When Johanna Knighten was incarcerated at Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, she began making changes through education.
She got involved in programming, furthering her education by seeking a bachelor’s degree in sociology.
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Knighten then spent the rest of her sentence at the Female Community Reentry Program in Sacramento. This rehabilitative program is designed to allow incarcerated participants to serve their last two years in the community. While in the reentry program, she attended classes at Sacramento State college. Through hard work and determination, she earned a bachelor’s in sociology with a minor in women’s studies.
She was also part of the first cohort from the reentry program to attend and graduate from the Future Fire Academy program.
The nonprofit firefighting organization was founded by Anthony Pedro, a formerly incarcerated participant. The group’s primary goal is to help the formerly incarcerated, youth, veterans, and justice-involved communities.
After serving her sentence and being released from the reentry program, she is now a case manager at a Sacramento nonprofit organization.
Submitted by Collin Smith, Analyst II
Division of Rehabilitative Programs Media Creative Services
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