Folsom State Prison recently hosted a college fair, showing incarcerated people their educational options.
“This particular college fair is primarily for the rest of the institution to be able to come in and have a place to see the colleges and degrees available to them,” said Jerimichael Cooley.
Cooley earned a bachelor’s degree from Sacramento State while incarcerated. He was released from Folsom prison earlier this year and attended the college fair as a representative of the college.
“(If I can graduate college), they too can do it,” he said.
Cooley is an example of someone who utilized college during incarceration, earned a degree, and is now thriving on the outside. He’s also choosing to continue his education.
According to organizers, events like these highlight the importance of representing colleges inside CDCR institutions and programs.
Story by Esther Buksnaitis, associate governmental program analyst
Division of Rehabilitative Programs, Creative Services
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