Caitlin Cat Comella

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT CAITLIN CAT COMELLA

Hello! I\'m Cat, a first-year Master of Social Welfare (MSW) student at the University of California, Los Angeles, on track to graduate in Spring 2027. I recently earned my B.A. in Psychology, B.A. in Sociology, and a minor in Legal Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz, graduating cum laude with honors in Psychology and highest honors in Sociology.My academic and professional journey is driven by a deep commitment to understanding the intersections of human behavior, social identity, and systemic inequities, particularly within the criminal legal system. I aspire to become a forensic social worker, advocating for and supporting individuals impacted by incarceration.I am especially passionate about working with LGBTQIA2S+ populations, who face distinct challenges in navigating carceral environments. Through my MSW training at UCLA, I aim to deepen my expertise in the areas of incarceration, reentry, and justice reform, while centering the voices and experiences of marginalized communities.Key Areas of Interest-Abolition of Prisons: Understanding that the primary mode of rehabilitation in prisons within the United States is punishment, which is linked to a high recidivism rate, as well as physical and mental harm to incarcerated people and their loved ones-Intersectionality: Analyzing how overlapping identities and social categorizations such as race, class, gender, and sexual orientation influence experiences of those who have been through the criminal legal system-Advocacy for Oppressed and Marginalized Individuals: Creating space for underrepresented people to share their experiences, and work towards creating solutions which are designed for them.