Nov 18, 2009 8:49 pm US/Pacific
State Prison Education Program Facing Deep Cuts
Reporting
Ron Jones
REPRESA, Calif. (CBS13) ―
As the budget deficit grows, the next programs that could be on the chopping blocks affect state prisoners and their families.
Folsom Prison can be a very depressing and dangerous place. But what's impressive it seeing these young men fight through the demons of their past and hold on to hope for the future through education.
This is the graduating class of 2009.
"I'm here for drug possession," said Charles K. Rankins, Folsom Prison inmate.
"I'm in here for 2nd degree murder," said Adam Garcia, Folsom Prison inmate.
It's the adult school program at Folsom Prison, and on Wednesday, 234 men received high school diplomas and college degrees.
"I am so proud of him," said Brenda Ellison, the mother of inmate.
State officials say the program's books and tuition are not funded by taxpayers, but by family members are not finding educational opportunities so affordable.
With major cuts in the UC system and an increase of tuition fees, many young people are forced into overcrowded community colleges or are forced into options they've never considered before, such as the military.
"My efforts matter because of just one person," said Jean Bracy, principal.
At Folsom Prisons, the teachers are now in jeopardy.
"We're taking some significant cuts to our programs," said Elizabeth Siggins, chief deputy secretary.
State officials are cutting $250 million from the correctional budget, which means up to 900 teachers will be soon walking the unemployment line.
"I'm the principal. The last thing I want to do is lose a teacher and it breaks my heart because I'm going to lose some good ones," said Jean Bracy, principal.
Those caught in the system believe society as a whole will pay in the end if they return to the street without an education.
"If you don't give them any incentive to go further in their education then i think they'll regress back into their old behaviors," said Rankins.
"It's a losing battle," said Garcia.
State officials say the recidivism rate for inmates in California is about 60 percent, only slightly lower than it would be without the education program.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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