Week in Review: June 13, 2025 - Inside CDCR

Published 2 weeks ago• 10 minute read

In this June 13 Week in Review, we spotlight MCSP’s golf tournament, CIW going to prom, and PBSP providing aid during a structure fire.

The California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) in Norco invited staff to bring their loved ones to a “Bring Your Loved One to Work” event.

CRC Administration and management led tours around the institution, where staff illustrated their daily operations and responsibilities. They provided interactive demonstrations, exhibiting operations of healthcare, custody, education, and plant management staff.

“We wanted to invite staff to bring their family and loved ones into the workplace to experience and gain a better perspective of what a day may entail,” said Warden Leo Quiroz. “We felt we achieved that and hopefully helped foster a better understanding of what our industrious work environment entails and ways family and friends can better support loved ones working at CRC.”

Loved ones received information about services available to staff from California Correctional Supervisors Organization (CCSO), California Chaplain Corps, and local Peer Support teams.

Avenal State Prison (ASP) Facility E residents celebrated a graduation for the Prison Arts Collective (PAC).

incarcerated band playing at pac graduation

PAC is a statewide Arts in Corrections program affiliated with the School of Art and Design at San Diego State University (SDSU). The program provides access to the transformative power of the arts for currently incarcerated individuals. PAC has partnered with Avenal State Prison to offer music and drawing programs.

In addition to its headquarters at SDSU, PAC has chapters at California State University (CSU) San Bernardino, CSU Fresno, and CSU Fullerton.

PAC is a project of the SDSU Research Foundation and receives support from the California Arts Council, CDCR, and the National Endowment for the Arts as well as various individual donors and local university grants.

staff adorning cowboy hats and eating cotton candy

Richard J Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD) hosts “Mosey on in Monday,” the first of a weeklong western-themed staff appreciation week.

Staff kicked off their week with a carnival-style event on the plaza filled with games, prizes, snacks, and raffle tickets that will go toward their end of the week basket raffle. Nearly 24 departments contributed themed baskets to support staff funds.

The fire chief and captain led staff in groups of two to a race to gear up, respond to an “incident” donning full 70-pound firefighting turnout gear and hose, and reeling the 50-pound hose back in. Armory staff hosted a “Sharpshooter” contest where staff could shoot down tin cans with Nerf guns. Healthcare catered with freshly made cotton candy, popcorn, and lemonade to refresh staff from the summer heat. Additionally, they set up a dunk tank where Nurse Instructor Jay Fletcher got soaked from staff launching bean bags at the target.

In tandem with the in-person events, staff received an all-staff email on behalf of the warden and CEO. This email highlighted select staff selected by their supervisors with unique descriptions of their work ethic as part of RJD’s “Western Week Spotlight”.

incarcerated person decorating pavement with chalk

Sierra Conservation Center (SCC) held a Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Awareness three-day event in May.

Incarcerated persons participated in sidewalk chalk artistry and a poster contest. Both the winner and runner up from each housing facility received doughnuts and soda.

Mental health staff distributed literature on positive thinking, coping skills, helping friends and loved ones through difficult times, in addition to informational 988 suicide and crisis hotline materials. The Inmate Advisory Councils from each yard were instrumental in publicizing and supporting this event.

“During Mental Health Awareness Month, we sincerely recognize the importance of mental health and mental health related issues,” said CEO Joseph Garland. “We thank our Suicide Prevention Coordinator Dr. Sicard and the entire Mental Health Team for their strong advocacy, while making this an outstanding event for our population.”

suicide prevention poster by incarcerated person 1

suicide prevention poster by incarcerated person 2

mcsp golfers wearing american flag adorned overalls

The 17th annual Mule Creek State Prison (MCSP) Memorial Golf Tournament brought together staff, supporters, and community members for a day of camaraderie and competition.

Players enjoyed a full day on the course at Castle Oaks Golf Club, complete with prizes and a shared commitment to a good cause.

All proceeds benefit the Mule Creek State Prison Employee Association and the Fallen Families Foundation. Organizers thanked sponsors and volunteers for making this day possible. “We are proud to carry on this tradition and thank everyone who joined us in making it a memorable day,” organizers said.

Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP) and Bicoastal Media collaborated once again to capture hearts and raise funds during their annual Guitars of Hope event.

The charity auction ran for seven days on eBay, with proceeds directly benefiting the Humane Society of Del Norte and Camp Berry Animal Shelter.

pbsp incarcerated with decorated guitars

The six guitars featured diverse themes, ranging from patriotic motifs and Native American history to local nature and wildlife, as well as a poignant portrayal of the journey of abandoned dogs to adoption. Each guitar, a unique work of art, represented the dedication and talent of the Pelican Bay artists.

Over the past four years, the Guitars of Hope initiative has raised over $30,000 for various charities, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Del Norte. This year’s theme, “it’s all for the dogs,” highlights the dedication of Pelican Bay artists and Bicoastal Media in supporting animal welfare in the community.

Thanks to everyone’s efforts and the generosity of the community, this year’s Guitars of Hope auction successfully raised $5,200 for the Humane Society of Del Norte and Camp Barry.

