CDCR Unlocked

In this episode of CDCR Unlocked, we take an in-depth look at the Conservation Fire Camp Program, highlighting its critical role in responding to the California wildfires. We explore how the program provides vital firefighting support to communities in need, while also offering rehabilitative opportunities for incarcerated individuals. Hear about the meaningful contributions these incarcerated firefighters make, the skills they develop, and the transformative impact the program has on their lives. This is an episode you won't want to miss—tune in to learn more about how the Conservation Fire Camp Program is making a difference for both the community and the individuals it serves.Hosted by: Todd JavernickGuest: Captain Fred MoneyRecorded and edited by: Clarissa ResultanTechnical Assistance: Franklin HarrisonRecord date: Jan. 21, 2024Total Running Time: 24:47

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Joseph Piazza, the supervisor for Career and Technical Education at OCE, the Office of Correctional Education. Career and Technical Education, commonly known by its acronym “CTE”, is provided through six different career sectors.Dr. Piazza shares with us about how CTE benefits more than just the participants and their loved ones, but society as a whole.The podcast is produced, recorded, and mixed by Frank Harrison, with production assistance by Matt Sichler and Ray Burgess.

This CDCR Unlocked podcast is a continuation of episodes diving into the four California Model Pillars. Ashton Harris with CDCR's Office of Communications interviews Lieutenant David Gonzales at California State Prison Sacramento to continue the conversation about the normalization pillar. Hear the corrections point of view when it comes to the environmental changes already being made within our institutions including other ways that could further help CDCR reach normalization within the prison environment.

Brief Summary: A look into the life of Sergeant Jose Andrade and his journey from being in the United States Army to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. This episode goes into his transition from civilian life to The United States Army and eventually CDCR.Host: Sergeant William BartowGuest: Sergeant Jose AndradeProducer Name: Suraj Bhardwaj

This CDCR Unlocked podcast is a first of many to talk about the four California Model Pillars. Ashton Harris with CDCR's Office of Communications interviews the Deputy Director of Quality Management within CDCR's healthcare services Annette Lambert to talk about the normalization pillar. Hear about the environmental changes already being made within our institutions including other ways that could further help CDCR reach normalization within the prison environment. Host: Ashton Harris Guests: Annette Lambert (Deputy Director of Quality Management within CDCR's healthcare services)Producer names: This podcast is produced, recorded, and mixed by Christopher Medina, and co-produced by Ashton Harris.

In this episode, we hear from two recent UC Irvine students, Babak Gilani and Alphonso Mata. Both men are graduates of the UCI LIFTED program, each graduating with honors in Sociology. The acronym, "LIFTED", stands for Leveraging Inspiring Futures Through Educational Degrees. And it's the first in-prison B.A. degree completion program in the University of California system. Piloted at UCI, LIFTED enables incarcerated individuals to apply to transfer into UCI as juniors and earn a bachelor's degree from UCI while serving their sentence.The podcast is produced, recorded, and mixed by Frank Harrison, co-produced by Matthew Sichler, with additional production by Collin Smith.

When is the last time you've checked in with yourself? Drs. Brianna Rojas and Amar Mehta discuss the importance of monitoring mental health for staff and the incarcerated population. Host: Kyle BuisGuests: Dr. Amar Mehta, deputy director Mental Health Services, CCHCS; Dr. Brianna Rojas, Chief Psychologist, Office of Employee WellnessProducer names: Amanda Spangler, Clarissa Resultan.

Office of Employee Wellness staff takes a dive into hypervigilance, its purpose, causes and how it impacts mental and emotional well-being in our personal and professional livesHost: Sergeant Corey RingerGuests: Sergeant Cheyanne Witcher, Margot Charkow-Ross, LCSWRecord Date: 4/4/2024Producer Name: Suraj Bhardwaj

Office of Employee Wellness staff discusses suicide awareness and how to ask for help when mental and emotional health challenges arise.Host: Sergeant Corey RingerGuests: Sergeant Cheyanne Witcher, Margot Charkow-Ross, LCSWRecord Date: 4/5/2024Producer Name: Suraj Bhardwaj

This podcast briefly covers Mr. Sanchez' journey from OMCP (Occupational Mentor Certification Program) to being released, then working at STOP (Specialized Treatment Optimized Program).

This is Part Two of CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber CCHCS Receiver Clark Kelso discussing the California Model and how it will be implemented.

CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber CCHCS Receiver Clark Kelso discuss the California Model and how it will be implemented

In this episode of CDCR Unlocked, POSED interviews Sgt. Aguilar to learn more about his life and his journey from military service with the national guard to his time within the department. Sgt. Aguilar received two purple hearts during his service and was one of the original members working on the Field Training Sergeant program.

The CPMP program stands for Community Participant Mother Program, and it is essentially designed to allow for both pregnant, incarcerated individuals to have an opportunity to come out into the community in a structured environment, to have the opportunity to get assistance and support in raising their children instead of having their child be with a relative or in the social system.

In this episode, we sat down with Tammy Fenton, who oversees outreach efforts as well as the Accountability Letter Bank (ALB) Program for the Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services. Fenton walks us through the ways her office reaches the community and has recently made great strides in making those efforts more accessible with translation services. She also discusses the ALB program, and why outreach efforts ensure clients know about every option available to them – including those that focus on restorative justice.

CDCR's Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD) manager, Robert Love, explains what a VOD entails and how it can be key for the victim in the healing process. The VOD is a victim-initiated process that results in a face-to-face conversation with the incarcerated person who caused harm. Love talks about the importance of VOD partnerships, how the Department handles each case with care, and his aspirations for the program moving forward.

Restitution Services Manager Chamere Lee details her professional journey that propelled her to a career dedicated to victim-centered work. Lee helps manage CDCR's Restitution Services, ensuring that victims of crime obtain monetary compensation ordered by the court. She also dives deep into what restitution is and how people can connect to it.

This episode features new position for CDCR: a Field Training Sergeant (FTS) and the Job Shadowing Program (JSP). On this episode, three staff members from California Health Care Facility (CHCF): Sergeant William “Billy” Bartow who is the field training sergeant and runs the program at CHCF; Officer Strickland, who helps teach and mentor new staff on how to do the job; and Officer Chacon, who participated in the program and is nearing his one-year mark after graduating the Correctional Basic Academy. This episode discusses how this job shadowing program is changing how new officers learn their institutions and the learning process within the JSP.Hosted by: Sgt. Corey RingerGuest: Sgt. William Bartow, Officer Strickland, and Officer ChaconProducer: Suraj Bhardwaj and Danny Pinto

Hear about the 30x30 pledge CDCR recently signed to increase women representation by the year 2030 and the efforts planned to meet the goal shared by Rosanna Rodriguez, Manager within Office of Peace Officer Selection over Recruitment. Special guest Lieutenant Priscilla Gonzalez will share her personal experience as a peace officer woman working within the Department including her struggles, successes and encouragement of future female officers.Hosted by: Todd JavernickGuest: Lieutenant Priscilla GonzalezRecord date: January 10, 2024

Hear about the 30x30 pledge CDCR recently signed to increase women representation by the year 2030 and the efforts planned to meet the goal shared by Rosanna Rodriguez, Manager within Office of Peace Officer Selection over Recruitment. Special guest Lieutenant Priscilla Gonzalez will share her personal experience as a peace officer woman working within the Department including her struggles, successes and encouragement of future female officers.Hosted by: Todd JavernickGuest: Rosanna RodriguezRecord date: January 10, 2024

This podcast briefly covers the history of the Library and its goals and outcomes for rehabilitation. Brandy Buenafe and Tanya Lindquist are our featured guests. The podcast is produced, recorded, and mixed by Frank Harrison with production assistance by Angela Lee, Matthew Sichler, and Collin Smith.

Brief Summary: Office of Employee Wellness Staff discuss CDCR/CCHCS new Trauma Informed training, and how CDCR/CCHCS can continue to be a trauma informed organization moving forward.Host: Sergeant Cory RingerGuests: Dr. Darren Smith and Sergeant. Cheyanne Whitcher Record date: February 22, 2024Producer name: Suraj Bhardwaj

Brief Summary: Office of Employee Wellness Staff discuss CDCR/CCHCS new Trauma Informed training, and how CDCR/CCHCS can continue to be a trauma informed organization moving forward.Host: Sergeant Cory RingerGuests: Dr. Darren Smith and Sergeant. Cheyanne Whitcher Record date: February 22, 2024Producer name: Suraj Bhardwaj

This podcast briefly covers DRP-TV and its goals and outcomes for rehabilitation. Kevin Gaser is our featured guest. The podcast is produced, recorded, and mixed by Frank Harrison with additional production by Angela Lee.

