Lost in all of this is that the mentors (ha ha) are not role models, they are ex-cons or parolees, and just might not be giving, ahem, good advice.
And, btw, what about gun laws? Likely all of these gang members carry, and likely none of them have (or even qualify to have) California licenses to do so. Should there not be a weapons accounting on a continual basis? (Maybe there is, I do not know everything about this program.)
And, I saw no metrics of success, in other words, how would Sacto know if the program works? (They will find a way to call the program a success, however, that is how govt works.)
You've heard of the dust bowl exodus? Look for the great Cali Exodus, citizens (real ones) who can't take any more punishment for living in the once golden state.
I write this as a native of Cali, and a happy former citizen of this formerly great state.
Oh my this plan sounds better all the time. I guess we should have waited for all the details before deciding it was a terrible plan.
I think we must have missed the point of the intended outcome. This sounds more like a vocational program for criminals...to make them better criminals. It will likely be very successful at that!