Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) honored 20 graduates for completing their CALPIA pre-apprentice construction labor, pre-apprentice carpentry, and healthcare facilities maintenance program.
The individuals received job certifications and apprenticeships during the graduation ceremony.
Incarcerated individuals obtain workplace knowledge, skills, and job training through CALPIA in partnership with:
- CDCR
- CCHCS
- California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Apprenticeship Standards
- Department of Labor Relations
- and several trade unions.
CALPIA, CDCR leadership encourage graduates
“Your graduation from these programs is not only an achievement for you, but also for the institution. I am glad you took advantage of the programs offered on your journey of transformation and growth during your time here. With the skills and knowledge you have gained here, I am confident that you will be able to overcome any obstacle you have coming your way,” said CCWF Acting Warden Anissa De La Cruz.
“As you go through and think about today, there are a number of things that you have accomplished. Characteristics that you have demonstrated what you have done. First and foremost is initiative. You took the initiative to sign up and be a part of a CALPIA program. You knew that it would be worthwhile and beneficial. Therefore, I commend you on taking that initiative,” said CALPIA’s General Manager Bill Davidson.
According to a November 2021 University of California, Irvine study, CALPIA graduates had lower rearrest, reconviction, and re-incarceration rates. Further, those who were qualified to, but did not, participate in CALPIA, had higher rates in these categories. Three years after release, only 15% of CALPIA participants had returned to custody.
“The more important number for CALPIA is the 85% who are not coming back to prison. That is our mission to provide rehabilitative job training so you can be successful when you leave,” added Davidson.
