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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.

Salinas Valley State Prison's Get on the Bus event with a child sleeping on their loved one's shoulder.

Get on the Bus unites families across California

Get on the Bus, a program dedicated to strengthening families, recently visited multiple prisons across California. Volunteers and families of...

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Wide angle of gymnasium at CIM for the pickleball tournament.

CIM pickleball tournament promotes rehabilitation

Sports programs in prison offer one more way CDCR works to reduce recidivism through rehabilitative programming, such as a recent...

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A CMF incarcerated students graduates and attends the ceremony at Solano Community College.

Incarcerated person graduates at outside community college

When incarcerated person Spencer Doland received his college degrees, he walked alongside students from the community. On May 22, Doland...

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A graduate proudly holds his certificate at the CALCTRA graduation ceremony at CSP-Solano.

CALCTRA job certifications, apprenticeships earned at CSP‑Solano

In front of family and friends, more than 100 incarcerated individuals received their job certifications and apprenticeships after completing the...

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Incarcerated people explain the impact of the Farm to Corrections and Harvest of the Month programs at California State Prison-Solano. They are sitting in a dining hall at the prison with visitors from partner organizations.

Watch: From farm to tray: CDCR’s Farm to Corrections impact

Nearly six years of collaboration among correctional leaders, local farmers, and community organizations came into focus during the recent stakeholder...

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Chief Deputy Warden Steve Cramner walks in with one of the dogs beginning the Canine Companion Kern Valley State Prison program.

Canine Companion puppies begin Kern Valley program

Kern Valley State Prison has implemented a new Canine Companion dog training program on their Level III Non-Designated Program Facility....

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Francisco, an incarcerated trainer and a dog in the Paws on a Mission program at CSP-Solano.

Watch: Paws on a Mission finds meaning in training

The Paws on a Mission program at California State Prison-Solano provides incarcerated individuals with the opportunity to train rescue dogs....

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RJD Correctional Facility hosted a car show on Facility E. This image shows a station-wagon type of low rider vehicle.

RJD hosts Low and Slow Car Show for staff, incarcerated

The RJ Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD) successfully hosted its third annual Low and Slow Car Show. The June 3 event,...

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A Cal Fire trainer observes a CMC Cuesta Conservation Camp hand crew as they cut a fire line.

CMC’s Cuesta Camp trains for 2026 fire season

Cuesta Conservation Camp at California Men’s Colony (CMC) held their annual fire preparedness drills to be ready for the 2026...

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Incarcerated hand crews do a four-mile hike in full gear during the Eel River fire preparedness exercise.

Eel River hosts 18th Redwood Coast Fire Preparedness Exercise

The 18th annual Redwood Coast Fire Preparedness Exercise was successfully conducted by CAL FIRE personnel assigned to Eel River Conservation...

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