Cal State LA Graduates Third Cohort of Incarcerated Students from Prison Graduation Initiative

Cal State LA will award bachelor’s degrees to the third cohort of the Prison Graduation Initiative (PGI) at California State Prison, Los Angeles County on Thursday, Dec. 5. This group of students is unique as they began their studies during the pandemic, which halted in-person classes for over a year. They will earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication while incarcerated.

Bidhan Chandra Roy, the PGI program manager at Cal State LA, stated, “PGI prepares our graduates to return to their communities with valuable degrees and skills.” The program recently received recognition from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities as an excellent prison education program.

The graduation ceremony will feature speeches from the Honorable Deborah L. Sanchez of the Los Angeles Superior Court and Cal State LA President Berenecea Johnson Eanes. The keynote speaker will be Allen Burnett, co-founder and executive director of The Prism Way, a group that aids justice-involved individuals. Burnett graduated from PGI in 2021 and earned a master’s degree in communication studies in 2023. He served 28 years in prison after being convicted of murder at age 18.

Casi Amezcua, 48, is another participant in this cohort. He started his education while incarcerated, was released in April, and continues his studies at Cal State LA through Project Rebound, which helps formerly incarcerated individuals. Amezcua spent 24 years in prison after his murder conviction and now works part-time for the Center for Employment Opportunities.

Since its inception in 2016, PGI has significantly grown, serving over 118 students. Fifty inmates have earned their Bachelor of Arts in Communication while incarcerated, and 15 have transferred to complete their degrees at Cal State LA. Next year, PGI will serve 139 students across three prisons and will introduce a second Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies. A Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration will be added in 2027, increasing total enrollment to 172 students.

For more information, visit the Cal State LA’s Prison Graduation Initiative website.