CDCR incarcerated students are seeing the positive impact of education.
Two people with firsthand experience are Paul Wiley and Jesse Sotelo, incarcerated students at California Medical Facility (CMF) in Vacaville.
Sotelo enrolled in Professor Sean Gregory’s statistics course over the summer.
“In the past, I struggled with education. I didn’t get my GED until 25 years old,” Sotelo explained. “I never thought I was good enough to go to college. Now, after coming here, I found out I am smart (and) I could be that person.”
Sotelo finally decided to pursue his education since he wanted to be a positive role model to his children. He said he hopes to inspire them to earn their college degrees.
Watch the video (story continues below):
Wiley enrolled in Professor Turney’s speech class over the summer.
Wiley wanted to further his education as he felt that there was more to him than just being an incarcerated person.
“I needed to further my education,” said Wiley. “I would come across certain words and I couldn’t really understand. (So,) I had to get a dictionary (but) I knew there was more to me. I wanted to be a better person.”
Sotelo and Wiley are just two of many incarcerated students working towards enriching themselves and those around them through their active participation in educational programming.
Video and story by Matthew Sichler, associate governmental program analyst
Division of Rehabilitative Programs, DRP Media, Creative Services
Read more rehabilitation stories.
Follow CDCR on YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.
Related content
Brandi Holmes finds FCRP rehabilitation success
Brandi Holmes started her journey toward rehabilitation at CDCR 14 years ago when she was incarcerated at 22 years old.…
Salinas Valley State Prison hosts first Cancer Awareness Walk
Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad proudly hosted its first-ever Cancer Awareness Walk for staff and the incarcerated population. The…
Watch: Folsom bike program changes lives
Bicycles are changing lives inside and outside the walls of Folsom State Prison thanks to the bike program. “They bring…
In historic first, 8 incarcerated students earn forestry degrees
For the first time in the state, eight incarcerated students have earned associate of science degrees in forestry, marking the…
Women in reentry program learn life lessons from wolves
Two dozen women in a reentry program recently completed a transformative 12-week journey, culminating in a profound day of connecting…
Rebound: CIM basketball tournament inspires recovery
California Institution for Men (CIM) at Chino recently held an interfacility basketball tournament, demonstrating rehabilitation through sports. “The groups that…