Inside CDCR News Blog

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CTF promotion ceremony for sergeant with warden pinning chevrons to collar.

CTF holds promotion ceremony for 8 sergeants

The Correctional Training Facility (CTF) at Soledad recently celebrated the advancement of eight correctional sergeants during a promotion ceremony.

VIDEOS

San Quentin warden wearing a football jersey being interviewed by a San Quentin incarcerated resident about the Super Bowl watch party for staff and the incarcerated.

Super Bowl: San Quentin style

San Quentin Rehabilitation Center staff put together a Super Bowl watch party with acting Warden Chance Andes at the helm.


Graphic with the words: Options, services, and hope for crime survivors. How would you help? National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 21-27, 2024.

CDCR Unlocked on Victim Offender Dialogue

Robert Love, the CDCR Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD) manager, explains what a VOD entails and how it can be key for the victim in the healing process.

Four women with a pony from Rebel Farms standing in a prison yard.

Equine therapy benefits CCWF staff, residents

Rebel Farms recently provided equine therapy for Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) staff and the incarcerated population.

BEYOND THE BADGE

CTF promotion ceremony for sergeant with warden pinning chevrons to collar.

CTF holds promotion ceremony for 8 sergeants

The Correctional Training Facility (CTF) at Soledad recently celebrated the advancement of eight correctional sergeants during a promotion ceremony.

Four women with a pony from Rebel Farms standing in a prison yard.

Equine therapy benefits CCWF staff, residents

Rebel Farms recently provided equine therapy for Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) staff and the incarcerated population.

Pelican Bay Honor Guard stands on a stage as they are honored in Del Norte awards ceremony.

Pelican Bay staff receive Del Norte awards

Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP) staff and administrators attended the Law Enforcement Administrators of Del Norte (LEADN) Awards.

INSIDE CDCR VIDEOS

San Quentin warden wearing a football jersey being interviewed by a San Quentin incarcerated resident about the Super Bowl watch party for staff and the incarcerated.

Super Bowl: San Quentin style

San Quentin Rehabilitation Center staff put together a Super Bowl watch party with acting Warden Chance Andes at the helm.

A correctional officer plays chess against an incarcerated player.

Chess tournament bridges gap at San Quentin

A San Quentin Rehabilitation Center chess tournament was put on for staff and residents thanks to the Mechanics’ Institute and SkunkWorks.

Children on new skateboards.

Skateboards, prison artists give youth options

Thanks to the efforts of incarcerated artists and Fresno Skateboard Salvage, over 50 skateboards were distributed to youth in Fresno County.

CALIFORNIA MODEL

Four women with a pony from Rebel Farms standing in a prison yard.

Equine therapy benefits CCWF staff, residents

Rebel Farms recently provided equine therapy for Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) staff and the incarcerated population.

San Quentin warden wearing a football jersey being interviewed by a San Quentin incarcerated resident about the Super Bowl watch party for staff and the incarcerated.

Super Bowl: San Quentin style

San Quentin Rehabilitation Center staff put together a Super Bowl watch party with acting Warden Chance Andes at the helm.

A correctional officer plays chess against an incarcerated player.

Chess tournament bridges gap at San Quentin

A San Quentin Rehabilitation Center chess tournament was put on for staff and residents thanks to the Mechanics’ Institute and SkunkWorks.

HISTORY

San Quentin book with the leader of the clairvoyant crime ring pictured.

San Quentin and the case of the clairvoyant crime ring

A tale of confidence men, swindlers, and a clairvoyant crime ring are part of the historical fabric of San Quentin. One early 1900s case involved clairvoyants, fraudulent sales of radium mining stock, and tall tales told by a smooth-talking mystic.

Folsom prison baseball teams around 1930s or 1940s.

California prisons have long celebrated Easter

Celebratory events marking Easter have long played a rehabilitative role in California prisons to help reentry efforts.

DOGS IN CDCR

K-9 Mango panting while lying on the ground.

K‑9 Mango retires after six years of service

K-9 Mango, a 7-year-old Labrador retriever, is retiring after six years of service at California State Prison, Corcoran.

K-9 Penny, a golden colored dog, looks into the camera at the California Men's Colony.

Meet Penny, Men’s Colony first peer support dog

The California Men’s Colony Peer Support Team is welcoming new member Penny, a 2-year-old Labrador Retriever.

Villain, retired K-9, sitting in grass.

Retired CDCR K‑9 Villain passes away

For nearly four years, K-9 Villain helped CDCR fulfill its public safety mission at Sierra Conservation Center. Villain retired in December 2023 and passed away Feb. 15, 2024.

REHABILITATION

A Muslim Imam chaplain with boxes of dates for Ramadan at California Institution for Women, also known as CIW.

Ramadan items donated for CIW residents

The Muslim community at California Institution for Women (CIW) observed the holy month of Ramadan this year thanks to outside organizations.

Four women with a pony from Rebel Farms standing in a prison yard.

