CACorrections

Incarcerated fire crews participated in the 18th Annual Redwood Coast Fire Preparedness Exercise conducted by CAL FIRE personnel.

The exercise provided valuable training opportunities that reinforced physical preparedness, fire line safety, teamwork, and emergency response procedures necessary for successful wildland fire operations.

Calipatria and Centinela state prison staff joined local agencies to train in a simulated mass chemical exposure exercise. Staff had the opportunity to evaluate local emergency response systems, operational communications, patient management coordination, and interagency collaboration within a realistic training environment.

Read the full story: https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/insidecdcr/2026/05/28/calipatria-centinela-prison-staff-train-in-full-scale-exercise/

CBS News (Los Angeles) featured the Theatre Workers Project rehabilitative program at California State Prison, Los Angeles County where incarcerated persons tell their stories through created theatrical productions:

A look at a prison theatrical rehabilitation program in Lancaster Kara Finnstrom heads to California State Prison in Lancaster to look at a theater rehabilitation program for inmates.

Small in numbers, strong in purpose. Class 2-26A may be one of our smaller graduating classes, but what they accomplished speaks volumes. They answered the call to serve the toughest beat in the state. Congratulations officers! This is just beginning.

Today, the CDCR Academy pauses operations to honor the brave staff and peace officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. Peace Officers Memorial Day serves as a reminder of the courage, dedication, and selfless service carried by those who answered the call to protect others. We remember the fallen, honor their legacy, and recognize the lasting impact they have left on our department.

The from the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility along with California State Prison-Corcoran administrative staff and CDCR executives attended the April 28 funeral of Tulare County Sheriff's Office Detective Randy Hoppert in Porterville.

Undersecretary Jason Johnson joined hundreds of law enforcement officers, family members and the community to honor Hoppert’s life, service and sacrifice.

Hoppert was killed in the line of duty April 9 while responding to an eviction notice call with fellow deputies. Authorities said the suspect opened fire during the incident, striking Hoppert as he provided backup to other officers. He later died at a nearby hospital.

CDCR stood shoulder to shoulder with law enforcement agencies from across the state to honor the brave peace officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others. We especially remember and honor our own, Agent Joshua Byrd, whose courage and dedication will never be forgotten. Their watch may have ended, but their legacy lives on in every badge worn and every oath upheld. We stand for the fallen, and beside the families they left behind.