schools
California gave every student in prison a laptop. How community colleges are using them
By Ella Carter-Klauschie | CalMatters at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· June 22, 2026
· 10 min read
Garret Eiferman, a graduate student, inside the Project Rebound study room at Cal State Northridge on May 26, 2026.(Jules Hotz / CalMatters)Across California, every incarcerated individual taking a college course now has a tool those of us on the outside take for granted: a laptop.In the past thr...
Key takeaway In the past three years, the prison system spent $23.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
In Los Angeles , where many of these community colleges are based, the expansion of online learning in prisons has significant implications for reentry programs and workforce development. As incarcerated students gain tech literacy and access to online courses, they will be better equipped to compete in the local job market upon release. This is particularly important in a region like Los Angeles, where technology and digital skills are increasingly in demand. The growth of online learning in prisons also raises questions about how community colleges in Los Angeles will adapt to support these students, both during and after incarceration. With 104 community colleges statewide already partnering with prisons, local colleges will play a critical role in providing the necessary support and resources to help these students succeed. As the program continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor its impact on recidivism rates and employment outcomes in Los Angeles.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: schools ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 10 min
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What is this story about? Garret Eiferman, a graduate student, inside the Project Rebound study room at Cal State Northridge on May 26, 2026.(Jules Hotz / CalMatters)Across California, every incarcerated individual taking a college course now has a tool those of us on the outside take for granted: a laptop.In the past thr...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ella Carter-Klauschie | CalMatters at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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