Caps, gowns, and second chances

College classes might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about prison. But they may be one of the most effective ways to prevent people from coming back.

Research from RAND shows people who take college courses while incarcerated are 48% less likely to return to prison after release. Now, California is testing that idea in a big way.

Let’s rewind: In 2016, the state partnered with Cal State Los Angeles to offer degree programs inside prisons for inmates. Nearly a decade later, that effort has acheived a major milestone: the first graduating class at the California Institution for Women. 

Twenty women walked across the stage in caps and gowns to receive their Bachelor of Arts degrees in Liberal Studies.

• The achievement also reflects a broader shift happening across the state.
• Today, more than 13.5% of California’s incarcerated population is enrolled in college courses.

State officials say programs like this represent a broader shift in corrections policy, one that focuses more on rehabilitation alongside public safety. Programs like this could mean fewer people returning to prison and more people returning to society with a degree in hand.

And for graduate Jennifer Henderson, the experience was deeply personal. “I chose to grow and develop my mind and spirit and empower others to live beyond any label,” she said.