Correctional Education: Excellence in action

The Mountain Oaks Adult Education Center has earned distinction, standing out as an innovator committed to excellence in correctional education. Mountain Oaks operates inside California Medical Facility (CMF), serving students of all academic and physical abilities.This is the third CDCR Distinguished School, following the Robert E. Burton Adult School at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center in 2019 and Vista Del Rio Adult School at California Rehabilitation Center in 2021.The distinction is intended to be a collaborative one, rooted in the strong belief that the schools inside California prisons deserve recognition and acclaim that will accompany the Distinguished School Award honor.In this episode of the CDCR Unlocked Podcast, Superintendent Shannon Swain shares the Office of Correctional Education’s vision for education, as well as how CMF’s school stands out as an example of excellence. She also shares her experiences witnessing the transformative power of education and how its benefits ripple across generations.