In this episode of the CDCR Unlocked podcast, Sergeant Corey Ringer takes a trip back to the institution where his CDCR career started, High Desert State Prison. There, Ringer talks to Business Manager I Joseph Shelton and Correctional Officers Audrina Wannamaker and Patrick Parrish about their jobs, the camaraderie found working in an institution, and what it's like living in the Susanville area.Learn more about becoming a CDCR Correctional Officer.

Where some would see thousands of square feet of gray prison walls, a group of artists at Salinas Valley State Prison saw blank canvases. With the support of staff and enthusiasm to change their environment, incarcerated artists joined forces to create colorful, beautiful, and meaningful murals throughout the institution.Those supporters include Associate Warden Veronica Lomeli, a lifelong art enthusiast with an outlook aligned with the California Model's foundational pillar of normalization – creating prison environments that more closely resemble the community. Lomeli, now at Central California Women's Facility, started the mural program during her time at the Soledad prison in an effort to reduce violence by creating a more welcoming environment.“I decided to bring my love and passion for the arts into my workplace. I love to see a gray wall be transformed into a beautiful piece of art,” she said. “Bringing something you love into your workplace makes humans motivated and enthusiastic to go to work and creates a sense of loyalty toward the organization.”In this episode of the CDCR Unlocked podcast, Lomeli and two of the artists – Manny Frias and Santiago Madrigal – share the origins of the project and its impact on the prison. They also express gratitude to the prison's staff and leadership for supporting the murals and welcoming the positive changes happening at Salinas Valley State Prison.

The Mountain Oaks Adult Education Center has earned distinction, standing out as an innovator committed to excellence in correctional education. Mountain Oaks operates inside California Medical Facility (CMF), serving students of all academic and physical abilities.This is the third CDCR Distinguished School, following the Robert E. Burton Adult School at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center in 2019 and Vista Del Rio Adult School at California Rehabilitation Center in 2021.The distinction is intended to be a collaborative one, rooted in the strong belief that the schools inside California prisons deserve recognition and acclaim that will accompany the Distinguished School Award honor.In this episode of the CDCR Unlocked Podcast, Superintendent Shannon Swain shares the Office of Correctional Education's vision for education, as well as how CMF's school stands out as an example of excellence. She also shares her experiences witnessing the transformative power of education and how its benefits ripple across generations.

CDCR is empowering employees to not only do the right thing, but to influence others to also do the right thing. The department has partnered with Heroes, an organization that provides Active Bystandership training for corrections, fire and rescue, and health care departments. This training teaches employees when and how to effectively intervene in several situations, from deescalating tense situations, stepping in to stop a mistake that could cause harm, or recognizing the signs of work-related stress that may lead to emotional or physical harm. Active bystandership helps create an environment where all employees pitch in to make a more effective system, with each member knowing they are supportive by a team. Active Bystandership is not a whistleblower program – it is designed to teach evidence-based strategies to perform and receive an intervention in ways that are respectful and effective. Sgt. Corey Ringer and Captain Jeremy Brown chat with Abigail Tucker and Greg Hanna of Heroes Active Bystandership. They discuss how active bystandership increases safety and employee wellness, and how knowing when and how to intervene are key. They are joined by Sgt. Michael Ryer, who has been trained to teach the course at CDCR. Visit the Heroes website to earn more about Heroes Active Bystandership for Corrections.

A collaboration unlike any other is transforming Valley State Prison (VSP) in all the right ways. The Youthful Offender Program, or YOP, tailors rehabilitation to the unique needs of younger incarcerated people, with more experienced incarcerated people serving as peer mentors to guide them along their way. Staff receive specialized training in working with this population, and become as mentors and advisers themselves.This unique approach to rehabilitation is perfectly in line with the California Model, which seeks to empower incarcerated individuals to use their lived experiences to mentor and support their peers. Beyond peer mentorship, VSP has embraced the California Model as a whole, providing rehabilitative programs and opportunities that more closely resemble outside communities. From therapeutic horse programs to intensive cognitive behavioral courses, VSP is committed to positive, long-term change.As CDCR Unlocked found out while visiting VSP, none of it is possible without enthusiastic staff and supportive leadership. Correctional Counselor Liz Alva credits the “perfect recipe” of mentors, mentees and employees for the transformation underway at VSP as CDCR works to implement the California Model's pillars statewide.Hosted by Krissi KhokhobashviliRecorded on Jan. 24, 2023Produced by Jeff Baur & Krissi Khokhobashvili

