Inside CDCR News Blog
FEATURED STORIES
Watch: CCWF hosts first‑ever film festival in a women’s prison
California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla is again making history. The same institution that hosted the first graduation of peer…
VIDEOS
Watch: Harvest of the Month: Local, fresh, produce
In recognition of National Nutrition Month, CDCR is highlighting its Harvest of the Month (HOTM) program. HOTM is a joint…
Latest cohort graduates CMC culinary program
The 23rd cohort of the Culinary Arts Program offered by Cuesta College and California Men’s Colony (CMC) graduated March 19.…
SQRC recruiters visit Lunar New Year festivities
Millbrae came alive during the annual Lunar New Year Parade and celebration with San Quentin Rehabilitation Center (SQRC) recruiters on…
BEYOND THE BADGE
Mother & Daughter: Legacy of service
A mother’s work ethic and positive outlook inspired her daughter to continue the legacy and follow in her CDCR career…
Watch: CDCR Public Safety Career Fair featured on Fox40 News
CDCR’s Third Annual Public Safety Career Fair at Sacramento City College on March 26 is creating quite the buzz. Danny…
MCSP hosts sergeant promotion ceremony
Mule Creek State Prison (MCSP) hosted a correctional sergeant promotion ceremony, honoring the dedication and professional achievements of custody staff…
INSIDE CDCR VIDEOS
Watch: Harvest of the Month: Local, fresh, produce
In recognition of National Nutrition Month, CDCR is highlighting its Harvest of the Month (HOTM) program. HOTM is a joint…
Watch: CDCR Public Safety Career Fair featured on Fox40 News
CDCR’s Third Annual Public Safety Career Fair at Sacramento City College on March 26 is creating quite the buzz. Danny…
Watch: Bonding on the Field: CIM flag football
On a foggy Friday afternoon at California Institution for Men (CIM) in Chino, competition and camaraderie came together as players…
REHABILITATION
Watch: CCWF hosts first‑ever film festival in a women’s prison
California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla is again making history. The same institution that hosted the first graduation of peer…
Latest cohort graduates CMC culinary program
The 23rd cohort of the Culinary Arts Program offered by Cuesta College and California Men’s Colony (CMC) graduated March 19.…
A closer look at CTF Rising Scholars program
The Rising Scholars from Within (RSFW) program at the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) is a partnership with Hartnell College. The…
FIREFIGHTERS & CAMPS
Watch: CMF Fire demonstrates new rescue tools
Thanks to grants and the hard work of staff, the California Medical Facility (CMF) Fire Department now has new tools…
Mexico prison staff tour Oak Glen Conservation Camp
Corrections staff from the Queretaro State Prison in Mexico toured Oak Glen Conservation Camp to learn about California’s fire camp…
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Watch: Harvest of the Month: Local, fresh, produce
In recognition of National Nutrition Month, CDCR is highlighting its Harvest of the Month (HOTM) program. HOTM is a joint…
Staff get into Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics
CDCR and CCHCS staff are helping Special Olympics organizations across California by raising funds through the Polar Plunge. As more…
VSP recruiters attend Fresno’s Support Blue Run
On behalf of the Peace Officer Recruitment Unit, Valley State Prison (VSP) recruiters proudly participated in the annual Support Blue…
CALCTRA
CALCTRA graduates earn job certifications at FSP
California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA) recognized 126 incarcerated individuals during a graduation ceremony at Folsom State Prison (FSP).…
CALCTRA launches Prison to Purpose podcast
The California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA) launched its new podcast, Prison to Purpose: Building Futures Behind Bars, in…
DOGS IN CDCR
K‑9 searches find contraband at Gabilan, Wasco
Two recent searches led by the CDCR Central Region K-9 Unit turned up contraband at Gabilan Conservation Camp and Wasco…
Golden retriever therapy dogs visit CSP‑Solano
California State Prison (CSP) Solano staff were seeing gold last week thanks to golden retriever therapy dogs. The dogs, part…
Getting up close with new ISP dog program
The Ironwood State Prison (ISP) Dog Training Academy is a newly developed program working in collaboration with Mal’s House Rescue.…
SPORTS
Watch: Bonding on the Field: CIM flag football
On a foggy Friday afternoon at California Institution for Men (CIM) in Chino, competition and camaraderie came together as players…
Centinela hosts Saints Prison Ministry softball
Saints Prison Ministry visited Centinela State Prison (CEN) to engage incarcerated persons on three facilities in friendly yet competitive softball…
OCS special agent rides to honor Agent Byrd
For CDCR Special Agent Albert Franco, an upcoming cycling ride holds special meaning: honoring the memory of Parole Agent Joshua…
WEEK IN REVIEW
Week in Review: April 3, 2026
In this April 3 Week in Review, we highlight Second Chance Month at CSP-SOL, CDCR Alcohol Awareness Campaign, and staff…
Week in Review: March 27, 2026
In this March 27 week in review, DAPO supports children at childhood cancer event, CTF hosts a fundraiser for crime…
CDCR HISTORY
Meet the first matrons of San Quentin
With 15 women incarcerated at San Quentin in the mid-1880s, the state decided to create a matron position to oversee…
Roosevelt Clopton served state as officer, agent
For military veteran Roosevelt “Ted” Clopton, being a lifelong student guided his choices from joining the Army to becoming a…
SQ Captain Rivera Smith served nearly 4 decades
Rivera Smith was the longest serving staff member at San Quentin (SQ) when he passed away in 1950, serving nearly…
OBITUARIES
KVSP mourns passing of Correctional Officer Jorge Pena
Correctional Officer Jorge Pena, a dedicated member of the Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP) team, passed away on March 24,…
Frank Yoldi, retired clinical social worker
Frank Yoldi, a retired clinical social worker from Folsom State Prison, passed away Feb. 28, 2026, just a week shy…
Randall Richardson, retired correctional officer
Randall Richardson, a retired correctional officer, passed away Feb. 28, 2026. Richardson began his career with the department in April…
ABOVE THE CALL
CMC officers help driver after truck burst into flames
Two correctional officers from California Men’s Colony (CMC) helped a driver after her truck burst into flames on Interstate 5.…
Inside CDCR 2025: A look back at the top stories
From tales of heroism and community involvement to rehabilitation and the people behind those efforts, Inside CDCR looks back at…
CEMETERY TALES
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…
Cemetery Tales: Raymond Blade and Henry Hunt
The second installment of this month’s Cemetery Tales looks at two incarcerated people at different stages in their lives when…
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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