Incarcerated Family Council at California Mens Colony

10/08/2026

📢PER CMC'S PIO

The PSR issued for D yard buildings 7-8 was officially lifted as of Tuesday...

10/07/2026

CMC FAMILIES🧡🖤

IFC would love for you all to join us for
CMC'S HALLOWEEN EVENT 🎃👻🕸 🕷

📅 Saturday October 31st

⏰️8:45am - 3:00pm

📍CMC Visiting room

🎉There will be crafts, games, children’s costume contest, prizes, music and most importantly fun holiday family bonding🫂🧡

📢KIDS can wear costumes‼️
See Flyers below for costume RULES!!!

🍬🍭🍫At the end of visiting in the visiting gatehouse house treat bags will be handed out for the children.

✨️🎁We couldn't make these memorable events happen without the generous donations from the Families here at CMC! So we've put together a donation wishlist for families able to contribute. ☆Please keep in mind the deadline to donate will be October 23rd☆

Check out this Gift List I just created. https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/13D2T97U42RAD?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_ggr-subnav-share_QNSCNNWX2P8DAWS4BKZM&language=en-US

We are so excited to celebrate with you all and hope to see you all there -CMC'S IFC 🧡

09/28/2026

Attention CMC Families
Per CMC'S PIO
D Facility Has been issued a PSR

Please read in its entirety! There has been no update on the cdcr website pertaining to visiting we're sure that will come shortly.

If you have questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to reach out to CMC'S IFC here or at [email protected]

Thank you for your patience and understanding as information comes we will share!

-CMC IFC

08/20/2026

Evening CMC families

It has been brought to our attention that there is currently a situation occurring at our facility. Please know that we've reached out to CMC for an update on what is going on. Here below is the response we received. Please know that we will continue to follow up and share any information with you as it is received.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. We are here to support you and provide any assistance you may need. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns!

-CMC IFC

08/12/2026

CMC Incarcerated Family Council
Would like encourage everyone to participate in the California State Prison Visiting Food Access and Vending Access Survey brought by Restoring Hope California.

Your voice matters!!! Having this opportunity allows US to let our voices be heard. Please take a few moments to complete this survey and share your experiences, comments, and concerns.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcdh7Ztx9RipT8m6pq15DMm-tPmEpuyEbGHSkBw2VlSFNIYw/viewform

08/01/2026

IFC MINUTES FOR MAY 2026.

▪︎ Securus Tablets transition was set for late this month but due to unforseen reason our date had went to TBD then to 9/14-9/18 and now to TBD once again. IFC inquired as to why and have been told its many facilities not just ours and that its an IT issue and as thats all being figured out the GTL tablet will not be interrupted!

https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/family-resources/tablets/?fbclid=Iwb21leANrZvBjbGNrA2tmpmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEeIXfPSdw41GJTY3rq-yC9RJg0gvqHTa21fRWMUW5AbIdrNb-3r3oKd41Cx3w_aem_i5WXnSWDv3DGEW3zFFUFeA

-IFC hears both sides! The side that doesn't care cause the new tablets "suck" and the side that expresses frustration of arriving here and not receiving one and those that also have a non operating GTL tablet! We ask for patience and understanding through this transition. We hope CDCR gets things squared away and the transition is sooner rather than later!

-We are constantly following up on the Securus Tablets and will continue to request updates at our meetings and via email as well. Will update you as information is received!

▪︎PER the Fire Marshall's information shared with IFC FV units will remain at 3 overnight guest + the IP with that being 4 occupants at a time.

▪︎The request made to have photos taken at FV is a NO by the Facility. They stated it is due to staffing, and that its not something they've ever done and its not allowed.

▪︎FV Coordinator Catron has been in his new roll as FV Coordinator and has been good so far, according to many families.

▪︎It had been previously brought to our attention that frozen and refrigerated foods delivered by Instacart for FV were being left out and not properly stored promptly. We hope that issue has been resolved! Please advise if otherwise...

▪︎IFC was allowed a tour of the FV units. We ask that families please share their concerns, and any repair issues that need to be made. We will all soon be in talks on the SB542 Funds and a wishlist were donations can be made.

▪︎Conventional ovens and air fryers have been asked about by many families. We asked and were told to create a proposal that will be presented to CMC. CMC asked we keep in mind that this facility is OLD so their concern is it may knock out the power and can be unsafe.
Will keep you posted!

▪︎Purchases of a new camera and printer.

-Quality of the both were checked and in conclusion the camera is in good standings and a new printer has been purchased.

▪︎IPs can take any Canteen issues/concerns to IAC. (Incarcerated Advisory Council)

▪︎We will soon be inquiring on what non hazardous play items for the visiting room, that families would like to be made available for children. As well as purchases for outdoor play equipment for the FV units.

▪︎Get on the Bus Event: We are requesting the number of participants as the Program Director at CRJW has reached out to CMC'S IFC in hopes to promote and expand the number of participants. Future details will be shared as to when the next opportunity to partake in the event will be available. Remember an application must be submitted within a time frame!

▪︎IAC, for those of you unaware of what the IAC is they are the Inmate Advisory Council

-The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Inmate Advisory Council
officially designated as an Incarcerated Person Advisory Council under Title 15, § 3230 of the California Code of Regulations—is an elected body of incarcerated individuals established at each prison facility to advise and communicate with the warden and administrative staff.

-IFC Has been given the IAC minutes we will be sharing them with all of you. We'd like to begin collaborating with the IAC to improve communication, address issues and be able to better support the incarcerated, and the Families!

If anyone has questions, comments, concerns, or opinions please contact us here or via email at [email protected]

IFC would appreciate any feedback!!

Thank you,
-CMC IFC

07/31/2026

Good afternoon CMC families

IFC has reached out to the Facility regarding the new tables being set up in the visiting room. Here is the response we have received from our PIO Blankenship.

Please contact us with any further questions, comments, or concerns to this matter!

Thank you,
-CMC IFC

07/16/2026

Good evening CMC Families,

Tablet deployments for CMC have been updated to Sept 14th - Sept 18th.

Please keep in mind as always these dates are subject to change.

https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/family-resources/tablets/?fbclid=Iwb21leATFIi1jbGNrBMUh9WV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHlBf-9onDISfQD-zmR5jXY4naa8Tk_Vm722cupkiTbQecJNk_3BNmReBzFRF_aem_brvrCno9AthrDbCCJCv0Lg

-CMC IFC

07/04/2026

Happy 4th of July everyone!🎆🎉🎇 We wish you all a fantastic 4th filled with family, fun and fireworks. Remember to celebrate safe while enjoying the evening! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙

07/01/2026

RP: Restoring Hope California

Sometimes the hardest phone call you’ll ever receive is from someone you love saying they don’t want to live anymore.

For families with a loved one incarcerated in a CDCR institution, those moments can leave you feeling helpless, scared, and unsure of what to do next.

That’s exactly why we created this guide.

It provides practical, step-by-step information on:
✔️ Recognizing warning signs
✔️ Who to contact at the institution
✔️ What to say when reporting a crisis
✔️ Questions to ask before ending the call
✔️ How to follow up if you’re still concerned

If your loved one talks about su***de, self-harm, or you believe they may be in crisis, trust your instincts and contact the institution immediately. Your call could be the first step toward getting them the help they need.

No family should have to navigate a mental health crisis alone.

At Restoring Hope California, we are committed to supporting families through difficult moments with accurate information, compassionate guidance, and hope.

If this resource may help another family, please share it. You never know whose life it could impact.

❤️ Together, we can help ensure no cry for help goes unheard.

In Unity,
Crystal Dean,
Community Partnerships Manager