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Unlocking History series uses extensive research culled from historical records while CDCR Time Capsule republishes historical documents as originally written.

A farmer, George Biggs, and a self-appointed king, Judah Benjamin, over a background image of San Quentin Prison Cemetery for Cemetery Tales.

Cemetery Tales: The farmer and a self‑appointed king

Our fourth Cemetery Tales looks at farmer-turned-double-murderer George Biggs and Judah Benjamin, a self-proclaimed king. Both men ended up in...

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Two men's booking photos and the cemetery at San Quentin.

Cemetery Tales: Strange, Noyer buried a century ago

In our third installment of this year’s Cemetery Tales, we take a closer look at two men who died a...

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Two mugshots overlaying the Folsom State Prison cemetery.

Cemetery Tales: Case of two crooked cooks

Two cooks, incarcerated at different times and institutions, are the subjects of the second installment of this month’s Cemetery Tales....

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Newscam newspaper for department, the front page in February 1975 with a photo of Ray Procunier, the department director at the time.

1975: Department debuts Newscam newspaper

In February 1975, the department launched a newspaper to keep employees informed about happenings statewide. This publication replaced Correctional News...

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Cemetery Tales of two men: a swindling dentist and a man who killed his neighbor in a deadly feud.

Cemetery Tales: Swindling dentist; Deadly feud

A swindling dentist and a deadly feud between neighbors are the first featured stories in this month’s Cemetery Tales series....

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A formerly incarcerated youth, now four decades later, holding his boxing trophy.

Photograph reunites former incarcerated youth with trophy

A photograph taken seven years ago inside a shuttered youth facility has reunited a former incarcerated person with a trophy...

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A museum highlighting the history of corrections at Folsom State Prison and other institutions.

Folsom Prison’s Big House Museum preserves history

Just outside the granite walls of Folsom State Prison is the Big House Museum, boasting a collection rich in corrections...

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An incarcerated person presents a certificate of appreciation to Eleanor Dieter.

From the archives: Meet Gladys Vasso, Eleanor Dieter

Editor’s note: In our ongoing effort to highlight staff from the department’s past, we salute Gladys Vasso and Eleanor Dieter....

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Correctional officer doll.

1987: Correctional officer doll wins at county fair

Tucked away in a dusty archival box, Inside CDCR came across multiple photographs of a doll dressed as a correctional...

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Terri Gonzalez as Warden at CMC.

Terri Gonzalez was first female warden at CMC

On March 22, 2010, Terri Gonzalez became the first female warden at California Men's Colony (CMC). At the time, she...

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