WATSONVILLE, Calif. -- Anthony Ruffo never thought jail would have a high point. On Wednesday it did, when he and a handful of other Santa Cruz County inmates became the first class to graduate from the RISE program.
"There's a saying that rings in my head constantly," said Ruffo, sitting on the grounds of the Rountree detention facility on Wednesday afternoon. "It wasn't my fault for falling down, but it is my responsibility for getting back up."
RISE, which stands for "Reclaiming Integrity, Self-Awareness and Empowerment," provides a select group of inmates at the medium-security facility with a dedicated support structure. Ruffo and 10 others have just completed phase one, a 10-week session that included personal instruction in the classroom. Now it's on to the second phase, which will include occupational training.
"This has actually given me skills instead of new tattoos or criminal thinking," said Zack Wise. "This is going to give me something that is really useful in life. How can I go wrong there?"
The program was designed with money from public safety realignment, or AB 109. The law, which went into effect last October, transitioned responsibility of low-level offenders from state prisons to county jails.
Correctional supervisor Louis Hevia said RISE is specifically tailored for inmates who would otherwise go to prison, but are now housed in jail. He said the change in each inmate's demeanor and sense of self has been tremendous.
"Initially, they were guarded," said Hevia. "Most of these gentlemen have been through programs before and, for one reason or another, it didn't take. This is a different approach."
"What makes me feel proud is I'm once again leading," said Ruffo. "I had a pro surfing career, so I feel like I have a purpose again. We're the first class, leading and opening the door for other inmates to follow."
Ruffo added that surfing isn't his main priority right now. Instead, he's squarely focused on recovery from drug troubles.
At Wednesday's graduation, Ruffo and his fellow classmates were honored for their achievement. The number of inmates graduating recently fell by one to 11 when a RISE member was released -- but Hevia said he hoped he would come back to celebrate.
