The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation family extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Davis Police Officer Natalie Corona who was killed while responding to a traffic collision last Thursday. We have sadly lost another person dedicated to keeping our communities safe.

Photo courtesy, ABC10

Rehabilitation works! This past Friday, 22 women from Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla reached another life-changing milestone. All graduated from CCWF’s year-long offender-mentor program, which allows them the opportunity to become a certified drug and alcohol counselor. The women now will help facilitate substance abuse programs at various women’s facilities. When they leave prison they can get good jobs. For this class 150 applicants vied for spots. “There is great demand for counselors,” said Carrie Critchlow, a correctional counselor III who oversees the CCWF program. “A past graduate had five job offers when she was released.”

Graduate Yannick Carraway said the program was tough and eye-opening. She is excited to help others and welcomes the second chance. “This is not just a graduation, this is where my life starts,” Carraway said to a an audience of family and other supporters. “This is the first time my dad has seen me graduate from anything since elementary school.”

Today is Marathon Day at San Quentin! 🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏾‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃🏿‍♂️

Volunteers from the Marin 1,000 Mile Running Club make the San Quentin Marathon possible. It’s only through their dedication to the inmates and the expert training they provide that the inmates are able to compete in the grueling 26.2 mile race---more than 120 laps around a course on the prison exercise yard.

More than two dozen inmates -- some as old as 82 -- train all year for Marathon Day, the peak of their running season which also includes shorter races, like a half-marathon and mile-long sprint races. Some inmates turn in times fast enough to qualify for major marathons like Boston. The slowest may take six hours to run 26.2 miles. But all the participants, faster or slower, stick together until the last runner crosses the finish line. The volunteers from the Marin 1,000 Mile Running Club coach inmates on technique, log lap times and offer encouragement in those waning laps when the legs want to quit. At the end of 26.2 miles, it’s a true community effort.

#DidYouKnow The CDCR Office of Peace Officer Selection (OPOS) is hosting one-stop hiring events to recruit correctional officers in remote areas.

Applicants who register will attend a recruitment presentation including a Q&A session, have the opportunity to apply onsite, and if qualified, complete the written exam, all in one day. CDCR is on track to hire a total of 1,840 new correctional staff in the current fiscal year. Based on current projections another 1,840 new officers will be needed next year.

To view events for February and March visit: https://goo.gl/8HVBUp

CDCR officials still searching for minimum-security inmate, Justin Franks, 27, who escaped from the minimum-support facility at Folsom State Prison on Dec. 22. Anyone who sees Franks should immediately contact law enforcement or call 911. https://goo.gl/8c5Req