7 California Prisons Receive ACA Accreditation

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) announced on Aug. 8 that seven of the state’s prisons had earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections, bringing the total number of accredited state prisons in California to 30. The most recent round of accreditations was announced during the American Correctional Association’s (ACA) 146th Congress of Corrections in Boston from August 5-10.

Read more

Santa Barbara County Jail Project Awaits State Approval

SANTA MARIA, Calif. — Now that the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors awarded construction contracts in early July for the Northern Branch jail in Santa Maria, final state approval is required before continuing with plans to build the facility. That includes review by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), State Public Works Board and Pooled Money Investment Board.

Read more

CDCR Dedicates New Mule Creek State Prison Housing Facilities

IONE, Calif. — The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) recently dedicated two new housing facilities at Mule Creek State Prison, located in Ione in Amador County. In addition to increased bed space, the facilities also feature expanded areas for rehabilitative programming as well as medical and mental health care.

Read more

California Regains Oversight of Folsom State Prison

REPRESA, Calif. — Oversight of Folsom State Prison’s (FSP) medical services is once again in the hands of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), according to a July 14 statement by the CDCR. The move marked an important step in the state’s the long-term transition back to full control of inmate medical care. However, more than 30 California correctional facilities remain under federal control.

Read more

California Funds Prison Rehab Programs

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) earlier this month awarded a number of one-time grants aimed at expanding rehabilitative programs in the state’s prisons. In total, the state committed $2.5 million to efforts to “boost innovative programs and increase volunteerism in prisons,” according to a statement by the CDCR.

Read more

California Prisoners Now Have Ability to get Four-Year Degree

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) along with the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges have recently come to an agreement to allow more and more current prisoners the ability to acquire academic certificates, degrees and credits, which will in most cases transfer over to a four-year university atmosphere.

Read more

Eight California Prisons Earn ACA Accreditation

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Eight California prisons recently earned accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections, the official accrediting body of the American Correctional Association, bringing the state’s total to 16 approved facilities.

According to a release issued by the CDCR, ACA standards are the national benchmark for the effective operation of correctional facilities. The ACA is responsible for conducting facility audits, while the Commission, comprised of corrections professionals from across the nation, determines accreditation.

Read more