September is National Preparedness Month

August 24, 2016, 12:21 pm

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Join the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), and other agencies for the 11th annual California Day of Preparedness event in historic Old Sacramento.

The free public event is designed to encourage families to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and in the community. A disaster can strike at any time without warning. Cal OES encourages all Californians to be prepared when an emergency occurs.

In recognition of National Preparedness Month, Cal OES will kick-off National Preparedness Month by hosting the 11th annual California Day of Preparedness event in historic Old Sacramento. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, at 1124 2^ndStreet, Sacramento.

California is prone to many disasters and all Californians should have a disaster plan and be ready to survive the Wild West. The emergency preparedness event will include the following preparedness features:

Family disaster readiness information and resources

Observe CDCR K-9 Teams

Observe CDCR Crisis Response Teams

Participate in a mobile 8.0 earthquake simulator

Observe water rescue exercises

Observe search and rescue dog exercises

Enjoy music and mobile food trucks

10 Ways to Be Prepared: Cal OES has tips, tricks, brochures and videos to help you learn what you can do around your home to ensure that you are ready for anything.
Cal OES is delegated by the Governor to support and enhance all phases of emergency management which include Preparedness, Response, Recovery and Mitigation. Learn how you can Survive the Wild West www.caloes.ca.gov/caprepday #CAPrepDay

Visit the 10 Ways to Be Prepared and get ready with us!
Visite al 10 Maneras de Estar Preparados y prepárate con nosotros!

For additional information about the CDCR, please call Albert Rivas in the Office of External Affairs at (916) 445-4950 or email Albert.Rivas@cdcr.ca.gov

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September is National Preparedness Month

August 24, 2016, 12:21 pm

≫ Next: September is National Preparedness Month

≪ Previous: September is National Preparedness Month

Family disaster readiness information and resources

Observe CDCR K-9 Teams

Observe CDCR Crisis Response Teams

Participate in a mobile 8.0 earthquake simulator

Observe water rescue exercises

Observe search and rescue dog exercises

Enjoy music and mobile food trucks

Visit the 10 Ways to Be Prepared and get ready with us!
Visite al 10 Maneras de Estar Preparados y prepárate con nosotros!

For additional information about the CDCR, please call Albert Rivas in the Office of External Affairs at (916) 445-4950 or email Albert.Rivas@cdcr.ca.gov

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September is National Preparedness Month

August 24, 2016, 12:21 pm

≫ Next: New Report: California’s Return-to-Prison Rate Falls for the Fifth Straight Year to 44.6 percent

≪ Previous: September is National Preparedness Month

Join the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), and other agencies for the 11th annual California Day of Preparedness event in historic Old Sacramento.

Family disaster readiness information and resources

CDCR K-9 demonstrations

CDCR Crisis Response Teams

Learn how to create the perfect prep kit

Participate in a mobile 8.0 earthquake simulator

Helicopter fire attack

Swift water rescue

Search and rescue dog exercises

Enjoy music and mobile food trucks

Visit the 10 Ways to Be Prepared and get ready with us!
Visite al 10 Maneras de Estar Preparados y prepárate con nosotros!

For additional information about CDCR, please call Albert Rivas in the Office of External Affairs at (916) 445-4950 or email Albert.Rivas@cdcr.ca.gov

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New Report: California’s Return-to-Prison Rate Falls for the Fifth Straight Year to 44.6 percent

August 25, 2016, 3:22 pm

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New Report: California’s Return-to-Prison Rate Falls
for the Fifth Straight Year to 44.6 percent

Report shows substance abuse treatment is a major factor in reducing recidivism

SACRAMENTO – The rate at which offenders return to state prison continues to fall, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). CDCR released its latest annual recidivism report today and it shows the total three-year return-to-prison rate for all offenders released during fiscal year 2010-2011 is 44.6 percent, down from 54.3 percent last year.

“Most offenders sent to prison are eventually released, and so rehabilitation is in everyone’s best interest – our staff, the inmates and the community at large,” said CDCR Secretary Scott Kernan. “The latest recidivism rate shows that we’re helping more inmates learn how to live a law-abiding, productive life.”

The rate at which people return to prison has consistently trended downward since fiscal year 2005-2006 when the rate was 67.5 percent. For the first time, more people released in one year stayed out of prison than returned.

CDCR also examines the return-to-prison rates of offenders who received in-prison substance abuse treatment and community-based substance abuse treatment programs. Offenders who received both in-prison substance abuse treatment and completed post-release aftercare had a 15.3 percent return-to-prison rate, the lowest of all people released in fiscal year 2010-2011.

CDCR tracks the 95,690 people who were released from state prison after serving their sentence between July 1, 2010, and June 30, 2011, for three years. Not only are their one-, two- and three-year return-to-prison rates analyzed, offender demographics and characteristics including age, gender, ethnicity, length of sentence, type of offense, county of commitment, prior incarcerations, mental health status and risk for a reconviction are also examined.

The implementation of Public Safety Realignment in 2011 continues to have an impact on the state’s return-to-prison rate. Under Realignment, no offenders were released early. Effective October 1, 2011, offenders arrested on a parole violation or convicted of non-violent, non-serious, non-registrable sex offense felonies serve their sentences under county supervision instead of in state prison. Although all the offenders in the fiscal year 2010-2011 cohort were released before the passage of Assembly Bill 109, the law was in effect for varying amounts of time during their three-year follow-up period and contributed to the decline in the number of people returning to prison for parole violations.

CDCR studies recidivism by tracking arrests, convictions and returns to prison and uses returns to prison as its primary measure. An offender is counted as a recidivist if he or she has returned to state prison for a new crime or for a parole violation within a three-year period. This approach is consistent with previous reports so policymakers and researchers have year-to-year comparisons.

The latest Outcome Evaluation Report is published annually by CDCR’s Office of Research, which provides research, data analysis and evaluation to implement and assess evidence-based programs and practices, strengthen policy, inform management decisions and ensure accountability. The office has reported the rates at which adult offenders return to prison following release from state prison since 1977.

For media inquiries concerning California's return-to-prison rate report, please contact Terry Thornton and for more information about the CDCR, please contact Albert Rivas
at (916) 445-4950.

View the entire report here: http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Adult_Research_Branch/Research_Documents/2015_Outcome_Evaluation_Report_8-25-2016.pdf

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CDCR requesting applications for third round of Innovative Programming Grants

August 30, 2016, 5:40 pm

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Grants meant to expand rehabilitative programs in California Prisons

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is requesting applications for a third round of Innovative Programming Grants intended to expand current offender programs and increase volunteerism in prisons.

As with the first two rounds of grants, this year’s funding is available on a one-time basis to nonprofit organizations currently offering successful programs in California prisons that focus on offender responsibility and restorative justice principles. The purpose of the funding is to provide eligible applicants with the resources necessary to replicate the successful programs at prison locations that are underserved by volunteers and nonprofit organizations.

Over the past two years, a total of $5.5 million in grant monies was awarded to fund 74 new programs at 20 different CDCR institutions. This year’s funding will consist of $3 million to be awarded over a three-year period to fund innovative grant program services at targeted institutions; and $5.5 million awarded for a one-year period to programs that have proven successful in serving inmates who are serving long-term or life-term sentences.

An official Request for Applications can be found at http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/OEA/docs/RFA-Round-Three-Innovative-Programming-Grants.pdfand at http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/OEA/docs/RFA-Long-Term-Inmate-Programming-Grants.pdf. Notice of intent to apply is due by September 26, 2016, with the final grant application due October 28, 2016.

For questions, please contact Jill Brown, CDCR Grant Program Coordinator at (916) 327-6389 or at jill.brown@cdcr.ca.gov.

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CSP-Solano inmates transform their hustle to job finding

December 9, 2015, 11:47 am

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CSP-Solano Warden Eric Arnold thanks the volunteers and inmate participants

Article and photos by Krissi Khokhobashvili, CDCR Public Information Officer
Office of Public and Employee Communications

At some point, former offenders will be in the position where they will have to explain their past. In an interview, the answer to that question may be the deciding factor in whether someone is hired.

At a recent employment-readiness event inside a state prison, one expert shared her advice for answering that question.

“Put it out there, turn the corner and zoom right through it.”

Catherine Hoke is the CEO of Defy Ventures, a national nonprofit that assists offenders by offering intensive leadership development, business plan advice and mentoring. During the first-ever Defy Executive Coaching event recently at California State Prison-Solano (SOL), Hoke and a team of nearly 60 volunteers shared tips for acing job interviews.

“Take ownership” of your past, Hoke advised. “Make sure you take ownership: ‘I did time. But here’s how it changed me. Here are the things I can bring to your company that many others cannot.’”

In the months leading up to the coaching event, more than 100 SOL inmates – known as Entrepreneurs-in-Training, or EITs — have been going through Defy’s intensive book and DVD coursework, learning not just about how to find jobs and start businesses after prison, but how to transform themselves from the inside out.

“It’s based on a lot of wellness,” said Cotton, the inmate facilitator of the program. “Defy is not really one program. Defy is three programs – it’s an entrepreneurship program, then it’s an employment-readiness program, then it’s a personal wellness program.”

To get started, inmates had to answer a long questionnaire about themselves, their pasts and their future plans.

The questions go so deep, Cotton said, that many inmates decided they weren’t ready for the program yet. But those who are have been learning key steps to employment, including how to talk to potential investors – what many business experts call the “elevator speech.”

“You have 200 words to sell yourself,” Cotton said. “And if you lose that opportunity, you’ll realize how big of a chance you just lost, but you should learn from that experience. Even though you might lose a chance, it just lets you know that you need to practice a little bit more.”

Defy volunteers are realistic and hard-hitting when it comes to dispensing advice. During the coaching event, experts worked one-on-one with inmates, discussing their resumes and personal statements.

The first part of the in-prison program focuses on job readiness, and then will switch gears to entrepreneurship and developing business ideas.

On the outside, men and women who stay with Defy can take part in their “incubator,” in which entrepreneurs are paired with trainers and investors to create profitable businesses.

“We won’t let them start just anything,” Hoke said. “There are a lot of things that we will not support, for all types of reasons. If it’s not viable, we’ll say no. If their idea isn’t feasible, we tell them that.”

