Why it matters — the data
Program participation is not just something to pass the time. The research consistently shows that participation in education, vocational, treatment, and cognitive behavioral programs produces measurable reductions in recidivism — and under Proposition 57, program completion directly reduces the time someone serves.
CDCR's own recidivism data makes the case clearly. These are not estimated projections — they are outcomes reported from actual releases.
44%
Recidivism rate with no programming credits
CDCR recidivism report, FY 2019–20
35.8%
Recidivism rate with any programming credit
8+ percentage point reduction
16.6%
Recidivism rate with Academic Education Achievement credit
Less than half the no-programming rate
48%
Less likely to return to prison within 3 years for those with correctional education
RAND Corporation meta-analysis
58%
Reduction in overdose deaths in the first year of ISUDT implementation
CCHCS 4th Annual Outcomes Report, 2025
Proposition 57: programming reduces time served
Under Proposition 57, CDCR awards time credits for program participation and completion — not just behavior. These credits apply directly to your loved one's Earliest Possible Release Date (EPRD) for determinate sentences, or Minimum Eligible Parole Date (MEPD) for indeterminate sentences. There are three credit types that apply to programming:
- Milestone Completion Credits (MCC): Up to 12 weeks of credit per year for completing rehabilitative or educational programs.
- Rehabilitative Achievement Credits (RAC): 10 days of credit for every 52 hours of approved self-help or volunteer programming completed in a 12-month period.
- Educational Merit Credits (EMC): Up to 180 days for earning a GED or high school diploma; additional credit for associate, bachelor's, or postgraduate degrees.
Academic education & college programs
CDCR's education programs are run by the Office of Correctional Education (OCE) and are designed to meet people where they are. Every institution offers some level of academic programming, though depth and availability vary by facility and security level.
Literacy / ESL
For those reading below a 6th-grade level or who are non-English speaking. Foundational literacy and English language skills are the entry point for all other academic programming. Assessment at Reception determines placement.
Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Covers 6th–8th grade academic skills. The bridge between literacy and GED preparation. Participation is strongly incentivized through Milestone Completion Credits.
GED / High School Equivalency
Preparation courses and proctored testing for the California High School Equivalency Certificate. Completion earns up to 180 days of Educational Merit Credit under Prop 57. In FY 2024–25, 1,706 incarcerated students earned their GED through CDCR.
High School Diploma
A full diploma pathway is available at many institutions. Incarcerated people without a diploma who are enrolled in a program may be prioritized for placement. Completion also earns Educational Merit Credit.
Post-Secondary Education (College)
CDCR partners with California community colleges and universities to offer college courses at many facilities. As of July 1, 2023, incarcerated students became eligible for federal Pell Grants for the first time since 1994 — covering tuition, fees, books, and supplies at no cost to the student or family. CDCR reported approximately 13,000 college students per semester across its institutions. Eight facilities currently offer bachelor's degree programs in partnership with CSU, UC, and other universities. In 2025, CDCR celebrated its first-ever graduates from a partnership with the University of California.
Note: CDCR requires that incarcerated people without a high school diploma or GED who are enrolled in a qualifying education program must be assigned to academic programming as their primary assignment in many cases. If your loved one has been placed in a work assignment without being offered academic programming and lacks a diploma, that may be worth raising with the counselor.
Career Technical Education (vocational programs)
Career Technical Education (CTE) programs provide job-ready skills in trades and industries with real labor market demand. These programs lead to industry-recognized certifications that carry value immediately after release. A University of California, Irvine study found that participation in California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) job training programs was associated with lower rates of rearrests, reconvictions, and reincarcerations.
CTE assignments are made through the classification process and are prioritized for incarcerated people with fewer than five years to release and an identified employment need — though there are no formal eligibility bars to enrollment.
Common programs — availability varies by institution
Auto Mechanics / Auto Body
Industry certification; strong post-release employment outcomes
Building & Construction Trades
Covers carpentry, masonry, and related skills; OSHA certification pathways
Culinary Arts / Food Service
ServSafe certification; applicable across hospitality and food service industries
Cosmetology / Barbering
State board exam preparation leading to licensed practice upon release
Welding
AWS certification pathways; high-demand trade with strong wages
Electrical / HVAC / Plumbing
Trade certifications applicable to construction and maintenance sectors
Computer Science / Information Technology
Technical skills with broad applicability; offered at select institutions
Optical / Dental Lab Technology
Specialty technical programs offered at select CDCR institutions via CALPIA
Landscape & Horticulture
Environmental and grounds management skills; available at various facilities
Print Technology
Graphic design, printing, and production skills through CALPIA print plants
Waitlists are common. Many CTE programs have significant demand and limited seats. Getting on the waitlist early — ideally at reception or at first classification — matters. The sooner your loved one requests the program in writing, the earlier their place in the queue.
