The San Quentin T.R.U.S.T. for the Development of Incarcerated Men will hold its 8th annual graduation for 2011 graduates. Over 250 men have graduated from T.R.U.S.T. since its inception. The group provides workshops as tools to help men rehabilitate themselves.
T.R.U.S.T. (Teaching Responsibility Utilizing Sociological Training) also sponsors the T.R.U.S.T. Health Fair, cultural events, concerts, sporting events, and fundraisers. It recently voted in six new Trustfellows, including current Patten University students, recent Patten graduates, a graduate of the Coastline College Business program, and two of the three 2011 valedictorians.
“Asked on the Line” interviewed the sponsors of the group. Chief sponsor Dee Winn is secretary to the associate warden of healthcare, who learned about T.R.U.S.T. through the Trustfellows.
“I really admire their sincerity and dedication to helping fellow inmates so that they never come back to prison,” said Winn.
Executive Adviser Kathleen Jackson has been with the T.R.U.S.T. since 2007. “I admire the men’s belief in the idea that men can change and make a commitment to helping others do the same,” she said.
Volunteer sponsor Linda Mechner-Partida has been with T.R.U.S.T. since 2009. A professional health coach, she is interested in promoting a culture of health within the prison. “Habits are contagious and I want to teach the men healthy habits. Most people outside have no idea, and would be blown away, of how intelligent and well-spoken these men are on the inside.”
Another volunteer sponsor, Linda Dolan, worked as a manager in the legal field before embarking as a student to earn her Ph.D. in psychology. “I like the human resources that the men have in the group. As facilitators they are incredibly powerful and open-minded with a sincere desire to help others,” she said.
The T.R.U.S.T. curriculum offers a broad range of helpful sociological tools for men who want to commit to change. The group can attest to the fact that lifers who were involved with the T.R.U.S.T., and went home, have transitioned well and none have re-offended.
The San Quentin T.R.U.S.T., which officially started on Aug. 11, 2003, has gone through some social challenges over the years, but is continuously re-assessing itself to improve its ability to serve and support the men at San Quentin. One Trustfellow described the T.R.U.S.T. as “a great group of men and women who are giving back with the hope of changing liabilities into assets.”
To learn more about the San Quentin T.R.U.S.T., its mission, upcoming events, workshops, sponsors, or about its members, go to its website: sanquentintrust.org, or on Facebook: sanquentintrustfellows and click to “Like” them.
