In this Week in Review for May 10, 2024, CDCR celebrates Correctional Officers, Public Service, Teachers, and Nurses appreciation weeks; DAPO attends Cinco de Mayo celebration; and Folsom hosts movie night.
Observances
Honoring Public Service Recognition Week
This week, the spotlight shines on public service employees across the nation who, like all of you, continuously show up to ensure our government runs effectively for everyone. As we celebrate National Public Service Recognition Week, we acknowledge the critical services CDCR and CCHCS staff provide to Californians.
Whether ensuring safety and security, providing healthcare services, administrative functions,
rehabilitative programs or serving in one of the multitudes of additional capacities, your contributions are invaluable. The services you provide play a vital role in fostering positive change within our system.
Visit Inside CDCR to read the full story.
Honoring Teacher Appreciation Week 2024
I believe the teachers, coaches, and library personnel provide the best education experiences in the most challenging environments. They help incarcerated persons, many of whom did not have the best experience in their educational journey before reaching CDCR, to learn and grow and thrive.
Visit Inside CDCR to read the full story.
National Nurses Week 2024: Nurses make the difference
It is a great honor to represent nurses and to celebrate another year of phenomenal performance. As a society we revel with your praises. We marvel at your kindness and everlasting inspiring character.
Through caring hearts, with endless caring, compassion and determination ensuring high quality patient care is your priority.
Nurses create the clinical experience, providing education, patient advocacy, and family support. Better known as the backbone of the clinical profession. Whether working alongside medical, mid-level or certified clinical staff, you as the nurse are at the center, the conduit that connects the whole person care.
Visit Inside CDCR to read the full story.
Saluting National Correctional Officer Week
As we honor the 40th National Correctional Officer Week from May 5-11, 2024, I extend my deepest gratitude to each of you. This week serves as a reminder of the unwavering dedication and sacrifices you make daily to ensure public safety and uphold justice.
For decades, correctional staff have dedicated themselves to the mission of public safety and rehabilitation, while fostering relationships in the communities where our staff serve.
The expertise of our correctional officers is vital to our success in maintaining the security of our facilities and preparing our new officers to be our next generation of leaders.
Visit Inside CDCR to read the full story.
National Pet Month
May is National Pet Month and we invited all CCHCS/CDCR staff to submit their pet photos. We were shocked to receive over 650 submissions and 1200 photos!
Thank you to everyone who participated and shared the joy that pets bring to our lives!
The full pet slideshows from Headquarters, OPEC, and institutions across California is available to view on Lifeline and the CDCR Hub.
Upward Mobility
Christopher Podratz has been assigned as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Health Care (Safety) for Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD).
In the Community
DAPO attends Cinco de Mayo celebration
El Monte GPS Parole agents attended a Cinco De Mayo event hosted by Sharper Future, one of DAPO’s Treatment Providers.
The event was an opportunity to forge a stronger connection between our organizations, provide a platform for networking and fostering new relationships, and help Sharper Future better understand the duties of a parole agent.
CSP-Solano attends local National Day of Prayer event
California State Prison, Solano, attended Vacaville Christian School’s National Day of Prayer. Community support included Vacaville Unified School District, local law enforcement agencies, local pastors and more. .
CSP-Solano’s Warden (A) Jason Schultz was present to show support and was honored with the task of giving a speech as well.
“As we come together in prayer today, let us not only seek divine guidance and protection but also extend our gratitude and support to the brave men and women who serve behind CSP-Solano’s walls. May their faith continue to sustain them and inspire them in their noble endeavors to promote safety, rehabilitation, and justice within our community,” said Warden (A) Schultz.
In Our Institutions
Folsom hosts movie night
Folsom State Prison rolled out the red carpet for movie night, offering popcorn and sodas for a full cinematic experience. Incarcerated attendees relished the nostalgia of the movie theater ambiance while watching “Top Gun: Maverick.” With rave reviews from the audience, movie nights are set to become a quarterly tradition.
