CDCR Unlocked

In this episode, CDCR Information Officer Ashton Harris talks with featured guest LT. Lozano about how incidents involving violence against staff are down 27 percent in institutions where Resource Teams are employing dynamic security as part of the California Model. The podcast is produced, recorded, and mixed by Clarissa Resultant and Christopher Medina. Note: The 27% reduction in violence applie...

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 fir...

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 podca...

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 i...

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 Bartow Guest : Sergeant Jose Andrade Producer 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...

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...

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 Buis Guests: Dr. Amar Mehta, deputy director Mental Health Services, CCHCS; Dr. Brianna Rojas, Chief Psychologist, Office of Employee Wellness Producer 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 lives Host : Sergeant Corey Ringer Guests : Sergeant Cheyanne Witcher, Margot Charkow-Ross, LCSW Record Date : 4/4/2024 Producer 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 Ringer Guests : Sergeant Cheyanne Witcher, Margot Charkow-Ross, LCSW Record Date : 4/5/2024 Producer 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, an...

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 fo...

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 part...

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, succe...

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, succe...

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 Ringer Guests: Dr. Darren Smith and Sergeant. Cheyanne Whitcher  Record date: February 22, 2024 Producer 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 Ringer Guests: Dr. Darren Smith and Sergeant. Cheyanne Whitcher  Record date: February 22, 2024 Producer name: Suraj Bhardwaj 

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