CSP‑Solano mentors help youth make better choices

September 9, 2025

The Young Men with Choices mentorship program at California State Prison (CSP) Solano is making a difference in the lives of youth participants.

The program, launched at CSP-Solano in January 2025, aims to help incarcerated men who are 18 to 25 years old make better decisions in their path toward rehabilitation.

The program services 80 participants from CSP-Solano’s Level 3, who meet twice a week with incarcerated mentors.

Transforming lives through mentorship at CSP-Solano

“I often think about my own childhood and how things might have been different if someone had reached out and mentored me,” said incarcerated program founder Earl Harris. “Having the right support gives you confidence and courage to make the changes that are necessary in your life to grow and to make better decisions and choices for yourself.”

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Young Men with Choices participant Joshua Rodriguez said he did not realize he had anger issues until he started attending the program. Now, he feels he learns new skills every day.

“They make us feel comfortable. Safe,” Rodriguez said. “I’m able to go to any one of these individuals and have a conversation with them without being judged, without them trying to put me down. It’s a game changer for sure. It’s helped me out a lot, not just how to deal with things here, but as well as things out there.”

Marking the first graduation

The first cohort of 50 participants graduated July 29 from the first curriculum on Anger Management. Each curriculum takes three months to complete. The cohort has moved to the Forgiveness curriculum, with additional courses planned for rollout.

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“It is important to reach out to these youth because they are our future. They are our tomorrow, our next year, our years to come,” Harris said.

Mark Miranda, a correctional counselor III at CSP-Solano, said Harris wanted to use the skills he developed in the Occupational Mentor Certification Program (OMCP). This rigorous 22-month program trains eligible long-term incarcerated individuals to become certified Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) counselors. Once registered and certified with the governing body, AOD counselors assist with facilitating cognitive interventions within CDCR. They are also trained in case management so when they are released, they can work in their communities as counselors.

Young Men with Choices Senior Mentor Steve Champion noted the positive impact the program has had on him.

“Never did I think in my wildest dreams I would be sitting here, saying I’m a senior mentor. I’m actually training mentors,” he said. “This gives me purpose, by getting involved in this program and sharing some of my life lessons and my experiences.”

Story by Mary Xjimenez, information officer II
Video by Clarissa Resultan, TV specialist
Office of Public and Employee Communications

Graduation Video submitted by Raymond Burgess, staff services analyst
Division of Rehabilitation Programs