Only 3% Recidivism Rate: San Diego Nonprofit Turns Ex-Cons into Paid Machinists
A San Diego program offers paid apprenticeships and therapy to men leaving prison, resulting in a historic drop in recidivism compared to national averages.
In a converted machine shop in southeastern San Diego, a different kind of reset button is being pushed. Rise Up Industries has spent over a decade helping men leave prison with critical trade skills. The nonprofit works to turn felony records into machinist certifications. The program builds in paid apprenticeships along with therapy and case management. The work itself is anything but metaphor. The machine shop fills contracts for aerospace parts and medical devices. They also produce automotive components, camera hardware, faucet parts, BMX parts, and fishing lures. This dose of reality was tailored to fit America’s current situation. The nation infamously tops the Developed World for incarcerated people per capita. Yet, a felony conviction often makes it extremely difficult to find work.
What sets Rise Up apart is the data. The organization tracks its own graduates. Their results show only 3% of program graduates re-offend over a 3-year horizon. This statistic stands in stark contrast to the national rate. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports a roughly 66% recidivism rate for former inmates over the same period. The program combines technical training with mental health support. Komisi Savaiinaea knows this approach well. He served more than two decades in prison. Upon release, he faced the daunting task of re-entering society with a felony record. He admitted to feeling very intimidated and skeptical about the whole process. He had not been in a classroom in many years. He also described himself as not too savvy with technology. This combination of factors made him fearful of the unfamiliar equipment.
However, the atmosphere in the Rise Up shop put him at ease. After touring the facility and speaking with current members, his perspective shifted. He noticed that the men on the machines had no prior machining experience either. This realization was powerful. One tutor on the machining floor helped with trigonometry. Komisi observed that if these gentlemen on the floor could learn it, he could too. He believed in himself and his ability to succeed. Looking back, he considered what he had to lose. He knew that without a trade, his other option would likely be working at construction sites. This work is often paycheck to paycheck and temporary. He chose a path of skill and stability instead.
Komisi’s journey did not stop at graduation. He recently took a position as a supervisor in the machine shop. He is described as a consistent source of encouragement and guidance for current participants. He believes his approach is more gentle because he can relate to their situation better. This allows him to continue his own learning while serving others. His life outside prison has also improved. He is a cancer survivor who took a pause in his work between 2023 and 2024. He has utilized therapy to support his role as a husband of more than 30 years. He has been with his wife through periods of dysfunction and addiction. He says coming home in a responsible state of mind in a pro-social setting looks different.
Another participant, Anthony Walkens, shares a similar story of long-term incarceration. In 1998, Walkens was found guilty of gang-related homicide charges. He was sentenced to 55 years to life. He served 47 years in correctional institutes throughout California. His eligibility for parole is set for 2025. When he first entered the Rise Up Industries machining apprenticeship program, he felt overwhelmed. He thought he had bit off more than he could chew. The welcome he received from people like Komisi reassured him that he would be able to do the work. Walkens noted that Komisi had a similar experience when he started. Coming from the same scenario as Anthony, seeing Komisi succeed made the environment more comfortable.
Executive Director Jonathan Yackley explained the strategic choice of CNC machining. He stated that San Diego has a strong advanced manufacturing sector. There is a significant need for skilled workers in the region. This made machining the central employment pathway in the program. Yackley emphasized that technical training alone is often not enough. He noted that someone can leave incarceration with a certificate and still face isolation, trauma, and instability. These factors contributed to the original incarceration. Sustainable change happens when demanding career training is combined with behavioral health care. The program also provides case management and a community where people know they belong. Komisi is a powerful example of this success. The leadership skills he once used in prison now help him supervise a manufacturing team.
The shop floor is a place of activity and industry. The employees and apprentices work on parts for a variety of industries. This includes everything from aerospace components to fishing lures. The physical work provides structure and dignity. Walkens describes the workspace as "really a beautiful place." He compares it to "kind of like a family setting." The combination of skilled trade work and emotional support creates a powerful environment for change.
First reported by Good News Network.
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