When Cassandra Hamm arrived at the Female Community Reentry Program (FCRP) in Stockton, she was determined to change the course of her life.
Building a foundation for success
She embraced every opportunity the program offered, focusing on education, personal growth and preparing for a successful return to the community.
During her time in the program, Hamm earned a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies from California State University, Fresno, graduating summa cum laude. She was inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, began pursuing a master’s degree and completed training as a Peer Support Specialist and Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor.
“I was able to network, advocate, volunteer and seek employment,” Hamm said. “Being at FCRP allowed me to find employment and save money. I also learned how to regulate my emotions with the help of my therapist.”
Turning experience into purpose
Hamm recently began working for Friends Outside as a Proposition 47 case manager. She now facilitates substance use groups, provides counseling and connects justice-impacted individuals with community resources.
“I love working with people like me,” Hamm said. “I believe in second chances, and this work is my passion.”
Friends Outside Director of Reentry Programs Felix Mata said Hamm’s lived experience, education and leadership make her uniquely equipped to help others succeed.
Supporting successful reentry
Launched in 2014, FCRP provides services to support participants successfully transition from incarceration to the community. Along with the Male Community Reentry Program, it offers voluntary, evidence-based programming for eligible individuals within two years of release.
California’s latest recidivism report shows participants in education and rehabilitation programs are significantly more likely to remain conviction-free after release.
For Hamm, the program became more than a pathway home. It became the foundation for a career dedicated to helping others find their own second chance.
Submitted by Brad Lackey, Parole Agent III
Division of Adult Parole Operations
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