Christopher Lesniak
Fresno,California
Summary
As a recently retired CDCR Captain, my legacy is defined by a steadfast commitment to upholding law enforcement standards and shaping policies and procedures. The culmination of my service was marked by a robust leadership role, where our team diligently enforced regulatory compliance and improved institutional operations at Corcoran State Prison. Leveraging communication skills and a comprehensive understanding of departmental policies, I led initiatives that ensured a secure and rehabilitative environment. Acting as Associate Warden, I contributed to fostering a culture of accountability, underscoring my dedication to enhancing public safety and the rehabilitation mission of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Correctional Captain
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation- Pelican Bay State Prison
01.2010 - 09.2024
- Managed a correctional unit by planning and assigning work to custodial staff, giving instructions, maintaining discipline, and making determinations on difficult custodial and administrative problems.
- Planned, directed, and oversaw an accurate system of inmate count, supervised movement of employees, inmates, and visitors, and managed custodial procedures for admission and investigations of reported infractions.
- Conducted tours and inspections, participated in classification and disciplinary committee meetings, arbitrated inmate disputes, investigated complaints, and oversaw inspections of vehicles, materials, and supplies for contraband.
- Supervised all formations of inmates, directed custodial functions during recreational activities, and served as the Administrative-Officer-of-the-Day. Act out of class.
- Organized and conducted classification and staff meetings, interviewed, counseled, and referred inmates for reviews and consultations, and participated in the qualitative improvement of case understanding and reporting.
- Oversaw the disciplinary process, internal staff, and external entities, secured, trained, supervised, and evaluated subordinates, and ensured safe and sanitary living conditions within the unit.
Captain
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation- California State Prison-Corcoran
07.2015 - 11.2023
- Managed a correctional unit by planning and assigning work to custodial staff, giving instructions, maintaining discipline, and making determinations on difficult custodial and administrative problems.
- Planned, directed, and oversaw an accurate system of inmate count, supervised movement of employees, inmates, and visitors, and managed custodial procedures for admission and investigations of reported infractions.
- Conducted tours and inspections, participated in classification and disciplinary committee meetings, arbitrated inmate disputes, investigated complaints, and oversaw inspections of vehicles, materials, and supplies for contraband.
- Supervised all formations of inmates, directed custodial functions during recreational activities, and served as the Administrative-Officer-of-the-Day. Act out of class.
- Organized and conducted classification and staff meetings, interviewed, counseled, and referred inmates for reviews and consultations, and participated in the qualitative improvement of case understanding and reporting.
- Oversaw the disciplinary process, internal staff, and external entities, secured, trained, supervised, and evaluated subordinates, and ensured safe and sanitary living conditions within the unit.
Correctional Lieutenant
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation- Kern Valley State Prison/California Correctional Institution- Tehachapi
04.2011 - 07.2015
- Supervised and trained Correctional Sergeants and Correctional Officers at the facility
- Conducted remedial, mandatory, technical, and complex staff On-the-Job-Training
- Audited and reviewed facility program operations
- Helped in the preparation of activation and deactivation staffing packages
- Developed, reviewed, analyzed, and revised post orders, operational policy, and procedures
- Conducted administrative hearings, staff inquiries, and researched and reviewed staff and inmate complaints
- Responded to internal and external correspondence inquiries and conducted inmate time card audits
- Investigated, reviewed, and processed inmate appeals in a timely manner
- Conducted random inspections and security tours to observe the performance of assigned staff
- Prepared written reports including corrective action plans and facility statistics
Parole Agent II
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation- Board of Parole Terms
09.2009 - 04.2011
- Served as Rutherford Project Manager, Armstrong Project Manager, Marcy's Law Litigation Project
- Manager, and Revocation Extension Project Manager.
- Served as a Subject-Matter Expert (SEM) regarding legal issues, with plaintiffs and CDCR, and Court Appointed Special Masters and implementation of the best business practices.
- Wrote White Papers for change of CCR Regulations.
- Provide protection to members of the Board members during open to the public meetings and hearings.
