Jeanne Woodford started at San Quentin State Prison as a correctional officer in 1978, weeks after graduating from college. She rose through the ranks, eventually becoming warden of the prison, and director of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. She returned to the Bay Area in 2006 to work as Chief of Adult Probation in San Francisco, and says she left the public sector because she was tired of managing shrinking budgets and ready to work on reforming the system. Earlier this year, Woodford became the Executive Director of Death Penalty Focus, an organization dedicated to ending capital punishment. I sat down with Woodford recently to talk about the move.
Jeanne Woodford
RECENT POSTS
Evening LinkUp: flaming potties and drinking with guns
Nope, not those other toilet torchings, just this one Police ID suspect who allegedly lit fire to seven port-a-potties–but say he’s probably not responsible for similar arsons. (SF Appeal)
California’s bloated prison system threatens public safety Says former corrections head and San Quentin Warden Jeanne Woodford. (Sacramento Bee)
Elena Kagan’s first day Nu Yahwk native starts work as Supreme Court Justice; asks six questions. (Los Angeles Times)
Going to the Bar, Pistol in Pocket Concealed carry gaining momentum nationwide. (The New York Times)
Justice Stevens: I regret upholding the death penalty And other reflections on a 35-year term. (NPR)