Back to Inside CDCR

Rehabilitation

From learning job skills to earning diplomas, rehabilitation is a cornerstone of the department. As of 2026, 11 percent of CDCR’s overall budget goes toward rehabilitation.

Suzie Changus speaks at the Centinela graduation for CALCTRA.

CALCTRA honors graduates at Centinela State Prison

The California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA) recognized 25 incarcerated individuals at Centinela State Prison for successfully completing their...

Read More  About CALCTRA honors graduates at Centinela State Prison

Saints softball team with incarcerated players from CIM-Chino

Watch: CIM learns lessons from Saints’ softball team

The Saints, a traveling softball team spreading messages of hope inside prisons, played an exhibition game against California Institution for...

Read More  About Watch: CIM learns lessons from Saints’ softball team

An incarcerated person shakes hands with college officials at Mule Creek State Prison (MCSP) in Ione.

CSU‑Sacramento holds graduation at Mule Creek

Mule Creek State Prison in Ione and California State University-Sacramento recently held a graduation ceremony for more than two dozen...

Read More  About CSU‑Sacramento holds graduation at Mule Creek

Graduates from the Defy Ventures program at California Institution for Women in Corona, or CIW, toss their caps in the air.

CIW, Defy Ventures celebrate second chances

Defy Ventures partnered with the California Institution for Women (CIW) June 25 to host a business pitch competition and graduation....

Read More  About CIW, Defy Ventures celebrate second chances

CALCTRA studio with Michele Kane and formerly incarcerated person David Tucker.

CALCTRA grad turns second chance into lifesaving mission

The recent Prison to Purpose podcast from California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA) focuses on a former graduate and...

Read More  About CALCTRA grad turns second chance into lifesaving mission

Photo of Brandi Holmes, a former Female Community Reentry Program (FCRP) participant who is now back in her community on supervised release after finding rehabilitation success through the program.

Brandi Holmes finds FCRP rehabilitation success

Brandi Holmes started her journey toward rehabilitation at CDCR 14 years ago when she was incarcerated at 22 years old....

Read More  About Brandi Holmes finds FCRP rehabilitation success

Salinas Valley State Prison staff members participate in the first Cancer Awareness Walk held July 2-3 at the prison in Soledad, California.

Salinas Valley State Prison hosts first Cancer Awareness Walk

Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad proudly hosted its first-ever Cancer Awareness Walk for staff and the incarcerated population. The...

Read More  About Salinas Valley State Prison hosts first Cancer Awareness Walk

An incarcerated person works on a bike at Folsom State Prison.

Watch: Folsom bike program changes lives

Bicycles are changing lives inside and outside the walls of Folsom State Prison thanks to the bike program. “They bring...

Read More  About Watch: Folsom bike program changes lives

A correctional officer shakes hands with an incarcerated student who received his forestry degree from Lake Tahoe Community College's Rising Scholars Program.

In historic first, 8 incarcerated students earn forestry degrees

For the first time in the state, eight incarcerated students have earned associate of science degrees in forestry, marking the...

Read More  About In historic first, 8 incarcerated students earn forestry degrees

A wolf looks out over a group of women from a reentry program.

Women in reentry program learn life lessons from wolves

Two dozen women in a reentry program recently completed a transformative 12-week journey, culminating in a profound day of connecting...

Read More  About Women in reentry program learn life lessons from wolves