The CDCR STOP program connects people leaving California state prison with structured substance use treatment and reentry support during one of the most vulnerable stretches of anyone’s life: the transition back into the community. If you or someone you care about is coming home on parole, here is exactly what this program offers and how to access it.
What is the CDCR STOP program
STOP stands for Specialized Treatment for Optimized Programming. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation administers it specifically for people on parole who need substance use treatment and reentry support. The program targets the period right after release, when the risk of relapse and return to custody is highest. It is not a general community program. It was built for the reentry window, when everything from housing to employment to staying sober has to come together at once.
Who the STOP program is for
STOP serves people on CDCR parole or supervision who have a documented substance use disorder or a recognized reentry need. That includes people recently released from California state prison, individuals whose parole conditions require participation in treatment, and anyone referred directly by their parole agent. If you are returning to the Inland Empire and your supervision includes treatment requirements, STOP is the program designed for your situation, not a general outpatient clinic built for a different population. For a broader look at what reentry support looks like across Riverside County, additional options exist depending on your specific supervision terms.
What services STOP provides
Substance use treatment
The clinical side of STOP includes individual counseling, group sessions, and drug and alcohol education grounded in evidence-based approaches tied to reducing reoffending. Counselors who work in STOP programs understand reentry, not just addiction in isolation. The programming is designed to address the full picture of why substance use intersects with the pressure of coming home.
Reentry support
Beyond treatment, STOP addresses the practical side of reintegration: housing stability, employment readiness, and connecting participants to community resources. Life skills programming is a real component, covering the day-to-day decisions that determine whether someone stays out. If you want a realistic look at what it takes to stay sober after release, that foundation is exactly what this layer of STOP is designed to build.
Where STOP programs operate
STOP operates throughout California, and Riverside County falls within its service area. That coverage includes Lake Elsinore, Corona, Moreno Valley, Perris, and Menifee, along with the broader Inland Empire. For location-specific contact information and the full program map, CDCR’s STOP Program Map lists service areas and local contacts by region.
How to get into the program
A parole agent typically initiates the referral, but you do not have to wait to be told. You can ask directly. Contact your parole agent this week and request a STOP referral in writing. Putting the request in writing creates a record and moves the process forward. That is the one concrete step that opens the door.
Frequently asked questions
Does STOP cost anything for participants?
No. STOP is a CDCR-administered program, and there is no cost to participants. It is available as part of your parole supervision, not as a private pay service.
Can family members attend sessions or be involved?
Family involvement varies by program site and individual treatment plan. Ask the program directly at intake about family participation options, including support resources for people helping a loved one through the reentry process.
Is the program available in spanish?
Yes. STOP programming is available in both English and Spanish at participating sites, including locations serving Riverside County.
What happens if I miss sessions or fall out of compliance?
Missing sessions can affect your parole status. If you are struggling to attend, contact your parole agent and program counselor before missing sessions, not after.
Does completing STOP affect my parole terms?
Completion demonstrates compliance with treatment conditions where required, but no specific parole outcome is guaranteed. The program’s value is in what it builds for your life outside, not what it promises about supervision.
