Jeanne Woodford
Encyclopedia
Jeanne Woodford previously served as the Undersecretary and Director of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
(CDCR) and Warden of San Quentin State Prison
, where she oversaw four executions.
Woodford has more than 30 years’ experience in corrections and law enforcement as an administrator, author, and public speaker. In 2004, she was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
as the Undersecretary of the CDCR, where she oversaw an eight billion dollar budget, brought accountability to the department through data-driven decision-making, and advocated for rehabilitation programs and a sentencing commission for California.
As Director of the California Department of Corrections, Woodford oversaw a budget of six billion dollars and provided leadership for 32 state prisons, 38 conservation camps, more than 185 parole units, and contracts with 50 public or private community-based facilities or centers. She led efforts to increase rehabilitation programs, address overcrowding improve health care and mental health care, expand family visiting programs, and create policies and programs appropriate for women.
She began her career as a California correctional officer in 1978 at San Quentin State Prison. Having risen through the ranks, she was appointed Warden of San Quentin State Prison by Governor Davis
in 1999. As the Warden of San Quentin State Prison, Woodford was responsible for 5,800 prisoners, 1,500 staff, and a budget of 110 million dollars. She developed and implemented programs for prisoners including The Success Dorm, the first reentry program in a California prison. She also served as Chief Deputy Warden and Associate Warden at San Quentin State Prison. The New York Times profiled Woodford for her unorthodox approach as warden of San Quentin.
Woodford also served as the Chief Adult Probation Officer for the San Francisco Adult Probation Department and oversaw a budget of 11 million dollars. She retired from this position to work on criminal justice policy and reform.
She is currently a Senior Fellow at the Berkeley Center for Criminal Justice and teaches in Stanford University
’s Continuing Studies Program and will be teaching at Hastings Law School. She has served as a guest lecturer at UC Berkeley School of Law
, Stanford Law School
, Stanford School of Public Policy, Santa Clara School of Law, and various community groups. She has testified before the U.S. Congress and the California Legislature.
Woodford serves on the boards of Walden House and The Prison Industries Authority and has been recognized with Death Penalty Focus’ Mario Cuomo Acts of Courage Award as well as numerous other awards for her work to reform criminal justice in California.
Woodford graduated from Sonoma State University
at Rohnert Park, California
with a B.A. in Criminal Justice.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is responsible for the operation of the California state prison and parole systems. CDC&R is the second largest law enforcement or police agency in the United States behind the New York City Police Department which employs approximately...
(CDCR) and Warden of San Quentin State Prison
San Quentin State Prison
San Quentin State Prison is a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation state prison for men in unincorporated San Quentin, Marin County, California, United States. Opened in July 1852, it is the oldest prison in the state. California's only death row for male inmates, the largest...
, where she oversaw four executions.
Woodford has more than 30 years’ experience in corrections and law enforcement as an administrator, author, and public speaker. In 2004, she was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
as the Undersecretary of the CDCR, where she oversaw an eight billion dollar budget, brought accountability to the department through data-driven decision-making, and advocated for rehabilitation programs and a sentencing commission for California.
As Director of the California Department of Corrections, Woodford oversaw a budget of six billion dollars and provided leadership for 32 state prisons, 38 conservation camps, more than 185 parole units, and contracts with 50 public or private community-based facilities or centers. She led efforts to increase rehabilitation programs, address overcrowding improve health care and mental health care, expand family visiting programs, and create policies and programs appropriate for women.
She began her career as a California correctional officer in 1978 at San Quentin State Prison. Having risen through the ranks, she was appointed Warden of San Quentin State Prison by Governor Davis
Gray Davis
Joseph Graham "Gray" Davis, Jr. is an American Democratic politician who served as California's 37th Governor from 1999 until being recalled in 2003...
in 1999. As the Warden of San Quentin State Prison, Woodford was responsible for 5,800 prisoners, 1,500 staff, and a budget of 110 million dollars. She developed and implemented programs for prisoners including The Success Dorm, the first reentry program in a California prison. She also served as Chief Deputy Warden and Associate Warden at San Quentin State Prison. The New York Times profiled Woodford for her unorthodox approach as warden of San Quentin.
Woodford also served as the Chief Adult Probation Officer for the San Francisco Adult Probation Department and oversaw a budget of 11 million dollars. She retired from this position to work on criminal justice policy and reform.
She is currently a Senior Fellow at the Berkeley Center for Criminal Justice and teaches in Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
’s Continuing Studies Program and will be teaching at Hastings Law School. She has served as a guest lecturer at UC Berkeley School of Law
UC Berkeley School of Law
The University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, commonly referred to as Berkeley Law and Boalt Hall, is one of 14 schools and colleges at the University of California, Berkeley. Berkeley Law is consistently regarded as an elite and prestigious law school...
, Stanford Law School
Stanford Law School
Stanford Law School is a graduate school at Stanford University located in the area known as the Silicon Valley, near Palo Alto, California in the United States. The Law School was established in 1893 when former President Benjamin Harrison joined the faculty as the first professor of law...
, Stanford School of Public Policy, Santa Clara School of Law, and various community groups. She has testified before the U.S. Congress and the California Legislature.
Woodford serves on the boards of Walden House and The Prison Industries Authority and has been recognized with Death Penalty Focus’ Mario Cuomo Acts of Courage Award as well as numerous other awards for her work to reform criminal justice in California.
Woodford graduated from Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University is a public, coeducational business and liberal arts college affiliated with the California State University system. The main campus is located in Rohnert Park, California, United States and lies approximately south of Santa Rosa and north of San Francisco...
at Rohnert Park, California
Rohnert Park, California
Rohnert Park is a city in Sonoma County, California, United States, located approximately north of San Francisco. The population at the 2010 United States Census was 40,971. It is an early planned city, modeled directly after Levittown, New York and Levittown, Pennsylvania. Rohnert Park is the...
with a B.A. in Criminal Justice.