Residents at a Southern California prison celebrate their achievements in higher education.
A historical collaboration between CDCR and the University of California allowed 23 incarcerated students to graduate with bachelor’s degrees, according to KTLA 5 Morning News.
Students at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego participated in a recently created program through UC Irvine called Leveraging Inspiring Futures Through Educational Degrees (LIFTED).
“California is transforming its criminal justice system to focus on true rehabilitation, justice, and safer communities statewide — known as the California Model,” said CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber. “This collaboration with the University of California allows these graduates to build a foundation focused on pursuing educational opportunities that will prepare them for a successful future while making our communities safer.”
LIFTED provides the opportunity for incarcerated students to apply to transfer into the UCI program as juniors to earn their degrees. Having started classes in 2022, the 23 graduates are the first cohort of this groundbreaking program.
Donovan residents received in-person teaching from UC Irvine professors that allowed them to graduate with Bachelor Degrees in Sociology, stated the article.
The new program is not the only educational prison initiative that exists in California. CDCR has ongoing partnerships with multiple colleges to provide associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees for potential incarcerated students.
Governor Gavin Newsom and the California legislature have allotted $1.8 million for the statewide educational program until 2027.
According to CDCR officials, incarcerated individuals involved in institutional educational programs are about 50% less likely to return to prison within three years of their release, asserted the article.
“The state continues to move toward a positive shift in correctional policy, through implementation of the California Model.…[It] not only focuses on proper support for staff and survivors but also fosters rehabilitative environments, including educational opportunities, for the incarcerated population, leading to safer communities overall,” CDCR officials said.
