In front of cheering family, friends, and staff, 31 graduates at Centinela State Prison received their industry accredited job certifications on May 16, hosted by California Prison Industry Authority.
CALPIA provides real-world job training to incarcerated individuals inside California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation prisons so they can succeed when returning to their communities.
“I am so thrilled to be standing here today to honor you and your accomplishments,” said Acting Warden Guzman. “CDCR and CALPIA want to see you succeed including many of your friends and family who are here today, so take advantage of this opportunity before you.”
CALPIA is a self-funded state entity that provides job skills to approximately 5,700 individuals inside CDCR prisons. Participants apply to be in the programs and CALPIA has countless success stories.
David Solorio was among the graduates. He has been incarcerated since 2012 and has served as a Lead Mechanic and now Lead Clerk over the Fabric enterprise.
“CALPIA’s belief in second chances and dedication to the incarcerated workers’ rehabilitation are truly commendable,” said Solorio. “This has been a stepping stone on my road to rehabilitation and ultimate success.”
Solorio also graduated with an AA degree in Psychology and plans to enroll in the San Diego State University Bachelor’s Degree Program on B-yard.
“You are sitting where I was sitting. I got an opportunity,” said formerly incarcerated Tony Curtis. “Those certificates you receive are recognized on the streets. I put them on my resume (and) got the job. I had no experience, but I had CALPIA.”
Curtis returned to his community in 2020 and started working as an Environmental Services Technician at a San Diego Hospital along with working as a Journeyman for construction firm Henkels and McCoy.
A recent University of California, Irvine, recidivism study found that CALPIA participants have a 15% return to custody rate after three years, which means 85% of all CALPIA participants do not return to prison. The lower recidivism rate saves the California millions of dollars of incarceration costs each year.
Curtis is now the co-owner of a construction company, which was the first company to partner with Lowe’s and has expanded to Walmart for solar services in the Southern California area. In addition to his construction career, Curtis is a senior pastor at a local church.
“It starts right now. Success begins with opportunity,” added Curtis. “I hope you realize the value of having something that is valuable not only today, but in the future.”
Story and Photos by Stephanie Eres
Submitted by Michele Kane, Assistant General Manager, External Affairs California Prison Industry Authority