Correctional Lieutenant
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation- Wasco State Prison-Reception Center
09.2007 - 01.2010
- Supervised and trained Correctional Sergeants and Correctional Officers at the facility
- Conducted remedial, mandatory, technical, and complex staff On-the-Job-Training
- Audited and reviewed facility program operations
- Assisted in the preparation of activation and deactivation staffing packages
- Developed, reviewed, analyzed, and revised post orders, operational policy, and procedures
- Conducted administrative hearings, staff inquiries, and researched and reviewed staff and inmate complaints
- Responded to internal and external correspondence inquiries and conducted inmate time card audits
- Investigated, reviewed, and processed inmate appeals in a timely manner
- Conducted random inspections and security tours to observe the performance of assigned staff
- Prepared written reports including corrective action plans and facility statistics
Correctional Counselor II
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation- Wasco State Prison-Reception Center/ California State Prison- Corcoran
07.2007 - 09.2007
- Under general direction, as a sworn essential public safety officer, either:
- (1) to conduct difficult program assignments within a special treatment unit of an institution; or (2) to conduct specialized program assignments to perform peace officer duties as required; and to do other related work.
- Instructs and assists with in-service training programs; integrates casework services with activities of other disciplines represented on a clinic team in a diagnostic center; checks the compilation of case records to determine that policies and appropriate procedures are followed; follows up on specific classification recommendations; assists in the development of effective casework procedures; coordinates the work of the Department of Corrections and that of the law enforcement agencies and interested public and private agencies
- Performs special assignments and studies; consults with custodial, educational, and care and treatment staffs; makes recommendations to the Board of Prison Terms for parole and retention of inmates
- Performs peace officer duties which include maintaining order and supervising the conduct of inmates, maintaining the safety of public, staff, inmates, and property while enforcing state and Federal laws, rules, and regulations, inspecting premises and searching inmates for contraband, and replacing and/or assisting custodial staff during emergency situations, such as fights, attempted escapes, or major incidents such as riots; utilizes de-escalation/communication/use of force techniques to defend the safety and security of a correctional institution; documents incidents per policy and procedures
- In addition to the above tasks, the following is performed by the specialty assignments: the Inmate Appeal Coordinator researches and investigates second-level inmate appeals and makes recommendations for response; the Prison Litigation Coordinator (Legal Liaison) serves as the institution litigation specialist for noncriminal lawsuits filed by, or on behalf of inmates, including habitus corpus, tort and civil rights type cases filed in State and Federal courts.
Correctional Lieutenant
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation- Wasco State Prison-Reception Center
01.2006 - 07.2007
- Supervised and trained Correctional Sergeants and Correctional Officers at the facility
- Conducted remedial, mandatory, technical, and complex staff On-the-Job-Training
- Audited and reviewed facility program operations
- Assisted in the preparation of activation and deactivation staffing packages
- Developed, reviewed, analyzed, and revised post orders, operational policy, and procedures
- Conducted administrative hearings, staff inquiries, and researched and reviewed staff and inmate complaints
- Responded to internal and external correspondence inquiries and conducted inmate time card audits
- Investigated, reviewed, and processed inmate appeals in a timely manner
- Conducted random inspections and security tours to observe the performance of assigned staff
- Prepared written reports including corrective action plans and facility statistics
- Demonstrated sound judgment and decision-making in critical situations
Parole Agent I
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation- San Jose Parole Unit #4
07.2005 - 01.2006
- Managed a caseload involving office and field work for the assessment, supervision, and guidance of adult parolees/releases from State correctional institutions
- Supervised parolees/releases and collaborated with their friends, relatives, community service agencies, and law enforcement agencies
- Coordinated services for parolees/releases with identified needs in areas such as employment, housing, medical care, counseling, education, and social activities
- Arranged and verified release programs for about-to-be released adult offenders
- Participated in screening cases for placement in a community correctional facility
- Conducted investigations for alleged parole violations or criminal behavior, including interviewing, surveillance, and search and seizure
- Apprehended and arrested parolees/releases suspected of involvement in criminal activities or parole violations
- Testified in administrative hearings and judicial proceedings
- Provided information to community agencies regarding specific parolees/release and California Department of Corrections policies and procedures assessed parolees/releases' risk to the community and recommended appropriate services
- Made recommendations to administrative paroling authority regarding case dispositions
- Prepared various reports and correspondence.