PVSP celebrates PREP
Pleasant Valley State Prison (PVSP) hosted a ceremony for the Partnership for Re-Entry (PREP).This was the first culmination ceremony of the resident facilitated self-help program with 38 participating in the ceremony.The culmination ceremony represented the achievements of the many small cohorts of one or two participants that took place in the dayrooms of the housing units where more residents were recruited, and new facilitators were trained in the PREP curriculum.
Staff automotive show rolls into CHCF
California Health Care Facility (CHCF) held its second staff automotive show on May 3.
More than four dozen staff cars, trucks, and motorcycles rolled in for the show.
The show doubled as an employee appreciation event, allowing staff to mingle, have lunch and play games.
Visit Inside CDCR to read the full story.
Male Community Reentry Program LA2 hosts California Rehabilitation Center staff
Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP) Los Angeles 2 hosted a tour for California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) staff.
Approximately 38 CRC staff members attended, including:
Correctional counselors, captains, associate wardens, and Warden G. Pratt toured MCRP LA2.
MCRP Capt. J. Moreno opened the tour by welcoming the CRC staff, followed by two current MCRP participants, previously housed at CRC, who shared their journey and thanked CRC staff who had a positive impact on them.
In addition, Division of Rehabilitative Programs Chief (A) D. Mendoza, Correctional Counselor III N. Simental, parole agents, and Amity staff discussed day-to-day operation of an MCRP.
As part of the tour, CRC staff visited the employment/education resource center, dining hall, courtyard, and residential building. At the conclusion of the tour, all staff gathered for lunch which was provided by Amity staff.
In the Media
Former San Quentin inmate who found passion for photography behind bars
Once known as California’s toughest state prison, San Quentin is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Its death row is being emptied, with more than 500 condemned inmates being transferred to other facilities.
That move is part of a larger effort to shift the focus from punishment to rehabilitation, offering inmates more job training, education, and skills to get them ready for life outside the walls of prison.
While there may be some skepticism about this model, one former gang member says he’s proof that it works.
Visit CBS News’ website to read the full story.
CDCR announces graduation of more than 200 academy cadets, one third of them women
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced the graduation of 207 academy recruits, nearly one third of whom were women,according to a story published on Inside CDCR.
The Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center in Galt hosted the graduation ceremony for Basic Correctional Officer Academy Class 3-24A on April 19, according to the story.
The ceremony marked the culmination of 13 weeks of rigorous training for 207 graduates who are now ready to begin their careers as correctional officers.
To read the full story, visit the Corrections1 website.
Top Inside CDCR Stories
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Read more Week in Review stories on Inside CDCR.
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Week in Review archive
Week in Review: May 17, 2024
In this issue of Week in Review for May 17, 2024: Three CDCR institutions attend the Peace Officers Memorial in Solano County, the Honor Guard from Central California Women’s Facility represent CDCR at the Peace Officers Memorial at the Capitol, Mule Creek hosts annual Fun Run, and CCHCS Celebrates National Nurses Week.
Week in Review: May 10, 2024
In this Week in Review for May 10, 2024, CDCR celebrates Correctional Officers, Public Service, Teachers, and Nurses appreciation weeks; DAPO attends Cinco de Mayo celebration; and Folsom hosts movie night.
Week in Review: May 3, 2024
In this Week in Review for May 3, 2024, CMF Bring Your Kids to Work Day and High Desert State Prison donates $1,400 to Lassen High School.
Week in Review: April 26, 2024
In this Week in Review for April 26, 2024, CDCR observes World Day of Safety & Health at Work, ‘The 50’ film screened with the department, and Mule Creek unites to support staff.
Week in Review: April 19, 2024
In this Week in Review for April 19, 2024, Division of Adult Parole Operations, Ukiah holds Parolee and Community Team meeting, High Desert State Prison and Centinela State Prison celebrate Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment graduates, and California State Prison, Corcoran hosts Health & Wellness Fair.
Week in Review: April 12, 2024
In this Week in Review for April 12, 2024, Crest Sacramento screens “The 50” film, CDCR observes Autism Acceptance Month, and Pelican Bay State Prison sell Guitars of Hope.
View all Week in Review
