Cal State LA's Prison Graduation Initiative is the first in-person prison education program (PEP) bachelor's degree completion program for incarcerated students in California.

Transformation through Higher Education

Celebrating Hope
2 prison graduation initiative participants embracing during ceremony

Fostering Hope

The Prison Graduation Initiative transforms the lives of students by offering them the opportunity to graduate with a prison education program bachelor's degree from Cal State LA while they are incarcerated.

Since 2016, thirty-seven students have received their PEP Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies while incarcerated, twelve students have paroled and seamlessly completed their degrees on our main campus, and six paroled graduates of the program have completed master’s degrees at Cal State LA.

Allen Burnett, '21

"For me getting a bachelor's degree means more than just getting a piece of paper. I have a responsibility to the people that I harmed to continue my education because this is what I said was going to do. There's a lot of narratives going on, but at the end of the day, it's important because it has an impact on so many other people the same way that my crime did."

Event: PGI Annual Convening - April 23, 2025

COmmunity and Careers

12 - 6 p.m.
"Second Chance Month" at Cal State LA
University Student Union Plaza

We are opening doors to opportunities for men and women to successfully reenter society after incarceration.
 
In collaboration with LA County's Justice Care and Opportunities Department our outdoor resource fair features networking opportunities, workshops, and exhibition booths from a range of local community-based organizations to support your next steps.
 
This fun, family-friendly resource fair will also feature workshops for second chance career development and employee recruitment, as well as networking opportunities, healing circles, and campus tours for those interested in becoming Cal State LA students.
Attendees looking at Art during PGI Event

Community Engagement

Our approach to service learning conceives of the prison as a community, rich with possibilities for our students to apply new knowledge to affect positive change within the prison walls. Service learning also offers our incarcerated students meaningful ways to engage with our campus and local communities through non-profits like WordsUncaged and embeds community-engaged restorative justice practices into the curriculums of our PGI students and those on the main campus.

PGI Office

Student Services Building, 7320
5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, Ca 90032
[email protected]
(323) 343-7616