Chaffey College Empowering Inmates with Journalism Program in California

Chaffey College Launches Journalism Degree Program at California Institution for Men

In an innovative move, Chaffey College is introducing an associate's degree program in journalism at the California Institution for Men (CIM). This initiative seeks to empower inmates by providing them with the skills necessary to publish news articles and host podcasts, representing one of the first journalism degree programs established in a California prison by a community college.

For almost two decades, Chaffey College has been dedicated to offering educational opportunities within state prisons, starting with its Rising Scholars program in the California Institution for Women in 2004. The recent collaboration with California State University Los Angeles led to a tailored curriculum that aligns perfectly with their Bachelor of Arts in Humanities. Journalism was chosen for its potential to enhance communication skills and foster creative expression.

Professor Ian Jones, who oversees the journalism program, was pleasantly surprised by the demand, as the initial enrollment goal of 25 students was surpassed with 50 eager participants. His students, including inmate Ryann Jones, are driven by aspirations that extend beyond the confines of the institution. Ryann shared, "I want to become a better writer and make my family proud—my wife, kids, and myself."

To enhance the educational experience, Chaffey College received a $15,000 grant from the Scripps Howard Fund, specifically aimed at supporting journalism initiatives in community colleges. This funding will facilitate collaboration between journalism students from Chaffey’s Rancho Cucamonga campus and their CIM counterparts, allowing for assistance in research, data collection, and digital publishing. Jones elaborated on this unique opportunity: "They'll need help with posting, editorial work, and research because they don't have access to the Internet. If they need statistics for a story, they have a team of outside journalists who can help."

Lionel Getten, former editor-in-chief of Chaffey's newspaper, The Breeze, expressed excitement for the collaborative efforts. He remarked, "I hope our program can set the standard for accurate journalism that provides trustworthy information. We are giving an overlooked demographic the opportunity to thrive."

Moreover, the journalism program at Chaffey has recently gained recognition, having received a $10,000 award from The Chronicle of Philanthropy for its reporting efforts regarding a substantial $25 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

Currently, CIM students are engaged in foundational courses that teach the basics of reporting and writing. Professor Jones is also working with prison officials to create dedicated spaces where students can record podcasts and produce news stories, whether digitally or on paper.

The collaboration extends beyond just classroom learning. With students from the campus getting involved in reporting on CIM, there will be feature stories highlighting the experiences of Rising Scholars students at Chaffey, many of whom are formerly incarcerated individuals who are resuming their educational journeys.

Professor Jones reiterated the significance of this journalism program, emphasizing the potential it holds for inmates: "This program provides them with a platform to express their stories, translating their experiences into skills that can lead to employment opportunities post-release. There’s definitely an opportunity for these students to engage with the outside world in ways they never could before."

For those interested in seeing the impact of education on rehabilitation, photos from Chaffey CIM commencement ceremonies are accessible online through the California Department of Corrections, showcasing the transformative power of learning in even the most challenging environments.

This initiative by Chaffey College exemplifies the commitment to equality and opportunity within education, paving the way for individuals to redefine their narratives and foster their aspirations for a brighter future.