Probation Youth Earn College Degrees and Aim Higher

July 29, 2025

Two young men incarcerated at East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility have graduated from Southwestern College with associate's degrees and have been accepted to four-year universities. Their achievement was celebrated with family members, San Diego County Chief Probation Officer Tamika Nelson, and Probation staff in attendance at both the graduation ceremony and a private dinner afterward at the detention facility. Both graduates are participants in the Youth Development Academy Fire Program, with one earning a degree in communication and the other in sociology.

Who is affected

The two young men/graduates from East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility
Families of the graduates
Incarcerated youth in general who could benefit from similar programs
Teachers and staff at East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility

What action is being taken

San Diego County Probation Department is providing educational opportunities through college programs for incarcerated youth
The department is operating the Youth Development Academy Fire Program for justice-involved youth
The Probation Department is actively celebrating and supporting the academic achievements of detained youth
A private dinner was held at East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility to honor the graduates' achievements

Why it matters

The graduates demonstrate that young people can change their paths through higher education
Their success highlights the importance of college programs for incarcerated youth
Education provides a pathway out of incarceration and leads to leadership, employment, and community engagement
The graduates' achievements represent resilience, determination, and the potential for rehabilitation
The program shows the value of investing in second chances for justice-involved youth

What's next

The two graduates will continue their education at four-year universities
No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint