A delegation from Norco College, in collaboration with other esteemed institutions and legislative representatives, convened at the California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) to discuss a groundbreaking proposal for the transformation of CRC's Facility A into the CRC College Center.

The delegation, including Norco College President Monica Green, RCCD Chancellor Wolde-Ab Isaac, representatives from Pitzer College, California State University San Bernardino, and California legislators (California Senators: Josh Newman, Thomas Umberg, Maria Elena Durazo, and Benjamin Allen; California Assembly: Sharon Quirk-Silva), gathered for a comprehensive "College Center Tour" at CRC on February 22 alongside Warden Pratt and the CRC leadership team.

The itinerary included observations of classes conducted by instructors from Norco College and Pitzer College within CRC's premises. Following this, a panel discussion featuring CRC students and paroled graduates took place. The tour culminated in a golf cart exploration of the prison facilities, highlighting the potential for repurposing Facility A into a college hub.

The proposed CRC College Center aims to provide a transformative college experience within CRC's confines, aligning with the principles of the California Model. The initiative envisions Facility A as a "college time-share" for institutions offering Associate, Bachelor's, and Master's degree programs. The plan entails repurposing existing spaces to normalize the college experience, fostering academic and personal growth among incarcerated individuals.

A trailer bill budget request for the 2024-25 planning year and a subsequent three-year pilot program has been proposed to kickstart this initiative. This funding would facilitate the repurposing of Facility A and the collaborative planning process involving key stakeholders from the academic and correctional sectors.

The CRC College Center proposes a multi-institutional, cohort-based model, offering a diverse range of degree options to incarcerated students. Academic and career advising, along with reentry support, will be integrated into the curriculum, ensuring a seamless transition post-release.

"The CRC College Center represents a bold step towards breaking barriers and promoting educational equity within correctional facilities," remarked Tyee Griffith, Associate Dean for Educational Partnerships, who oversees the Norco College CRC partnership. "By providing incarcerated individuals with access to higher education and comprehensive support services, we aim to empower them to succeed both academically and personally."

For more information about Norco College's programs at CRC, visit Norco College's Rising Scholars Program webpage.