Maria Franco, formerly incarcerated at Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla, was serving a 34-to-life sentence when she began the Occupational Mentor Certification Program (OMCP). At CCWF, she graduated and officially became a certified drug and alcohol counselor.
Also, while she was serving her sentence at CCWF, she performed a Heimlich maneuver on a correctional officer who was choking. Through this act, she assisted in saving someone’s life.
Through her actions and rehabilitative efforts, she was granted the ability to attend the Female Community Reentry Program (FCRP) in Sacramento, a rehabilitative program designed to allow incarcerated participants to serve their last two years in the community. She also had her sentenced reduced on behalf of CCWF Warden De La Cruz and Secretary Macomber, both personally signing off on her reduced sentence.
She is currently programming at FCRP-Sacramento with the ambition to continue her journey with finding employment as a certified drug and alcohol counselor.
Watch the video:
By Collin Smith, Analyst II
Division of Rehabilitative Programs (DRP)
DRP Media, Creative Services
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