This UC Berkeley student could be first to graduate while incarcerated

"The pinnacle experience for many UC Berkeley undergraduate students is the spring commencement ceremony. Wearing their cap and gowns, thousands crowd California Memorial Stadium, the Golden Bears' historic home, to mark the beginning of a new chapter. One Cal senior, Javier, knows he may miss this rite of passage and has prepared for a quieter triumph as the new fall semester gets underway this month."

"The 22-year-old sociology major, who plans to attend law school, is enrolled at UC Berkeley from Alameda County's Juvenile Hall in San Leandro. He has never set foot on campus. Although my body is physically confined, I keep my mind free by learning and educating myself and continuing to grow, said Javier, who asked to be identified by his middle name on his lawyer's advice, citing potential educational and legal repercussions."

"Javier, who awaits trial for an alleged violent crime, is expected to become California's first incarcerated young person to graduate from a UC school after transferring from community college. His achievement is possible through a partnership between the Alameda County Office of Education and Incarceration to College, an outreach program for in-custody and out-of-custody youth. Incarceration to College, launched in 2020 at the height of the pandemic, has served more than 1,000 students across three Bay Area counties, giving them access to college readiness courses, tutoring and coaching."

A 22-year-old sociology major enrolled at UC Berkeley from Alameda County's Juvenile Hall has never set foot on campus but continues academic pursuits while awaiting trial. The student aims for law school and may become California's first incarcerated young person to graduate from a UC after transferring from community college. The achievement stems from a partnership between the Alameda County Office of Education and Incarceration to College, which provides college readiness courses, tutoring and coaching. Launched in 2020, the program has served over 1,000 students across Alameda, Contra Costa and San Francisco counties and was founded by a formerly incarcerated UC Berkeley graduate.

Read at www.berkeleyside.org