Substance use disorder treatment (ISUDT)
The Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment program (ISUDT) is a joint CDCR and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) initiative. Prior to ISUDT, CDCR had the highest overdose death rate of any state correctional system in the country — 52 deaths per 100,000 people in 2019. Within the first year of ISUDT implementation, that rate dropped by 58 percent.
ISUDT is voluntary but strongly supported by the evidence. Participation earns Milestone Completion Credits (time off) and directly addresses factors that drive recidivism for people with substance use histories.
ISUDT program levels
CBI-Intensive Outpatient (CBI-IOP)
2 hours per day, 5 days per week, 52 weeks to complete. For those with moderate-to-severe substance use disorder. The most intensive in-custody treatment pathway.
CBI-Outpatient (CBI-OP)
2 hours per day, 3 days per week, 14 weeks to complete. For those with mild-to-moderate substance use disorder or those transitioning from IOP.
CBI-Life Skills
2 hours per day, 3 days per week, 29 weeks to complete. Focused on relapse prevention, criminal thinking, victim impact, anger management, and family/parenting. For those with at least 12 months remaining.
CBI-Short Term Education Program (CBI-STEP)
For those with 6 months or fewer to release. One mandatory educational session plus referral to self-help groups within CDCR and community resources for post-release support.
CBI-Aftercare
90 minutes per week, 13 weeks. Available for those who have completed a prior CBI program and have more than 4 months remaining. Maintains gains and reinforces skills.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
ISUDT includes FDA-approved medications for opioid and alcohol use disorder — including buprenorphine (Suboxone) and naltrexone. MAT is offered in combination with behavioral treatment. It is not a separate program, but a component of ISUDT care.
How ISUDT assignment works
CCHCS screens for substance use disorder at intake using standardized tools. Your loved one can also self-refer by submitting a Health Care Request (CDCR 7362) to the medical or mental health department, or by asking their Correctional Counselor for a referral. ISUDT is voluntary — participation cannot be forced — but refusal is documented and may be noted in the central file. COMPAS and CSRA assessments also influence placement level. Once referred, CCHCS determines the appropriate treatment level and coordinates with the institution for scheduling.
Cognitive behavioral programs
Cognitive behavioral interventions (CBIs) are structured programs focused on changing thinking patterns that drive criminal behavior. They are distinct from substance use treatment, though many overlap in content. These programs are among the most evidence-supported interventions in correctional settings nationally.
Completion of CBI programs earns Milestone Completion Credits. Many are also required components of parole consideration for people with specific risk factors in their assessment.
Criminal Thinking / Thinking for Change
Structured curriculum targeting the thought patterns — entitlement, minimization, victim-blaming — that research associates with recidivism. Widely available across CDCR institutions.
Anger Management
Structured program addressing emotional regulation, triggers, and de-escalation. Completion is frequently cited as a relevant factor in classification reviews and parole hearings.
Victim Awareness / Victim Impact
Focuses on developing empathy and understanding the effect of offenses on victims and communities. Some versions involve participation in victim-offender panels with trained facilitators.
Family Planning / Parenting
Programs supporting healthy family relationships, co-parenting, and the skills to maintain family connections during and after incarceration.
Breaking Barriers / Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT)
Structured workbook-based programs addressing moral reasoning and accountability. Available at select institutions; specifically listed as a CBI in CDCR's Division of Rehabilitative Programs.
Pre-Release Planning / Reentry Preparation
Available to those nearing release. Covers employment readiness, housing, benefit access, and community supervision requirements. Earns Milestone Completion Credits.
Activity groups — Community Resource Manager (CRM)
Each CDCR institution has a Community Resource Manager (CRM) who coordinates activity groups — self-help organizations, volunteer-led programs, and community partnerships that operate inside the facility. These groups are distinct from formal education or treatment assignments and are generally easier to access, with no classification committee review required for participation.
Activity groups contribute to Rehabilitative Achievement Credits (RAC) under Prop 57 — 10 days of credit for every 52 hours of approved programming per year. More importantly, consistent participation in approved groups is a concrete, documentable record of sustained engagement that matters at parole hearings, classification reviews, and in grievances.
