Prison to Purpose

In this episode of Prison to Purpose: Building Futures Behind Bars, we sit down with success story Vera Marin, who graduated from the CALCTRA Pre-Apprentice Carpentry program at the California Institution for Women (CIW). Vera shares her journey through the skills and confidence she gained while participating in CALCTRA’s job training programs, and the impact these opportunities have had on her li...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Alexander Hampton, a former CALCTRA graduate whose journey from incarceration to the North Coast States Carpenters Union is a powerful story of second chances.  After graduating from CALCTRA’s Career Technical Education Pre-Apprentice Carpentry program at Folsom State Prison, Alexander returned to his community in 2008 and immediately began building...

In this episode of Prison to Purpose , we shift the focus to the families whose lives are deeply impacted by incarceration. Meet David and Sharronda, two family members with different journeys but a shared commitment to hope, resilience, and unwavering support. Through their personal stories, they offer an honest look at the challenges of loving someone who is in prison, the emotional toll of sepa...

In this episode of Prison to Purpose, we sit down with Tommy DeLuna, Employment Specialist for the St. Vincent de Paul's Exodus Project which offers mentoring and extensive resources to people coming out of incarceration and returning home. Hear how Tommy went from being Captain of his high school football team to incarceration. Tommy reflects on his life and shares how a CALCTRA job training prog...

In this powerful episode of Prison to Purpose , Dave Dahl, co-founder of Dave's Killer Bread, shares his remarkable journey from incarceration to building a multimillion-dollar company. You have most likely seen Dave's Killer Bread on store shelves without knowing the incredible story behind the man and the brand. Dave reflects on how the skills he developed through a job training program while in...

In this powerful episode of Prison to Purpose , Dave Dahl, co-founder of Dave's Killer Bread, shares his remarkable journey from incarceration to building a multimillion-dollar company. You have most likely seen Dave's Killer Bread on store shelves without knowing the incredible story behind the man and the brand. Dave reflects on how the skills he developed through a job training program while in...

In this episode of Prison to Purpose , we sit down with Louis Frazier, a CALCTRA success story whose journey highlights the power of education, training, and opportunity. After graduating from CALCTRA's Metal Fabrication and Computer-Aided Design (Auto-CAD) program at Folsom State Prison, Louis used the skills he developed to build a successful career after incarceration. Through hands on training...

In this episode of Prison to Purpose, we go inside the walls of CALCTRA's Braille Program. Hear directly from incarcerated individuals who are mastering this specialized skill and are giving back to the community. Participants work together to produce textbooks, educational materials, and other essential resources for students and adults who are blind or visually impaired. Through teamwork, dedica...

What if your work could transform someone's life—without ever meeting them? In this episode of Prison to Purpose, we take an inside look at CALCTRA's Braille Transcription Program, where incarcerated individuals are learning highly specialized skills while producing educational materials for students and adults who are blind or visually impaired. Discover how participants master the complex art of...

In this episode of Prison to Purpose , we share the remarkable story of David Tucker , a man who transformed his life after incarceration to become the CEO and Founder of a life-saving technology company . David opens up about the challenges he faced while rebuilding his life, the mindset shift that pushed him toward a new path, and the determination it took to turn a second chance into something...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Ray Williams , a former CALCTRA graduate whose journey from incarceration to becoming a union apprentice shows the true power of second chances. Ray shares how his time in the CALCTRA program became a turning point in his life—providing not only hands-on training, but also the discipline, mentorship, and support he needed to build a new path forwar...

In this episode of Prison to Purpose , we explore how skilled trade education in prison is creating pathways to meaningful careers. Pre-apprenticeship programs, including those offered by CALCTRA through the Carpenters, Laborers, and Iron Workers unions, are delivering real results behind prison walls. Hear inspiring success stories that demonstrate the power of opportunity, workforce development,...

Every California license plate has a story most of us never think about. In this episode of Prison to Purpose , we step inside Folsom State Prison to explore the history of California's license plate production and the incarcerated people who make them through job training programs provided by the California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA). We explore the daily realiti...

In this episode, we shine a light on CALCTRA's Optical Program—an initiative that trains incarcerated individuals in prescription eyewear manufacturing—and the remarkable journey of Robert Castaneda. Once incarcerated, Robert found purpose and a new path through the program, gaining skills that helped him build a successful career as an Optician after release. Tune in to hear how visio...

In Part 2 of this Prison to Purpose episode, we continue the conversation about the nationally recognized Commercial Dive program inside prison. Hear from Dave Calvert, a formerly incarcerated commercial diver who now works as an assistant dive instructor with the California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority. Dave shares his journey at the California Institution for Men in Chino a...

In this episode of Prison to Purpose, we dive into CALCTRA's Commercial Dive Program at the California Institution for Men in Chino. This prison program has gained world-wide attention through the decades. Incarcerated students learn everything from underwater welding, diving physics, along with all the aspects of commercial diving. Hear the amazing story behind Kenyatta Kalisana who once was inca...

In this powerful episode we sit down with Kyle Patterson, the Regional Manager for the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters. He also serves on the Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Board. Kyle shares his personal story on incarceration and how he was raised by a single mom with nine children in South LA. Hear how Kyle transformed his life and is now a leader shaping policies and cr...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Justin Ennis, a powerful example of transformation and second chances. He shares how he went from being a prisoner to becoming a project manager for a successful commercial developer and the defining moment that changed the course of his life. Through the opportunities provided by the California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA...

In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking partnership between the California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA) and The Last Mile, a national program offering technical education and training to stop the cycle of incarceration. Together, they are reshaping what rehabilitation can look like in the modern era. Discover how “Coding Behind Bars” is equipping...

In this inspiring episode, we share the story of Tony Curtis, whose life was transformed through the California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA). Discover how CALCTRA helped Tony gain valuable skills, rebuild his future, and successfully reintegrate into the community. Join us to hear firsthand how opportunity and support can change lives behind and beyond the prison wa...

In this episode, we dive into the recent rebranding of the California Correctional Rehabilitation and Training Authority (CALCTRA), previously the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA), and exploring its new name and renewed mission. Learn about the organization's evolving role in supporting incarcerated individuals through job training and rehabilitation programs, and how these changes ai...