Prison officer John Janvrin warned the students not to rush as they entered the ceremony to the sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance,” their jail colors showing out from beneath their dresses.
“Men, remember how hard you all worked to get this. Hard, “The men in prison stood in line in a back room, reviewed their notes, adjusted their bow ties, and fixed the gold tassels falling from their mortarboards as Janvrin informed them. Music started to play.
Janvrin warned them not to go too quickly as they started their procession. Allow them to see you.
These 20 guys were already working toward completing their training to become alcohol and drug advisers for over a year and a half. They may use their success to get employment inside as well as outside of California’s jails. The Storming Cohort, a damaged team of healing men encouraging new generations, had already developed into a brotherhood.
The guys went in a parade before dear ones and state correctional authorities to be honored in a visiting room decorated with gold and black balloons and posters reading, “Off to the Next Chapter,” outside the razor-wire and high walls of the federal jail in Lancaster. Some people claimed it was their first graduation ever.
Ivan Stine, a graduate, took the stage and declared, “This program was the biggest challenging and gratifying experience of my life.”
