CDCR & CCHCS Complete Guide for Travel Nurses — California Correctional Healthcare
CDCR (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation) operates 33 state prisons housing 95,000+ inmates, making it the largest state prison system in the US. Healthcare within CDCR is managed by CCHCS (California Correctional Health Care Services), a federally supervised receiver established after a landmark lawsuit. Travel nurses at CDCR/CCHCS earn $2,800–$3,800/week on 13-week contracts and work in one of the most resource-rich correctional healthcare systems in the country.
Last updated 2026-04-20
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What Is CDCR? (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation)
CDCR is the California state agency responsible for the incarceration, supervision, and rehabilitation of individuals convicted of felonies in California. With 33 adult state prisons, 33+ conservation (fire) camps, and 12 community correctional facilities, it employs over 60,000 people and houses approximately 95,000 inmates — making it the largest state prison system in the US. CDCR facilities range from Level I (minimum security fire camps) to Level IV (maximum security, like Pelican Bay's Special Management Unit). Each facility has a dedicated healthcare unit managed under CCHCS supervision, staffed by RNs, LVNs, CNAs, physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and allied health professionals.
CatSol shows the full pay breakdown on every listing — base rate, housing stipend, meals stipend, and overtime. No surprises.
See transparent job listings →What Is CCHCS? (California Correctional Health Care Services)
CCHCS is the federal receiver established in 2006 following the landmark Plata v. Schwarzenegger lawsuit, in which a federal court found that California prison healthcare was so inadequate it violated the Eighth Amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The receiver operates with federal oversight, spending over $3 billion annually to deliver healthcare to CDCR's incarcerated population. This federal oversight is why CDCR/CCHCS is actually better-resourced than most state correctional systems — the courts mandate staffing levels, equipment standards, and quality metrics that many state systems ignore. For travel nurses, this means consistent protocols, modern EMR systems (Epic), and meaningful clinical supervision.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual healthcare budget | $3.1 billion |
| Number of facilities | 33 adult prisons + fire camps |
| Inmate population (2026) | ~95,000 |
| Healthcare employees | ~12,000 |
| EMR system | Epic (statewide) |
| Federal oversight since | 2006 (Plata v. Schwarzenegger) |
CDCR Security Levels — What Each Means for Nurses
CDCR organizes its facilities by security level, which directly affects nursing scope, patient acuity, and pay premiums.
| Level | Description | Examples | Nursing Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Minimum security, open dorms | Fire camps, CRC Norco, Avenal | Primary care focus, lowest security overhead |
| Level II | Medium security, dormitories | CMC San Luis Obispo, CCC | Mix of primary care + chronic disease |
| Level III | Medium-high, cells + armed perimeter | SATF Corcoran, RJD San Diego | Higher acuity, more urgent care |
| Level IV | Maximum security, armed guards | Pelican Bay, SVSP, SAC, KVSP | Highest pay, complex cases, psych demand |
| Reception Centers | All security levels (intake) | Wasco State Prison, DVI | High volume, intake screenings, triage |
CatSol shows the full pay breakdown on every listing — base rate, housing stipend, meals stipend, and overtime. No surprises.
See transparent job listings →CDCR Healthcare Programs — Where Nurses Work
Within each CDCR facility, nurses work across several distinct healthcare programs depending on the facility's mission and security level.
| Program | Abbreviation | Description | Primary Staff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Correctional Treatment Center | CTC | Inpatient medical unit for acute care | RN, LVN, MD |
| Mental Health Crisis Bed | MHCB | 72-hour acute psychiatric holds | RN, LPT, Psych MD |
| Enhanced Outpatient Program | EOP | Structured mental health treatment | RN, LPT, Social Worker |
| Psychiatric Services Unit | PSU | Maximum-security psychiatric inpatient | Psych RN, LPT, Psychiatrist |
| Skilled Nursing Facility | SNF | Long-term care for aging/disabled inmates | RN, LVN, CNA |
| Chronic Disease Management | CDM | Diabetes, HIV, hypertension clinics | RN, MD, Pharmacist |
CDCR Nursing Requirements — What You Need to Work There
To work as a travel nurse at a CDCR/CCHCS facility through CatSol, you need: **License:** Active California RN, LVN, or CNA license (from California BRN or BVNPT). Out-of-state nurses need to endorse to California — compact license holders can use the multi-state privilege while the CA license is processed. **Background check:** CDCR conducts a thorough background investigation. Certain criminal history (felonies, crimes involving dishonesty) will disqualify you. Minor infractions are reviewed case-by-case. **Health requirements:** TB test (within 90 days), flu shot (seasonal), standard health clearance. **Training:** CDCR provides mandatory orientation covering security procedures, emergency protocols, and healthcare policy before your first shift. Prior correctional experience is preferred but not required for most roles.