Common activity groups — availability varies by institution and yard
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) / Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
12-step peer support meetings available at most CDCR institutions. Meetings are usually multiple times per week and led by trained community volunteers. Participation is tracked and credited.
Toastmasters
Public speaking and leadership development. Prison chapters follow the same curriculum as community clubs. Completion of speech projects is documented and can be referenced in parole hearings as evidence of growth.
Veterans In Prison groups
Peer support, trauma recovery, and advocacy for incarcerated veterans. Key organizations operating inside CDCR include Veterans Healing Veterans from the Inside Out (VHV) — active at San Quentin, DVI, Solano, Sacramento, and CTF Soledad — and the Veterans Transition Center of California (VTC), which created the nation's first dedicated veterans prison yard at CTF Soledad. Both connect members with VA resources, benefits applications, and transition planning.
Fathers / Parenting Groups
Peer and facilitated groups focused on maintaining parental bonds during incarceration, developing parenting skills, and preparing for family reunification.
Faith-Based Programs
Various denominations offer chapel services, Bible study, and structured faith formation programs. Some, like TUMI (The Urban Ministry Institute), offer credentialed ministry training.
Victim Awareness Community Panels
Facilitated panels where community members who have been affected by crime share their experiences. Participation is documented and is specifically relevant to parole suitability findings.
Mentoring / Youth Outreach Programs
Select institutions host programs where incarcerated people serve as mentors for at-risk youth. Participants must have a clean disciplinary record for a qualifying period.
Restorative Justice Programs
Structured programs addressing harm caused, community accountability, and the process of making amends. Increasingly recognized as significant by the Board of Parole Hearings.
To find out what activity groups are approved at a specific institution, your loved one should contact the CRM directly — typically accessible by submitting a CDCR 22 (Request for Interview) form addressed to the Community Resource Manager. Groups not yet offered at the facility can sometimes be sponsored by outside volunteers through the CRM.
How to get assigned
Getting into a program requires navigating CDCR's assignment process — which differs depending on whether you're seeking an education or vocational assignment, ISUDT placement, or an activity group through the CRM. Here is how each path works.
Path 1 — Education & vocational assignment
- 1
CASAS assessment at reception
Every person entering CDCR receives a CASAS reading assessment at reception. The score determines academic placement level (literacy, ABE, GED). This is automatic — no action required.
- 2
COMPAS / CSRA assessment
The risk and needs assessment (COMPAS or CSRA) identifies programming needs including education, employment, and substance use. Results are used by classification to drive programming assignments. Your loved one can request to see their assessment results.
- 3
Classification Committee review
Initial classification and all subsequent program assignments flow through the classification committee, which includes the Correctional Counselor (CC). This is where formal program assignments are made, changed, or put on hold. Your loved one should clearly state their programming preferences at every classification review.
- 4
Request in writing using CDCR 22
Between classification hearings, your loved one can submit a CDCR 22 (Request for Interview) to their CC specifically requesting placement on the waitlist for a named program. The written request creates a record. If a hearing or waitlist spot opens, documented requests matter.
- 5
Get on the waitlist — early
Most programs have waitlists. The date of the waitlist request is generally used for queue position. Priority under CDCR policy goes to people closer to release with higher risk and needs, but getting on the list early is still the best strategy. If waitlisted for longer than appears reasonable, a second CDCR 22 or an appeal to the Ombudsman is appropriate.
Path 2 — ISUDT (substance use disorder treatment)
- 1
Intake screening (automatic)
CCHCS conducts a SUD screening at intake. If a substance use disorder is identified, ISUDT placement is recommended. This is the most common entry point.
- 2
Self-referral via Health Care Request
Your loved one can self-refer at any time by submitting a CDCR 7362 (Health Care Request) requesting a SUD assessment and ISUDT placement. This is voluntary, and participation cannot be forced — but documentation of the request and any response matters.
- 3
Counselor or staff referral
Correctional counselors, mental health staff, and other CDCR personnel can also refer your loved one for ISUDT evaluation. If your loved one has a documented substance use history, asking the CC to generate a referral is appropriate.
- 4
CCHCS assessment and level placement
Once referred, CCHCS conducts a clinical assessment to determine the appropriate treatment level (IOP, OP, Life Skills, STEP). Placement depends on severity of disorder, time remaining, and current housing situation.
Path 3 — Activity groups (CRM)
- 1
Find out what is available
Submit a CDCR 22 addressed to the Community Resource Manager requesting a list of currently approved activity groups on your loved one's yard. Some institutions post this information; many do not.
