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In 2014, The Last Mile launched the first computer coding curriculum in a United States prison.
In 2014, The Last Mile launched the first computer coding curriculum in a United States prison (Code.7370), in partnership with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and CalPIA. The men learn HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and Python. In addition to these front end skills, the curriculum will expand to include web and logo design, data visualization and UX/UI.
Since Internet access is not allowed in prison, programs are taught without connectivity. To overcome this challenge we created a proprietary programming platform that simulates a live coding experience. Imagine, software engineers who are judged by the quality of the code they develop, not by the stigma of criminality.
It is predicted that there will be a shortfall of 1 million software engineering jobs in 2020. The TLM “returned graduates” will be positioned well to leverage this opportunity and support our mission to reduce recidivism by attaining gainful employment.
Chris Redlitz
Co-Founder, Chairman
The Last Mile
Chris Redlitz is the Managing Partner of Transmedia Capital, one of the top performing venture funds in Silicon Valley, focused on early stage digital media, SaaS and e-commerce platforms. Chris has been on the forefront of emerging technologies since the initial commercialization of the web, as a founder and executive team member of several successful technology companies. Chris has been an advisor, mentor and investor to many tech companies over the last 20 years, and he received Ad Age’s prestigious i20 award for his contributions to the development of interactive marketing and advertising. Earlier in his career, Chris was part of Reebok’s explosive growth where he held positions in sales and marketing and also owned one of the first specialty sports retail chains in Southern California. Chris is utilizing his business background to help transform the California Corrections system through The Last Mile technology training program. Chris’ goal is to create a successful template for The Last Mile that can be expanded nationally within the next 5 year.
Beverly Parenti
Co-Founder, Executive Director
The Last Mile
Beverly Parenti is a serial entrepreneur, specializing in disruptive technologies. Beverly has been an integral part of emerging technology companies, including online payment solutions, e-commerce, financial services, advertising, and consumer products. She transitioned into technology as a founding member of First Virtual Holdings, the first secure online payment system that she helped take public. Ms. Parenti has worked in a variety of management positions for KickLabs, Decision Maker Media, Adauction.com, ImpulseBuy, ThinkingVoice, Feedster, Skyrider, and most recently GM at FACTORY, an innovation hub in San Francisco. She enjoys being a mentor to many aspiring women entrepreneurs and is also a yoga and dance enthusiast.
Along with longtime business partner and husband, Chris Redlitz, she launched their non-profit, The Last Mile (TLM), in 2010, at San Quentin State Prison. The goal of TLM is to provide education and training inside prison, that can result in gainful employment upon reentry, thereby reducing recidivism and redirect spending from prisons to education. TLM has become one of the most requested prison education programs in the United States. It's the first program to offer a computer programming curriculum that teaches men and women to become software engineers. TLM will be in six prisons (including two women's facilities) in 2016.