Daylight Saving Time
Remember to set your clocks back
Daylight Saving Time officially ends at 2 a.m., Sunday, November 5, 2023, when the clocks “fall back” one hour. To best follow the time change, it is recommended to set the clock back an hour when heading to bed Saturday night.
What’s New
CDCR, DMV update ID application process for incarcerated people
CDCR in collaboration with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), is now offering incarcerated people a streamlined process to apply to receive a California identification (ID) card upon release.
Assisted by trained CDCR staff, people with less than 13 months on their sentence will use an electronic process to submit their application for a replacement state ID card to the DMV. If the applicant does not have a usable photo on file, CDCR staff will use new state-issued tablets to take and submit a new one to the DMV for processing.
“CDCR is committed to helping incarcerated people reentering their community to obtain a CA ID card. Proper identification is necessary to get a job, apply for vital state and federal services, obtain housing and more,” said Division of Rehabilitative Programs Director Brant Choate.
Click here to visit CDCR’s website and read the full article.
NPI: Farm-to-Corrections Harvest of the Month Program
The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Nutrition Policy Institute has partnered with Impact Justice, ChangeLab Solutions, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to launch “Harvest of the Month,” a program which brings fresh, specialty produce into carceral institutions around California to improve the diets of the residents, as well as improve their overall health and well-being.
Visit YouTube to watch the full video.
CA Model
SVSP Resource Team helps staff, incarcerated
The Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) Resource Team, a crucial force within the California Model, has been redefining the landscape of corrections. Established in 2022, this team has emerged as a driving force in fostering healing, positive communication, and improved living and working conditions in the state’s prisons.
The Resource Team at SVSP Psychiatric Inpatient Program (PIP) is on a mission to create a transformative environment for incarcerated individuals with mental illnesses. They are the bridge connecting staff and the incarcerated population, facilitating open and regular communication. But what truly sets them apart is their commitment to understanding the unique needs of each incarcerated patient and crafting personalized treatment plans.
Visit Inside CDCR to read the full article.
Change advocate: LAC Officer Janvrin
Janvrin works with the Offender Mentor Certification Program (OMCP) at CSP-Los Angeles County (LAC). The program is operated by the Division of Rehabilitative Programs (DRP).
The first cohort of level four incarcerated participants recently graduated thanks in part to the support offered by Janvrin.
His efforts were recognized by one of the graduate’s family members.
“Throughout the program, he treated the individuals with respect and professionalism,” the family member said. “Officer Janvrin is an excellent role model, demonstrating human kindness and respect while carrying out his job duties.”
As they prepared to go through their graduation ceremony, Janvrin offered words of encouragement.
“Remember guys, you worked real hard for this. Real hard,” he told them. “Don’t walk too fast. Let them see you.”
Visit Inside CDCR to read the full article.
In the Community
SAC 2023 food sales
The incarcerated population at California State Prison – Sacramento (SAC) has raised over $16,000 from food sales this year. The money raised went to several nonprofit organizations including:
- Twin Lakes Food Bank
- Angel Tree
- Boys and Girls Club
- Special Olympics
- and Center for Restorative Justice Works.
CMF helps Boys and Girls Clubs
California Medical Facility (CMF) attended the annual Wake-Up Your Heart Breakfast fundraising event at Travis Credit Union in Vacaville. CMF donated $1,000 to the Vacaville Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club. The donation earned CMF staff 2023 Honorary Blue Door Society Members.
PBSP garden group donates to the community
Pelican Bay State Prison’s (PBSP) garden group donated to the College of the Redwoods Community Food Forest and United Indian Health Services Elder Nutrition in Smith River. The donation included 200 heads of garlic, eight apple trees, and a crafted painted planter box.
Technology
EIS completes Correctional Video Surveillance Initiative
Enterprise Information Services (EIS) is proud to report the successful completion of the Statewide Correctional Video Surveillance initiative at California State Prison, Solano. Established by EIS in 2019, the Contraband Interdiction & Security Solutions (CISS) team is dedicated to developing and deploying innovative technologies. These intercept contraband and enhance security in correctional facilities, ultimately creating safer environments for staff and incarcerated.
To date, the CISS team has deployed over 12,000 fixed cameras across 13 institutions and distributed about 6,600 body-worn cameras to ten facilities. Their relentless efforts will continue as they aim to implement audio-video surveillance systems statewide, with a goal to cover all institutions by the end of 2024.
In Our Institutions
CIM Employee Health and Benefit fair
California Institution for Men (CIM) and Chino Valley Employee Association hosted their annual Employee Health and Benefit fair. The fair provided staff information on health-focused services.
Organizations at the fair included:
- Savings Plus Chicano
- Correctional Workers Association (CCWA)
- Keystone Uniforms
- Lovely Dental
- Costco
- and AFLAC.
Those in attendance received prizes at the fair including gift cards to various retail stores and restaurants, tools, and gift baskets.
Rehabilitation
MCRP Butte offers Job Readiness Class
MCRP Butte provided a Job Readiness Class with Alliance for Workforce Development (AFWD). AFWD is dedicated to serving the needs of the community.
Participants were surprised with how much information they got out of the program. They learned about the application process, building their resumes, and conducted mock interviews.
Several of the participants mentioned their interaction with AFWD and Butte County Probation staff would help with job searches.
In the Media
Preparing the next generation of CDCR leaders through the Executive Leadership Institute
Chico State’s Professional & Continuing Education is helping prepare the next generation of leaders for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) through a successful partnership between the University and the state agency.
The CDCR Executive Leadership Institute (ELI), developed in 2017, prepares state corrections executives to be decisive, effective, visionary leaders, and champions of change. More than 750 CDCR employees have graduated from the program since its inception, and the 41st cohort will graduate this December.
Taught by Chico State professors and corrections experts from universities across the country, ELI is a four-week program taught over four months. Participants are nominated by their supervisors to attend the professional development program.
Visit Chico State’s website to read the full article.
Incarcerated individuals earn job certifications, apprenticeships
The California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) held two graduations at Folsom State Prison, where 60 incarcerated individuals received their industry-accredited certifications and/or apprenticeships.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Secretary Jeff Macomber, who also serves as chair of the Prison Industry Board, congratulated the graduates on a job well done.
“CALPIA and CDCR want you to be the next success story. I believe in second chances and the many opportunities that the California model can offer you,” Macomber said. “I want to make sure that you have the opportunities to be the best person you can be.”
Visit Gold Country Media to read the full story.
Earning master’s degree in prison now possible in groundbreaking program
Decades ago as a little boy growing up in Santa Rosa, Luke Scott made a pledge to his mom that he would graduate from college one day.
Despite being sentenced to life in prison for murder without the possibility of parole in 1988, Scott kept his promise.
Scott, 60, earned his first of eight associate’s degrees from Coastline Community College in 2010 while at Salinas Valley State Prison. His mother kept a copy of his first degree hanging on the wall so she could boast of her son’s accomplishments. Twelve years later, long after his mother died in 2011, Scott went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in communications from Sacramento State while at Mule Creek State Prison.
Visit the LA Times to read the full story.
What does real prison reform look like?
We have all heard a lot in recent years about prison reform. The critics say that we were keeping too many people behind bars for too long. Others complain about the cost of maintaining jails and prisons, which in California far outstrips what we spend on roads and freeways.
Responding to the call for reform, lawmakers made sentences shorter and created new standards to release inmates sooner. They even raised the minimum amount someone could steal before it was considered a major crime.