Inside CDCR News Blog
FEATURED STORIES
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.
VIDEOS
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.
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 hosts friendly volleyball competition
A friendly volleyball competition, organized by Prison Sports Ministries, was held at Folsom State Prison. The April 6 event brought together 14 volunteers and a photographer who contributed to the success.
BEYOND THE BADGE
SATF hosts second promotion ceremony
The Substance Abuse Treatment Facility (SATF) recently hosted their second promotion ceremony. Following the opening ceremony, Warden Bryan D. Phillips thanked the family members who were able to attend and congratulated all of the SATF members on their promotions.
Pelican Bay hosts first promotion ceremony
Pelican Bay State Prison hosted its first promotion ceremony for four new Correctional Sergeants: Cody Scott, Michael Alvarez, Josiah Johnson, and Ericka Alcala. Warden Stephen Smith kicked off the April 4 ceremony.
CDCR captain speaks at Young Women’s Conference
Shelley Amador, a CDCR correctional captain, joined other female law enforcement officials to speak at the Young Women’s Conference in San Diego County.
INSIDE CDCR VIDEOS
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.
Folsom State Prison program battles diabetes
Early in the morning at Folsom State Prison, incarcerated participants and trainers are working together to combat diabetes and improve their health.
CDCR launches Condemned Inmate Transfer Program
CDCR’s Condemned Inmate Transfer Program marks the closure of segregated death row units at San Quentin and CCWF.
CALIFORNIA MODEL
Preview of CDCR/CCHCS 2024 training initiatives
As we find ourselves in April, CDCR/CCHCS continues implementing new training programs, which commenced in January 2024.
CDCR Secretary Macomber tours CCWF
CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber toured Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) and watched the institution’s third annual CCWF’s Got Talent show.
California Model taking shape at SATF
Events, activities, and a group of incarcerated volunteers are examples of the California Model in action at the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility (SATF).
HISTORY
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.
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 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.
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.
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
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.
CRC sees 144 graduate education programs
California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) in Norco saw 144 students graduate education programs offered through Vista Del Rio Adult School.
Folsom hosts friendly volleyball competition
A friendly volleyball competition, organized by Prison Sports Ministries, was held at Folsom State Prison. The April 6 event brought together 14 volunteers and a photographer who contributed to the success.
CALPIA
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.
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
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.
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 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
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.
Folsom hosts friendly volleyball competition
A friendly volleyball competition, organized by Prison Sports Ministries, was held at Folsom State Prison. The April 6 event brought together 14 volunteers and a photographer who contributed to the success.
FIREFIGHTERS
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 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.
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
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.
Week in Review: April 5, 2024
In this Week in Review for April 5, 2024, HDSP attends Lassen County job fair, WSP Alarm Response drill, and OMCP art show at Solano.
ABOVE THE CALL
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 2023: A closer look
Take a closer look at the 2023 Medal of Valor ceremony, celebrating the bravery of CDCR and CCHCS staff.
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
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.
Terri Duncan, program analyst, passes away
Terri Duncan, an associate governmental program analyst, passed away March 31, 2024. She worked for the department since 2010.
Renee Baust, retired correctional officer, passes away
Renee Baust, a retired correctional officer, passed away March 17, 2024. She began her CDCR career as an officer in May 1998 at California Correctional Institution and retired in 2019.