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CDCR Travel Nurse Pay by Facility Type — 2026 Live Data
CatSol's live inventory shows 97 active CDCR jobs as of April 2026. Pay varies significantly by facility type, security level, and role.
| Facility Type | Role | Weekly Pay Range | Example Facility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level IV Max Security | RN | $3,000–$3,800 | Pelican Bay, SVSP, SAC |
| Level IV Max Security | Behavioral Health | $2,500–$3,300 | CMF Vacaville, SVSP |
| Remote Desert/Northern | RN | $3,100–$3,700 | HDSP Susanville, ISP Blythe |
| Level II/III (Mid-security) | RN | $2,800–$3,300 | CTF Soledad, SATF Corcoran |
| Psychiatric Units (PSU/MHCB) | Psych RN | $2,900–$3,800 | CMF Vacaville, SVSP PSU |
| All CDCR Facilities | LPT | $1,800–$2,500 | CMF, CCI, LAC, MCSP |
| All CDCR Facilities | LVN | $1,805–$2,526 | PBSP, SVSP, MCSP, CEN |
| All CDCR Facilities | CNA | $1,177–$1,593 | HDSP, CEN, MCSP, CCWF |
The 33 CDCR Facilities — Key Facts for Travel Nurses
California's 33 adult state prisons span the entire state, from Pelican Bay on the Oregon border to Calipatria near Mexico. CatSol currently has pages for all 33 facilities — click any in the interactive list on our California corrections page to see specific pay, location, and available roles.
How CDCR Credentialing Works — Timeline
CDCR credentialing takes longer than most hospital systems because of the background check and security clearance process. Here is the typical timeline for a CatSol-placed nurse: **Week 1–2:** License verification, background check initiation, health screenings **Week 2–3:** CDCR security review (most nurses clear within 2 weeks) **Week 3–4:** Assignment confirmation, orientation scheduling **Week 4–5:** CDCR orientation (1-2 days), badge issuance **Day 1:** First shift at facility medical unit CatSol manages the entire credentialing process. We have established relationships with CCHCS credentialing coordinators at every facility.
Epic EMR at CDCR — What Nurses Should Know
CDCR implemented Epic as its statewide EMR in a multi-year rollout completed in 2024. All 33 prisons now use Epic for clinical documentation, medication administration, order entry, and health records. For travel nurses, this means: ✓ If you've used Epic at a hospital, the CDCR instance is similar ✓ CCHCS provides facility-specific Epic training during orientation ✓ Documentation requirements are more detailed than most hospital settings (court-mandated quality metrics) ✓ CDS (Clinical Decision Support) alerts are active — follow them, they're monitored by CCHCS
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CDCR and CCHCS?
Do I need a California license to work at CDCR?
How much do CDCR travel nurses make in 2026?
Is prior correctional experience required for CDCR?
How long do CDCR travel nursing contracts last?
What EMR does CDCR use?
Which CDCR facilities are hiring now?
CDCR is the largest state prison system in the US, with 33 facilities and 95,000+ inmates. Healthcare is managed by CCHCS, a federally supervised receiver with a $3.1B annual budget and Epic EMR statewide. Travel nurses earn $2,800–$3,800/week for RNs, with LPTs, LVNs, and CNAs filling supporting roles. California license required. CatSol currently has 97 active CDCR openings across all facility types and security levels.
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CatSol has direct CDCR contracts across all 33 California prisons. See live openings by facility, security level, and specialty.
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