A second chance at a diploma

In joining dozens of other inmates currently in the jail’s Five Keys Program, Cearley revisited the geometry and algebra concepts he needed to master so he could earn his diploma. Aimed at providing adults and transitional-age youth a chance to restart their education, the program’s curriculum is designed to be relevant to adults and incarcerated students and is aligned with state education standards. 

Having completed general math before he entered the program, Cearley said he had moments when he was frustrated with geometry and algebra homework, which required him to use a formula to calculate the distance between two points, a concept that didn’t come naturally for him. 

But with many hours of studying and the help of instructors and his fellow classmates in the Five Keys Program, Cearley obtained his high school diploma while serving his jail sentence — and not a day too soon. Along with three other inmates, he received his diploma Friday, Oct. 26, with one day to go before his release from jail Saturday. 

“This was like a whole different language to me,” he said, of algebra and geometry. “I never thought I’d be able to do that.” 

By studying subjects like nutrition, essay writing, history and mathematics, among others, inmates in the Five Keys Program spend many hours studying with teachers and in groups, said Emily Gable, an instructor in the program. She acknowledged starting school again as an adult can be daunting for students in the program, and noted the community of inmates re-entering into their studies together can make a big difference in the success of those who graduate.

“It’s really a courageous thing to come back to school as an adult,” she said. 

Nicole Hayes, in-custody case manager supervisor for the Sheriff’s Office’s program services bureau, said the Five Keys Program was first offered in San Mateo County jails in 2016 and is available to any inmate who hasn’t already received a high school diploma, noting nearly 60 inmates in county jails are currently in the program. Because hiring managers are increasingly looking for candidates who have a high school diploma these days, Hayes said the program gives inmates a better shot at more sustainable employment opportunities they can live on once they’re released.

“We think it’s a great asset to the inmates while they’re in custody … to increase their ability to gain employment,” she said. “It’s pretty important to have that high school diploma at this point.”

Having watched her brother Michael Davis graduate from the program Friday, San Carlos resident Sabrina Davis said she had to fight back tears as he walked in a cap and gown to receive his diploma. Michael Davis said he dropped out of high school in the last month of his senior year and has been just a few units short of graduating in the years since then. Having pleaded no contest to charges of identity theft and fraud, Michael Davis said he has been honing skills as a carpenter through a job training program offered at the jail and was motivated to complete his high school requirements through the Five Keys Program so he can get a fresh start when he is released in February. 

Though he said finding time and staying motivated to study and graduate on time was a challenge, for Michael Davis and his sister, the effort was well worth it. For Sabrina Davis, seeing her brother persevere through challenges and complete a degree that’s eluded him for several years was nothing short of inspiring. 

“To see him finish all these years later, it’s really, really awesome,” she said. 

Diploma in hand, Cearley said he will start planning to move to Texas to be closer to his son upon his release. As he looked upon a gathering at his graduation ceremony, Cearley thanked everyone who believed in him and especially his fellow classmates for supporting him in reaching a milestone he had been missing his whole life.

“We made this happen together,” he said, “If I can do it, you can, too.” 

anna@smdailyjournal.com

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