Cal State LA’s Prison Graduation Initiative (PGI) fosters individual and community transformation in California’s prisons through higher education. In 2016, PGI was the first and only BA program to be designated a Second Chance Pell (PEP) site in California, and it was the first bachelor’s degree program in California to award a BA degree to incarcerated students.

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Transformation through Higher Education

Celebrating Hope

Fostering Hope

Currently PGI has served over 300 incarcerated students, with 93 students receiving their Bachelor of Arts degrees while incarcerated, 27 students seamlessly transferring and completing their degree on our campus, and 180 students prepped for CSU admission. Since the introduction of second chance Pell grants since 2016, only 69-334 incarcerated students have graduated each year with a bachelor’s degree in the nation. 

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Program Pillars

Career Focused

A PGI student writes on a sheet of paper while sitting at a desk.

Our prison education degree programs are structured to support steady progress, allowing students to complete their degrees within two years and re-enter society equipped to succeed in their lives after prison.

Support Services

Bidhan Roy, Ph.D. shaking hands with inmate

We provide in-person academic and career advising, along with individualized tutoring in writing, research, quantitative reasoning, computer skills, and professional development.

Community Engagement

A person hands out information from a kiosk.

All faculty and tutors in the Prison Graduation Initiative complete CETL’s yearlong, equity-focused training, aligning classroom learning with the skills students need for future careers.

Faculty Training

Faculty Member at training reception

In partnership with our nationally recognized Center for Effective Teaching and Learning (CETL), we prepare faculty to use inclusive, high-impact teaching practices in prison education.

Full Overview
A flyer for the Second Chance In Action event.

PGI Convening

Join us for the 3rd Annual Prison Graduation Initiative (PGI) Second Chance Month Convening—an inspiring afternoon and evening dedicated to celebrating higher education, artistic expression, and the transformative power of second chances. This year’s event marks a major milestone: the launch of PGI’s newest bachelor’s degree program at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.

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."

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Upcoming PGI Events

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PGI Office

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