In this October 16 Week in Review, we highlight the Elk Grove blood drive, OVSRS at GRIP Honors event and ASP’s health and wellness fair.
Observances
Governor Newsom proclaims Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring Oct. 12 as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
In the Community
HQ blood drive draws strong turnout
The Office of Employee Health Management and Vitalant partnered to host a blood drive Oct. 14 at headquarters (HQ) in Elk Grove.
The on-site event gave California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and California Correctional Health Care Services staff an easy way to help save lives.
The bloodmobile arrived early behind Building E, ready to receive a full day of donations. Vitalant staff reported strong turnout, with every appointment booked and additional walk-in donors.
Donors described the process as simple and rewarding, turning a convenient workplace opportunity into meaningful community support.
Recruitment
Recruiters connect with candidates statewide
Recruitment teams connected with prospective employees across California, participating in 25 events during July and August.
The Peace Officer Recruitment Unit and Specialized Recruitment Unit met candidates at veterans’ and Employment Development Department job fairs, the California State Fair and National Night Out.
Recruiters also reached students at Lemoore College, Fresno State, Delta College, Columbia College and Solano College.
At the Women in Law Enforcement Symposium, representatives shared career pathways and opportunities for professional growth within CDCR.
Throughout the summer, staff answered questions about state hiring, highlighted the benefits of public service and helped candidates explore careers serving California communities.
OVSRS
OVSRS attends GRIP Honors event
The Guiding Rage in Power (GRIP) Training Institute celebrated healing and leadership at its annual GRIP Honors event Oct. 8.
Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS) Chief Mariam El-Menshawi joined CDCR executives, including Undersecretary Johnson, Director Casias and Executive Officer Wycoff, at the event.
GRIP alumni, community leaders and supporters gathered to recognize transformation and leadership following incarceration.
In Our Institutions
ASP hosts health and wellness fair for population
Avenal State Prison (ASP) brought health education, support resources and entertainment together during the Sept. 29 wellness fair at Facility C.
The Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment (ISUDT) and Mental Health Wellness Fair connected incarcerated people with information about overdose awareness, general wellness and available support services.
Medical, mental health and custody staff collaborated with participants from the Peer Support Specialist Program (PSSP) to share resources and encourage healthy choices.
Attendees enjoyed cake, popcorn and snow cones while listening to live music performed by the Facility C Band.
The event combined practical health information with positive social connections, supporting rehabilitation and personal growth. It also highlighted the value of teamwork in helping incarcerated people access resources for healthier futures.
Division of Adult Parole Operations
Parole agents support public safety at Pacific Airshow
South Coast District parole agents partnered with the Huntington Beach Police Department Oct. 2-3 to support public safety at the Pacific Airshow.
The annual festival draws thousands of spectators for military and civilian aviation demonstrations, including performances by elite military jet teams.
Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) agents provided expertise in parole supervision and global positioning system (GPS) monitoring. They also assisted local officers during contacts with people on parole.
The operation resulted in two arrests involving parole supervision violations. Agents also identified a registered sex offender whose presence violated a parole condition prohibiting attendance at events where minors are present.
The partnership strengthened coordination with local law enforcement and demonstrated DAPO’s commitment to community safety through collaboration and field engagement.
Town halls launch to prepare incarcerated persons for reentry
The Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) is launching informational meetings to help reduce recidivism and prepare incarcerated people for release.
The Community Reentry Unit (CRU), Community Transitions Program and Behavioral Health Reintegration teams collaborated on the first sessions at California Institution for Women in Corona and California Institution for Men in Chino.
Meetings specifically targeted individuals scheduled for release within 60 to 90 days.
These town hall meetings are designed to eliminate guesswork and ensure access to resources needed to successfully navigate reentry.
Presenters explained pre-release timelines, mental health counseling, medication-assisted treatment and Medi-Cal enrollment.
CRU staff outlined additional resources, including Specialized Treatment for Optimized Programming housing placements and Day Reporting Centers.
Staff explained Parole and Community Team meetings, Women Empowerment groups and Peer Reentry Navigation Network meetings for people serving life sentences.
Participants received guidance on obtaining a California identification card. Resource flyers also outlined local support services available after release.
The quarterly sessions aim to ease the transition home by connecting participants with practical guidance and community resources before release.
Upward Mobility
Bryttiney Lincoln, appointed Regional Health Care Executive, Region IV
Robert Ramirez, assigned acting Director, Division of Administrative Services
*Listed in alphabetical order by first name
In the Media
Kehlani returns to her mother’s prison for new healing series
Kehlani revisited the prison where her mother was held in a new series that brings artists and incarcerated people together to talk about family, harm and healing.
The singer appears in the first episode of Live From The Hole, which premiered Monday, October 12, on Question Culture’s YouTube channel.
Filmed at the California Institution for Women, the episode brings Kehlani together with incarcerated women to discuss how prison affects people on both sides of its walls.
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