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.
At one time, the California prison system relied on ships for transport, supplies and the housing of the incarcerated population.
Read More About Ships served as first prisons for fledgling state
Many bandits of the Old West ended up hanging at the end of a rope but there were exceptions, such...
Read More About 1870s stagecoach bandit Black Bart reforms, learns job skills
Institutions for young offenders sparked the need for more oversight, resulting in the creation of the California Youth Authority, which...
Read More About State creates new agency for young offenders
With the closure of the two previous reform schools in San Francisco and Marysville, the state established two new schools...
To deal with youth crime, San Francisco set aside land to build a reform school, but when plans stalled, the...
Read More About State opens first reform school, acquires ship
Crimes committed by youth ranged from murder to theft but without alternatives to state prison, most ended up in San...
Crime victim and survivor services weren't always readily available but today there are many way to serve the community.
Read More About Timeline: Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services
In 1961, California Medical Facility (CMF) launched an arts program almost by accident when the superintendent at the time wanted...
Read More About Artists made mark at California Medical Facility
Early in the state’s history, incarcerated women were supervised by prison matrons but that wasn’t always the case. This is...
In 1951, a young man named Alfredo Santos was busted for dealing heroin, earning him a stint at San Quentin...
Read More About San Quentin historic murals launched artist’s career