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California inmates study at 1st college based behind bars

Former inmate Jesse Vasquez speaks about his college program experiences at San Quentin State Prison on April 12, 2022, in San Quentin, Calif. Vasquez, 39, said he was serving multiple life terms in a maximum-security prison for attempted murder, a drive by shooting and assault with a deadly weapon when he read about the college program in the San Quentin News and decided he would transfer to the Bay Area prison one day. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) Former inmate Richard "Bonaru" Richardson talks about his experiences while standing between the exercise yard and classrooms of Mount Tamalpais College at San Quentin State Prison on April 12, 2022, in San Quentin, Calif. The community college, the first in California with a campus inside a prison, is the latest addition to San Quentin's numerous rehabilitation programs that have made it a desired destination for inmates throughout the state. Since his release, he has been working for the newly formed college as an advancement associate, helping with fundraising and the college's website. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) Jody Lewen, president of Mount Tamalpais College, speaks during an interview at San Quentin State Prison April 12, 2022, in San Quentin, Calif. The community college, the first in California with a campus inside a prison, is the latest addition to San Quentin's numerous rehabilitation programs that have made it a desired destination for inmates throughout the state. Eventually, Lewen wants to have programs that allow for the exchange of ideas between the inmates and members of nearby communities to help them see the full humanity of those behind bars. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) Instructor Douglas Arnwine speaks to his incarcerated students during a Mount Tamalpais College English class called Cosmopolitan Fictions at San Quentin State Prison April 12, 2022, in San Quentin, Calif. The community college, the first in California with a campus inside a prison, is the latest addition to San Quentin's numerous rehabilitation programs that have made it a desired destination for inmates throughout the state. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) Incarcerated students look at the photograph "The Falling Man," that was part of a discussion during a Mount Tamalpais College English class called Cosmopolitan Fictions at San Quentin State Prison April 12, 2022, in San Quentin, Calif. The community college, the first in California with a campus inside a prison, is the latest addition to San Quentin's numerous rehabilitation programs that have made it a desired destination for inmates throughout the state. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) An incarcerated student raises his hand during a Mount Tamalpais College English class called Cosmopolitan Fictions at San Quentin State Prison April 12, 2022, in San Quentin, Calif. The community college, the first in California with a campus inside a prison, is the latest addition to San Quentin's numerous rehabilitation programs that have made it a desired destination for inmates throughout the state. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) Incarcerated student Derry Brown gestures while speaking during a Mount Tamalpais College English class called Cosmopolitan Fictions at San Quentin State Prison April 12, 2022, in San Quentin, Calif. The community college, the first in California with a campus inside a prison, is the latest addition to San Quentin's numerous rehabilitation programs that have made it a desired destination for inmates throughout the state. "I wish I had learned this way coming up, instead I was in special ed my whole life," Brown shared with his fellow students, who were discussing The Reluctant Fundamentalist, a novel by Mohsin Hamid. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) Instructor Douglas Arnwine gestures while talking about the photograph "The Falling Man," to his incarcerated students during a Mount Tamalpais College English class called Cosmopolitan Fictions at San Quentin State Prison on April 12, 2022, in San Quentin, Calif. The community college, the first in California with a campus inside a prison, is the latest addition to San Quentin's numerous rehabilitation programs that have made it a desired destination for inmates throughout the state. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) Incarcerated students listen to a discussion during a Mount Tamalpais College English class called Cosmopolitan Fictions at San Quentin State Prison on April 12, 2022, in San Quentin, Calif. The community college, the first in California with a campus inside a prison, is the latest addition to San Quentin's numerous rehabilitation programs that have made it a desired destination for inmates throughout the state. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) San Quentin State Prison, which also houses Mount Tamalpais College, is shown April 12, 2022, in San Quentin, Calif. The community college, the first in California with a campus inside a prison, is the latest addition to San Quentin's numerous rehabilitation programs that have made it a desired destination for inmates throughout the state. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) Instructor Douglas Arnwine hands back papers with comments to his incarcerated students during a Mount Tamalpais College English class called Cosmopolitan Fictions at San Quentin State Prison on April 12, 2022, in San Quentin, Calif. The community college, the first in California with a campus inside a prison, is the latest addition to San Quentin's numerous rehabilitation programs that have made it a desired destination for inmates throughout the state. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
California inmates study at 1st college based behind bars