In its five years of existence, Defy has certainly seen success. Graduates include the owners of several successful businesses, including a commercial cleaning company, event planning service, a mobile barbershop and even a wildly successful “prison boot camp” fitness company.

Hoke said she was inspired to start Defy after touring a prison and meeting inmates who sincerely wanted to change their lives, but didn’t know where to start.

“I realized that so many of them were accomplished hustlers in their drug dealing and gang activity that they actually have business skills,” she said.

“That’s why our slogan is Transform Your Hustle. People think these people are no good for anything, but they actually have a lot of potential. What if they were equipped to go legit with their skills?” she said.

Defy volunteers came to SOL from across the country, including many who work for Google, which recently awarded $500,000 to Defy.

Warden Eric Arnold thanked them all for coming, and said he was happy the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation was able to bring the program to SOL.

“I’ve talked to some men in the program and they’re very excited about it,” he said. “I hope it makes a difference in your lives, and I hope we can expand it.”

The idea originated in the Office of Correctional Education, which was approached by Defy with the idea to expand the post-release program into an in-prison one.

Dr. Kenya Williams, principal at SOL, said Defy representatives met with staff and a group of inmates for a focus group, after which the only question was “when do we start?”

“What Defy has done is stimulate hope,” Williams said, adding that even inmates serving life sentences are eligible to participate, because if they are one day found suitable for parole, they’ll have a head-start on a better life.

“You can’t say, ‘Oh, you’re a lifer, you’re never going to get out so we can’t do this program for you,’” she said. “A man without hope is a dangerous thing. … We know that lives change every day, and we know that once they get out they have to be ready.”

A perfect example of that is Huynh, who will parole soon after serving 15 years in prison. He hopes to one day start a personal development business, building on the things he learned while enrolled in many self-help programs in prison. Defy, he said, is helping him become more marketable and confident.

“It gives me already a huge network that I can tap into once I go home,” he said. “People who know my past, or know that I have a past, and are willing to at least hear me out.”

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CDCR and non-profit staff update on Rehabilitation at C-ROB

September 8, 2016, 5:19 pm

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California Rehabilitation Oversight Board

SACRAMENTO – California Rehabilitation Oversight Board (C-ROB) recently held a public meeting at the California State University Sacramento Harper Alumni Center, at 7490 College Town Drive, to discuss several significant updates concerning the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) programs and services. C-ROB was established by Assembly Bill 900, the Public Safety and Offender Rehabilitation Services Act of 2007.

Pursuant to Penal Code, Section 6141, C-ROB serves as a multi-disciplinary public board with members from various state and local entities to examine and report on rehabilitative programming provided to offenders and parolees by CDCR, including the implementation of an effective treatment model throughout the department. CDCR Secretary Scott Kernan serves as a board member.

The board submits their annual report on Sept. 15 to the Governor and the Legislature. Among other information reported in the meeting, the board discussed findings on the effectiveness of treatment efforts, rehabilitation needs of offenders, gaps in rehabilitation services and levels of offender participation.

Misty Polasik, C-ROB Executive Director, provided highlights from site visits by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to all 35 adult institutions from December 2015 to January 2016 and again May 2016 to June 2016. During visits, OIG staff observed rehabilitation programs, interviewed CDCR staff and spoke with inmates to collect feedback. Staff reported several highlights from the visits such as dedicated staff, increased rehabilitative programming, reentry center and substance-use disorder treatment expansions.

In the meeting, Chairperson Robert A. Barton led a discussion on the draft September 2016 Annual C-ROB report, followed by several updates from CDCR staff, including Jay Virbel, Director, Division of Rehabilitative Programs on the following program areas:

· 2015 CDCR Outcome Evaluation Report
http://external-affairs-news.blogspot.com/2016/08/new-report-californias-return-to-prison.html

· Pew-MacArthur Results First Initiative

· Automated Rehabilitation Catalog and Information Discovery
Resource and Reentry Services

http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/rehabilitation/ARCAID.html

· Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Sexual Offending program

· Office of Correctional Education Update on Community College Expansions

Secretary Scott Kernan and
C-ROB Chairperson Robert Barton, Inspector General,
Stephanie Santos, Training Director and Jackson

Victoria Cavaliere, Program Director, Tender Loving Canines provided an update on their agency’s effort to provide assistance dogs to wounded warriors or individuals with autism in the community. The agency serves as a partner to CDCR to support offender rehabilitation. Currently six service dogs are placed with inmates for training at Richard J. Donovan Fire House. Four more dogs are scheduled for placement in 2017. There are several incentive based criteria for an inmate to be eligible, such as no crimes against animals, discipline free for 12 months, and the inmate must have a minimum of 24 months left to serve on their sentence.

Jackson and Murphy

Jackson and Murphy are eight-week old puppies that will participate in the Tender Loving Canines program. With voluntary rehabilitation programming in place at various locations, non-profit staff plan to compete for CDCR Innovative Programming Grants to create more opportunities to participate in the program.

To locate C-ROB Annual Reports and upcoming public meeting information, visit http://www.oig.ca.gov/

For more information about CDCR, contact Albert Rivas, Chief, Office of External
Affairs, at (916) 444-4950 or by email at Albert.Rivas@cdcr.ca.gov

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CDCR joins other state agencies for Our Promise charitable giving campaign

September 21, 2016, 1:41 pm

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By Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor

All across California, state workers are donating funds to their favorite charities through the Our Promise campaign.

CDCR officially kicks off the Our Promise: California State Employees Giving at Work campaign with a carnival-themed free event on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016 in the atrium of CDCR Headquarters in Sacramento.

This year’s CDCR campaign is chaired by Allie Powell, a public information officer with the Office of Public and Employee Communications.

To learn more about opportunities to volunteer or to learn more about this year’s campaign, contact Allie, Department Chair, at Alexandra.Powell@cdcr.ca.gov or Holly Stewart at Holly.Stewart@cdcr.ca.gov; or visit the our promise site or (for employees) http://intranet/ADM/DSS/hr/oew/CSECC/Pages/CSECC.aspx.

The Our Promise campaign was established in 1957 to provide a single charitable fundraising drive for the California state employee community. The campaign is rooted in the California legislature and is administered by the Victim’s Compensation and Government Claims Board.

California Government Code, Section 13923, requires every employee receive an approved list of charitable organizations, a payroll deduction form, and a designation form. It also allows for payroll deduction for an annual charitable fund drive.

During the fall, each state employee is given a payroll deduction pledge form and a donor resource guide with participating charitable organizations. Employees may donate to a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit.

Any organization not listed in the donor resource guide may receive an employee contribution by completing the Write-In Organization section of the pledge form. Payroll deduction donations start for as little as $5 per month.

For additional information about the CDCR, please call the Office of External Affairs at
(916) 445-4950.

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Governor, hundreds turn out to honor CDCR’s finest

September 22, 2016, 4:53 pm

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(Editor’s note: Medal of Valor photos are availabeathttps://cdcrmedalofvalorceremony.shutterfly.com/pictures/222.
This site may not be available from a CDCR computer.)
By Krissi Khokhobashvili, CDCR Public Information Officer II
Photos by Eric Owens, CDCR Staff Photographer
and, Terry Thornton, Deputy Press Secretary
Office of Public and Employee Communications

There was no denying the pride in CDCR Secretary Scott Kernan’s face as he looked out over a room full of corrections employees and their families, gathered to honor their achievements and bravery at the 31st annual Medal of Valor ceremony.

“We have 60,000 employees, 29,000 of them sworn peace officers, and we’re here today to recognize them for heroic events both in prison and off duty,” Kernan said. “I would like to express my gratitude for all the dedicated women and men who serve our department. They exemplify a commitment to selfless service day in and day out.”

One by one, 125 CDCR employees from parole units, fire camps, training centers, headquarters and 21 correctional institutions accepted awards for deeds ranging from rendering aid during harrowing vehicle crashes and confronting dangerous assailants to saving the lives of inmates and staff during dangerous incidents inside state prisons.

Joining the department in congratulating the honorees was Gov. Jerry Brown, who came to the ceremony at Creekside Christian Church in Elk Grove to thank staff for their service.

“At the end of the day, the strength of a society is not its money, or its elections, much less its elected officials,” said Gov. Jerry Brown, who attended the ceremony. “It’s the people, their character, their virtue, and how they treat themselves, their families and their neighbors, and who are strengthening our state and country by what they’ve done. They go above and beyond the call of duty and act in a way that is profoundly humane and gives edification and inspiration to everyone else who hears about it or sees it.”

This year’s honorees included custody staff, parole agents, analysts, educators and medical professionals. Two correctional officers received the Medal of Valor, which is the department’s highest honor, reserved for employees distinguishing themselves by conspicuous bravery or heroism above and beyond the normal demands of correctional service, displaying great courage in the face of immediate life-threatening peril without jeopardizing the lives of others.

Correctional Officer Jaymi Appleberry certainly fits the bill. Attacked by an armed man while off duty, Appleberry put her training into lightning-fast action, managing to get her friend away from the assailant and disarm him, even while the gun fired twice. When the attacker tried to run after her, she turned the weapon on him, causing him to flee. Appleberry sustained a head laceration during the attack, but no doubt saved her friend’s life – and her own. Not bad for a correctional officer who has been with the department less than two years.

“It is truly a humbling experience, because I am still a new officer with such little time in,” said Appleberry, who works at California State Prison-Sacramento (SAC). “I am so grateful for the training, support and encouragement given to me by the departmental staff. I thank God for giving me the courage, and I thank the department for giving me the training.”

Correctional Officer Mike Johnson, a seven-year veteran of the department who has spent his whole career at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP), was also honored with the Medal of Valor for bravely saving two lives following a fiery crash in Salinas.

On his way home from work in 2015, Johnson came across a two-car crash with one vehicle on fire. Johnson and a Marina police officer rescued a woman from the vehicle by carrying her to safety just before the vehicle became engulfed in flames. Johnson also moved another victim to safety who had been on the ground near the burning vehicle. Both victims survived.

