Jeanne Woodford

Adjunct Professor Jeanne Woodford retired as the Chief of the San Francisco Adult Probation Department on May 30, 2008 completing 30 years of work at the state and county level of government in the field of criminal justice.   She has worked for the administrations of both Governor Davis and Governor Schwarzenegger as well as for Mayor Gavin Newsom and the Superior Court of San Francisco. 

Professor Woodford has extensive experience in Corrections and Rehabilitation.  She began her career at San Quentin State Prison in 1978 following graduation from Sonoma State University with a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice.  Professor Woodford was promoted through the ranks and appointed Warden of San Quentin State Prison by Governor Davis in 1999 where she remained Warden of San Quentin until called upon by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2004 to serve as the Director of the California Department of Corrections.  Her mission was to bring reform and rehabilitation to the California Department of Corrections.  In July 2005 she was appointed to the position of Undersecretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the largest correctional system in the United States.

Professor Woodford is considered a national expert on Prison Management and Administration.  She is also recognized for her leadership skills and ability to lead staff toward a shared vision. She brought mission based management and data driven decision making to the California Department of Corrections.  She is an expert in community corrections having implemented new and innovative programs to improve community outcomes and public safety.   She is utilizing her expertise in her new role at the Berkeley Center for Criminal Justice.   

Professor Woodford is currently working with the Berkeley Center for Criminal Justice as a Senior Fellow, as well as offering her expertise on several criminal justice reentry and policy projects in the state of California.