Corrections: An incorrect photo was originally published with this story.
‘The Behind Bars to College Education event on April 28th consisted of several speakers representing programs that are committed to helping formerly incarcerated individuals gain higher education. Some of these consist of the Justice Scholars Program, the Underground Scholars Program, Rising Scholars Network, and Project rebound.
Karina Rubio, who works with the Justice Scholars program, said this program is “dedicated to helping formerly incarcerated and systems-impacted students at Long Beach City College.”
According to Rubio, the program is committed to providing educational, social and professional tools needed to increase student persistence. They are willing to support students on and off campuses.
Ryan Flaco is a formerly incarcerated student who has been with the Underground Scholars Program since three months before he was released from prison.
Flaco met a Co-founder, Danny Moleo, who told him at the beginning of his journey that he could go to University of Berkeley, which he was accepted to eventually, but decided to go with a better option.
Javier Rodriguez is the Regional Coordinator of the Rising Scholars Network, and states they are a diverse group of professors, counselors, college administrators.
“Their network is driven by college professionals committed to supporting students’ access and success in the California community college system”, Rodriguez said.
“We offer transferable degrees, granting courses to more than 12,000 currently incarcerated students, in prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities.” Rodriguez continued, “The Rising Scholars believe that serving incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students is a critical matter of equity and alignment in the vision for success.”
Another formerly incarcerated student, Kenny Johnson, who spent 13 years in prison described his struggles and confusion at the beginning of his college life, he said that when he was starting out, someone at his school told him to get an app from the App Store, to which he replied, “What street is the App Store on?”
This shows just how challenging it can be for a formerly incarcerated student to succeed in the college setting with things advancing while they were locked away.
Johnson told participants to not be afraid of asking questions and being specific. Kenny Johnson has attended Coastline Community College, Lassen Community College and is now at Cal-State Los Angeles.
Irene Sotelo, the Program coordinator of Project Rebound, explained how she tries to develop personal relationships with her subjects.
“I like to call my students individually just to check in on them, I like to let them know that they are part of a family here and to let them know that I am here for them and that I am only a phone call away.” she said
Sotelo wants participants to know that Project Rebound is here to empower incarcerated students and those impacted by the criminal justice systems by advocating for access to higher education.
“Their goal is to increase graduation rates and continue success beyond the classroom,” she said.
According to American Progress, individuals who did not complete high school were rearrested at the highest rate, 60.4 percent, while those who had a college degree were rearrested at a rate of 19.1 percent.
All things considered, some incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals have resources and opportunities to strive for a higher education, thus, a better future.