CalPIA offers career opportunities for incarcerated people in Soledad’s Correctional Training Facility
Katie Nicora
SOLEDAD, Calif. (KION-TV) — People incarcerated at the state prison in Soledad now have a chance to learn new job skills while they’re serving out their sentence.
The California Prison Industry Authority (CalPIA) is partnering with surplus service and the CDCR to launch the new program.
They say it will offer valuable training to incarcerated folks for careers in the e-waste management industry, learning how to refurbish and repair electronics.
People in the program are hopeful about their futures beyond prison.
“To actually thrive in a career where I can contribute, where I could provide for my family, where I can contribute to my community and society as a whole through this program,” said Andre Freer, an incarcerated man.
CalPIA says its programs have a 15% return-to-custody rate after three years, meaning 85% of program participants do not ever return to prison.