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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.

An incarcerated basketball player throws the ball during a tournament at California Institution for Men, or CIM, in Chino

Rebound: CIM basketball tournament inspires recovery

California Institution for Men (CIM) at Chino recently held an interfacility basketball tournament, demonstrating rehabilitation through sports. “The groups that...

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Group of people at From Bars to Beats music rehabilitation event at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla.

Valley State Prison hosts Rebirth of Sound music event

Valley State Prison in Chowchilla recently hosted an innovative music-based rehabilitation event from Rebirth of Sound. The event, dubbed From...

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Staff work the barbecue grill during Father's Day visiting 2026 at CIW in Corona, California.

Staff, volunteers make 2026 Father’s Day visiting special

Across California, Father’s Day 2026 visiting was made special thanks to CDCR staff, volunteers and members of the incarcerated family...

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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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