Rebecca Silbert Warren Institute at Berkeley Law

Debbie MukamalStanford Criminal Justice Center

Occasional Series

May 21, 2015

Historical Milestones in California

1 9 8 5 2 0 0 02 0 1

5

1979

In-person college courses offered in every state prison

1995

All college programs in state prisons eliminated

Prison: 1 in-person

program and numerous

correspondence programs

2014

SB 1391 passed and was signed

by the Governor

9 of 19 CSU campuses provided on-ramp programs

15 community colleges had on-ramp programs

Community: 13 support

programs for formerly

incarcerated college

students identified

1 9 7 0

1971

Several jails offer educational leave for inmates to participate in college courses during the day

Jail: 7 in-person

programs identified

1986

Community colleges allowed to offer credit and noncredit courses inside jails; funding capped at the noncredit rate

Higher Education Pathways

Unique Aspects

California Community Colleges

Decentralization

Open Access

BOG Fee Waivers

Criminal Justice Pathways

Unique Aspects

Public Safety Realignment (AB 109)

Non-violent, non-serious offenders sentenced to local jails and/or probation rather than state prison

Lengthier jail sentences

Split sentences

Public Colleges and Universities and State Prisons

21 of California’s 35 prisons are located within 20 miles of a community college campus

Prison Programs

• Primarily non-interactive correspondence courses offered by community colleges

Key Component

s

• Involuntary student transfers• Affordability (books)• Reliance on non-interactive

distance education

Key Challenges

Size of 2014 Prison Programs by Type

Public Colleges and Universities and Local Jails

Nearly 90% of jail inmates are housed within 10 miles of a community college campus

Jail Programs

• Non-credit, adult basic education, career technical education

• In-person courses offered by community colleges

Key Component

s

• Length of stay• Continuity• College readiness

Key Challenges

Public Colleges and Universities and Probation Population by County

96% of Californians on probation live in a zip code that is within 15 miles of a public college campus

Campus and Community Programs

• Matriculation assistance, peer mentoring, tutoring, financial assistance for textbooks, and targeted bridge programs

Key Component

s

• Reentry stability and affordability

• College readiness and persistence

• Labor market expertise

Key Challenges

Change in 2014

SB 1391 Full reimbursement for community

colleges teaching in prisons and jails

Credit and non-credit courses

Elimination of biggest obstacle to in-person teaching

CDCR & Chancellor’s Office partnering to institute standards

15 new partnerships already formed

Vision Going Forward

Principal Recommendations

• In-person or interactive distance education

• Soft skills development and college readiness

Build High-Quality Academic Programs

• Quality monitoringCreate Oversight Function

• Professional development and standards

• Coordinated policy efforts

Build Learning Community

Renewing Communities in CA

$20 Million Goal over 3 Years

• 50% private/50% public match• Pilot projects in prison, jail, and in the

community• Process and outcome evaluation• Professional development/learning

community/technical assistance