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.
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...
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 maintained public safety while overcoming challenges from leaders, coworkers 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 was known by a different...
Read More About San Quentin wasn’t always known by 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 shaped today’s CDCR