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 legend of Gold Rush era bandit Rattlesnake Dick, aka Richard Barter, is full of speculation and guesswork. If he...
Read More About Rattlesnake Dick highlighted need for classification

Famous artists, musicians and actors bringing their craft into state prisons can be traced back to the early 1900s. Today...
Read More About World‑famous actress continues rehabilitative effort in 1913

Art as rehabilitation dates to 1911, when the warden partnered with public organizations and local media to offer a play...
Read More About 1911 play ushers in ‘new era’ of rehabilitation

When Theodore Durrant was sentenced to death for murdering two women, a pioneering filmmaker requested permission to film inside the...
Read More About 1897 film of convicted killer Durrant shapes prison policy

Early in CDCR's history, ships played a vital role in rehabilitation and transportation. Before automobiles or railroad expansion, let alone...
Read More About Ships were vital to California prison during early years

At one time, the California prison system relied on ships for transport, supplies and the housing of the incarcerated population.
Read More About Ships served as first prisons for fledgling state

Black Bart robbed 28 stagecoaches between 1877 and 1883, when he was sentenced to San Quentin. While there, he took...
Read More About 1870s stagecoach bandit Black Bart reforms, learns job skills

Institutions for young offenders sparked the need for more oversight, resulting in the creation of the California Youth Authority, which...
Read More About State creates new agency for young offenders

With the closure of the two previous reform schools in San Francisco and Marysville, the state established two new schools...

San Francisco tried to deal with a growing problem of trouble-causing youth in their rapidly growing city. The city set...
Read More About State opens first reform school, acquires ship