- 2
Sign up directly or submit a request
Most activity groups do not require classification committee approval. Your loved one can attend open meetings (AA/NA, faith services) without prior approval at many facilities. For structured programs like Toastmasters, there may be an application or waiting list — contact the CRM for specifics.
- 3
Document participation
Your loved one should keep track of the groups they participate in, dates, and any certificates or sign-in records. Participation records are what generate Rehabilitative Achievement Credits — if a group is not tracking hours, your loved one should ask the group facilitator or CRM how completion is recorded.
- 4
Bring a program in from outside
Community organizations can apply to sponsor a new activity group at an institution through the CRM. If a program your loved one would benefit from is not available, an outside organization may be able to establish it. The Prison Law Office and LSPC can sometimes assist with this process.
Path 4 — Behavioral override: unlocking programs at other institutions
Not every program is available at every institution. Some of the most valuable education, vocational, and treatment programs exist only at lower-security facilities. Under Title 15 § 3375 and § 3375.2, classification committees have the authority to apply a downward override — also called a behavioral or positive programming override — that places an incarcerated person at a lower security level than their classification score alone would indicate. This opens access to programs, facilities, and yards that would otherwise be off-limits. It is one of the most underused tools available to people who have been programming consistently and staying out of trouble.
- 1
Understand how the classification score works
Every incarcerated person has a classification score — a point total based on factors including offense severity, time remaining, prior history, and disciplinary record. The score maps to a security level (I through IV). A behavioral override allows placement below the level the score would require, based on demonstrated positive behavior and programming. The score itself does not need to change — the override is a formal exception applied by the committee.
- 2
Build the record that justifies the override
The override request only works if the record supports it. That means: sustained disciplinary-free status (no RVRs for a meaningful period — the longer the better), documented program participation (certificates, sign-in records, completion chronos), and a demonstrable programming goal at the target institution. Every certificate earned and every clean month on the record is an argument for the override.
- 3
Identify the specific program and facility you are requesting
The override request should not be vague. Before the classification hearing, your loved one (and you, from outside) should research which specific facility offers the program they want, and confirm it is available and enrolling. Common examples: intensive substance use treatment at SATF (Corcoran); robust college programs at CRC, CMC, or CSP-LA; specific CTE programs only offered at certain yards. Naming the facility and program specifically makes the request actionable.
- 4
Request the override at the annual classification committee
The Institutional Classification Committee (ICC) is the appropriate venue — typically the annual review. Your loved one should verbally request a downward behavioral override and ask that the specific programming goal and the request itself be documented in the classification chrono. A CDCR 22 submitted to the Correctional Counselor in advance of the hearing — stating the request, the disciplinary-free period, programs completed, and the target program — creates a written record regardless of what happens in the hearing.
- 5
Understand what the override does and does not guarantee
A granted override means your loved one is eligible for transfer to a lower-level facility — it is not an immediate transfer. Transfer waitlists still apply, and available beds determine actual movement. The override needs to be reaffirmed at subsequent classification reviews. Importantly: a new RVR — even a single one — gives the committee grounds to reverse the override with an upward adjustment. The disciplinary record is not a background condition. It is the asset that makes the override possible, and one sustained RVR can set it back significantly.
The direct connection to disciplinary reports
This is why a sustained RVR is not just a short-term consequence. An RVR that is upheld can — and often will — be used to apply an upward override, which locks your loved one into a higher security level and out of the programs available at lower-level facilities. Conversely, a successfully challenged RVR preserves the clean record that the behavioral override depends on. The two guides on this site are connected: the procedural work in the RVR guide is part of the same long-term strategy as the programming work in this one.
When programming is unavailable or blocked
Long waitlists, work assignments that conflict with program schedules, and administrative holds can all prevent access to programming your loved one is entitled to. If this happens, the following steps are appropriate: (1) Document every written request and the date it was submitted. (2) Ask the classification committee at the next review why programming has not been assigned and request that the reason be documented in the hearing notes. (3) Contact the CDCR Ombudsman Office, which can investigate programming access issues without triggering a formal grievance. (4) If the institution is not providing required programming, a grievance under Title 15 § 3481 — citing the specific program and the documented requests — creates an administrative record that may support further action.
What the Board of Parole Hearings will do with all of this
For people serving indeterminate sentences, every programming decision made inside is ultimately reviewed by the Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) at a parole suitability hearing. Understanding what the Board looks for explains why the work in this guide matters far beyond Prop 57 credits.
