Inside CDCR News Blog
FEATURED STORIES
Seven arrested in two DAPO parole sweeps
Two Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) sweeps resulted in seven arrests in Oceanside, Carlsbad and Riverside County. Parole uncovers…
VIDEOS
Espinoza begins CDCR career same day her father retires
Editor’s note: Isabella Espinoza graduated the academy with Class 3-26A, beginning her CDCR career the same day her father retired…
CCI staff participates in high school career day
Staff from California Correctional Institution (CCI) recently participated in the annual Tehachapi High School career day, giving students a firsthand…
Week in Review: 2026 Medal of Valor
In this September 18 special edition of Week in Review, we highlight the 2026 Medal of Valor Ceremony and honorees.…
BEYOND THE BADGE
Espinoza begins CDCR career same day her father retires
Editor’s note: Isabella Espinoza graduated the academy with Class 3-26A, beginning her CDCR career the same day her father retired…
LAC hosts Suicide Awareness Month events for staff
California State Prison-Los Angeles County (LAC) staff participated in multiple initiatives to highlight Suicide Awareness Month. The observances and activities…
Pelican Bay hosts annual Employee Appreciation Day
The annual Employee Appreciation Day at Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP) in Crescent City brought staff together for camaraderie, competition…
LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS
Seven arrested in two DAPO parole sweeps
Two Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) sweeps resulted in seven arrests in Oceanside, Carlsbad and Riverside County. Parole uncovers…
Parole agents, DA, OCS partner for Operation Imperial Heat
In late August, the Chula Vista 2 Parole Unit partnered with Imperial County District Attorney (DA) investigators and CDCR’s Office…
Parole agents assist police in Operation Ground Truth
The Chula Vista Police Department worked with CDCR parole agents to conduct compliance checks during Operation Ground Truth. The Aug.…
INSIDE CDCR VIDEOS
Espinoza begins CDCR career same day her father retires
Editor’s note: Isabella Espinoza graduated the academy with Class 3-26A, beginning her CDCR career the same day her father retired…
Painting Over It: Healing Through Arts at CIM
Damian Reyes has converted incarceration into rehabilitation, thanks to Healing Through Arts, a program started at California State Prison, Los Angeles County.…
Transforming lives: How CDCR is redefining prison education
A sprawling education system, complete with accredited adult schools, college classes and career training designed to transform lives, exists within…
Jobs, Training & Facilities
CCI staff participates in high school career day
Staff from California Correctional Institution (CCI) recently participated in the annual Tehachapi High School career day, giving students a firsthand…
Espinoza begins CDCR career same day her father retires
Editor’s note: Isabella Espinoza graduated the academy with Class 3-26A, beginning her CDCR career the same day her father retired…
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
CCI staff participates in high school career day
Staff from California Correctional Institution (CCI) recently participated in the annual Tehachapi High School career day, giving students a firsthand…
CDCR remembers lives lost 25 years after 9/11 attacks
Across California, CDCR paid tribute to the lives lost during the 9/11 terror attacks. Staff and communities united to remember…
CIW, CIM wardens throw ceremonial first pitches
Before a packed crowd at Ontario’s ONT Field, wardens from two institutions threw out the ceremonial first pitches. California Institution…
FIREFIGHTERS & CAMPS
CCWF Fire Captain Ries is making a difference
While CDCR firehouses and camps are battling fires across California, Inside CDCR caught up with Fire Captain Robert Ries, a…
While rebuilding barbershop, camp participant rebuilds self
A participant at Fenner Canyon Conservation Camp #41 rebuilt the barbershop while ultimately rebuilding himself. At the camp in Valyermo,…
REHABILITATION
Painting Over It: Healing Through Arts at CIM
Damian Reyes has converted incarceration into rehabilitation, thanks to Healing Through Arts, a program started at California State Prison, Los Angeles County.…
Transforming lives: How CDCR is redefining prison education
A sprawling education system, complete with accredited adult schools, college classes and career training designed to transform lives, exists within…
Why CSP‑Solano’s vocational programs are on the rise
