Newsom Welcomes First Cal State LA Bachelor's Cohort at San Quentin: 34 Students Begin 21-Month Liberal Studies Degree
SAN QUENTIN — California Governor Gavin Newsom on October 22 welcomed the inaugural cohort of 34 students pursuing bachelor's degrees through California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center in Marin County, California, his office announced. The 21-month program leads to a Liberal Studies degree and brings university instruction into the center's new Learning Center, which opened earlier this year.
"By expanding access to college inside our correctional facilities, we're strengthening rehabilitation, supporting successful reentry and helping make our communities safer," Newsom said in a statement, noting that most people who enter prison eventually return to their communities after serving their time.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Secretary Jeff Macomber said the continued growth of higher education programs across the state's institutions reflects the department's commitment to rehabilitation, adding that higher education is consistently proven to be one of the strongest predictors of successful re-entry, significantly reducing recidivism. Cal State LA President Berenecea Johnson Eanes said the university is proud to partner with CDCR to bring its educational mission to San Quentin.
According to the Governor's office, San Quentin's new Learning Center provides expanded classroom space, a technology and media hub, outdoor gathering areas and an open-stack library, and weekly book checkouts have increased 400% since the new space opened in May. The center currently serves 432 Adult Basic Education and Adult Secondary Education students, along with 495 college students.
Under CDCR's statewide system, associate and bachelor's degree programs are provided at no cost to students, and bachelor's degree programs operate at 12 institutions through partnerships with the California State University and University of California systems. As of 2026, CDCR's higher education system reported 9,966 associate degrees, 451 bachelor's degrees and 48 master's degrees. CDCR data show that 81.5% of people who earned Rehabilitation Achievement Credits remained conviction-free three years after release, and a recent report found that incarcerated people who took college courses were 31% more likely to have jobs after release.
The Governor's office also said California's latest statewide crime data show declines across every major category in 2025 compared with 2024: homicide fell 18.6%, robbery 19.9%, property crime 14.3%, motor vehicle theft 25.8%, and violent crime 10.2%.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：San Quentin Rehabilitation Center 首批 Cal State LA 学士班典礼现场，监狱长 Chance Andes 致辞（2026年10月22日）。照片：加州州长办公室，官方发布。 / Warden Chance Andes speaking at the inaugural ceremony for the first Cal State LA bachelor's cohort at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, October 22, 2026. Photo: Office of the Governor of California, official release.
