CDCR

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is the state agency responsible for the operation of California's state prison system and for supervising individuals who are incarcerated or on parole. Headquartered in Sacramento, the department manages state prisons and, through its Division of Juvenile Justice, facilities for youth offenders. CDCR also oversees various health care, educational, and rehabilitation programs designed to reduce recidivism and promote public safety.

CDCR is led by a secretary appointed by the governor and includes divisions such as the Division of Adult Institutions and the Division of Juvenile Justice, along with programs for rehabilitation, medical and mental health care, and offender reentry services. The department handles parole operations through the Board of Parole Hearings and coordinates with federal and local agencies on issues such as inmate healthcare, security, and community reintegration. It is subject to legislative oversight, audits, and budgetary processes, and it maintains records and statistics on inmate populations, facilities, and outcomes. Over the years, CDCR has undergone reforms aimed at increasing transparency, reducing overcrowding, and expanding rehabilitative programming, though challenges such as staffing levels and funding pressures have persisted.