California State Prison - Los Angeles County

Organization Description

Richard J Donovan Correctional Facility (RJDCF) is one of the CA Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation facilities that houses approximately 3000 inmate-patients. RJDCF has one of the largest health care systems in all CDCR institutions, with a large mental health department that employs recreational therapists among its staff. This staff also includes psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. The mission of the California Correctional Health Care System (CCHCS) is to reduce unnecessary morbidity and mortality and protect the public health by providing inmate-patients with timely access to safe, efficient health care, and to coordinate the delivery of medical care with mental health, dental, and disability programs. CCHCS strives to facilitate the successful reintegration of the individuals in our care back to their communities equipped with the tools to be drug-free, healthy, and employable members of society by providing education, treatment, rehabilitative, and restorative justice programs, all in a safe and humane environment.

Program Information

The CDCR Mission is to facilitate the successful reintegration of the individuals in our care back to their communities equipped with the tools to be drug-free, healthy, and employable members of society by providing education, treatment, rehabilitative, and restorative justice programs, all in a safe and humane environment. The California Correctional Healthcare Services provides care that includes medical, dental, and mental health services to California's incarcerated population. As the only state prison in Los Angeles County, CSP-LAC houses minimum and maximum security male inmates and serves as a medical hub for specialized mental health programs offered in the general population and restrictive housing units. The institution provides 3 levels of mental health care. The Correctional Clinical Case Management Services (CCCMS) participants are housed in the general population and receive multidisciplinary mental health care on an outpatient basis. The Enhanced Outpatient Program (EOP) participants live in separate housing units and receive structured activities similar to a day treatment program in the community. The Mental Health Crisis Bed (MHCB) provides short-term crisis intervention and stabilization for up to ten days in a licensed Correctional Treatment Center. Participants in this service are experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms which require observation, monitoring, continuous nursing assistance, and stabilization.

Health & Safety

This is a state prison. Institutional security procedures and policies must be followed.
Additional requirements and/or considerations
  • Background Check (e.g. fingerprinting/livescan, driving record)
  • Driver's License
  • Health Check/Screening (e.g. temperature screening, COVID-19 test)
  • Must be 18 or older
  • TB Test
  • HIGH RISK: Health care services - Risk includes but not limited to: falling, needle sticks, medical exposure
  • HIGH RISK: Service is one-on-one, family/home based. If yes, please indicate under Special Site Instructions where meetings will take place: public location, on campus, etc.).
  • HIGH RISK: Students will be working with "behaviorally challenged" populations
  • HIGH RISK: Students will be working with individuals who have a known criminal background or history of violent behavior
  • RISK: Physical Recreation - Risk includes but is not limited to: sprains, strains, bruises, gym equipment, falling
  • SAFETY (HIGH RISK): The location can be described as a high-crime area.
  • SAFETY (HIGH RISK): There have been incidents of criminal activity at the organization or site(s) within the last year.
  • SITE REQUIREMENT: Students are not allowed to take pictures or video.
  • SITE REQUIREMENT: Students will be asked to sign a confidentiality waiver.
Address 
44750 60th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93536
United States
Student Contact 
Name
Adam Chidekel
Job Title
Sr. Psychologist, Specialist, Training Coordinator
Phone
(661) 729-2000 Ext. 7922
Email
adam.chidekel@cdcr.ca.gov

Current Opportunities

Title Program Start Date Location Type
Recreation Therapy for Male Inmates Participating in Mental Health Services Center for Community Engagement Ongoing On-site
View all opportunities here
Program(s) 
Center for Community Engagement
Organization type 
Judicial or Legal Facility/Organization (Government)
Focus Population(s)
Adults, Incarcerated People, LGBTQA, Males, People Experiencing Addiction, People Experiencing Disability, People Experiencing Homelessness, People Experiencing Illness, People Experiencing Material Poverty, People Impacted by Crime, Seniors, Specific racial/ethnic/cultural group, Survivors of Sexual or Domestic Violence, Veterans, Active Military and/or Military Families
Focus Area(s)
Emergency Services & Public Safety, Health & Medicine
Hours of operation 

Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 5:00

Maximum students 
2