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Rehabilitation

From learning job skills to earning diplomas, rehabilitation is a cornerstone of the department.

VicBlends, a social media influencer and barber, cuts hair at the new barbering school at Valley State Prison (VSP) in Chowchilla.

VSP Barbering School offers career path

A unique partnership with a social media influencer has resulted in creating the VicBlends Academy barbering school vocational program at...

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Group photo of CALPIA graduates.

CALPIA graduates earn job certifications at SCC

Sixty incarcerated individuals were awarded job certifications and/or apprenticeships from the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) during a July 11...

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decorative image; gifford fire

Incarcerated fire crews battle the Gifford Fire

California’s Gifford Fire is the largest wildfire of 2025. It has burned more than 122,000 acres and brought thousands of...

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People got creative with hummus during a recipe and cooking challenge at CTF-Soledad, such as these spice hummus tacos with corn tortillas.

CTF‑Soledad accepts hummus challenge

To make hummus more appealing to those at the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) at Soledad, a recipe challenge was accepted...

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Rebirth of Sound at Valley State Prison with the words "rehabilitation through music" and an incarcerated person holding a guitar.

Valley State Prison’s Rebirth of Sound supports rehabilitation

Music has long played a role in rehabilitation in California prisons, but unique to Valley State Prison is the Rebirth...

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Children paint their incarcerated dad's face during Get on the Bus at Salinas Valley State Prison.

Get on the Bus fosters family ties at CDCR prisons

Thanks to volunteers and sponsors, the Get on the Bus program is strengthening family ties at CDCR prisons. So far,...

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CMF Blind Project celebrates 65 years of service while also recognizing incarcerated workers.

Blind Project at CMF celebrates 65 years of service

The Blind Project at California Medical Facility (CMF) recently marked its 65th anniversary with a banquet and graduation ceremony. The...

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Children at the Community Participant Mother Program received a donation of baby blankets crocheted by the Female Community Reentry Program (FCRP) in San Diego.

FCRP‑San Diego crochets baby blankets

Two participants in the Female Community Reentry Program (FCRP) decided they wanted to help incarcerated mothers by crocheting baby blankets....

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Brittney Tamayo is a female community reentry program participant. She's shown sitting on a small bench with the words "Finding her voice" overlaying a dark background with the quote "I realized helping others is my passion."

Meet Brittney Tamayo: From incarceration to counselor

In helping others, Brittney Tamayo found her voice. For years during her incarceration, Tamayo was quiet and insecure. “I was...

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Cummings working out at North Kern State Prison.

Learning life lessons in North Kern exercise class

When Coach Sasso began working at North Kern State Prison, he saw a need to offer a different kind of...

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