‘The perfect recipe’: Staff, mentors join forces to change lives at Valley State Prison

A collaboration unlike any other is transforming Valley State Prison (VSP) in all the right ways. The Youthful Offender Program, or YOP, tailors rehabilitation to the unique needs of younger incarcerated people, with more experienced incarcerated people serving as peer mentors to guide them along their way. Staff receive specialized training in working with this population, and become as mentors and advisers themselves.This unique approach to rehabilitation is perfectly in line with the California Model, which seeks to empower incarcerated individuals to use their lived experiences to mentor and support their peers. Beyond peer mentorship, VSP has embraced the California Model as a whole, providing rehabilitative programs and opportunities that more closely resemble outside communities. From therapeutic horse programs to intensive cognitive behavioral courses, VSP is committed to positive, long-term change.As CDCR Unlocked found out while visiting VSP, none of it is possible without enthusiastic staff and supportive leadership. Correctional Counselor Liz Alva credits the “perfect recipe” of mentors, mentees and employees for the transformation underway at VSP as CDCR works to implement the California Model’s pillars statewide.Hosted by Krissi KhokhobashviliRecorded on Jan. 24, 2023Produced by Jeff Baur & Krissi Khokhobashvili