Featured Story

Terence, 47

Terence, 47

My education has given me the clarity and understanding of how to be accountable. It’s like I have the answers to the test. The test of life. I’m a work in progress which started when I enrolled in the Hudson Link- Mercy College. Today I can say that I don’t hate myself anymore. I’ve even started to learn to like myself and maybe one day I’ll learn to love myself too.

Terence, 47

My education has given me the clarity and understanding of how to be accountable. It’s like I have the answers to the test. The test of life. I’m a work in progress which started when I enrolled in the Hudson Link- Mercy College. Today I can say that I don’t hate myself anymore. I’ve even started to learn to like myself and maybe one day I’ll learn to love myself too.

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Mark, 43

Mark, 43

Meet Mark... When I put this uniform on I’m not a prisoner anymore - I’m an athlete. I'm daydreaming about freedom before game time, the American flag is a symbol of that. I wanted to play in the major leagues so I’m living my dream today, wearing...

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Timothy, 51

Timothy, 51

Meet Timothy... I am still feeling the shine from holding my nine month old grandson for the first time this morning in the visiting room. I am still feeling the shine from holding my nine month old grandson for the first time this morning in the...

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James, 49

James, 49

Meet James... I did not know how addictive the street life was. On the real, I could not escape it. I’m kicking it with Coco. He’s a brilliant student in a class that I help teach. Back in the day, on the streets, we would have never talked to each...

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Thomas, 49

Thomas, 49

Meet Thomas...I’m just enjoying the day, eating an apple, the sun is shining. I'm going to work in a substance abuse program where I work as a mentor. My job is to help people who are going through what I went through - the pain and suffering that...

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Demond, 48

Demond, 48

Meet Demond...This is my comedian friend, Durr. He’s always telling jokes and I wonder how he keeps smiling after spending more than 30 years in prison.  Most people in prison, whatever they’ve done to get here, stealing, gang banging, it was all...

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Anthony “Bootsy”, 59

Anthony “Bootsy”, 59

Meet Anthony "Bootsy"...I feel blessed and privileged to see 12 inside guys play the Golden State Warriors and entertain 2,000 guys in here. People don't think we have the capacity.  Today, I can feel the joy and I can see the excitement on the...

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Fateen, 43

Fateen, 43

Meet Fateen...I'm happy to be leaving the captivity of prison - the nasty food and small cells, the limitations of movement - the sometimes feeling of nobody-less - and the chains of degradation. I am good at finding joy wherever I'm at and that...

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Dre, 54

Dre, 54

Meet Dre... ...being able to have communication with understanding and knowledge is a key factor, it makes it easier to survive in the world. At my first understanding, life consists of stop, go, unease and ease. One understanding came into...

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Clifford, 62

Clifford, 62

Meet Clifford... Mama, you’re the real MVP.  I am waiting for the arrival of Kevin Durant, the basketball player. He’s coming to visit San Quentin. It is an opportunity to see this great athlete.  I remember the acceptance speech that he gave for...

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Nythell, 44

Nythell, 44

Meet Nythell... This opened the door for me to become vulnerable and ready for the long journey of transformation and rehabilitation that keeps me going even now. This opened the door for me to become vulnerable and ready for the long journey of...

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