As of last count, there are nearly 90,000 people in state prisons in California, a State that proudly touts the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA), jobs training program, and educational programs like Cal State LA’s Prison Graduation Initiative for lower rates of recidivism. But many who need programs lack access to them. In a 2018 study of the State’s 128,000 inmates, only about 5,000 participated in adult education programs. Another study found about 36% of people exiting prison participated in no rehabilitation programs at all.
For Richie Reseda, being sent to prison meant finding his own path to redemption.
“When I got to prison, I thought we’re going to make meaningful art and heal with culture,” he said. “ No matter what, that’s what I really focused on. And the prison system itself made it as difficult as possible. We went against the prison system in every way.”…