On September 12, a ceremony was held at Mule Creek State Prison to honor 45 incarcerated individuals who received job certifications and apprenticeships from the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA). This event was organized in collaboration with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), California Correctional Health Care Services, and the California Department of Industrial Relations.
Bill Davidson, the General Manager of CALPIA, addressed the graduates, highlighting the significance of their daily work. “These jobs that you do on a day-to-day basis are important,” he stated, urging them to view this as the start of their careers.
The ceremony, attended by family, friends, and staff, recognized graduates for obtaining industry-accredited certifications in various fields, including Data Entry, Clothing and Fabric, Food and Beverage Packaging, Commercial Laundry, and Healthcare Facilities Maintenance. Additionally, some graduates received apprenticeships.
One graduate, Jesus Tovar, shared his experience of earning a certification in Healthcare Facilities Maintenance. He expressed his sense of responsibility and gratitude for the training he received through CALPIA, stating, “This is my first time having responsibility and it is a milestone in my life. I am getting out soon and now I can take this to the streets and provide for my kids.”
Dr. Diana Toche, the CDCR’s Undersecretary of Health Care Services, emphasized the quality of the training provided. She encouraged the graduates to look forward to a bright future, stating, “Congratulations for seizing the opportunities before you. This is why programming is so important. We want you to be able to provide for yourselves and your families when you leave here.”
Chief Deputy Warden Bryan Holmes also acknowledged the graduates’ achievements, expressing Mule Creek State Prison’s commitment to rehabilitation and skills training. “We want you prepared to return back to society and your families,” he said.
Tony Curtis, a former CALPIA graduate, delivered the keynote address, sharing his own success story. After completing his time in prison, Curtis obtained three certifications, including one in Opticianry. He emphasized that the skills he learned through CALPIA opened doors to opportunities in the community. Curtis now co-owns a construction company and serves as a senior pastor at a Southern California church. He encouraged the graduates to embrace every opportunity to achieve future success.
Davidson noted the impact of having former graduates like Curtis return to inspire current students, reinforcing the message that change is possible.