“My training was an immense factor on the positive outcome of the situation,” Johnson said. “As officers, we are trained to respond. One of the more important aspects we are taught is known as the OODA loop. Basically this means observe, orient, develop a plan, act, and the loop aspect is to recycle/reset as the situation changes.”

SVSP Warden Bill Muniz came to the Medal of Valor ceremony to support Johnson and his other employees who received awards. In addition to Johnson, eight SVSP employees were honored with a Unit Citation for risking their own safety to remove an inmate from a burning cell. Muniz pointed out that his staff responds to an average of 1,000 incidents each year, and their experience inside the maximum-security prison prepares them to assist citizens in the community, as well.

“The bravery instilled in staff by having to respond to emergent situations spills over,” Muniz explained. “They’re primed by all of the alarms they respond to, all the dangerous situations. They’re used to running in when others run out.”

While Johnson speaks matter-of-factly about the experience, his daughter Macy is quick to point out the heroism involved, and that not just anybody would be willing to put themselves in harm’s way in order to save a life.

“I feel like it’s not something a lot of people would do or be capable of doing,” she said. “He tore a console out of a car. I’m proud of him. I sum it up this way: This is what my dad is. This is what he does.”

In addition to his actions during the accident, Johnson also worked to raise money for the family to cover their astronomic medical bills, and hopes to work with fellow CDCR employees to establish a nonprofit that would raise money for families affected by traumatic events.

In addition to the two Medal of Valor recipients, 123 other CDCR employees were honored at the ceremony in the form of Unit Citations and Gold, Silver and Bronze Stars. The ceremony, which has been sponsored for 12 years by the California Correctional Supervisors Organization, also recognized employees with Distinguished Service Medals for exemplary work conduct, and with Employee Recognition Awards, honoring the department’s Administrator of the Year, Rehabilitation Professional of the Year and Correctional Officer and Supervisor of the Year, among others.

Gazing over the crowd, Kernan reflected on the hard work of the thousands of men and women whose actions day in and day out support the department’s vision of a safer California through correctional excellence.

“Our jobs have never been easy,” he said. “However, we continue meeting the challenges as they arise, sometimes at great personal sacrifice. I am proud to lead our staff as we strive to make the agency a national role model for corrections and rehabilitation.”

(Editor’s note: Medal of Valor photos are availabeathttps://cdcrmedalofvalorceremony.shutterfly.com/pictures/222.
This site may not be available from a CDCR computer.)

2016 honorees
Medal of Valor
The Medal of Valor is the Department’s highest award, earned by employees distinguishing themselves by conspicuous bravery or heroism above and beyond the normal demands of correctional service. The employee shall display great courage in the face of immediate life-threatening peril and with full knowledge of the risk involved. The act should show professional judgment and not jeopardize operations or in the lives of others.

Mike R. Johnson, Correctional Officer
Salinas Valley State Prison

Jaymi Appleberry, Correctional Officer
California State Prison-Sacramento

Gold Star Medal
The Gold Star medal is awarded for heroic deeds under extraordinary circumstances. The employee shall display courage in the face of immediate peril in acting to save the life of another person.

Jesus Blandon, Correctional Officer
California Health Care Facility.

Silver Star Medal
The Silver Star medal is awarded for acts of bravery under extraordinary or unusual circumstances. The employee shall display courage in the face of potential peril while saving or attempting to save the life of another person or distinguish him/herself by performing in stressful situations with exceptional tactics or judgement.

John Edelman, Parole Agent I
California Parolee Apprehension Team North

Kenneth Thomas, Parole Agent I
Sean Torphy, Parole Agent I
Ben Somera, Parole Agent I
Southern Region California Parolee Apprehension Team

John Mendiboure, Correctional Lieutenant
Michael Tuntakit, Correctional Lieutenant
Avenal State Prison

Rafael Diaz, Correctional Officer
Correctional Training Center

Peter Vanderford, Correctional Officer
Prado Conservation Camp #28

Mario Gutierrez, Correctional Officer
Southern Camp Warehouse

Quincy Thacker, Parole Administrator
Southern Region California Parolee Apprehension Team

Eduardo (Edward) Sanchez, Parole Agent I
Southern Region California Parolee Apprehension Team

Miguel Lopez, Youth Correctional Officer
Vincent Sillas, Lieutenant Youth Authority
Ventura Youth Correctional Facility

Steve M. Mello, Correctional Officer
North Kern State Prison

Darrell Nygren, Correctional Sergeant
Ronnie Wheeler, Correctional Officer
Ted Zerr, Correctional Officer
California State Prison-Sacramento

Aaron Brannen, Correctional Officer
Christopher Causey, Correctional Officer
California State Prison-Sacramento

Chad Look, Correctional Officer
Luis Delatorre, Correctional Officer
Tyson Manning, Correctional Officer
Wasco State Prison Reception Center

Daniel Rodriguez, Correctional Officer
San Quentin State Prison

Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star is awarded for saving a life without placing oneself in peril. The employee shall have used proper training and tactics in a professional manner to save, or clearly contribute to saving, the life of another person.

Juan Aguirre, Correctional Officer
Travon Rodgers, Correctional Officer
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility

Gary Gomez, Correctional Officer
Ironwood State Prison

Raymond Dominguez, Correctional Officer
Joshua Priester, Correctional Officer
Folsom State Prison

Derek Kelley, Correctional Officer
Wayne Anthony, Retired Correctional Lieutenant
Pelican Bay State Prison

Joseph Jasso, Correctional Food Manager I
Chuckawalla Valley State Prison

Stan Tuck, Correctional Sergeant
Avenal State Prison

Karla Joseph, Correctional Officer
San Quentin State Prison

Karen Elliott, Correctional Case Records Administrator
Division of Adult Institutions – Case Records Services

Gerardo Garcia, Pharmacy Technician
Central California Women’s Facility

Shawn Dawson, Correctional Officer
Victor Ruiz, Correctional Officer
Chuckawalla Valley State Prison

Eric Baker, Correctional Sergeant
California State Prison, Sacramento

Roy Dickinson, Special Agent
Office of Correctional Safety Fugitive Apprehension Team – Fresno

Marco Arana, Correctional Officer
California Institution for Women

Fernando Herrera, Correctional Sergeant
Office of Training and Personal Development/Advanced Learning Institute

Christian Logan, Correctional Officer
Kern Valley State Prison

Deric Johnson, Associate Construction Analyst
Facility Planning, Construction & Management

Doug Sykes, Correctional Officer
High Desert State Prison

Stacey Emerson, Correctional Officer
High Desert State Prison

David Church, Correctional Officer
Robert Gamberg Sr., Correctional Lieutenant
Craig Phillips, Supervising Registered Nurse III
High Desert State Prison

Unit Citation Medal
The Unit Citation is awarded for great courage displayed by a departmental unit in the course of conducting an operation in the face of immediate life-threatening circumstances.

Fernand Alvarez, Physician & Surgeon
Denise Reyes, Physician & Surgeon
George Beatty, Physician & Surgeon
Clarene David, Physician & Surgeon
Shannon Garrigan, Physician & Surgeon
John Grant, Physician & Surgeon
Doreen Leighton, Physician & Surgeon
Jenny Espinoza, Physician & Surgeon
Alison Pachynski, Physician & Surgeon
Michael Rowe, Physician & Surgeon
Daniel Smith, Physician & Surgeon
Rahul Vanjani, Physician & Surgeon
Lisa Pratt, Chief Physician & Surgeon
Elena Tootell, Chief Medical Executive
Ingrid Nelson, Nurse Practitioner
Peggy Hanna, Nurse Practitioner
San Quentin State Prison
(This team is also recognized as Healthcare Professional of the Year)

Servando Ceballos, Correctional Officer
Danny A. Delgadillo, Correctional Officer
Brenda Sanchez, Correctional Officer
Jason A. Sanudo, Correctional Officer
Daryl L. Schlitz, Correctional Officer
Carlos A. Vega, Correctional Officer
Thadd C. Wittmann, Correctional Officer
Darryl L. Williams, Correctional Sergeant
Salinas Valley State Prison

David Gonzales, Correctional Sergeant
Tyrome Johnson, Correctional Officer
Michelle Stein, Registered Nurse
Petyo Rashev, Correctional Officer
Jeremy Prentice, Correctional Lieutenant
Steven Byers, Correctional Sergeant
Kathryn Manness, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Jason Murillo, Correctional Officer
Breanna Ortiz, Correctional Officer
Rolfe Dixon, Correctional Officer
California State Prison-Sacramento

Leonel Garcia, Correctional Officer
Brandon Merkelbach, Correctional Officer
Vincent Mayorga, Correctional Officer
Mark Garcia, Correctional Sergeant
California Institution for Women

Henry Arevalo Jr., Correctional Officer
Ricky Charles, Correctional Officer
Eric Dixon, Correctional Officer
Ernest Parker, Correctional Officer
Robert Perez, Correctional Officer
Michael Rients, Correctional Officer
Daniel Vasquez, Correctional Officer
Claire Garrovillo, Registered Nurse
William Sullivan, Correctional Sergeant
Kern Valley State Prison

Dylan Brown, Correctional Officer
Christopher Causey, Correctional Officer
Seth Ignasiak, Correctional Officer
Jeff Leech, Correctional Officer
Robert Mott, Correctional Officer
Breanna Ortiz, Correctional Officer
Matthew Troth, Correctional Officer
Paul Bettencourt, Correctional Officer
California State Prison-Sacramento

Distinguished Service Medal
The Distinguished Service Medal is awarded for an employee’s exemplary work conduct with the Department for a period of months or years, or involvement in a specific assignment of unusual benefit to the Department.

