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 third installment of the 2026 Cemetery Tales takes a closer look at William Clark, alias Sacramento Bill. He was...
Read More About Cemetery Tales: William Clark, alias Sacramento Bill
The second installment of Cemetery Tales looks at Miguel Bravo, a 23-year-old who ended up in San Quentin in 1925....
Read More About Cemetery Tales: Miguel Bravo meets end at SQ
Augustine Berryessa, a petty crook whose life story ended at Folsom State Prison in 1905, is the subject of the...
Requests for CDCR history can come from a variety of sources. They range from family members tracking down a rumor...
Read More About CDCR history requests come from families, writers, professors
Explore the history of the state’s fifth prison, the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) at Soledad. Activated in 1946, CTF was...
In 2026, California Institution for Men (CIM) is celebrating 85 years of public safety. The Chino institution, the fourth state...
Read More About California Institution for Men marks 85 years of public safety
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
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
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
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