The BPH uses a Structured Decision Making Framework (SDMF) that requires hearing panels to evaluate nine categories of evidence. Programming is one of the central categories — specifically, whether risk factors identified in the person's needs assessment have been addressed through active participation and completion of assigned programming. Panels review the full central file, including every completed program, every certificate, every activity group sign-in log, and every RVR. A sustained disciplinary history works against suitability; a documented record of sustained programming directly supports it.
The BPH also considers: the commitment offense and prior criminal history; institutional behavior over the full period of incarceration; evidence of insight into the causes and consequences of the offense; a psychological risk assessment by the Forensic Assessment Division (FAD); a realistic and verified release plan (housing, employment, support system); and input from victims or their families. Programming is not evaluated in isolation — the panel is looking for a coherent picture of growth and change over time.
The practical implication: every program completed, every group attended, every year without a sustained RVR, and every behavioral override achieved is a brick in the evidentiary case your loved one will present to the Board. The programming record built inside is the hearing record. Starting it early, maintaining it consistently, and documenting it carefully are the most concrete steps available.
Resources
The organizations and links below provide additional information on CDCR programming, credit-earning, and advocacy for access to rehabilitation programs.
CDCR Division of Rehabilitative Programs (DRP)
cdcr.ca.gov/rehabilitation
Official CDCR page listing current education, vocational, and CBI programs available across institutions. The most authoritative source for what programs officially exist.
CDCR Office of Correctional Education (OCE)
cdcr.ca.gov/rehabilitation/oce
Manages academic programs from literacy through GED and college. Handles CASAS assessment, enrollment, and academic credit tracking.
CDCR In-Prison Credit-Earning (Prop 57)
cdcr.ca.gov/proposition57
Official CDCR page explaining all Proposition 57 credit-earning categories — Good Conduct, Milestone Completion, Rehabilitative Achievement, and Educational Merit credits.
CCHCS ISUDT Program
cchcs.ca.gov/isudt
California Correctional Health Care Services page on the Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment program, including program components and outcomes reports.
Prison Law Office
prisonlaw.com
Provides free legal services to California state prisoners. Handles individual and systemic cases involving access to programming, educational rights, and CDCR conditions.
CDCR Office of the Ombudsman
cdcr.ca.gov/ombuds
CDCR's internal office for investigating complaints about policies, staff conduct, and access to programming. Can intervene without requiring a formal grievance.
Uncommon Law
uncommonlaw.org
California nonprofit providing direct legal representation at parole hearings and in disciplinary matters. Familiarity with how programming records factor into parole suitability findings.
Legal Services for Prisoners with Children (LSPC)
prisonerswithchildren.org
Publishes plain-English guides on CDCR programming rights, credit earning, and the grievance process. Strong resource for families navigating the system from outside.
Mount Tamalpais College
mttamcollege.edu
An independent, accredited liberal arts college operating inside San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. Offers a free 61-unit Associate of Arts degree and college preparatory program. One of the most academically rigorous higher education programs inside any U.S. prison — formerly known as the Prison University Project.
Defy Ventures
defyventures.org
Entrepreneurship, job readiness, and personal development training for incarcerated men and women through its CEO of Your New Life program. Defy NorCal operates at Avenal, Central California Women's Facility (CCWF), CTF Soledad, Salinas Valley, and Valley State Prison. Provides post-release startup funding, job placement, and mentoring.
Insight Garden Program (IGP)
insightgardenprogram.org
Combines vocational gardening and landscaping training with a curriculum on reconnecting to self, community, and the natural world. Active at 11 California prisons including San Quentin, Solano, Avenal, CSP-LA County, Mule Creek, Central California Women's Facility (CCWF), and California Institution for Women (CIW).
The Last Mile
thelastmile.org
The first fully inclusive computer programming curriculum available in a U.S. prison, launched at San Quentin in 2014. Offers web development fundamentals, MERN stack software engineering, and audio-visual production. Trains incarcerated people for careers in tech with a direct focus on post-release employment. Now operating in 16 facilities across 7 states.
Friends Outside
friendsoutside.org
Providing services to incarcerated people, their families, and communities since 1955. Operates Visitor Centers at California state prisons, offers reentry planning for those nearing release, and provides prosocial skill building education. One of the longest-standing family support organizations in the California prison system.
Primary regulations & reports
This guide reflects CDCR programming as of early 2026. Program availability, eligibility criteria, and credit structures change — always verify current requirements with the institution's education department, your loved one's Correctional Counselor, or a qualified attorney. This is informational only and is not legal advice. RVR Review is not affiliated with CDCR.