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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.

Drawing of a building, long prison walls, a dock and mountain in the background.

San Quentin wasn’t always known by current name

San Quentin State Prison is well known today but during its early days, the prison was known by a different...

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Warden's house and guard houses at Folsom State Prison.

1940s Yacht Bandit scandal shaped today’s CDCR

A correctional system established in the California Gold Rush was upended by an unlikely source – the infamous Yacht Bandit...

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