Correctional Counselor I
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation- Salinas Valley State Prison / Board of Parole Terms
02.2003 - 07.2005
- Compiled, organized, analyzed, and recorded information for classification and parole planning for prison inmates Conducted interviews with inmates to gather information and provided counseling to aid with their adjustment and development in a correctional setting
- Assisted during emergency situations, such as fights, attempted escapes, or riots
- Evaluated, reviewed, and assisted in the classification of inmates Prepared reports for the Board of Prison Terms summarizing inmate data and making parole suitability prognoses
- Gathered, verified, and evaluated information on enemy or gang affiliations
- Interpreted and evaluated inmate central files for behavior patterns Prepared diagnostic evaluation reports for departmental review and court recommendations on inmate retention or parole Recommended institution placement, parole referrals, and program placements or withdrawals for inmates
- Determined custody requirements and recorded observations and contacts with inmates and outside agencies
- Represented inmates at disciplinary, classification, or parole hearings to present findings and recommendations
- Performed peace officer duties, including use of force techniques to defend correctional institution safety and security, and searched inmates for contraband Documented incidents in accordance with policy and procedures
Correctional Officer
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation- Salinas Valley State Prison
01.1999 - 02.2003
- Served as a sworn essential public safety officer responsible for enforcing State and Federal laws and administrative regulations in a State correctional facility. Disarmed, subdued, and applied restraints to inmates when necessary.
- Responded promptly to disturbances or emergencies by running to the scene
- Supervised inmate conduct in various settings such as housing units, meals, bathing, recreation, classes, and work assignments
- Escorted inmates to and from activities and stood watch on armed posts or patrolled grounds
- Utilized reasonable force to maintain safety and security for the public, staff, inmates, and the institution
- Documented incidents according to policy and procedures
- Conducted clothed/unclothed body searches and inspected inmate quarters for contraband
- Oversaw visits to inmates and escorted visitors through facility facilities
- Maintained safety and security measures to prevent escapes and injury to individuals and property
- Conducted patrol duties through vehicle and foot patrols, as well as criminal and administrative investigations
- Received, checked, maintained, and issued guns and ammunition as needed. Fired weapons in combat or emergency situations to ensure safety and security
Education
General ED - General Education
Hartnell College
Salinas, Ca10.2025
Administration of Justice - AOJ/Corrections
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, Ca10.2001
AOJ - Criminal Justice/Police Science
Grossmont College
El Cajon, Ca06.1993
Skills
- Leadership, strategic planning, communication
- Problem-solving, decision-making, conflict resolution
- Team building, organizational skills, critical thinking
- Crisis management, emergency response, risk assessment
- Training development, budget management, policy enforcement
- Interpersonal skills, community relations, ethical standards
Certification
- 06/2005 PAROLE ACADEMY CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation
- 02/1999 CORRECTIONAL OFFICE BASIC ACADEMY CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation
- 09/2014 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CALIFORNIA LAW ENFORCEMENT TELECOMMUNICATION TRAINING Department of Justice Completed Instruction and Certified Less Than Full Access Operator Certified Operator CLETS as Less than Full Access User
- 06/2017 STATE OF CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AGENCY AND DEPARTMENT OF HUMANS RESOURSE Government Operations Agency and Department of Human Resources Lean White Belt Training How to streamline processes. Cut out unnecessary process for efficiency.
Accomplishments
Was able bring peace and harmony to four violent and disfunctional prison facilities, while assigned. this would be acomplished by very a simple rules of thumb. I would manage by example with the treatment of all with dignity, respect, fairness, and quality of standards for staff and inmates alike.
Timeline
Captain
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation- California State Prison-Corcoran
07.2015 - 11.2023
Correctional Lieutenant
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation- Kern Valley State Prison/California Correctional Institution- Tehachapi
04.2011 - 07.2015
Correctional Captain
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation- Pelican Bay State Prison
01.2010 - 09.2024
Parole Agent II
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation- Board of Parole Terms
09.2009 - 04.2011
Correctional Lieutenant
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation- Wasco State Prison-Reception Center
09.2007 - 01.2010
Correctional Counselor II
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation- Wasco State Prison-Reception Center/ California State Prison- Corcoran
07.2007 - 09.2007
Correctional Lieutenant
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation- Wasco State Prison-Reception Center
01.2006 - 07.2007
Parole Agent I
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation- San Jose Parole Unit #4
07.2005 - 01.2006
Correctional Counselor I
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation- Salinas Valley State Prison / Board of Parole Terms
02.2003 - 07.2005
Correctional Officer
CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation- Salinas Valley State Prison
01.1999 - 02.2003
General ED - General Education
Hartnell College
Administration of Justice - AOJ/Corrections
Rio Hondo College
AOJ - Criminal Justice/Police Science
Grossmont College
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