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.

Explore the history of Correctional Training Facility (CTF) at Soledad. Built in 1946 to ease overcrowding at San Quentin State...

California Institution for Men (CIM) was created in 1941, becoming the fourth state facility to house inmates. CIM was designed...

Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp was established in 1945 but the original camp began a decade earlier as part of...
Read More About Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp continues tradition of training young offenders

Thousands of women fill the ranks of CDCR custody staff at every level, from officers to wardens and executive leadership. CDCR...

The first female correctional officers fulfilled their mission, overcoming challenges from politicians, prison leaders, and incarcerated.
Read More About First female Correctional Officers opened doors

San Quentin State Prison is well known today but during its early days, the prison actually was known by a...
Read More About San Quentin prison wasn’t always known by its current name

A correctional system established in the California Gold Rush was upended by an unlikely source – the infamous Yacht Bandit...
Read More About 1940s Yacht Bandit scandal helped shape today’s CDCR