The California medical facility is home to the Palooza 3.0 prison

California Medical Facility staff, community organizations and the incarcerated population recently gathered for Prison Palooza 3.0.

“We had a lot more staff, community people and incarcerated people who heard about it last year and wanted to participate this year,” Lt. Priscilla Gonzalez, Public Information Officer. “It was cool that so many people saw what we did and wanted to be a part of it.”

Director Daniel Cueva said the event was a great way to promote positive interactions between staff and inmates at the institution.

“(It's inspiring) to see the inmates and staff playing corn hole or listening to music next to each other,” he said. “I saw a lot more employee participation (because they didn’t know) that this was an event for everyone.”

Richard Tan, television specialist at the Office of Public and Employee Communications, was on hand to capture the event. Watch his video (story continues below):

Break down barriers, work together

Anthony Gonzalez, an incarcerated participant, believes this is a way to break down barriers and improve communication.

“(It’s) just a human connection and stepping out of the blue and green,” he said. “It really connected us on a different level.”

It takes a team effort to put the event together.

“One of our officers has a lot of horses on her property,” Lt. Gonzalez. So prison organizers asked Palooza if she would be willing to take her to the institution.

Correctional Officer Andrea Garcia was happy to help. She already takes the horses with her to other community activities, so the process hasn't been difficult.

“We’re trying to do some new things here (at the California Medical Facility) and incorporate some normality,” Garcia said.

“I grew up caring for horses and that’s what brought me home. This is a beautiful experience,” said Matthew Lane, another incarcerated participant. “I love it. It kind of gets me out of jail.”

Several bands performed during the Palooza, including the Travis Air Force Band.

According to Lt. Gonzalez is the Travis band's top hit.

The Palooza included a fundraiser for the sale of incarcerated food, with the money going to a local charity.

“We were able to share music, art and games,” said Director Cueva. “It’s something we all enjoy, whether we’re staff or incarcerated.”

Video by Richard Tan, TV specialist
Story by Richard Tan and Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR Editors
Photos by Emily Humpal, Information Officer
Office of Public and Employee Communications