When Summer Peterson officially started at California State Prison (CSP) Solano, last September, she came with an understanding of the rehabilitative…
CDCR Weekender
CDCR remembers lives lost 25 years after 9/11 attacks
Across California, CDCR paid tribute to the lives lost during the 9/11 terror attacks. Staff and communities united to remember…
CHCF thanks staff through third annual automotive show
The California Health Care Facility (CHCF) in Stockton recently hosted its third annual automotive show. This event provides staff with…
CALCTRA
CALCTRA podcast features Dave’s Killer Bread co‑founder Dave Dahl
The California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA) featured Dave Dahl, co-founder of Dave’s Killer Bread, on the latest episode…
CALCTRA honors graduates at Centinela State Prison
The California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA) recognized 25 incarcerated individuals at Centinela State Prison for successfully completing their…
CALCTRA grad turns second chance into lifesaving mission
The recent Prison to Purpose podcast from California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA) focuses on a former graduate and…
ABOVE THE CALL
Parole Agent Madri Sherman saves two from house fire
Madri Sherman, a parole agent based out of the Ceres Parole Office, entered a smoke-filled house, saving two mobility-impaired residents…
Off‑duty WSP‑RC food manager credited with saving life
Wasco State Prison-Reception Center (WSP-RC) Correctional Food Manager II Louis Rodriguez is being credited with saving the life of a…
DOGS IN CDCR
Meet the CDCR K‑9s: Skipper, Tokyo, Yankee
Three CDCR K-9s assisting their handlers to help keep institutions safe are Skipper, Tokyo and Yankee. Every day, CDCR K-9s…
Meet the CDCR K‑9s: Shadow and Sammy
Two CDCR K-9s assisting their handlers to help keep institutions safe are Shadow and Sammy. Every day, CDCR K-9s work…
Meet the CDCR K‑9s: Mayor, Penny, Ranger
Three CDCR K-9s assisting their handlers to help keep institutions safe are Mayor, Penny and Ranger. Every day, CDCR K-9s…
SPORTS
CIM welcomes Between the Lines for special event
The Between the Lines foundation brought “Beyond the Lines Travel Beyond the Walls” to California Institution for Men (CIM) at…
Calipatria State Prison hosts soccer championship games
Sports as a rehabilitative tool was on display at Calipatria State Prison as the incarcerated population on Facility A sought…
San Quentin Jailblazers capture back‑to‑back gold
A team of correctional professionals from San Quentin Rehabilitation Center (SQRC) and California State Prison, Solano, defended their title at the…
WEEK IN REVIEW
Week in Review: 2026 Medal of Valor
In this September 18 special edition of Week in Review, we highlight the 2026 Medal of Valor Ceremony and honorees.…
Week in Review: September 11, 2026
In this September 11 Week in Review, we highlight CIW crowning its first Golden Baker, CSP‑Corcoran’s basketball rivalry and we…
CDCR HISTORY
Explore 80 years of CTF‑Soledad’s history
Explore the history of the state’s fifth prison, the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) at Soledad. Activated in 1946, CTF was…
1990: Folsom Prison prints calendar of historic photos
In 1989, Folsom State Prison’s vocational graphic arts class designed and printed a 1990 calendar packed with historic photos and…
California Institution for Men marks 85 years of public safety
In 2026, California Institution for Men (CIM) is celebrating 85 years of public safety. The Chino institution, the fourth state…
OBITUARIES
HR mourns loss of Supervisor Matthew Armitage
Headquarters Human Resources (HR) is mourning the loss of Supervisor Matthew “Matt” Armitage, who passed away Sept. 12, 2026. Services…
RJ Donovan mourns passing of Officer Haig Zakaryan
Richard J Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD) is mourning the passing of Correctional Officer Haig Zakaryan, who passed away Sept. 13,…
Randell ‘Randy’ Taylor, retired correctional sergeant
Randell James “Randy” Taylor, a retired correctional sergeant from the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) at Soledad, passed away Aug. 31,…
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
SVSP investigating two separate attacks on correctional officers
Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) is investigating two separate attacks on correctional officers Sept. 1. In the first incident, at…
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…
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