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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.

Black and white list of names of prison inmates, including Richard Barter, also known as Rattlesnake Dick.

Rattlesnake Dick highlighted need for classification

The legend of Gold Rush era bandit Rattlesnake Dick, aka Richard Barter, is full of speculation and guesswork. If he...

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Actors in French Revolution costumes stand with the San Quentin Warden Hoyle.

World‑famous actress continues rehabilitative effort in 1913

Famous artists, musicians and actors bringing their craft into state prisons can be traced back to the early 1900s. Today...

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Photos of stage, crowd of men in striped prison outfits and a newspaper clipping of the play in San Quentin.

1911 play ushers in ‘new era’ of rehabilitation

Art as rehabilitation dates to 1911, when the warden partnered with public organizations and local media to offer a play...

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Theodore Durrant booking photos and the church in San Francisco.

1897 film of convicted killer Durrant shapes prison policy

When Theodore Durrant was sentenced to death for murdering two women, a pioneering filmmaker requested permission to film inside the...

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Ship called Mariposa from late 1800s.

Ships were vital to California prison during early years

Early in CDCR's history, ships played a vital role in rehabilitation and transportation. Before automobiles or railroad expansion, let alone...

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Early California prisons were ships, seen across the bay.

Ships served as first prisons for fledgling state

At one time, the California prison system relied on ships for transport, supplies and the housing of the incarcerated population.

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Four photos of a man with mustache and thinning hair.

1870s stagecoach bandit Black Bart reforms, learns job skills

Black Bart robbed 28 stagecoaches between 1877 and 1883, when he was sentenced to San Quentin. While there, he took...

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Bus is transporting youth offenders to Preston.

State creates new agency for young offenders

Institutions for young offenders sparked the need for more oversight, resulting in the creation of the California Youth Authority, which...

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Drawing of Whittier State Reform School in Los Angeles.

Whittier, Preston reform schools open doors

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

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Drawing of San Francisco Industrial School.

State opens first reform school, acquires ship

San Francisco tried to deal with a growing problem of trouble-causing youth in their rapidly growing city. The city set...

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