A recent graduation marked the closing of a crucial chapter for participants in the 10P program at California State Prison, Los Angeles County (LAC).
A and B Yards witnessed 47 incarcerated individuals celebrating their graduation, highlighting the impact of the program that spanned six months.
Understanding 10P
10P stands for “A Prisoner’s Parole Portfolio is Positive Programming and Prior Preparation that Prevents Poor Performance.”
Founded by Samual Nathaniel Brown, who served 24 years in California prisons, this program goes beyond traditional rehabilitation. Brown, an artist, educator, and philosopher, created an initiative rooted in emotional literacy and personal development.
‘Any time is a good time to better yourself and no time is better than the present.’
10P Motto
10P promotes a renewed mentality, emphasizing immediate self-transformation. It encourages participants to move past mistakes, viewing prison time as an opportunity for growth. The program aims to guide incarcerated people, the vast majority of whom will someday return to society, toward becoming the best version of themselves.
Graduation with 10P resonates beyond bars
The graduation day resonated beyond the prison walls, with community-based organizations and CDCR officials showing support, underlining the program’s value for rehabilitation and public safety.
A significant aspect of the graduation was the presence of family members, standing with their loved ones, celebrating shared achievements.
This underscored the vital role of family support in the journey toward positive change. Their presence was also in line with the California Model’s focus on normalcy and creating prison environments that more closely resemble life outside incarceration.
10P post-graduation reflections
After the ceremony, attendees gathered for lunch, engaging in conversations about shared goals to enhance prison programs, challenge stigmas related to incarceration, and foster safer communities through innovative approaches.
“No one is born bad,” Brown said. “Individuals adopt criminality as a coping mechanism for unprocessed traumas. This is a vital element of the theory of emotional illiteracy-based criminality. It also serves as the core of all 10P programs. We have been at the forefront of redefining rehabilitation within CDCR for a decade now. We love to work alongside the population and the community to show positive transformation.”
At the center of the event were the graduates, expressing the influence of 10P in their lives. Brown’s creation, focused on emotional understanding and management, emerged as guiding others toward positive change. This graduation went beyond an acknowledgment; it demonstrated the potential for change within prison walls.
Path to a brighter future
As the graduates embark on a new phase, this event serves as a reminder that everyone, regardless of circumstances, deserves an opportunity for improvement.
“Programing and rehabilitation within our institutions are not interventions; they are investments in transforming lives, fostering growth, and rebuilding hope for a brighter, crime-free future,” said Warden Lundy.
The commitment to refining prison programs signifies a collective dedication to positive transformation. According to organizers, 10P stands as an example, paving the way toward a better future for all involved.
By David Maldonado, Deputy Chief
Office of Strategic Communications & External Affairs
Office of Public and Employee Communications
Learn more about the California Model on the CDCR website.
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