Twenty four inmates graduated in June from Centerforce’s 12-week Peer Health Education training.
There were two classes of 12 men; one on Tuesday, the other on Thursday. Both completed training on subjects such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), various forms of Hepatitis A, B and C, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
According to Angel Falcone-Alvarez, an inmate Peer Health Educator for five years, other topics covered during the classes were personal health values, cultural humility, how individuals change behavior and communication skills.
“I got a more clear understanding of STDs, STI and HIV,” said Rodney Goldson. “I highly recommend the class so people will have a better understanding of HIV/AIDS and not have a phobia about it.” Upon his release he says he will work with a minorities AIDS project in the Los Angeles community.
Jessica Osorio, Peer Health Education Program Supervisor, said this was her fifth graduation, adding that because both classes were smaller, it helped everyone get comfortable with each other.
“We were able to get more in-depth,” said Osorio. “The questions and topics we cover are driven by the concerns of the men in blue. It gives them a lot of information they can relay to their friends and families in the community.”
Osorio said several Peer Health Educators have been released from prison and continue to educate, “and that’s always a good thing to see.”
Keeping with training tradition, class participants were encouraged to continue to stay abreast of health issues and to make good use of the knowledge they acquired.
“This is one of the best certificates I ever received. It has my full name on it,” said Donald Walker. “I never knew there were two types of tuberculosis.” He said that he also learned about HIV/AIDS and about different categories of germs.
During each graduation ceremony, there is a ritual where the men form a circle, take a ball of string and toss it to a classmate on the other side of the circle. Each man then wraps it around his hand three times as they say, “Luz, vida, esperanza,” (which means: light, life, hope) and share an experience or something they learned during the 12 weeks.
The process is repeated until they form a web in the center of the circle symbolizing their bond and common humanity.
“From the outside looking in, I see that participation is vital to help others including myself,” said Joel Moore, 29, an inmate volunteer Peer Health Educator (PHE) who helps with logistics and other details.
Walter “OT” Johnson has been a PHE for one year. He said he completed the training in 2012. “I was amazed at how much influence the guys in blue had on the class.”
This was inmate Tommy Ross Shakur’s second graduation as a PHE. He said during the class there was a misconception about the number of inmates with hepatitis. “In this class they were engaging with their participation. Some guys challenged the education but that was OK.”
“Centerforce is awesome,” said Falcone-Alvarez. Like his colleagues he said he recommends all inmates take time to learn what the program has to offer.
“The level of intellect and curiosity was different (in these classes). They asked important questions,” said Lonnie Morris, who has been a PHE for 10 years. He has seen hundreds of men graduate from the program.
According to Osorio, PHEs are currently helping to coordinate the World AIDS Day event to be held at San Quentin in December to provide education on the state of HIV/AIDS. She said there will be a ceremony in the Protestant Chapel with outside guests and community groups.
Centerforce is one of the longest running groups at San Quentin, founded in 1975.
For more than 16 years, Centerforce has provided its peer education class at San Quentin. It also provides parolees with housing referrals, links individuals with chronic illnesses to transitional case management providers and assists with education and employment goals.
Centerforce is a nonprofit organization funded by donations and grants. It is a primary sponsor of the Annual Health Fair at San Quentin along with TRUST and the Alameda County Public Health Department.
At San Quentin, Centerforce is led under the direction of Dr. Julie Lifshay, Health and Special Projects Manager.
