Inside CDCR News Blog
FEATURED STORIES
CTF recognizes 24 staff during promotional ceremony
The Correctional Training Facility (CTF) at Soledad recognized 24 newly promoted employees during a June 26 promotional ceremony. Held at…
VIDEOS
From Cadet to Parole Agent: Meet Deshawn Snell
Deshawn Snell joined 39 others June 26 as they graduated from the Basic Parole Agent Academy class 2-26P. “I know…
Rolling toward the future: CMF, RCS join forces at X Games
The CDCR Recruitment and Career Services (RCS) Unit brought community engagement to new heights at the X Games Sacramento, transforming…
Remembering Folsom State Prison Warden Clarence Larkin
In this installment of Unlocking History, we look at the life of Clarence Larkin, a longtime Folsom State Prison employee.…
BEYOND THE BADGE
CTF recognizes 24 staff during promotional ceremony
The Correctional Training Facility (CTF) at Soledad recognized 24 newly promoted employees during a June 26 promotional ceremony. Held at…
From Cadet to Parole Agent: Meet Deshawn Snell
Deshawn Snell joined 39 others June 26 as they graduated from the Basic Parole Agent Academy class 2-26P. “I know…
CSP‑Sacramento hosts second promotion ceremony
California State Prison (CSP), Sacramento, recently hosted its second promotion ceremony celebrating multiple achievements for non-custody and custody staff members.…
LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS
DAPO Los Angeles parole operation leads to six arrests
The Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) led a compliance and enforcement operation of supervised persons in Los Angeles County,…
Operation Golden Grizzly: Parole leads multi‑agency sweep
Operation Golden Grizzly, a June 3 multi-agency parole compliance operation led by the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO), resulted…
Operation Hands Down disrupts Central California gangs
CDCR staff assisted local, state and federal law enforcement agencies May 28 for Operation Hands Down, a large-scale gang takedown.…
INSIDE CDCR VIDEOS
From Cadet to Parole Agent: Meet Deshawn Snell
Deshawn Snell joined 39 others June 26 as they graduated from the Basic Parole Agent Academy class 2-26P. “I know…
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…
Watch: Leading without a Badge Summit empowers staff
Law enforcement agency professionals from across the nation gathered June 12 for the Sacramento Regional Leading without a Badge Summit.…
Jobs, Training & Facilities
Rolling toward the future: CMF, RCS join forces at X Games
The CDCR Recruitment and Career Services (RCS) Unit brought community engagement to new heights at the X Games Sacramento, transforming…
From Cadet to Parole Agent: Meet Deshawn Snell
Deshawn Snell joined 39 others June 26 as they graduated from the Basic Parole Agent Academy class 2-26P. “I know…
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Rolling toward the future: CMF, RCS join forces at X Games
The CDCR Recruitment and Career Services (RCS) Unit brought community engagement to new heights at the X Games Sacramento, transforming…
Watch: 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run rallies in Sacramento
The final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Northern California received a ceremonious sendoff from CDCR…
Staff carry torch across California for Special Olympics
Across California, CDCR and CCHCS staff proudly carried the Special Olympics Flame of Hope during the Law Enforcement Torch Run.…
FIREFIGHTERS & CAMPS
In historic first, 8 incarcerated students earn forestry degrees
For the first time in the state, eight incarcerated students have earned associate of science degrees in forestry, marking the…
CMC’s Cuesta Camp trains for 2026 fire season
Cuesta Conservation Camp at California Men’s Colony (CMC) held their annual fire preparedness drills to be ready for the 2026…
REHABILITATION
In historic first, 8 incarcerated students earn forestry degrees
For the first time in the state, eight incarcerated students have earned associate of science degrees in forestry, marking the…
Women in reentry program learn life lessons from wolves
Two dozen women in a reentry program recently completed a transformative 12-week journey, culminating in a profound day of connecting…
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…
CDCR Weekender
Pleasant Valley holds first staff cornhole tournament
Off-duty staff from Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga gathered off-site for the first cornhole tournament. Organized by the Employee…
SCC Officer Masterson named Angels‑Murphys Officer of Year
Sierra Conservation Center (SCC) Correctional Officer Masterson was named the Angels-Murphys Rotary Club of California Officer of the Year. The…
CALCTRA
Suzie Changus appointed CALCTRA director
The California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Board appointed Suzie Changus to serve as director of the California Correctional Training and…
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…
San Quentin hosts showcase for employers, community partners
In partnership with California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA) and CDCR, The Last Mile (TLM) hosted a showcase event…
ABOVE THE CALL
Governor honors 13 CDCR staff at State Employee Medal of Valor
At the State Employee Medal of Valor ceremony held June 12, there were 13 CDCR staff members honored for their…
LAC acting Fire Captain Diaz honored for saving child’s life
California State Prison-Los Angeles County (LAC) acting Fire Captain Jose Diaz was honored during a recent ceremony after saving a…
DOGS IN CDCR
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.…
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.…
Rescue dogs graduate WSP‑RC training program
A partnership between Wasco State Prison-Reception Center (WSP-RC) and PAW Estate Rescue & Shelter reached a milestone April 21 as…
SPORTS
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…
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…
VSP hosts second soccer tournament
Valley State Prison (VSP) held its second soccer tournament April 25 in partnership with Fuego FC, a Fresno-based team representing…
WEEK IN REVIEW
Week in Review: June 26
In this June 26 Week in Review, we highlight Sergeant Michael Miranda, the College Outreach Program’s record year and CSP‑Corcoran’s…
Week in Review: June 19
In this June 19 Week in Review, we highlight CDCR IT leaders, ISUDT graduates and KVSP community service. Staff Spotlight…
CDCR HISTORY
Remembering Folsom State Prison Warden Clarence Larkin
In this installment of Unlocking History, we look at the life of Clarence Larkin, a longtime Folsom State Prison employee.…
Family seeks info on Cottonwood robber Clifford Bosenko
Robbers Clifford Bosenko and Sid Horn knocked down a man in 1905 in Cottonwood, relieving his pockets of $45. More…
Asedo family seeks answers on 1920s San Quentin rumors
A family legend regarding Ignatius Asedo serving time at San Quentin in the 1920s turned out to be fact: He…
OBITUARIES
Samuel Aquino, retired registered nurse
Samuel Aquino, a retired registered nurse from California Institution for Men (CIM) in Chino, passed away June 9, 2026. Aquino…
Randy Miller, retired correctional officer
Randy Miller, a retired correctional officer from North Kern State Prison, passed away June 24, 2026. He began his career…
Salinas Valley State Prison mourns passing of Aldo Mandujano
Salinas Valley State Prison announced the passing of California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA) Custodian Supervisor Aldo Mandujano who…
CEMETERY TALES
Go behind SQ grave marker of Ah Sun
A photo of a grave marker in a local newsletter led San Quentin (SQ) Museum volunteer Jeff Craemer to ask…
Cemetery Tales: Harry Stewart, Fresno embezzler
In our final Cemetery Tales of the season, we look more closely at Harry Stewart, early 1900s embezzler, thief, and…
Cemetery Tales: Meet JE McKim, thieving drifter
In our third installment of this month’s Cemetery Tales, we look at a drifter with a long criminal record dating…
SAFETY & SECURITY UPDATES
Wasco State Prison‑Reception Center investigating riot
A total of 48 incarcerated persons were involved in a riot at Wasco State Prison – Reception Center (WSP) on…
Salinas Valley State Prison investigating attack on 4 officers
Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) is investigating an attack on four correctional officers that occurred Friday afternoon. On Jan. 23,…
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