Staff and the incarcerated population at California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) raised nearly $6,000 through charitable food sales fundraisers.

The funds were donated to a local non-profit organization, Friends of Leaps and Bounds Pediatric Therapy. The non-profit organization is dedicated to “serving people with disabilities though the magic of the horse!”

CRC staff were invited to tour Friends of Leaps & Bounds Pediatric Therapy’s facilities. There, they learned how the non-profit assists economically disadvantaged people with disabilities by providing physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and hippotherapy treatments and services at no cost or low cost. Hippotherapy is a hybrid form of a combined physical, occupational and speech therapy in which a therapist uses the characteristic movements of a horse to provide carefully graded motor and sensory input.

Volunteers from the California Institution for Women (CIW) in Corona, recently helped a local church organize prom for individuals with disabilities.

Every guest had the opportunity to experience an event like the one seen in the movie, The Great Gatsby. Guests dressed in themed attire from the past, and volunteers provided services at themed booths. CDCR custody staff had the privilege of attending the event, on a volunteer basis, for the third consecutive year.

CIW staff interacted with and provided supervision for guests during prom. Some custody staff supervised themed booths, while others were assigned as buddies.

Buddies monitored the experience of guests throughout the event. This included a photo booth, karaoke, limo rides around the parking lot and other activities. After dinner, dancing began.

Organizers, guests, and community members were appreciative of the uniformed presence. CIW staff look forward to volunteering at this event for years to come.

Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP) firehouse staff and incarcerated firefighters responded to a mutual aid request for a residential structure fire in the Fort Dick area on Moorehead Road.

Demonstrating their commitment to community safety, a fire captain and three incarcerated firefighters swiftly deployed with Engine 4110 to the scene. The PBSP Fire Crew were among the first to arrive and immediately began working to extinguish the blaze. Other fire engines and support personnel followed, assisting in combating the fire. The affected home was located just a few blocks from the institution, drawing a response from several PBSP staff members who are also volunteer firefighters, highlighting the strong ties between the prison and the local community.

engine 4110 dispatched at structure fire

Tragically, the fire impacted a staff member who was on duty at the time of the fire. While no human injuries were reported, the staff member suffered a heartbreaking loss as their family pets perished in the fire.

This incident emphasizes the critical role the PBSP Firehouse plays in supporting the surrounding community. It also highlights the dedication of staff who serve as volunteer firefighters and are willing to put themselves in harm’s way for others. It serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of emergencies and the importance of community support.

In honor of World Blood Donor Day, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all CCHCS and CDCR staff who generously donated blood. Your selfless contributions are a powerful reminder of the compassion and commitment that define our workforce. Every donation helps save lives, and together we’ve made a meaningful impact in our communities and beyond. Thank you for being everyday heroes!

CDCR Peace Officer Recruitment team at Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona with three people at an information booth.

Answering questions about CDCR jobs at the booth at the Los Angeles County Fair.

The CDCR Peace Officer Recruitment team recently wrapped up a highly successful month-long engagement at the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona. The recruiters answered questions from potential applicants during the fair’s May 2-26 run. The event drew an impressive 717,815 attendees this year, offering a broad and diverse pool of potential recruits. Read the full story on Inside CDCR.

Parole agents from the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) San Diego District participated in a First Responders Hiring Event held at Camp Pendleton’s Pacific Views Event Center.

The annual event is organized by the Marine Corp Community Services and is open to all members of the military community with access to Camp Pendelton. Active duty, veterans, retirees, spouses and family members were in attendance.

Over 75 law enforcement agencies throughout the state participated in the recruitment event. Parole agents were on hand providing information about DAPO and the vast career opportunities CDCR offers.

The Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) Community Reentry Unit hosted a Community Reentry Resource Fair. The June 4 event was held at the Homeless, Addiction, Mental Illness and Criminality (HAMIC) Reentry and Recovery House in Santa Maria.

The Reentry Resource Fair provided supervised persons with resources and information to prepare them to successfully reintegrate back into the community.

Over 40 vendors participated, reaching over 100 supervised persons who attended the event.

Attendees received information to address various types of criminogenic needs such as housing assistance, substance abuse treatment, counseling services, employment resources, job training, and more.

Donated items to be given away as door prizes at the event included backpacks full of various supplies and an electric bicycle. Free haircuts were provided to attendees, thanks to Pristine Barber Academy.

ovsrs giving presentation to cmf incarcerated population

The Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services provided an informational Victim and Restitution Services presentation at California Medical Facility (CMF) in Vacaville.

Approximately 30 incarcerated students at a transitions class asked questions and were open to receiving information about restitution and the process.

OVSRS plans to visit the facility again in three months to continue educating future transitions classes and explain how the office can assist with the transitions process.

a second chance graduate listening to speech

It’s graduation day for Angela Sanchez of Santa Barbara. But, she’s not getting a high school or college diploma. She’s graduating from a program that helped her restart her life after years of drug addiction and a decade in state prison.

incarcerated firefighters hiking mountain side

Sam Lewis of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition discusses why good meals, better pay, and post-release support could transform the future for incarcerated firefighters—and why society should see their humanity.