Charles Wood, Correctional Health Services Administrator II
California State Prison-Sacramento

David Johns, Parole Agent I
Northern Region, Ukiah Parole Unit

Richard Gonsalves, Parole Agent I
Meshal Kashifalghita, Parole Agent I
Kenneth Thomas, Parole Agent I
Joshua Bateson, Parole Agent II
Eduardo (Edward) Sanchez, Parole Agent I
Cecelia Gutierrez, Parole Service Associate
Elizabeth Ornelas, Parole Service Associate
Patricia Tellez, Parole Agent II
Southern Region California Parolee Apprehension Team

Dawn Hershberger, Correctional Officer
California Correctional Center

Marlaina Dernoncourt, Correctional Captain
California State Prison-Solano

Employee Recognition Awards
Executive of the Year
Clark Ducart, Warden
Pelican Bay State Prison

Administrator of the Year
Jason Lopez, Deputy Director
Office of Fiscal Services

Rehabilitation Professional of the Year
Jacqueline Laudeman, Correctional Counselor III
Division of Rehabilitative Programs

Division of Adult Parole Operations Professional of the Year
Denise Milano, Chief Deputy Administrator, Correctional Program
Headquarters

Correctional Officer of the Year
Juan C. Velazquez, Correctional Officer
California Institution for Men

Correctional Supervisor of the Year
Andres Banuelos, Correctional Lieutenant
California Institution for Men

Division of Juvenile Justice Professional of the Year
Heather Bowlds, Associate Director, Mental Health

Healthcare Professional of the Year
Legionnaires’ Disease Team
San Quentin State Prison

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CDCR Announces Automated Email Notification Services for Crime Victims

December 6, 2016, 10:48 am

≫ Next: CDCR is helping families receive an extra $6,000 this tax season

≪ Previous: Governor, hundreds turn out to honor CDCR’s finest

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS) announced they will begin using the new Automated Email Notification Services to better serve and communicate with crime victims starting in December 2016. The new Automated Email Notification Services will allow for a 90-day in advance email notification of release to crime victims whose offender is in CDCR custody. The system will also be able to immediately email victims and notify them of an escape or death of an offender. With the addition of this new service, CDCR will discontinue sending notifications through the Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) service effective December 31, 2016.

In an effort to streamline notification requests and offender updates, CDCR began providing more electronic tools and services to victims and their family members over the past year.

For instance, during this year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, OVSRS unveiled the new e1707, Request for Victim Services web form, which gives victims and their family members the option of using online services from their smartphone or any computer. This electronic service allows the victim to update their contact information and change requested services quickly and on their own time. Also, the CDCR Inmate ID Locator, http://inmatelocator.cdcr.ca.govallows victims and other members of the public to confirm an offender’s CDCR number and current prison location any time of the day.

Currently, CDCR delivers more than 20,000 notifications every year to victims of CDCR offenders. CDCR has approximately 117,000 offenders in its 35 institutions and another 14,000 offenders in its out-of-state correctional facilities, community correctional facilities and conservation camps.If you or a family member is a victim of a crime, it is vital that you register for available services provided by CDCR. Registering with the department will allow you access to a menu of services including notification of release, escape or death of an offender, collection of court ordered restitution, assistance with the parole hearing process and requests for special conditions of parole. Also, if you have been a victim in the past of an offender that is currently in a CDCR prison or has been under the jurisdiction of CDCR in the past, OVSRS may have collected restitution on your behalf. Please contact our office toll free at 1-877-256-6877 or via email at victimservices@cdcr.ca.gov
Crime victims can register for services online at https://e1707.cdcr.ca.gov/

For all other non-victim-related services, you can contact CDCR Inmate Locator at (916) 445-6713 or access the online service at: http://inmatelocator.cdcr.ca.gov/

For more information about CDCR’s Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services, visit CDCR’s website at http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/victims

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CDCR is helping families receive an extra $6,000 this tax season

December 16, 2016, 8:54 pm

≫ Next: Proposition 64 – Marijuana Legalization

≪ Previous: CDCR Announces Automated Email Notification Services for Crime Victims

What would you do with an extra $6,000?

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is helping families receive an extra $6,000 this tax season.

California began offering its own Earned Income Tax Credit (Cal EITC) starting with calendar year 2015 tax returns. This is a new refundable tax credit that puts money back in the pockets of California’s working families and individuals.

To receive free tax preparation assistance, visit the following link to find free tax assistance locations: CalEITC4Me.org

Cal EITC is modeled after a federal credit that also gives back money to working families. With the combined state and federal credits, the program provides up to $6,000. That’s money that can be used for rent, utilities, groceries, and other important expenses. The Maximum California refund a family can receive is $2,653. The only way to obtain the California EITC credit is to file your taxes.

The amount of the cash-back tax credit depends on individual income and family size. To qualify for at least one of the two cash-back credits, wages must be less than $54,000. The number of qualifying children supported also impacts the credit amount.

To be eligible for the Cal EITC cash-back program, you must have a W-2 and Social Security Number. Eligible income ranges from less than $6,560 with no dependents, and up to $13,870 for those with two or more dependents. If you have no dependents, you must be 25 to 65 years old.

Visit www.CalEITC4Me.org to get more information about qualifying child requirements or to use the credit calculator to find out how much cash-back tax credits are worth.

For information or assistance with CDCR, contact the Office of External Affairs

at (916) 445-4950.

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Proposition 64 – Marijuana Legalization

December 16, 2016, 9:18 pm

≫ Next: Council on Mentally Ill Offenders looks at challenges, successes of 2016

≪ Previous: CDCR is helping families receive an extra $6,000 this tax season

Proposition 64 – Marijuana Legalization

Proposition 64 changes state law to legalize adult nonmedical use of marijuana; creates a system for regulating nonmedical marijuana businesses; imposes taxes on marijuana; and changes penalties for marijuana-related crimes.

Background

Proposition 64 was approved by California voters on November 8, 2016. Itchanged penalties for future marijuana crimes, and changed state marijuana penalties. For example, possession of one ounce or less of marijuana was previously punishable by a $100 fine. In addition, selling marijuana for nonmedical purposes was punishable by up to four years in state prison or county jail. Under the new law, if under the age of 18, an individual would instead be required to attend a drug education or counseling program and complete community service.

Also, selling marijuana without a license would be a crime generally punishable by up to six months in county jail and/or a fine of up to $500. Individuals engaging in any marijuana business activity without a license would be subject to a civil penalty of up to three times the amount of the license fee for each violation. The penalties for driving a vehicle while under the impairment of marijuana would remain the same. The new law requires the destruction of criminal records for individuals arrested or convicted for certain marijuana-related offenses within the past two years.

How the new law affects inmates in prison for marijuana crimes

Individuals previously convicted of marijuana crimes who are currentlyserving a state prison sentence for activities that are now legal or are subject to lesser penalties are eligible to petition for resentencing.
A court will not be required to resentence someone if it determined that the person was likely to commit certain severe crimes.
Qualifying individuals will be resentenced to whatever punishment they would have received under the new law.
Resentenced individuals currently in jail or prison will be subject to community supervision (such as probation) for up to one year following their release, unless a court removes that requirement.
Individuals who have completed sentences for crimes that are reduced by the measure can apply to the courts to have their criminal records changed.
No inmates from state prison will be automatically resentenced or released. Courts will determine whether an inmate meets the eligibility criteria and poses an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety.

Offender eligibility

As of Oct. 31, 2016, CDCR estimates that approximately 1,449 offenders under the department’s supervision (inmates and parolees) would be eligible to petition a court for resentencing. The courts would then determine whether an inmate poses an unreasonable risk to public safety.

The resentencing process

Offenders must petition the court in which they were sentenced to have their felony marijuana-related convictions reduced. County courts would conduct resentencing hearings after determining whether the offender’s criminal history would make him/her eligible for resentencing. Under the new law, the court would be required to resentence eligible offenders unless it determines that resentencing would pose an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety.

In exercising its discretion, the court may consider all of the following:

Criminal history, including the type of crimes committed, the extent of injury to victims and the length of prior prison commitments
Disciplinary record and record of rehabilitation while incarcerated
Other evidence relevant to determine the risk to public safety

Offenders whose requests for resentencing are denied by the courts would continue to serve out their terms as originally sentenced.

How will inmates become aware of the law change?

CDCR has identified the inmates who may be affected and has a process to educate them about the law change, including plans to:

Provide information in prison law libraries
Post notices in housing units
Broadcast information on prison video channels
Notify Inmate Advisory Council representatives

All information would be provided in English and Spanish.

For additional information, please contact Albert Rivas at Albert.rivas@cdcr.ca.gov or Matthew Westbrook at Matthew.Westbrook@cdcr.ca.gov or call the Office of External Affairs at (916) 445-4950.

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Council on Mentally Ill Offenders looks at challenges, successes of 2016

December 28, 2016, 11:07 am

≫ Next: CDCR empowers offenders to make positive life choices through community-based programming

≪ Previous: Proposition 64 – Marijuana Legalization

The Council on Mentally Ill Offenders, or COMIO, released its latest annual report in December 2016. Read the full report here: http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/COMIO/docs/COMIO-15th-Annual-Report.pdf

The incarceration of individuals with behavioral health problems is a national, state and local crisis. Incarceration due to untreated mental illness illustrates how systems and communities can fail those most in need. Prisons and jails have become de facto mental health treatment centers and police have become de facto mental health crisis first responders.

CDCR has seen the population with mental-health needs, particularly serious ones, expand significantly. In 2006, the mental health population, as a percent of the total in-custody population, was just shy of 19 percent. As of July 2016, that number rose to almost 30 percent.

Too often, those with mental illness do not get treatment until they become involved in the justice system. COMIO is a 12-member council of appointed subject matter experts that strive to end the criminalization of individuals with mental illness by supporting proven strategies that promote early intervention, access to effective treatments, a planned re-entry to society and the preservation of public safety. COMIO examines strategies that strengthen service coordination among state and local mental health, criminal justice, and juvenile justice programs. In addition, COMIO promotes strategies that improve the ability of adult and juvenile offenders with mental health needs to transition successfully between corrections-based, juvenile-based, and community-based treatment programs.

“Our mission at COMIO might seem daunting, but it is critically important,” said COMIO Chair and CDCR Secretary Scott Kernan. “We aim to build bridges between partners in criminal justice and mental health so that we can tackle this challenge collaboratively.”

Breaking the barrier of stigma

While effectively using our various roles in the criminal justice and mental health systems is important, achieving systemic change requires tackling stigma-based decision making. By raising awareness and consciousness, we can work to reduce the stigmas inflicting this population. Stigma leads to unfair judgment, and unfair judgment leads to unfair behavior and interaction.

