Calipatria State Prison hosts “Day of Peace and Reconciliation Ceremony”

CALIPATRIA, Calif. (KYMA, KECY)- Frank Beatty is currently serving a 15-year sentence at Calipatria State Prison for assault with a deadly weapon. He like many other inmates hope to find redemption for his crimes.

"It gave me some time to reflect. To ponder, to make some decisions in my life. Not only for myself but for my family. You know I've got a young beautiful daughter that I live for now. You know these past three years have been the most rockiest but the most beneficial."

On Thursday, prisons across the golden state held a "Peace For Reconciliation Ceremony" in hopes that it'll motivate inmates to find their path as they continue to serve time.

 Frances Hernandez, the Community Resources Manager for Calipatria State Prison said, "These events open their eyes to what the possibility of being incarcerated can be. A lot of inmates feel that one they're in prison,  their lives are over. But this gives them an idea of more. That they can have a purpose and that they can help by being incarcerated. So it does give them an idea that they can do better."

Benzion Leu, a Rabbi at the prison said the ceremony also highlighted how more needs to be done in the prison system.

"Let's help them out. What can we do to stop the trend of suicides? Of infighting. So fighting amongst each other or fighting among the different cliques or gangs and stuff like that. What can we give. What kind of tools, what kind of inspirations can we give?"

Beatty said thanks to rehabilitation programs offered by the state, he can be a contributing member to society after finishing his sentence.

Beatty added, "We have an opportunity to be men, to grow. To make wiser decisions going forward. And you know the administration is doing everything they can to help us. And that path that we all need to be successful and productive."

Calipatria State Prison officials hope the "Peace for Reconciliation Ceremony" can be an annual event.