CDCR Unlocked takes the “unlocked” theme one step further with this episode, a conversation with Unlocking History creator Don Chaddock. Chaddock is the editor of Inside CDCR, CDCR's public-facing news site. Chaddock joined CDCR after a career in journalism, and that combined with his love of history made CDCR a perfect fit. When he's not covering the many accomplishments of employees and incarcerated people, Chaddock researches the history of the department extensively. Unlocking History is the result of this extensive work, and explores the people, places and programs that helped shape corrections in California.In this conversation, Chaddock shares why history is important to him, the interesting experiences he has had with CDCR employees and readers, and how learning about the past can help us make good choices today.Visit Inside CDCR to read more Unlocking History stories.Hosted by Krissi KhokhobashviliRecorded on Feb. 8, 2023Produced by Jeff Baur & Krissi Khokhobashvili

In the latest episode of CDCR Unlocked, representatives from CDCR's Office of Employee Wellness sit down with Brian Hinton of Savings Plus to talk retirement. Savings Plus is the voluntary retirement program for state employee that allows them to supplement retirement benefits through tax-deferred and Roth payroll contributions.Hinton, Sgt. Corey Ringer, Kathryn Jue and Mai HerHolloway discuss the importance of making contributions to Savings Plus, how to get the most out of those contributions, and the many workshops and webinars available to all state employees to learn more about financial literacy.Recorded July 10, 2023CDCR staff: Sgt. Corey Ringer, Mai Her-Holloway & Kathryn JueEpisode featured: Brian Hinton from SavingsPlus

The opportunities for rehabilitation in California state prisons don't end with CDCR-staffed programs. Community-based organizations have run programs in CDCR prisons for decades, generally as volunteers or with private financial support. Years ago, the Division of Rehabilitative Programs (DRP) recognized the potential for community-based programs to make an even bigger impact by expanding their offerings to other institutions.Thus began CDCR's grant programs, which support organizations that provide rehabilitative programs statewide. These include programs focused on victim impact, restorative justice, and personal accountability. Visit DRP's website to learn more about CDCR's grant programs.In this week's episode of the CDCR Unlocked podcast, DRP Deputy Director Kevin Hoffman and Staff Services Manager II Nicki Singh discuss the evolution of grant programs and the importance of community partners in preparing incarcerated people for success.Recorded on July 13th, 2023Produced by Frank Harrison & Angela Lee

This week, the CDCR Unlocked Podcast sits down with Jill Johnston, Chief of Case Records Services for CDCR, and Chelsi Hardcastle, a Case Records Supervisor at High Desert State Prison.Case Records Services is responsible for ensuring the appropriate application of criminal sentences, including determining applicable credits; ensuring accurate release dates, and maintaining records for each and every incarcerated person in California, current and former. It's a huge, complicated job, but luckily Johnston and her team are dedicated to accuracy and efficiency.Hosted by Krissi KhokhobashviliRecorded on May 10, 2023Produced by Clarissa Resultan

In this week's episode, Sergeant Corey Ringer heads to San Quentin State Prison (SQ) to meet up with three CDCR employees to hear what a day in their shoes looks like working at California's oldest prison. From its rich history to the camaraderie among staff, SQ offers an environment where you can grow and learn new skills every day being part of a team. Staff events and activities are hosted to support one another and donate to the community at this family-oriented workplace. Visit JoinCDCR.com to learn more about the many rewarding careers available with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.Recorded on June 8, 2023Hosted by Corey RingerProduced by Corey Ringer & Jeff Baur

As CDCR continues to implement and educate employees about the Human Resources Technology Success (HRTS) program, two key members of the project team stopped by CDCR Unlocked to share how the effort is going. Danyal Noel, Deputy Director, Human Resources, and Julie Baxter, Staff Services Manager III for Enterprise Information Services (EIS), share how HRTS is helping CDCR streamline its recruitment and onboarding processes using cutting-edge technology.Recorded on June 5, 2023Hosted by Krissi KhokhobashviliProduced by Rob Stewart & Krissi Khokhobashvili