Our collective challenge is to ensure stigma does not influence the policies and practices we use when working with individuals with mental health challenges. Particularly those who are, or who are at risk of becoming, incarcerated. Actions based in myths and misperceptions can reinforce the marginalized status of justice-involved individuals with mental illness, which can be far-reaching and significantly debilitating. For example, a person with mental illness arrested on theft, with no prior history of violence, should not have a higher bond than a person without mental illness who was arrested for the same crime.

COMIO focused on the three priority areas in 2016:

Diversion – Overcoming Barriers to Build Capacity for Effective Interventions
Training – Supporting Skills and Competencies Beyond First-Responders
Juvenile Justice – Understanding and Addressing the Needs of a Changing Population

Key themes

Waiting to address behavioral health needs until incarceration will pull scarce resources towards the wrong end of the system. The time to invest in strategies that divert individuals from incarceration and enhance service and housing capacity for those with high needs and risks is now. Difficult decisions are ahead for local and state policymakers. The COMIO report provides guidance and encourages decision-making that supports the individual living with behavioral health needs, as well as, and the various systems trying to serve that individual while fulfilling their own obligations and duties.

Below is a summary of the most pertinent key themes raised in the COMIO 2016 Annual Report.

The stigma associated with mental illness, substance use disorder, and justice status must be recognized and not tolerated to ensure that policies and practices do not perpetuate inequities.
Assumptions about what works and does not work must be challenged by insisting on measuring both reductions in recidivism and behavioral health symptoms.
The majority of justice-involved individuals with mental illness have a co-occurring substance use disorder which complicates treatment and recovery. Access to adequate services for co-occurring disorders, substance misuse, medical conditions and qualified staff is essential.
Sharing sensitive information, both health and justice data, is essential to target efforts to prevent incarceration.
Assessment tools must be utilized to identify the level of risk and need of each justice-involved individual with mental illness to assure that appropriate treatment and services are provided and directed towards reducing recidivism.
Maximize the use of federally supported Medi-Cal funding in all diversion efforts.
The housing crisis, high cost and accessibility of housing, and stigma towards justice-involved individuals with mental illness are real and present barriers to efforts to build and provide community alternatives to incarceration whether it be inpatient facilities, crisis residential, group homes, or independent living. Broad, comprehensive, and creative efforts beyond addressing the needs of the homeless or at-risk of homelessness are needed.
Support expanded efforts to keep individuals with mental illness out of jails through examining bail and pre-trial detention policies that have a disproportional impact on individuals with mental illness.
Consider how mental illness as a basis for diversion could be expanded. Review which offenses could be additionally considered for authorization of diversion.
Crisis response is not just about trained first responders. What is needed is a planned response that goes beyond the initial contact and leads to ongoing treatment in the community. Without developing these capacities, no amount of training can resolve law enforcement’s current burden.
Law enforcement and community correctional officers are faced with an increasingly challenging mental health population. They need opportunities to build skills and support their own well-being so they can perform an increasingly demanding job.
High-risk and high need justice-involved youth are congregating in our detention facilities and are in need of foster care reforms to be effective. Continued efforts to ensure the “difficult” to serve, particularly foster care youth, get the services they need, especially substance use treatment.
At a state-level prioritize support for data infrastructure, including at the local level, but only collect data needed to monitor trends to inform policies and practices. Support local entities gain the capacity for further research and evaluation efforts on best practices.

Future direction

It was a year of change for COMIO with the addition of new leadership, members and staff. COMIO embarked on efforts to strengthen our relationships with key partners across criminal justice and behavioral health systems. During this process we recognized a need to focus efforts on building bridges across systems to improve understanding of different perspectives and promote problem-solving to prevent incarceration.

Change has many positive outcomes, including an opportunity to look at COMIO’s priorities and accomplishments and adjust to seize existing opportunities and tackle challenges. In 2017, it will be a year of further change by re-structuring committee and council meetings. This will allow for more intensive issue-specific work in fewer areas with more input from state and local experts and stakeholders.

To follow COMIO’s work and to receive information about workshops and meetings, visit www.CDCR.ca.gov/COMIO/ and subscribe to the monthly newsletter by emailing comionews@gmail.com

For additional information or assistance with CDCR, contact the Office of External Affairs at (916) 445-4950.

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CDCR empowers offenders to make positive life choices through community-based programming

January 10, 2017, 4:26 pm

≫ Next: Richard J. Donovan Facility: Military Personnel Honored at Mt. Soledad Memorial for Service and Bravery

≪ Previous: Council on Mentally Ill Offenders looks at challenges, successes of 2016

By Holly Stewart, Associate Governmental Program Analyst
CDCR’s Office of Public and Employee Communications

The definition of rehabilitation is “to restore to a condition of good health or restore a good reputation.” Offenders often struggle to reintegrate into communities due to existing barriers, such as lack of housing, lack of employment, and/or lack of social capital.

CDCR’s Mission is to enhance public safety through safe and secure incarceration of offenders, effective parole supervision, and rehabilitative strategies to successfully reintegrate offenders into our communities. Through outreach, partnerships, and the shared common goal to help offenders succeed, CDCR seeks to develop meaningful programs and processes to promote shared responsibility for community safety.

One method CDCR utilizes to empower offenders is through the use of community reentry programs across California such as STOP, Specialized Treatment for Optimized Programming. STOP provides comprehensive, evidence-based programming and services to parolees transitioning into the community within their first year of release. In order to support a successful reentry, STOP includes access to services such as substance use disorder treatment, general health education services, anger management, community and family reunification services, employment and educational services, and sober living and/or transitional housing.

One Sacramento based organization under the umbrella of STOP, is the Freedom Through Education (FTE) Campus. FTE promotes #TransformationTuesday every day. While the popular Tuesday hashtag trend is geared toward fitness, fashion and life achievements, FTE recognizes noteworthy life achievements daily.

For some, rehabilitation may mean focusing on personal and professional development, while for others, the focus may be on creating quality habits. An example of creating a quality habit might be meditation. Think of a happy place, close your eyes with palms facing up, relax your mind, take a deep breath, and inhale through your nose, exhale and release. Then repeat. Does this feel or sound familiar? It’s an example of engaging in mental exercise for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness. Whether it be physical or mental exercise, reading before bedtime, meal-prepping on Sundays, setting your clock ahead to make you get places earlier or saying “Wed-nes-day” phonetically to help you spell it, everyone has created and reinforced a new habit (good or bad) at one point in their lives.

Parolees participating in a STOP platform create a solid stage for success. The FTE Campus has served over 100 men in just over a year. During this time, there have been offenders who reunited with their families, earned stable employment, and moved into their own home. FTE seeks to lay the foundation for transformation across the grid.

FTE, or Freedom House-MLK, is a 10-unit apartment complex that has been fully renovated into a clean and safe sober living environment for men to change their lives. Additional provisions include food and toiletries for each client, transportation to treatment and other necessary appointments, and FTE staff living on site.

Bill Lane, Ph. D., president of the nonprofit organization that runs the FTE Campus, is hard at work every day – offering his participants a new lease on life and making a positive impact in the surrounding community of South City Farms. As one of the top consultants in the nation for high-risk youth and adults, Lane has an extensive background working with the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated adults and juveniles for 30 years, making him an exceptional STOP subcontractor for CDCR. Lane unceasingly takes all of his participants under his wing, holding them accountable and elevating them toward a higher purpose. Within this responsibility come many opportunities, spotlighting opportunities for participants to revive and reinforce family bonds, establish themselves in the community and engage in employment services.

As fate would have it, former prison cellmates Dennis and William found themselves close neighbors once more at the FTE Campus. Although each has a different perspective and story to tell, both have demonstrated dynamic transformations in their lives thanks to Lane’s program.

Dennis has been in the program for six months, soon to graduate from the FTE program.

“All the FTE participants are very encouraging and willing to share knowledge with each other. The receiving networks are very powerful and it’s the best time to get out of prison,” he said.

His program participation has proven profitable, as he completed a 40-hour HAZMAT course while earning his AA degree and recently accepted a supervisory position at a technology company. Not only has the FTE program allowed stability for Dennis professionally, it stimulated a reconnection with his daughter who graduated high school earlier this year. He attributes his personal and professional progress to Lane’s support and resourcefulness in connection with services provided at the FTE Campus.

“Bill is approachable and resourceful with countless connections in the community,” Dennis said.

William had been in the program for three months before parting ways with FTE. Explaining the decision, he recalled, “During my time here I had some issues with other participants due to stupidity on their end. I was ultimately discharged due to bad behavior.”

William was discharged from prison in spring 2016 and immediately started his FTE programming, setting objectives and accomplishing goals right away.

“I earned a job within the first three weeks and became a certified electrician. I am fortunate to be able to take my son to work with me and show him what a great work ethic looks like,” he said.

Not only have the family bonds between father and son been restored, but his family ties with his nearby sister have been re-established; making him feel appreciated and loved that much more.

“That love pushes and motivates me every day. Lifestyles lead to prison – success is making the decision that I’m never going back,” he acknowledged.

In combination with influencing participant success, the FTE Campus is community conscious. Their efforts are positively impacting the South City Farm community by actively contributing to ventures such as the Community Clean-Up day for South Sacramento, the restoration of Little League Baseball Fields, cleaning and relocating various nonprofits and completing repairs for needy families. Not only are they committed to public safety and improvement, they are also involved in the MLK Neighborhood Association and working to partner with the police department on a joint effort to clean up 46^th Avenue.

Learn more at www.freedomthrougheducation.com.

Through community based partnerships, CDCR is able to strengthen reentry services across California and empower offenders to engage in successful reintegration. The STOP program areas assist in targeted service delivery into communities to afford offenders with resources and strategies to overcome barriers to their success.

#CDCRExternalAffairsBlog #CDCRPressOffice #CDCR

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Richard J. Donovan Facility: Military Personnel Honored at Mt. Soledad Memorial for Service and Bravery

February 24, 2017, 4:56 pm

≫ Next: CDCR Changes to Inmate Classification and Discipline Regulations

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Richard J. Donovan Facility: Military Personnel Honored at Mt. Soledad Memorial for Service and Bravery

Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJDCF) staff, the local California Correctional Peace Officers Association Chapter, and USE Credit Union raised funds to commission a plaque at the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial.

