📰 Breaking Barriers Behind Bars: Florida Woman Becomes First Female CDL Graduate at Walton County Jail

DeFuniak Springs, FL — In a groundbreaking achievement, 25-year-old Ajiah Gee has become the first female inmate to graduate from the Walton County Jail’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program, earning her Class A CDL with no restrictions. The milestone marks a significant step forward for rehabilitation efforts in Florida’s correctional system, and a powerful example of second chances in action.

According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Gee completed the rigorous training and testing required to obtain her license, including written exams, road skills assessments, and hands-on vehicle operation. She also earned endorsements for Double/Triple Trailers (“T”) and Tankers (“N”), expanding her qualifications for future employment in the trucking industry.

“Getting a CDL in Florida isn’t easy,” said the Sheriff’s Office. “These accomplishments take hard work, dedication, and determination. All qualities Ajiah has shown every step of the way while working alongside her instructor, Tim Castiglione”.

The CDL program is funded entirely through inmate welfare dollars, with the goal of equipping incarcerated individuals with marketable skills that can help them reintegrate into society upon release. The Sheriff’s Office emphasized its motto: Recovery, not recidivism—a philosophy that drives its investment in vocational training and education.

Gee’s achievement comes amid a broader push to expand opportunities for female inmates in Walton County. Earlier this year, the jail also launched a heavy machinery training program for women, further demonstrating its commitment to breaking down gender barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries.

Ajiah Gee is currently serving a 364-day sentence for a felony violation of probation. Her scheduled release date is September 18, 20253—and with her new CDL in hand, she’ll be stepping into a future filled with possibility.

If you know of other inspiring stories of rehabilitation, second chances, or community impact, we’d love to hear them. Let’s keep shining a light on the paths that lead forward.