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The Unlocking History series uses extensive research culled from historical records while CDCR Time Capsule republishes historical documents as originally written.
A job description for a Correctional Officer in the 1950s included pay scale and information on the examination. The position...
Read More About 1957: Correctional Officer job duties, pay described
In 2003, the department had three institutions using dogs to sniff out contraband. Learn more about the first K-9s --...
Read More About 2003: For these four‑legged employees, work is always fun
Meet Correctional Officer Mike Begley, a 14-year San Quentin veteran and a man of few words, who is the desk...
Read More About 2002: San Quentin officer keeps death row running smoothly
Revisit this 2002 story on Folsom Prison teacher Linda Nielsen. It was originally published as part of the Day in...
Editor’s note: David “Dutch” Van Dalsem, a former correctional officer who founded a group for movie extras, died in July...
Read More About Retired officer founded group for movie extras
In 1975, the department profiled Los Angeles Parole Agent Harvey Watson. He'd been an agent for three years and before...
Read More About 1975: LA Parole Agent Harvey Watson is on the job
1991: Wasco acting Warden Mike Carillo said, “It was a team effort. I’m extremely pleased with the assignment. This is...
Read More About 1991: Wasco State Prison and Reception Center opens doors
The State Board of Charities and Corrections, established in 1903, shaped today's CDCR and Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO)....
California Medical Facility (CMF) history begins in southern California and a former federal prison at Terminal Island, long before it...
Read More About California Medical Facility was first prison hospital
Those training as fire crews at Sierra Conservation Center (SCC) can trace the program’s roots to 1915 highway camps and the state’s...
Read More About Highway camps paved way for Sierra Conservation Center