Testimonials

September 17, 2026

❝ My name is Edgar Garcia, and when I look back at the person I was when I first entered prison compared to the man I am today, I recognize that my transformation did not happen overnight. It happened through years of self-reflection, accountability, education, and the support of people and organizations who believe that change was possible.

One of the most important parts of my transformation has been education. When I came to prison as a young man, I did not fully understand the value of education or how much it could change the way I viewed myself, other people, and the world around me. As I began pursuing my education, something changed in me. Learning became more than earning a diploma or a degree, it became a way for me to challenge the thinking and behaviors that contributed to the decisions I made when I was younger. Education taught me how to think critically, communicate more effectively, accept perspectives different from my own, and examine the consequences of my actions. It gave me confidence that I could become something more than the worst decision I had ever made. After earning my GED, I continued my education, earned my associate degree with honors, and eventually began working toward my bachelor’s degree through Cal State LA. Every step reminded me that growth is possible when you are willing to put in the work.

But I also learned that transformation does not happen alone. Outside resources were instrumental in my growth and especially in my preparation for the parole board. Having people and organizations on the outside willing to provide resources, guidance, encouragement, and honest feedback helped me prepare in ways I could not have done myself. They challenged me to go deeper than simply knowing how to answer questions. They helped me understand that parole preparation was really about understanding myself, my choices, my thinking, the harm I caused, the factors that contributed to my crime, and what I had done to ensure I would never return to that person again. The support I received helped me organize my accomplishments and parole plans, practice communicating what I had learned, identify areas where I still needed growth, and prepare myself mentally and emotionally for one of the most important moments of my life. More importantly, these resources reminded me that there were people outside of these walls who believed rehabilitation was possible while still holding me accountable.

On July 29, 2026, after years of working toward change, I appeared before the Board of Parole Hearings and was found suitable for parole. That moment meant more to me than simply receiving a favorable decision. It represented years of education, programs, difficult self-reflection, accountability, and support coming together. I know that being found suitable does not erase the harm caused by my past. Nothing can undo that. Part of my growth has been learning to live with that truth while making a commitment to live differently and use my experiences in a meaningful way.

Today, I want my education and my experiences to serve a purpose beyond myself. I hope to continue my education and use what I have learned to help others struggling with addiction, incarceration, and reentry. I especially want other incarcerated people to understand the importance of taking advantage of educational opportunities and outside resources. Sometimes in class, one program, one mentor, or one person willing to believe in your ability to change can become the beginning of an entirely different life. I am grateful to every person and organization that invested time and resources into my rehabilitation and parole preparation. You helped give me tools, but you also gave me something equally important: the opportunity to see a future for myself. My journey has taught me that education can open more than doors, it can open a person’s mind. And when education is combined with accountability, support, and genuine willingness to change, transformation is possible. ❞

— Edgar Garcia