Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties.
Rafael Acevedo, of Imperial County, has been appointed Warden at Richard J. Donovan State Prison, where he has been Acting Warden since 2024. Acevedo held multiple positions at Calipatria State Prison from 1998 to 2003, including Chief Deputy Warden, Associate Warden, Correctional Captain, Correctional Counselor II, Correctional Counselor I, Correctional Officer and Vocational Instructor. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $199,332. Acevedo is registered without a party preference.
Patrick Eaton, of Sonora, has been appointed Deputy Director of Facility Support of the Division of Adult Institutions at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Eaton has been Associate Director of Reception Center at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation since 2024. He held several positions at the Sierra Conservation Center from 2002 to 2025, including Warden, Acting Warden, Chief Deputy Warden, Associate Warden, Correctional Captain, Correctional Lieutenant, and Correctional Sergeant. Eaton held multiple positions at the Central California Women’s Facility from 1999 to 2002, including Correctional Sergeant and Correctional Officer. He was a Correctional Officer at the Salinas Valley State Prison from 1996 to 1999. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $219,756. Eaton is a Republican.
Joseph Tuggle, of Placerville, has been appointed Associate Director, Region I of the Division of Adult Institutions at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Tuggle has been the Warden at Folsom State Prison since 2025, where he was the Chief Deputy Administrator from 2023 to 2024. He was Acting Chief Deputy Administrator at California Medical Facility from 2022 to 2023. Tuggle held several positions at Folsom State Prison from 2000 to 2022, including Correctional Administrator, Correctional Captain, Correctional Lieutenant, Correctional Sergeant, and Correctional Officer. He was a Correctional Officer at Pelican Bay State Prison from 1998 to 2000. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $209,292. Tuggle is a Republican.
Sircoya M. Williams, of Solano County, has been appointed Warden at the California Medical Facility, where she has served as Acting Warden since 2024. Williams was Chief Deputy Warden at the California Medical Facility from 2023 to 2024. She was Associate Warden, Level III Operations at California State Prison, Solano in 2023. Williams was Acting Chief Deputy Warden at Folsom State Prison from 2022 to 2023. She was a Correctional Administrator at Headquarters of the Division of Adult Institutions from 2021 to 2023. Williams held multiple positions at the California State Prison, Sacramento from 2020 to 2021, including Correctional Administrator of Business Services and Captain. She was Acting Correctional Administrator of the Specialized Bed and Assignment Oversight Team at the Division of Adult Institutions from 2019 to 2020. Williams was a Captain at Salinas Valley State Prison from 2018 to 2020. She was a Correctional Counselor III in the Division of Rehabilitative Programs at Folsom State Prison from 2016 to 2018. Williams was a Correctional Counselor II Supervisor at the California Medical Facility in 2016. She was Correctional Counselor II Supervisor of the Restricted Housing Unit and Correctional Lieutenant at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center from 2012 to 2016. Williams was a Correctional Sergeant at California State Prison, Solano from 2008 to 2012. She held multiple positions at the California Medical Facility from 2001 to 2008 including Licensed Psychiatric Technician, Medical Technical Assistant, and Senior Medical Technical Assistant. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $199,332. Williams is a Democrat.