Equine therapy benefits CCWF staff, residents

Rebel Farms recently provided equine therapy for Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) staff and the incarcerated population.

A correctional officer plays chess against an incarcerated player.

Chess tournament bridges gap at San Quentin

A San Quentin Rehabilitation Center chess tournament was put on for staff and residents thanks to the Mechanics’ Institute and SkunkWorks.

CALPIA

CALPIA CTF graduation for job certifications and apprenticeships. Image shows a graduate with staff and a guest speaker.

CTF sees 123 earn job certifications, apprenticeships

In front of family and friends, 123 incarcerated individuals at the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) at Soledad received their apprenticeships and industry accredited job certifications at a CALPIA graduation.

Incarcerated people cheer on those who graduated CALPIA programs at San Quentin.

San Quentin sees 52 earn job certifications

It was a day full of music and celebration as 52 incarcerated individuals received their industry accredited job certifications at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Children on new skateboards.

Skateboards, prison artists give youth options

Thanks to the efforts of incarcerated artists and Fresno Skateboard Salvage, over 50 skateboards were distributed to youth in Fresno County.

An incarcerated female firefighter stands in front of a casket in a high school gymnasium.

CCWF incarcerated firefighter warns of DUI dangers

Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) actively supports the Every 15 Minutes program organized by the California Highway Patrol.

Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP) mural artists with prison staff.

Pelican Bay artists pitch in for Guitars of Hope

Ten incarcerated artists at Pelican Bay State Prison hand-painted guitars to raise money for the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Del Norte.

SPORTS

San Quentin warden wearing a football jersey being interviewed by a San Quentin incarcerated resident about the Super Bowl watch party for staff and the incarcerated.

Super Bowl: San Quentin style

San Quentin Rehabilitation Center staff put together a Super Bowl watch party with acting Warden Chance Andes at the helm.

Centinela State Prison Home Run Derby with an incarcerated person hitting balls with a baseball bat.

Centinela prison, volunteers host Home Run Derby

On March 20, Centinela State Prison’s Physical Education Department and Mastery Prison Ministry offered a Home Run Derby on A, B, and D Facilities.

FIREFIGHTERS

A child and his father with two incarcerated firefighters and a fire chief standing in front of a fire engine.

Child thanks prison firefighters who saved his life

When a 10-year-old child asked to meet the firefighters who saved his life, he wasn’t expecting two of them to be incarcerated.

Butte MCRP Future Fire Academy graduation group photo.

Butte MCRP celebrates first Future Fire Academy graduation

On Thursday, March 14, the Future Fire Academy held its graduation ceremony for the inaugural class of cadets from the Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP) in Oroville.

Growlersburg Conservation Camp Youthful Offender Program with firefighters training and a mentor in the background.

Youthful camps program comes to Growlersburg

Growlersburg Conservation Camp in Georgetown has some new arrivals, as CDCR implements a new Youthful Offender Program (YOP) for camps.

WEEK IN REVIEW

PVSP CO adopts dog

Week in Review: April 19, 2024

In this Week in Review for April 19, 2024, Division of Adult Parole Operations, Ukiah holds Parolee and Community Team meeting, High Desert State Prison and Centinela State Prison celebrate Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment graduates, and California State Prison, Corcoran hosts Health & Wellness Fair.

VSP Correctional Officer's take photo with incarcerated

Week in Review: April 12, 2024

In this Week in Review for April 12, 2024, Crest Sacramento screens “The 50” film, CDCR observes Autism Acceptance Month, and Pelican Bay State Prison sell Guitars of Hope.

ABOVE THE CALL

Officer Tienda at CSP-Corcoran wearing his uniform.

Officer saves crash victim, catches suspect

When a CSP-Corcoran correctional officer came upon the scene of a violent two car head-on crash, he saw the victim was a fellow officer.

Medal of Valor closer look at the honor guard holding flags.

Medal of Valor 2023: A closer look

Take a closer look at the 2023 Medal of Valor ceremony, celebrating the bravery of CDCR and CCHCS staff.

Medal of Valor with people standing up.

CDCR honors staff at 38th Medal of Valor

CDCR honored 27 employees today during its 38th annual Medal of Valor Ceremony, recognizing exceptional work and bravery.

OBITUARIES

Douglas Jeffery featured image for obituary.

Douglas Jeffery, retired librarian, passes away

Douglas Jeffery, retired senior librarian, passed away April 7, 2024. He worked for the department for 35 years before retiring in 2020.

Reymundo Caldera wearing his correctional officer uniform. Image used for obituary notification.

Reymundo Caldera, officer, passes away

Reymundo Caldera, a correctional officer at Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran (SATF), passed away April 18, 2024.

Amber Dronet obituary image.

Amber Dronet, retired officer, passes away

Amber Dronet, a retired correctional officer, passed away March 20, 2024. She worked for the department for nearly a decade, retiring in 2012.