Weekender Digest: Books, kids, promotions - Inside CDCR
CCI Warden Brian Cates thanked staff for their hard work, then talked about what leadership means. “As new leaders here at CCI, you will face complex issues, make tough decisions and navigate the intricacies that keep this institution running,” Cates said. “I want to remind you that leadership is not just about giving orders or making decisions; it also includes inspiring, motivating and empowering those around you.” Read the story.
A revamped Upward Mobility Program is being launched to help employees promote. More information will be coming as the project is rolled out. Read the original story.
A collaborative effort between state parole and county probation resulted in a resource fair for supervised individuals.
The Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) is dedicated to aiding supervised individuals in their successful reintegration into society. To support this mission, they collaborated with the San Diego County Probation Department to organize a Feb. 20 community resource fair in Vista.
Cory Alvarez, the Chief Deputy Administrator of the Community Reentry Unit at DAPO, emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts in enhancing their programs.
“Collaborating with our external stakeholders is crucial for the success of events like these. It enables us to connect individuals under our supervision with available community services,” he explained. Read the full story.
The Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) Community Reentry Unit (CRU) recently toured a treatment and employment facility in Pomona. Read the full story.
It was a day of celebration at California State Prison, Corcoran, as the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) honored 34 graduates receiving job certifications and/or apprenticeships. Read the full story.
California Institution for Women (CIW) in Chino, along with Gordon Philanthropies, celebrated Read to Your Child Day with books and baked goods Feb. 15. Read the full story.
A group of incarcerated persons at Sierra Conservation Center (SCC) used their crochet skills to donate stuffed animals to kids in need. Assigned to Facility C, a non-designated programming facility, incarcerated persons have been attending the rehabilitative Hooks and Needles class. For a year, they’ve gathered weekly to learn the art of crochet. Read the full story.
Teresa Rascon, a retired case records analyst, passed away Feb. 14. She retired in 2020 from California Correctional Institution at Tehachapi. Read her obituary. Jason Ferrario, a correctional officer with the Statewide Transportation Unit Northern Hub, passed away Feb. 26. Read his obituary. Ward James “Jim” Estelle, Jr., a retired corrections official, passed away Feb. 13. He was 93 years old. In addition to his CDCR career, Estelle headed the Texas Department of Corrections in the 1970s. He returned to California and retired from CALPIA in 1991. Read his full obituary notice. Pedro Meza, a retired correctional counselor II from Salinas Valley State Prison, passed away Feb. 18. Read Meza’s obituary.
Only three years after California introduced wild turkeys to the state, a swindler found himself behind bars. Turkeys were big business at the time. In the shadow of the state’s efforts to establish wild turkeys in California, Sam Tomsky saw an opportunity. Turkey-swindler Tomsky forged checks to defraud ranchers, especially in Hungry Hollow. While short-lived, his criminal endeavor took the ranchers for thousands of dollars’ worth of fowl. In this installment of Unlocking History, we’re talking turkey. Read the full story.
In this Week in Review for February 28, we highlight CDCR/CCHCS teams honored for Special Olympics fundraising, hiring events, and CrossFit certification at Avenal State Prison. Read the Week in Review.
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