Learn about the Peer Literacy Mentor Program

November 4, 2025

The Peer Literacy Mentor Program (PLMP) provides literacy services for the incarcerated population who do not have a high school diploma or high school equivalency (HSD/HSE). The mentors are trained by the literacy teachers to provide tutoring services to students in literacy programs.

“We help students that are having difficulty that are assigned to school, and we have more hands-on basis where we’re able to work with them to create their own lesson plans. To be able to just sit down with them and help them tune in to what they need to actually focus on in class,” said Eddie N., a peer literacy mentor at Folsom State Prison.

The program’s importance within CDCR is to help incarcerated students navigate the challenges of getting an education while incarcerated. The program also is a steppingstone for other participants to become certified mentors and further their abilities of becoming educators/counselors.

“When I get assigned a student, they’re able to come down and sit with us and I’m able to have that that in-depth conversation to actually see what areas they need help in. Being able to relate to them and share my story gives them the opportunity to open up and understand it’s OK to ask for help,” he said.

Video and story by Collin Smith, Associate Governmental Program Analyst
Division of Rehabilitative Programs
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