A partnership of parole, technology, and rehabilitation has resulted in a newly revamped application designed to help people succeed when returning to the community after prison. CDCR's Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO), Enterprise Information Services (EIS) and Division of Rehabilitative Programs (DRP) present ARCAID – the Automated Rehabilitative Catalog and Information Discovery Machine. This comprehensive search engine allows people currently in prison to securely access resources prior to release, including housing, substance use disorder treatment, and job opportunities. People on parole or probation supervision are also able to create profiles and search for services. Friends and family can browse resources as well. CDCR employees are also able to use ARCAID as they help people prepare for post-incarceration success. CDCR Unlocked caught up with Stephanie Jones of EIS and Jeff Hammond of DRP to discuss all things ARCAID and how it's only possible thanks to cross-disciplinary collaboration.Recorded on: April 11, 2023Hosted by: Stephanie Jones & Jeff HammondProduced by: Frank Harrison

This episode, CDCR Unlocked turns the mic over to Dr. Trisha Wallis, a senior psychologist specialist for CDCR/CCHCS. As an ambassador for the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), Dr. Wallis is committed to helping the department achieve its goals toward diversity, equity and inclusion. She sat down with Julie Callahan, Executive Director of Transgender Community of Police & Sheriffs, or TCOPS. TCOPS is a peer support network educates executives, organizations, and the law enforcement community about issues related to gender identity and the gender transition of a colleague. They are an international organization, providing resources and support to members of the law enforcement community in the United States and more than 30 countries. In this insightful conversation, Wallis and Callahan discuss the challenges of transitioning in a law enforcement setting, and what colleagues and supervisors can do to support their employees.Recorded on April 5th, 2023Hosted by Dr. Trisha Wallis & Krissi KhokhobashviliProduced by Jeff Baur & Dr. Trisha Wallis

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, observed in the United States since 1949. While special attention is focused on mental health each May, professionals at CDCR and CCHCS work every day to ensure incarcerated patients' needs are met. At the same time, the Office of Employee Wellness is dedicated to providing wellness support, education and resources to all CDCR and CCHCS employees.In this episode, Public Information Officer Kyle Buis sits down with Dr. Amar Mehta, Deputy Director of Statewide Mental Health for CDCR, and Dr. Brianna Rojas, Associate Director and Chief Psychologist with the Office of Employee Wellness. They discuss the wellness challenges of both living and working in a correctional setting, and steps people can take to improve their mental health.Hosted by Kyle BuisRecorded on May 8, 2023Produced by Rob Stewart & Kyle Buis

In this week's episode, experts from CDCR's Office of Employee Wellness discuss what it's like once you're not quite a “new” CDCR employee, but not someone with decades of experience in the department. What challenges do we face after we pass probation? What should we consider when deciding whether to promote? And most importantly, what steps can we take toward the beginning of our careers to set us on a path of wellness that will carry us into retirement?Hosted by: Sgt. Corey RingerRecorded on: March 27th, 2023Produced by: Sgt. Corey Ringer, Kathryn Jue & Mai HerHolloway

This week's episode brings you a conversation with Alia Cruz, Information Officer with OPEC-Office of Public and Employee Communications, and Katie James, the Chief of the Office of Victim & Survivor Rights Services for CDCR. They discusses this year's theme for the National Crime Victims' Rights Week-Survivor Voices: Uplift. Engage. Change of Effect-as well as other ways her office supports victims of crime and their loved ones. Additionally, this episode marks the first time an episode has been offered in both English and Spanish.Hosted by: Alia CruzRecorded on: March 7, 2023Produced by: Dave Novick & Alia Cruz

In a first for the CDCR Unlocked podcast, we present this episode as a Spanish language version of the conversation with Katie James, the Chief of the Office of Victims & Survivors Rights Services for CDCR. She discusses this year's theme-Survivor Voices: Uplift. Engage. Change of Effect-as well as other ways her office supports victims of crime and their loved ones. Ana Mejia reads the translation of interviewer Alia Cruz while Maria Flores reads the translation of Katie James from the English version of the episode. Both Ana and Maria are CDCR employees.Hosted by: Maria Flores & Ana MejiaRecorded on: March 7, 2023Produced by: Dave Novick & Alia Cruz

CDCR and Veterans Healing Veterans from the Inside Out (VHV) have formed a groundbreaking partnership to serve incarcerated veterans. VHV founder Ron Self sat down with the CDCR Unlocked podcast to talk about the program's important work serving veterans.Hosted by: Krissi KhokhobashviliRecorded on: Mar. 6, 2023Produced by: Angela Lee