The plaque honored more than 130 armed services veterans who currently work at RJDCF. These veterans span all five branches of military service and come from a diverse background, but all have the common bond of dedication and service to our country. In attendance at the event was Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, former Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, RJDCF staff, and veterans being honored.

More than 3,300 veterans are honored on six of the original Memorial Walls. Honorees include Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Ford and Reagan, twelve Medal of Honor recipients, Admirals Stockdale and Halsey, Generals Pershing and Patton, celebrity veterans Audie Murphy and Jimmy Stewart and many other veterans who proudly served our country.

The following Richard J. Donovan staff are now
recognized at Mt. Soledad for their bravery and military service.

ABRAHAM SANCHEZ, CORPORAL, MARINES

AITHEA JONES, E-3, ARMY

ALANWILLIAMS, PETTY OFFICER, NAVY

ALDOGARCIA, SERGEANT FIRST CLASS, ARMY

ALEJANDROMENDOZA, DKI (SW), NAVY

ALFRED AGUIRRE, SERGEANT, MARINES

AMIR KARDOUNI, SERGEANT E-5, AIR FORCE

ANACLATO ANCHETA, LIEUTENANT, COMMANDER, NAVY

ANDREW PARKER, SPECIALIST E-4, ARMY

ANTHONY, LCROCCO, SERGEANT E-5, ARMY

ANTHONY WEITZEL, SERGEANT MAJOR, MARINES

ANTONIO MENDEZ, SERGEANT, CA NATIONAL GUARD

ARCHIMEDES DE JESUS, CHIEF PETTY OFFICER, NAVY

ARTHUR GUARACHA, CORPORAL, MARINES

ASHLEY LEEPER, PRIVATE 1ST CLASS, ARMY

BERNARDINO SEVILLA, THIRD CLASS , NAVY

CARLOS MARTINEZ, CSI (SW), NAVY

CARLOS MEZA, SPECIALIST E-4, ARMY

CESAR CARDENAS, CHIEF ELECTRICIAN'S MATE, NAVY

CHAKALIA ALLEN, AS2, NAVY

CHARLOTTE OWENS, E-2, ARMY

CHRIS COROTAN, CORPSMAN E-3, NAVY

CRAIG HERNANDEZ, CHIEF PETTY OFFICER, NAVY

CURTIS WRIGHT, HM2, NAVY

DAMON COLEMAN, FIRST SERGEANT, ARMY

DAMON HODGE, CORPORAL, MARINES

DANIEL WRIGHT, E-7, NAVY

DANIEL HERNANDEZ, SPECIALIST, ARMY

DANIEL SPURGEON, SPC 4, ARMY

DARIAN WOODRUFF, ELECTRICIAN'S MATE THIRD CLASS, NAVY

DAVEHOSKINS, CHIEF PETTY OFFICER, NAVY

DAVID HOLBROOK, PETTY OFFICER, NAVY

DAVID TAPIA, SENIOR AIRMAN, AIR FORCE

DEANDRE PAMPLIN, E-4, NAVY

DONALD INGRAM, CHIEF PETTY OFFICER, NAVY

EDUARDO GARZA, SERGEANT, MARINES

EDWARD TUBAO, FIRST SERGEANT, ARMY

ERIC QUILLEN, STAFF SERGEANT, ARMY

EUGENE CARTER, CHIEF PETTY OFFICER, NAVY

EUSEO GUZMAN, MM3, NAVY

EVERETT BENYARD, CHIEF, NAVY

FIDEL RAMIEREZ, CHIEF PETTY OFFICER, NAVY

FLORENTINO JACA, CHIEF PETTY OFFICER, NAVY

FRANCISCO VASQUEZ, SERGEANT, MARINES

FRANK FERNANDEZ, CORPORAL MARINES

GARYLEWIS, PETTY OFFICER, NAVY

GERARDO ARTEAGA, LANCE CORPORAL, MARINES

GRAHAM MCGRUER, E-6, NAVY

HAI LE, SERGEANT, MARINES

HECTOR FERREL, SPECIALIST E-4, ARMY

HECTOR ROMERO, STAFF SERGEANT, ARMY

HOWARD ASBURY, OPERATIONS SPECIALIST FIRST CLASS, NAVY

IGNACIO SANCHEZ, CORPORAL, MARINES

ISMAEL SILVA, E-6, NAVY

JACQUELYNBUTTERIS, MM3, NAVY

JAIMEDELLA CHIEF, WARRANT OFFICER, NAVY

JAMES BOLIN, SERGEANT, AIR FORCE

JAMES COHEN, E-6, NAVY

JAMES WILBORN, SERGEANT, ARMY

JARROD ORSATT, E-4, MARINES

JASON IVES, CORPORAL, MARINES

JOHN DUNLAP, SERGEANT, ARMY

JOHN MAHAN, SERGEANT, AIR FORCE

JOHN PLUMMER, GUNNERY SERGEANT, MARINES

JON GOODBAR, TECHNICAL SERGEANT, AIR FORCE

JORGE FELIX, E4, ARMY

JOSE LUNA, SERGEANT, MARINES

JOSE SANCHEZ, SERGEANT, MARINES

JOSEPH MITCHELL, CHIEF PETTY OFFICER, NAVY

JUAN NEVAREZ, CORPORAL, MARINES

JUSTIN GARCIA, STAFF SERGEANT, AIR FORCE

KEVIN KOLE, SPECIALIST, ARMY

KIETH ASKERNEES YEOMAN, E-4, NAVY

KIMBERLY CORTES, MAJOR, AIR FORCE

LILIBETH LAYON, CSW, NAVY

LORIANN TILLMAN, SERGEANT, MARINES

MANUEL MACES, SERGEANT, MARINES

MARCUS DOMINGUEZ, CORPORAL, MARINES

MARIA BALCOS, RN, NAVY

MARK DAVIS, SPECIALIST E-4, ARMY

MARK HASSELBLAD, SERGEANT E6, MARINES

MARTIN MORFORD, COMBAT MEDIC SERGEANT, ARMY

MATHEW RICO, E4, MARINES

MICHAEL TEICHNER, SPECIALIST E-4, ARMY

MICHAEL ROGGELIN, SERGEANT, AIR FORCE

MICHAEL TOWNSEND, E-7, NAVY

MICHAEL KOHLER, GMG1 FIRST CLASS, NAVY

MITCHELL WAGNER, PETTY OFFICER E-4, NAVY

NEIL BOWERS, E-6, NAVY

NICK LEONES, CHIEF PETTY OFFICER, NAVY

OMAR SANCHEZ, SPC, ARMY

PETE CARLOMAGNO, CW4, ARMY

PHILIP BRACAMONTE, SERGEANT, MARINES

QUINTON JACKSON, PH3, NAVY

RAULRODRIGUEZ, E4, MARINES

RAYMOND NORIEGA, E4, MARINES

RENALDI TOLEDO, FIRST SERGEANT, ARMY

RESTITUTO GALVANTE, E-8, NAVY

REYNALDO ANGELES, E-9, NAVY

REYNALDO MANLANGIT, PO1, NAVY

RICARDO CARRENO, C/O, MARINES

RICHARD BLANDING, BM1(SW), NAVY

RICHARD LUCHT, LIEUTENANT, NAVY

RICK RYBNIKAR, SPC 4, ARMY

ROBERT SANTIAGO, STAFF SERGEANT, MARINES

ROBERT SORIANO, E-6, NAVY

ROBERT LONGWORTH, MM3, NAVY

RONILA IVORY, FC1, NAVY

SAMUEL RAWLS, PETTY OFFICER THIRD CLASS, NAVY

SAMUEL LARA, PETTY OFFICER, NAVY

SCOTT STEADMAN, CORPORAL, MARINES

SEAN MASTERSON, SERGEANT, ARMY

STEPHEN LEE, CAPTAIN, NAVY

THOMAS MARTINEZ, GUNNERY SERGEANT, MARINES

TIMOTHY PICKERING, E-5, NAVY

TOM ELARD, MSG, MARINES

TOMMY SOTO, SERGEANT, AIR FORCE

TONYALVAREZ, CHIEF PETTY OFFICER, NAVY

TROYTHOMISON, LANCE CORPORAL, MARINES

TROYJEFFERIES, AZ1, NAVY

TYLER BOSPFLUG, E5, MARINES

VALERIE GRIGGS, E-4, ARMY

VERNGARCIA, MSG, ARMY

VIRGINIA JOYNER, SPECIALIST 4, ARMY

WILLIAM WARD, CHIEF PETTY OFFICER, NAVY

WILLIAM STUTZMAN, TECHNICAL STAFF SERGEANT, AIR FORCE

WILLIAM BORBON, SERGEANT, MARINES

WILLIE GILLIS, HTC, NAVY

WILLIE BRUNNER, CORPORAL, ARMY

The Mt. Soledad Memorial Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit California organization. The Memorial is owned by the Federal Government and maintained by the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association. The Memorial Association receives no funding from the Federal Government.

For information about the Mt. Soledad Memorial, please visit: www.soledadMemorial.com

To learn more about RJDCF veteran staff memorial project, please contact Robert Brown, Community Resource Manager at (619) 661-8654 or by email at Robert.brown3@cdcr.ca.gov For more information about CDCR, please contact Albert Rivas, Chief, Office of External Affairs at (916) 445-4950 or email Albert.Rivas@cdcr.ca.gov

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CDCR Changes to Inmate Classification and Discipline Regulations

February 28, 2017, 5:37 pm

≫ Next: 2016 Our Promise Campaign Results

≪ Previous: Richard J. Donovan Facility: Military Personnel Honored at Mt. Soledad Memorial for Service and Bravery

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) published changes to the inmate classification system. These new regulations will promote inmate rehabilitation and participation in programs, as well as ensure the safety and security of the public, staff, and other inmates, and reduce recidivism, while ensuring that inmates may continue to be safely incarcerated.

