On Friday, January 31, Norco College held its first commencement ceremony for its
Prison Education Program at the California Rehabilitation Center, a medium-security
state prison in Norco. Twenty-eight students successfully completed their studies
and earned degrees in Business Administration, Psychology, and Sociology. Six of the
students graduated with distinction. Some students will continue their studies under
the guidance of the Claremont Colleges while others will attend a California State
university to complete their baccalaureate degree.
Faculty, College leadership and family members were on hand for what turned out to
be an emotional ceremony.
“You studied hard, you applied yourself, and you made it,” Monica Green, Ed.D., interim
president, Norco College said in her commencement address. “Most importantly, you
never gave up. If you had, you would not be sitting here today. Students face a number
of different challenges, but what you have in common is that you persevered through
those challenges and your efforts have paid off.”
Since 2017, Norco College has been a partner of the California De¬partment of Corrections
and Rehabilitation to offer the Prison Education Program. The program enrolls approximately
250 students each term and offers face-to-face courses that fulfill California State
University general education requirements.
“It was a liberating experience for these students to join with their professors and
the larger Norco College community to celebrate their intelligence, dedication, and
success,” said Jessica Cobb, Ph.D., program director.
The Norco College Prison Education Program is geared to reduce recidivism rates by
preparing students to join the workforce and contribute to the economic health of
communities, while reducing unemployment and crime rates. Currently, 83 percent of
individuals released from state prisons in the US return within nine years. A recent
analysis by the nonpartisan think tank RAND showed that participation in prison education
at any level reduces recidivism by 43 percent.
To find out more about the Prison Education Program, contact the program director
at jessica.cobb@norcocollege.edu
View extended coverage and photos by the Press Enterprise
