Ralph M. Diaz retired in September 2020 as Secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) after a distinguished thirty-year career that began on the yard at Wasco State Prison and Reception Center in June 1991. From his first day as a nervous correctional officer—badge freshly pinned by his wife Maria—to his final days guiding the nation's largest state prison system through one of its most turbulent periods, Diaz lived the phrase that titles this book: Additional Duties as Required.
He rose through every rank in the department: correctional officer, supervisor, captain, associate warden, warden, and ultimately the top executive leadership roles at CDCR headquarters. Along the way he served as a Warden, led major institutions, mentored countless officers and executives, and shaped policy at the highest levels of state government. He debated governors, testified before lawmakers, managed crises that made national headlines, and never forgot the weight of the keys in his hand or the responsibility that came with the badge.
Yet this book is not a memoir of titles or headlines. It is the hard-won wisdom Diaz collected in notebooks, on 3×5 cards, and in late-night reflections during three decades behind the walls. It is the motivational lifeline he once tried—and failed—to deliver to exhausted wardens and officers because California's massive prison budget had no line item for inspiration, leadership training, or soul-level encouragement. After watching bureaucracy smother passion and seeing too many good people simply survive their careers instead of finishing strong, Diaz made a promise: The lessons he had written in countless notebooks and on 3x5 cards—notes that had carried him through dark seasons—would not stay hidden in bankers' boxes.
Written for the brand-new officer stepping onto the yard for the first time, the sergeant carrying more weight than their stripes suggest, and the executive learning that the stress only multiplies at the top, Additional Duties as Required is part story, part field manual, and part heartfelt testimony. Each chapter ends with practical "Additional Duties as Required" takeaways designed to be applied immediately—on the tier, in the office, at home, and into retirement.
A devoted husband to his wife Maria of thirty six years, father, grandfather, and man of deep faith, Ralph Diaz now lives the "fourth watch"—the season after the morning briefings and late-night emergency calls. He wrote this book so that the next generation of corrections professionals could find greater success, deeper fulfillment, and far more joy in this demanding calling than he and his peers were often able to experience in its darkest seasons.
About the Author :
Ralph M. Diaz is a seasoned leader in criminal justice and corrections, renowned for his three-decade career transforming California's prison system. A native of Woodlake, California, Diaz began his journey in 1991 as a correctional officer with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), rising through the ranks with unwavering dedication. His early roles included frontline service at institutions like the California State Prison in Corcoran, where he honed skills in high-security operations and inmate management.
Diaz's ascent was marked by strategic appointments: First appointed to Warden of the Californias largest prison in Corcoran to Associate Director of High Security Institutions to Deputy Director of Facility Operations, and eventually Undersecretary of Operations in 2016. In 2018 he assumed the position of Security of CDCR. As Secretary, he oversaw the nation's largest and most complex correctional network—managing 33 adult institutions, 12 youth facilities, and a workforce of over 30,000. During his tenure, Diaz championed rehabilitation-focused reforms, emphasizing evidence-based programs, staff training, and victim-centered initiatives to reduce recidivism and enhance public safety.
Retiring in October 2020 after 30 years of exemplary service, Diaz reflected on his career as "the adventure of a lifetime," crediting the collective efforts of CDCR's team. Today, he channels his expertise as President of Diaz Consulting, advising on correctional policy and leadership. He also leads Stand Up for Victims, a nonprofit advocating for crime survivors, and serves on the board of Prison Fellowship, supporting faith-based reentry programs. He credits all his success and family to his unwavering faith in Jesus Christ as his savior. A proud family man and community pillar, Diaz continues to inspire through his commitment to justice, reform, and public safety.
