33 Incarcerated Students at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla Earn College Degrees: 27 Bachelor's From Fresno State and 6 Master's Degrees
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) reported on Oct. 27 that 33 incarcerated students at Valley State Prison (VSP) in Chowchilla, Madera County, California, have earned college degrees: 27 received Bachelor of Arts in Social Science degrees from California State University, Fresno (CSU Fresno), and six earned master's degrees from California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSU Dominguez Hills), at the Degrees of Change 2026 Convocation held on Oct. 15.
According to CDCR, VSP participated in the convocation in partnership with CSU Fresno, and the ceremony marked the second CSU-Fresno graduation ceremony at VSP in Chowchilla. Six students were also honored for earning master's degrees from CSU-Dominguez Hills. The prison gym was filled with graduates, loved ones, faculty and custody staff, who congratulated and honored the graduates on their achievements.
Frank Robles, incarcerated at VSP, said he still can't believe he's earned a college degree. "I never believed this was possible," he said. "Now I get to walk away with my (degree) from Fresno State. Where I came from, this should have never happened." He said he's grateful for the opportunities presented through the rehabilitation programs offered at the prison. "Every day … is the opportunity to change the narrative of your life," Robles said. "If no one else is there to believe in you, believe in yourself."
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：山谷州立监狱毕业典礼现场，与会人员为毕业生鼓掌。加州惩教部（CDCR）官方视频截图，来源：CDCR Inside CDCR / Photo: Attendees applaud at the Valley State Prison graduation ceremony. Still from the official CDCR video, via CDCR Inside CDCR