The changes will be applied during an inmate’s annual classification review process. During the annual classification reviews, the inmate’s behavior and programming will be thoroughly considered. The criteria for the regulations are in line with the prison reforms the department has adopted over the past several years, which focus on the programming and rehabilitation of inmates. The new regulations went into effect February 20, 2017 and the new regulation information will be made available for inmates in law libraries at CDCR institutions. The regulations are also posted in the institutions and mailed to inmates that have requested to be on the department’s mailing list for new regulations.

How do these changes promote positive programming?

The classification changes will provide opportunities for an inmate to earn placement in lower security level facilities and reductions in level of custody if they meet very specific conditions.
Historically, an inmate serving a term of life-without-parole (LWOP) was excluded from placement in level II institutions due to a mandatory minimum score that would keep them in a level III or IV prison.

Under the new changes, positively programming inmates sentenced to LWOP would be considered for placement at a level II prison after an intensive case-by-case review. The Level II facilities are secured by lethal electrified fences, and would create space at Level III institutions for inmates who pose greater security risks.
This change is supported by research that shows the vast majority of LWOP inmates are less likely to engage in violent misconduct than inmates sentenced to lengthy determinant terms.

Another change in the new regulations allows an inmate serving a life sentence, (inmates serving life with parole) to earn placement in secure Level I facilities if they meet the following conditions:

Have been granted parole but with a parole release date in the future

Their most recent parole consideration hearing resulted in no more than a three-year denial by the Board of Parole Hearings (BPH)

Their most recent Comprehensive Static Risk Assessment identifies the inmate’s potential risk for future violence as low or moderate

A classification committee has reviewed the inmate’s criminal history and determined that the inmate does not currently pose a violent threat to the safety of the public, staff and other inmates

Not a Public Interest Case

Not a sex offender

No history of escape

Violent administrative determinant review

The proposed regulations provide additional regulatory authority for CDCR to classify inmates with histories of violence by providing discretion for a classification committee to conduct a case-by-case VIO review for offenses that include violence or a significant potential for violence that are not defined as “violent” pursuant to California Penal Code 667.5(c). These new regulations now allow for the removal of previously affixed VIO administrative determinates by a classification committee if certain conditions are met after a minimum of 7 years since the last violent offense.

Close Custody

Among other things, the proposed regulations eliminate the separate Close A and Close B custody designations, replacing them with the single designation of Close Custody. “Close Custody” status is reserved for inmates who, due to the length of their sentence or negative in-prison behavior, require more intensive supervision but do not warrant placement in segregated housing.

The proposed Close Custody regulations will permit classification committees greater levels of discretion to grant inmates reductions from Close Custody, incrementally decrease the minimum Close Custody time requirements under some circumstances, and preserve security of the institutions.

Security Threat Group I inmates
The proposed regulations permit the housing of Security Threat Group (STG) I inmates with Minimum Custody on a case-by-case basis only. STG I inmates pose the greatest threats to the safety and security of the institutions and public. STG I inmates include members of prison gangs or similar disruptive groups that CDCR has certified to have a history and propensity for violence and/or influence over subservient STGs.

Minimum Custody inmates may be housed in secure facilities and/or non-secure facilities such as minimum support facilities (MSFs) and conservation camps (for firefighting) in the community.

In order for a validated STG I inmate to be granted Minimum Custody, an Institution Classification Committee must review the totality of the inmate’s case factors and determine that their housing with such a level of custody would not pose a threat to the safety and security of the institution, inmates, staff, and public.

Validated STG I inmates who are not granted Minimum Custody may be housed in secure facilities and participate in rehabilitative programs, which will most likely reduce their chances of reoffending.

Inmates get annual reviews by Correctional Counselors starting the date they enter CDCR. They are an assessment of the inmate’s time in prison, including behavior.

These new regulations will promote inmate rehabilitation and participation in programs, as well as ensure the safety and security of the public, staff, and other inmates, and reduce recidivism, while ensuring that inmates may continue to be safely incarcerated.

The criteria for the regulations are in line with the prison reforms the department has adopted over the past several years, which focus on the programming and rehabilitation of inmates.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Any person may submit written comments about the proposed regulations to the following:

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Regulation and Policy Management Branch (RPMB)

P.O. Box 942883

Sacramento, CA 94283-0001

Comments may also be submitted by fax to (916) 324-6075 or by e-mail to RPMB@cdcr.ca.gov

All written comments must be received by the close of the public comment period April 14, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.

PUBLIC HEARING INFORMATION
A public hearing regarding the proposed regulations will be held April 14, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Kern room, located at 1515 S Street, North Building, Sacramento, CA 95811.

The purpose of the hearing is to receive oral comments about this action. It is not a forum to debate the proposed regulations. No decision regarding the permanent adoption of these regulations will be rendered at this hearing. Written or facsimile comments submitted during the prescribed comment period are given the same significance and weight as oral comments presented at the hearing. This hearing site is accessible to the mobility impaired.

CONTACT PERSON
Inmates or their family members may submit offender inquiries to institution correctional counselor staff. Public comments regarding the Classification and Discipline regulations should be directed to Correctional Counselor III, K. Henderson, Classification Services Unit, (916) 327-8987 or by email at RPMB@cdcr.ca.gov

Members of the public may also view the proposed Classification and Discipline regulations online by visiting the following link:

NCR 17-01 Inmate Classification and Discipline

For information or assistance concerning CDCR, please contact the Office of External Affairs at (916) 445-4950 or by email at Cal_Externalaffairs@cdcr.ca.gov

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2016 Our Promise Campaign Results

March 17, 2017, 8:42 am

≫ Next: Secretary Scott Kernan Announces Proposition 57 Regulations

≪ Previous: CDCR Changes to Inmate Classification and Discipline Regulations

By Holly Stewart, Associate Governmental Program Analyst
CDCR’s Office of Public and Employee Communications

The 2016 Our Promise Campaign (previously the California State Employees Charitable Campaign (CSECC)) has finally concluded and the results are in. The 2016 campaign raised $6.1 million for nonprofit organizations throughout the state, country and world. Over $569,000 of that monumental amount is because of over 3,600 CDCR donors contributing to meaningful foundations, as low as $5 each month from their paychecks.

(Editor’s note: The CDCR total likely will grow because all the donations from CDCR employees have not yet been tallied.)

The event honored the committed and hard-working department and agency Chairs, Vice Chairs, Key Connectors and other campaign volunteers, who worked to spread the word about the opportunity to give back, and the 32,000 state employees who contributed to Our Promise: California State Employees Giving at Work.

The successful 2016 Our Promise Campaign was headed by the CDCR Department Chair Alexandra Powell, Public Information Officer I, and her Executive Hand Holly Stewart, Associate Governmental Program Analyst with the Office of Public and Employee Communications (OPEC). This year, their leadership was shadowed by Corinne Isberner, Staff Counsel III (Specialist), with the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) as the Campaign Vice Chair.

Isberner is already gearing up full steam ahead for the 2017 Campaign, with the help of OLA’s enthusiastic Student Assistant Amber Campbell. Looking ahead, Isberner said, “I am honored to get to serve as next year’s CDCR Campaign Chair. As a really large state department, CDCR has some unique opportunities to make a really big impact in charitable giving. Amber and I are already in early campaign planning mode.”

With early planning comes the need for volunteers and Executive support.

“Without the backing of enthusiasm and drive from Executives and volunteers, the campaign wouldn’t be successful. Especially with a Department of CDCR’s size, our Executive Team Members, Campaign Liaisons, Division Coordinators and Key Connectors are all instrumental to our operation and the reason for our achievement every year,” said Powell. Organizers say volunteering is “fun and rewarding, and builds leadership, teamwork and passion in our Department.”

If you would like to volunteer, know of anyone who could be influential in the 2017 Campaign or have any creative input to share, contact Corinne Isberner at Corinne.Isberner@cdcr.ca.gov.

What is Our Promise?The Our Promise Campaign spans from September through the end of October each year. During this two month window, each state agency and their departments run their campaign to ensure that each state employee is educated about the opportunity to donate through one-time donations and/or monthly payroll deduction. |The benefit of a monthly payroll deduction to your charity of choice provides the nonprofit with consistent cash flow throughout the year, enabling their ability to operate and provide services against a one-time donation. The benefits to the state employee include promoting teamwork in the workplace, enabling the employee to donate more than a one-time gift and last but not least, it’s tax deductible.

For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at 916-445-4950 or cal_externalaffairs@cdcr.ca.gov

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Secretary Scott Kernan Announces Proposition 57 Regulations

March 24, 2017, 11:33 am

≫ Next: Governor Brown appoints DAPO director, two wardens

≪ Previous: 2016 Our Promise Campaign Results

Sacramento – Secretary Scott Kernan with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) formally announced that the Department has published regulations for Proposition 57 - The Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act of 2016. The regulations can be viewed athttps://oal.blogs.ca.gov/files/2017/03/2017-0324-01EON.pdf

“Last November, California voters overwhelmingly passed Prop. 57, by 64 percent to 35 percent. The Proposition required us to promulgate regulations establishing a non-violent parole process and credit earning criteria in the best interest of public safety. I believe we have done that with the regulations as the new processes put a greater responsibility on the inmates to participate in meaningful programs and earn their release. That is the spirit of Prop. 57,” said Secretary Kernan.

To locate information on Prop. 57 such as a fact sheet, frequently asked questions, and other information, please visit http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/proposition57/

As required by the new law, California’s prison system aims to increase opportunities and incentives for rehabilitation. To design the basic framework, CDCR leadership consulted with key stakeholders, such as crime victims groups, law enforcement, criminal justice leaders, public defenders, district attorneys, and California leaders.

The initiative creates a durable solution to help the department implement common-sense prison population reduction measures to avoid court-ordered inmate releases. Currently, CDCR is under a federal court order to not exceed the prison population past 137.5% of design capacity. Without a durable solution, a Court Compliance Officer may order the release of inmates if the population cap is exceeded.

The proposed regulations intend to revise or establish credit-earning programs and a parole consideration process for non-violent offenders. Existing milestone completion credits, credits for good conduct, and extraordinary conduct credits will be revised or retained. New credits for rehabilitation achievement and educational merit will become available. This is intended to encourage inmates to take more responsibility for their own rehabilitation while in prison by participating in credit earning programs and avoiding misconduct. Inmates will earn credits contingent upon offenders remaining in good standing.

