A group of incarcerated students has reached a milestone that’s a first for California.
Eight students in the Rising Scholars Program at Lake Tahoe Community College have become the first incarcerated students in the state to earn an Associate of Science degree in Forestry. In all, 23 graduates completed the program, with every student earning a forestry certificate that combines classroom instruction with hands-on training.
Many of the graduates are already putting those skills to work as members of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation fire crews, helping fight wildfires and complete forest management projects through the state’s Conservation Camp Program.
State officials say the program is about more than earning a degree—it’s about creating opportunities after incarceration. Research shows people who participate in correctional education programs are 48 percent less likely to return to prison and 31 percent more likely to find employment after they’re released.
The graduates were recognized during a ceremony celebrating their accomplishments and the role education can play in rehabilitation, workforce development, and public service.
The Rising Scholars Program, established in 2015, serves incarcerated students throughout Northern California, while the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation currently operates 30 Conservation Camps that support wildfire response and other emergency efforts across the state.
