On August 6, California witnessed a historic moment for state prisons, and a dedicated barber saw his dream come into fruition.
Victor Fontanez, known as “VicBlends” on social media, is an entrepreneur and professional barber who first gained popularity from his motivational content on Instagram and TikTok. Sharing his journey from cutting hair in his mom’s garage to building a successful career providing services to celebrities and athletes, he inspired millions with his perseverance and passion for helping those in need. Now, after four years of hard work and tedious planning, he is bringing his skill and compassion to some of those who need it most – prison inmates.
Fontanez has long expressed a desire to uplift others, giving free haircuts to people on the street and even founding an online barber academy. Still, he wanted to do something more, and in 2021, he set out to establish the first licensed barber school in a California State Prison in the Central Valley.
Fontanez partnered with the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), a non-profit organization that seeks to empower formerly and currently incarcerated individuals. Scott Budnick, co-founder of ARC, was completely on board with Fontanez’s mission.
“At ARC, we’ve seen firsthand how access to real career pathways – not just jobs – can completely change the trajectory of someone’s life after prison,” said Budnick in an interview with Deadline. “It’s not just about reducing recidivism, it’s about restoring dignity, purpose, and long-term stability. To see someone like Vic lead the charge is transformational.”
With the support of Budnick and many other instructors, advocates, and friends, Fontanez was finally able to open the VicBlends Academy Vocational Program at the Men’s Valley State Prison in Chowchilla, California.
It is the first of its kind to offer licenses to inmates, setting them up for success when they get out of prison. The shop has been masterfully renovated for a professional modern look, and its detailed wall paintings done by incarcerated artist Daniel Garcia exist as a testament to the greatness inmates are capable of if given the opportunity.
“Our goal is to break the cycle of incarceration and recidivism trap that many communities suffer from,” said Fontanez to Deadline.
“We hope that prisons across the nation will take notice and open their eyes to what real rehabilitation can look like,” he added.
Fontanez is indeed doing much more than just teaching inmates how to cut hair. He is giving them a chance to discover a passion, fuel their ambition, and reinvent themselves in all the ways the prison system has predetermined they cannot.
According to the National Institute of Justice, meta-analyses found that there were significant reductions in recidivism (including reoffending, rearrest, reconviction, reincarceration, and technical parole violations) for inmates who participated in vocational training programs, compared to inmates who did not participate. Some studies indicate the reduction of recidivism to be as high as 36%. With a vocational program that offers actual licensing, this number has the potential to grow even more.
Fontanez and Budnick have received an overwhelmingly positive reaction from the public, many affirming the value of in-prison opportunities. One user on Instagram shares, “These men deserve the benefit of the doubt as well as a chance to succeed in life. You’re giving them just that, as well as a little bit of hope that every human being needs.”
Incarceration is a brutal consequence of behavior that is often circumstantial. Inmates don’t always deserve punishment; sometimes, they simply require redirection and rehabilitation to improve themselves and the path they’re on. The VicBlends Academy is not just a school; it is a gateway for inmates to transform themselves and reenter society with new skills, a positive mindset, and determination to keep going.