In this week's episode of CDCR Unlocked, Sgt. Corey Ringer heads to Pelican Bay State Prison, where he sat down with three longtime CDCR employees. In a new take on recruitment, the group talks less about the job itself and dives into what makes living in the Crescent City area great. And it's not just beautiful scenery, although that is also a draw! What it really comes down to is the people and the community, which this group assures is top-notch.Podcast Host: Krissi KhokhobashviliInterviewer: Corey RingerGuests: Lieutenant James Clemons, Andrew Kauffman-Correctional Officer-Investigative Services Unit (ISU) & Linda Field-Senior Accounting OfficerRecorded on Jan.11, 2023Produced by: Sgt. Corey Ringer with special assistance from Sgt. Cheyanne Witcher & Sgt. Steve Byers

In this week's episode of CDCR Unlocked, two dedicated CDCR employees share how years of teamwork, collaboration and thinking outside the box are resulting in major advancements for the department. Jaclyn Padilla, Deputy Director of Human Resources, and Emily Bither, Information Supervisor II at Enterprise Information Services (EIS), are excited to discuss Human Resources Technology Success (HRTS), a new initiative to streamline and improve HR practices. HRTS targets the recruitment and onboarding processes to make them faster, as well as improve the candidate experience. CDCR employees can learn more about HRTS on the Hub. Hosted by: Krissi KhokhobashviliRecorded on: 02-02-2023Produced by: Rob Stewart & Krissi Khokhobashvili

In this episode, Joseph Sickler recounts his journey from crime to incarceration, where education took him to growth as an ironworker and a father.

Sarina Calderon has a big job at CDCR. As the Associate Director of the Office of Civil Rights, she is responsible for ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity exists for all applicants and employees, as well as creating a professional work environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. In addition to that, she is also very involved on the CDCR/CCHCS steering committee for the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE). This national network of government agencies works together to achieve racial equity and advancement opportunities for all.Here, Calderon shares the challenges, successes, and innovations CDCR and CCHCS have had in establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion as a pillar in all the Department does. Learn more.

Dr. Lynne Ruvalcaba with the CDCR Office of Education is truly passionate about education. She and her team, in collaboration with Enterprise Information Services, are transforming what correctional education looks like. CDCR is rolling out about 30,000 secure laptops to incarcerated students attending face-to-face college programs. Not only does this initiative increase access to education for incarcerated students, it also teaches them how to use new or unfamiliar technology. These skills help find jobs, stay connected with loved ones, and continue learning. Learn more about the initiative.

The holidays are a joyful time, but also a stressful one. Shopping, events, travel, houseguests – it all adds up and can become exponentially complicated for those who work in a 24-7 professional like Corrections. Join Sgt. Corey Ringer, Correctional Officer Anna Bozworth, and Associate Governmental Program Analyst Kathryn Jue from the Office of Employee Wellness for a discussion about how to navigate holiday stressors, communicate efficiently with your friends and family, and make the holidays special in the workplace.Recorded on Nov. 17, 2022Produced by: Corey Ringer, Kathryn Jue & Anna Bozworth

In this episode of CDCR Unlocked, Community Resource Manager Martina Virrey shares how CRMs are vital to building community partnerships throughout California. From implementing rehabilitative programs to organizing fundraisers to recruiting volunteers, CRMs do it all!Hosted by: Krissi KhokhobashviliRecorded on: November 10, 2022Produced by: Rob Stewart & Krissi Khokhobashvili

CDCR is hiring 2,000 correctional officers in the next year to fill statewide vacancies. Sergeant Corey Ringer sits down with Captain Dennis McTaggart from the Backgrounds Investigation Unit and former Cadet/ now Correctional Officer Esmeralda Rodriguez as they share insight into the online features in the hiring process to fast track candidates. Come join our diverse family with a rewarding career that offers great pay and benefits! Apply online at JoinCDCR.com.Recorded on: August 1, 2022Hosted by: Joe Orlando and Tessa OuthyseProduced by: Rosanna Rodriguez, Dennis McTaggart, and Corey Ringer

This week's episode shines the light on two highly successful programs for incarcerated women that are designed to transition them back into the community. Joseph Reese and Pamela Dixson-Stamps from the Division of Rehabilitative Programs discuss the ways that the Custody to Community Transitional Reentry Program (CCTRP) and the Community Prisoner Mother Program (CPMP) help women prepare for life outside of prison.Recorded onHosted by Tessa OuthyseProduced by Frank Harrison, Joseph Reese & Pamela Dixson-Stamps