It is anticipated that the new law will help the Department establish a durable solution to comply with the Federal court-ordered population cap of 137.5 percent of design capacity without having to rely on court-ordered inmate releases. Without the passage of Prop. 57, the state prison population is projected to continue to increase and it is possible that without additional population reduction measures the Department would approach or exceed design capacity in the next 18-24 months.

If that were to occur, a Court Compliance Officer would have the authority to release inmates to allow CDCR to stay under the cap. The implementation of Prop. 57 and other population-reduction measures will allow CDCR to remove all inmates from one of two remaining out-of-state facilities in 2017-18.

As the impact of Prop. 57 grows, the Department anticipates returning all inmates from leased out-of-state facilities by 2020. Currently, there are approximately 4,300 inmates housed outside of California.

Credit Earning

By passing Prop. 57, voters tasked CDCR with the responsibility of promulgating regulations to provide for inmates to earn credits if they complete approved rehabilitative programs and activities. Good Conduct Credit, Milestone Completion Credit, and Rehabilitative Achievement Credit will be applied prospectively and will be phased-in between now and the end of Summer. Educational Merit Credit will apply retrospectively if earned during the inmate’s current term of incarceration.

Good Conduct Credits

Granted to inmates with the expectation that they will remain disciplinary free

The amount of Good Conduct Credits many inmates are eligible to receive will increase

Milestone Completion Credits

Earned when an inmate completes a specific education or vocational program that has attendance and performance requirements

The maximum amount of time an inmate can earn for Milestone Completion Credits will increase from 6 weeks per year to 12 weeks

Rehabilitative Achievement Credits

Earned when an inmate participates in approved rehabilitative service and self-help groups which requires attendance and satisfactory participation

These groups must be approved by the warden of the institution

Inmates can earn up to 4 weeks of credit per year

Educational Merit Credit

Earned for successful completion and award, while incarcerated, of a GED, high school diploma, college degree or alcohol and drug counselor certification

One-time credit awarded for each level of educational achievement earned during the inmate’s current term

Credit Forfeiture
Eligible inmates can earn credits while incarcerated for their good behavior and for their participation in, and completion of, specific rehabilitative, educational or other programs. Some credits may be forfeited as a result of disciplinary infractions while others are not forfeitable. Inmates have the right to appeal any forfeiture of credit and the credits will be restored if the disciplinary action is reversed as a result of an administrative appeal or a court action.

Good Conduct Credits, Milestone Completion Credits, and Rehabilitative Achievement Credits are subject to forfeiture for disciplinary reasons.

Educational Merit Credits and Extraordinary Conduct Credits for extraordinary heroism are not subject to forfeiture for disciplinary reasons.

Juvenile Justice
The new law requires that all juvenile offenders who committed their crimes prior to age 18 have a hearing in juvenile court before being transferred to adult court. Specifically, it only allows a juvenile felony offender age 16 or 17 to be transferred to adult court, or age 14 or 15 for certain more serious felonies listed in state law. It is estimated that there will be an increase of 72 juvenile wards as a result of these changes due to the anticipated increase in juvenile court commitments.

Non-Violent Offender Parole Consideration
Prop. 57 creates a process for non-violent offenders who have served the full term for their primary criminal offense to be considered for parole by the Board of Parole Hearings. The full term of their primary offense means the longest term of imprisonment imposed by the court for any offense, excluding the imposition of enhancement, consecutive sentence, or alternative sentence.

Parole consideration will be for eligible non-violent offenders who pass a public-safety screening. This will be accomplished using the same process as the current non-violent second-striker parole process ordered by a federal Three Judge Panel.

The Office of Administrative Law will be reviewing the Department’s proposed regulation for consideration for emergency adoption. If approved, CDCR will then publish a public notice containing the regulation text and other documents with an invitation for public comment. This is expected sometime in April.

For more information about Prop. 57 or CDCR, please contact The Office of External Affairs: Albert Rivas, Chief, at (916) 224-8137 or Matthew Westbrook, AGPA, at (916) 445-4950.

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Governor Brown appoints DAPO director, two wardens

April 13, 2017, 9:36 am

≫ Next: Folsom Women’s Facility, CSP-Sac inmates plan for parole with help from DAPO

≪ Previous: Secretary Scott Kernan Announces Proposition 57 Regulations

Governor Brown recently appointed a director for CDCR’s Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) and wardens at the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) at Soledad, and the Wasco State Prison-Reception Center (WSP-RC).

Jerry Powers was named DAPO director, Shawn Hatton warden at CTF and John Sutton warden at WSP-RC

Powers served as chief probation officer at the Los Angeles County Probation Department from 2011 to 2015. He served in several positions at the Stanislaus County Probation Department from 2000 to 2011, including chief probation officer, chief deputy probation officer and juvenile hall superintendent.

Powers held several positions at the San Diego County Probation Department from 1985 and 2000, including probation supervisor, senior probation officer, deputy probation officer and assistant deputy probation officer. He was a member of the California Sex Offender Management Board from 2005 to 2015 and the California Council on Criminal Justice from 2005 to 2009. This position requires Senate confirmation.

Hatton has been acting warden at CTF since 2016. He served in several positions at Salinas Valley State Prison from 2001 to 2016, including chief correctional administrator, captain, lieutenant and sergeant. He was a correctional officer at Sierra Conservation Center from 1988 to 2001. This position does not require Senate confirmation.

Sutton has been acting warden at WSP-RC since 2016. Sutton was chief deputy warden at North Kern State Prison in 2016. He held several positions at Wasco State Prison from 2000 to 2016, including acting chief deputy warden, correctional administrator, facility captain and correctional counselor.

He was a sergeant at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility from 1999 to 2000 and a correctional officer at Ironwood State Prison from 1994 to 1999. This position does not require Senate confirmation.

For more information about CDCR please contact the Office of External Affairs at (916) 445-4950 or cal_externalaffairs@cdcr.ca.gov

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Folsom Women’s Facility, CSP-Sac inmates plan for parole with help from DAPO

April 21, 2017, 10:56 am

≫ Next: 2017 National Correctional Officers and Employees Week

≪ Previous: Governor Brown appoints DAPO director, two wardens

By Alexandra Powell, PIO, OPEC
and Matthew Westbrook, AGPA, Office of External Affairs

Part of CDCR’s mission is to provide effective rehabilitation and treatment so offenders can successfully integrate back into the community. The Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) has an active role by providing a range of programs and services to parolees while encouraging and assisting in their rehabilitative efforts.

Much of DAPO’s work is with offenders once they are paroled; however, the transition from prison to parole begins well before an offender is released. DAPO’s Northern Region Adult Programs Unit (APU) recently hosted Reentry Resource Fairs at Folsom Women’s Facility (FWF) and California State Prison, Sacramento (SAC).

DAPO regularly facilitates Resource Fairs in the community for parolees, but these were unique because they were a collaborative in-reach event within the institution. They seek to engage inmates prior to their release to learn about what resources and opportunities are available. Nearly 30 service providers attended each event to offer inmates assistance and hope in their journey to parole and life outside of prison.

“It gives me a big glimpse of hope, because there are a lot of resources that I wasn’t aware of, that parolees had available,” said Brian Lewis, a lifer at SAC.

The March 10 event at SAC was the first-ever Resource Fair at the level four institution, and amassed a turnout of more than 300 long-term offenders (LTO). Recognizing that every paroling offender will have a unique set of needs, APU made sure to invite providers that would best suit the audience at each prison.

The LTO population can face unique challenges when returning to society after spending what may be decades in prison. Some of those challenges include locating housing in a new or changed area, finding meaningful employment and reuniting with friends and family who may have moved on during the offender’s absence.

Provider Barrios Unidos of Santa Cruz was present at both Resource Fairs. The organization’s Prison Project connects offenders to programs and services that help reduce recidivism, support reentry and reunify families.

“It is very important to provide information and services while they are incarcerated,” said Daniel “Nane” Alejandrez, Executive Director for Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos. “When people are not prepared [to parole] it is much harder to adjust, get the resources, or move around the community without any kind of positive connections.”

The Feb. 24 Resource Fair at FWF was also the first of its kind at the institution, with 200 female offenders in attendance. This in-reach event provided women offenders an opportunity to learn how they can continue their rehabilitative efforts once they go home.

To ensure the needs of these inmates would be addressed, APU invited providers aimed to specifically help female offenders succeed once released from prison. This included child support services, family planning, child care services, parenting education and providers specializing in gender-specific substance abuse treatment and employment training.

“This fair is gender-responsive because we know women have different pathways into prison” said Angela Kent, acting Assistant Regional Administrator for DAPO. “We are mindful to bring in resources specific to a woman’s needs.”

One of those resources was Community Works West, a Bay Area organization with gender-specific programs to help connect female offenders with services like housing, substance abuse treatment, mental health programs and family support.

“A lot of [paroling] women don’t have necessities as far as housing, employment and a reunification plan for their families. Without a plan, a lot of girls can fail because they just go back to the same environment of addiction, or an abusive relationship,” said Magali Rivera, a Reentry Counselor and Case Manager for Community Works West.

Preparing for life after parole comes with its challenges. DAPO is taking steps to help ease the transition from prison to parole and realizes that educating offenders about available resources before they are paroled will better prepare them for their successful reintegration into the community.

The Reentry Resource Fairs at FWF and SAC aim to provide hope for offenders as they continue their rehabilitative efforts and connect them with the services they need so they will be prepared.

“These women are already familiar with the vocational and self-help programs they receive while in prison, but may feel that those types of services end when they parole,” said FWF Associate Warden Tracy Johnson. “This fair lets them know when they parole, they are not forgotten.”

DAPO is looking forward to hosting similar Resource Fairs at other CDCR institutions across the state.

“This event was an example of the developing collaboration within CDCR, including both staff and inmates, to embrace the changes in culture and process going on in the department,” said SAC Warden David Baughman. “We are providing more rehabilitative opportunities and options to advance the successes and reduce recidivism.”

For more information about CDCR please contact the Office of External Affairs at (916) 445-4950 or cal_externalaffairs@cdcr.ca.gov

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