Youths Need High School Diploma to Be Paroled

Good behavior is no longer enough to get a parole recommendation from the California Youth Authority.

CYA wards are now required to earn their high school diploma or the educational equivalent before being paroled.

“It could [cost more] in the short term to keep someone a few months longer, but our long-range plan is, if they don’t come back to us, it will save $34,000 a year,” said CYA spokeswoman Sarah Ludeman.

“Studies show those with high school diplomas or GEDs are 2 1/2 to four times more likely to not return to the criminal justice system.”

All CYA wards are required to attend classes, meaning that few probably will have to stay additional time at a facility to complete the education requirement, she said.

“We’re not setting this up as a barrier, but to emphasize the importance of education,” Ludeman said.

Nineteen-year-old Richard Burton doesn’t see it that way.

“We’re very angry,” said Burton, who is serving time at Heman G. Stark Youth Correctional Facility in Chino for assault with a deadly weapon.

“It’s going to trap a lot of people,” Burton said. “No matter how hard we strive and try, it’s a setup. You can be the most outstanding ward out there, and without the GED or diploma, there’s no way you’re going to get parole.”

The CYA supervises 14,600 offenders younger than 25, more than one-third of whom are on parole. It operates 11 youth correctional facilities and four conservation camps in California.

Gilbert Geis, professor emeritus in the department of criminology, law and society at UC Irvine criticized the new policy.

“For some kids, it might be very enabling, but as a policy, and making it mandatory, you’re inflicting your values on people who don’t necessarily value them,” Geis said.