Unlocking History

Using extensive research culled from historical records, Inside CDCR explores the rich history of the people, places and programs that helped shape the modern state correctional system.

The Correctional Training Facility at Soledad with photos from the 1950s through the 1970s.

Explore the history of the state’s fifth prison, the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) at Soledad. Activated in 1946, CTF was...

Read More About Explore 80 years of CTF‑Soledad’s history

California Institution for Men at Chino Administration Building as seen in 1952 (University of Southern California photo).

In 2026, California Institution for Men (CIM) is celebrating 85 years of public safety. The Chino institution, the fourth state...

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A retired correctional officer discusses Folsom Prison History at the museum after it reopened Saturday, July 25, 2026.

The Big House Museum at Folsom State Prison re-opened its doors to the public Saturday, July 25. The museum will...

Read More About History on display: Folsom Prison Big House Museum re‑opens

RA Lang, early parole officer who supervised youth, and an image of the Preston School of Industry in Ione, California.

In this installment of Unlocking History, we look more closely at early California state Parole Officer R.A. Lang. He originally...

Read More About History snapshot: Early parole officer urged youth diversion

San Quentin Captain of the Yard Office of Samuel Randolph.

Like many in CDCR’s history, some staff go above and beyond the call of duty with one example being San...

Read More About Remembering Samuel Randolph, SQ Captain of the Yard

A newspaper headline honoring Folsom Prison Warden Clarence Larkin, killed in 1937, and his photo overlaying a 1920s image of the prison.

In this installment of Unlocking History, we look at the life of Clarence Larkin, a longtime Folsom State Prison employee....

Read More About Remembering Folsom State Prison Warden Clarence Larkin

Mugshots of CJ Bosenko and an undated photo of the Cottonwood Hotel in Cottonwood, California.

Robbers Clifford Bosenko and Sid Horn knocked down a man in 1905 in Cottonwood, relieving his pockets of $45. More...

Read More About Family seeks info on Cottonwood robber Clifford Bosenko

A newspaper headline, a mugshot of Ignatius Asedo and an image of San Quentin from the 1920s.

A family legend regarding Ignatius Asedo serving time at San Quentin in the 1920s turned out to be fact: He...

Read More About Asedo family seeks answers on 1920s San Quentin rumors

Alva Johnson, 16339, and San Quentin circa 1895.

When Inside CDCR received a question regarding the identity of a man from the 1890s, we found the story of...

Read More About Trains and Treasure: Dig into 1894 case of Alva Johnson

Ah Sing, 15804, at San Quentin in late 1890s.

A request from longtime San Quentin Museum volunteer Jeff Craemer had us digging into the stories of two men from...

Read More About Explore photos, stories of two men from 1890s

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