation Center.

1967‑68: Biennial report outlines progress

This 1967-68 departmental Progress Report outlined numerous shifts in managing the state's prison system including a new family visiting program...

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Aerial view of California Men's Colony as East Facility was being built.

1960: New facility at California Men’s Colony

The department's biennial report dated 1959-1960 outlined the new facility coming online at California Men's Colony. This document provides a...

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