CCWF residents acknowledge exceptional staff with the Clover Awards
As the Beyond Violence Mentor Program (BVMP) at Central California’s Women’s Facility (CCWF) held its first-ever Clover Awards Ceremony, attendees wanted to know: Who’s feeling lucky?
“The Clover Awards are a movement,” said retired Chief Deputy Warden and BVMP coordinator Velda Dobson-Davis. “It is a staff morale booster with nominations from incarcerated individuals for staff they deem to be outstanding.”
With the awards, Dobson-Davis hopes to honor staff “who consistently rise above and beyond maintaining order and security.”
The event began at 11 a.m. on March 17, 2026, with staff from across the institution in attendance. Approximately 264 residents were also scheduled to attend to show their support for the staff they nominated.
“There were four guiding principles [integrity, care, safety, and community] and I wanted an emblem that was positive,” said Dobson-Davis. “The clover is legendary and symbolic of positive efforts.”
The festivities were led by the event’s emcee Michele Kane, deputy director of California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority, and opened with a prayer given by Rabbi Paul Gordon.
Out of 160 staff members nominated, 15 finalists for the Clover Awards were announced. As each name was introduced, Cane made sure to include the contributing leadership skills listed by the residents who nominated them.
Many staff members were shy at the amount of cheers and praise they received as a Clover Nominee or as an Outstanding Team Member. Nathan Bibb, plant operations painter, was the only non-custody staff member who made the top 15 list for a Clover Award.
“I must be doing my job the right way because I’m being recognized by staff and population,” said Bibb. “You guys [residents] are all human too and should be treated fairly.”
From the 15 finalists, there could only be five Clover Award winners. Shouts of approval thundered through the gym as Dobson-Davis called each of the five winners: C/O M. Phipps, C/O B. Bruffett, C/O T. Yang, C/O I. Mendoza, and C/O J. Sahagun.
Resident Keisha Smith felt proud of Building 509’s win. “I was very surprised that my staff made the final five spots,” she said. “C/O Mendoza is great, and C/O Phipps is awesome at problem-solving.”
For Phipps, it is effortless to treat residents like human beings and give a little more patience to those who need it, especially after “being raised by nothing but women,” he said.
“I don’t ever come to work hoping to win awards, but it feels good to be recognized,” Phipps said. “I’m humbled to be seen by the population.”
The last speech was given by Dobson-Davis, who spoke on the benefits of the four guiding principles to staff. “I firmly believe if we honor those who do the right thing, the culture will change in CCWF,” Dobson-Davis said.
At the end, now retired Public Information Officer Monique Williams presented Dobson-Davis with an award of her own. “Her intentional and exceptional work is why she is our nominee and choice for the Service Award,” Williams said.
