California State Prison in Los Angeles (LAC), hosted a graduation ceremony for 25 incarcerated students who earned their Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications Studies.

The students were able to achieve this milestone through an educational partnership with California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA).

LAC is the first prison in the state to offer a face-to-face pathway to a BA degree by one of the California State University campuses.

Aaron Benson, one of the inmates, said it’s been hard behind bars but becoming a college graduate is one step toward changing his life.

“None of us thought this would be possible and we faced a lot of adversity in our lives and in here,” Benson said. “I’m so proud of everybody.”

“Obtaining a higher education in a prison setting through a partner like Cal State LA is an opportunity for incarcerated people to have a true second chance. There is no resource more powerful than an education, where people can gain new skills and learn new perspectives,” said Secretary Kathleen Allison, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).

“Cal State LA is proud of the graduates in our prison education program,” said Jose A. Gomez, Cal State LA’s provost and executive vice president. “They have demonstrated the power of education to transform lives.”

Congratulations class of 2021!