It was murder, kidnap or rape that brought them to this point in their lives.  Some call them victims and some call them survivors.  The word victim seems so callous but as an offender I gave that word its life.  These survivors came to attend a Restorative Justice (“RJ”) Symposium.
The issues were Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration.  Fifty people from around the globe came, and some were victims/survivors, others came to help resolve the problems or our world.
They told haunted stories of being kidnapped, raped, and even the loss of innocence of a 9-year-old child.  I came to RJ to listen to the pain poured out in words; the words expressed and touched the very core of my being.  Even through all their pain, some were able to overcome their hurt and make profound statements of forgiveness, and healing.
One survivor stated, “Even through all my pain some were able to over-come their hurt and make profound statements of forgiveness, and healing.  Another survivor stated, “Even through all my pain, when I first came in today, the only thing I saw, was loving faces.”
Leonard Rubio welcomed everyone at 9:30.  A prayer, written by a condemned prisoner, was read by Robert “Red” Frye.  The sister of Angela Davis, Fania Davis was our first guest speaker.  Davis marched with Dr. King, and played a vital role in the adoption of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  As a lawyer, Ph.D., Freedom Fighter, motivational speaker; a supporter of RJ.
Kevin Penn asked Davis, “Why is Restorative Justice needed?”
“We need to substantiate our spirit,” answered Davis, “It’s headed in the wrong direction.  Restorative Justice helps turn everything around.  Peace isn’t always easy.”
“How has Restorative Justice impacted your life?” he asked next.
“In 1996, I left law practice, and turned towards spiritual healing, anger was a motivation;” answered Davis, “I was ready to bring down the system.  Restorative Justice in Africa gave balance back into my life, which changed my perspective of ‘Screw the white mentality,’ to a more subtle guest of, will this bring more conflict or bring more peace.  Restorative Justice just grounded me.”
At 11:30 there were break-out groups, which consisted of survivors and offenders; they were asked to analyze two questions: What is the impact of violence on victims, survivors, community, and offenders family?   How does RJ apply to you?  After these break outs, we went into other stories from victims/survivors.  A victim by her own son’s actions of murder, Pat Cleveland told of trips she had to endure in order to sustain her family life.
In an interview with Parole Agent “Sharon,” of Victim Services, Kevin Penn asked why RJ was needed from a correctional officer’s point of view.  She stated, “I believe that the power of healing that Restorative Justice brings amazes me, how people sharing their loss helps them.  You know, Restorative Justice is not believed to be accountability, but it is the true essence of accountability.  There are men who need to be in prison.  It angers me that there isn’t more assistance in enlightening the public and the incarcerated on responsibility.”
Kevin Pen then asked, “How has Restorative Justice impacted your life?”
“I was familiar with the concept,” she answered, “and practiced Restorative Justice through my commitment with Victim Services.  Restorative Justice awakened me to ‘live it and be it.’”
Jill Weston of CDCR’s Victim Services stated, “As a 25-year CDCR employee, it’s encouraging to see victims/survivors program offenders put together.  These necessary program are rarely seen, and are a critical part of the ‘R’ in rehabilitation, especially for offenders who will return to our communities.  Restorative Justice creates accountability and an opportunity for offenders to do no further harm.”
Right before the end of our day, we were all mesmerized by Ms. Arlindo Love, who performed a dance.  Ms. Love, being a past offender as well as losing a son to gun violence, is a firm believer in the power of RJ.  “It helps heal the soul and makes the world a better place,” she said, “Restorative Justice means healing for all.”
There was so much pain expressed through testimony, that I myself felt the pain that I caused my family.  Each day I live with the responsibility of what I’ve caused.  Thereby, I acknowledge that rehabilitation is yet to come in my life.  It was sad that the youth in H-Unit weren’t allowed the opportunity of rehabilitation in this program and others like them.  Those are the very ones who will be back in our communities lost: someone dropped the ball.
It makes one wonder who wants to take the “R” out of CDCR and what’s their real motivation.  I’m proud to be a part of the RJ’s table, envisioning ways to give Restorative Justice, one step at a time.
 

 I’ve now come to the realization that even as a three striker, I can recommit myself to our community, out there, where the violence rears its ugly head.
I joined Team Exodus Sept. 6, 2008, and this time, it wasn’t for me. You see, I’ve been indulging myself on positive groups at  San Quentin, from Non-Verbal Communication, Keepin’-It-Real, Day of Peace, and various college courses, just to name a few. Team Exodus gave me an opportunity to give back to the community.
I, as a Team Exodus member and a reporter for the San Quentin News, interviewed a young man concerning what might be done to stop the violence in our communities. My subject was Paul, a 21-year-old resident from West Oakland, incarcerated for drug offenses.
Q: “What is the most important thing that you need to maintain a life free of violence?”  A: “Help like this, because out there I don’t know where to go for help. It’s hard to do the right things I need to do if I don’t know where to go.”
Q: “What curriculum have you taken at SQ?”  A: “The Bridging program. It’s a good program, it helps me to learn to communicate with others as well as my daughter.”
Q: “What’s your biggest fear upon being released?”  A: “Not being able to get a job.”
I assured Paul that the Job Fair was designed to help him realize his employment goals. Along with that, I told him how I once secured a job by volunteering to work for free. I told the supervisor I had nothing better to do but to hang out in the neighborhood, that I’d give him a free eight hours just to stay out of trouble.
Well, I was told to go fill up that wheelbarrow with water, and that’s just not easy. At the end of the day, the boss told me to come on back, and that I was hired. Paul listened with a smile on his face and said, “I’ll remember that and use it if I have to.”
I told Paul to do just that, and, if by chance he wasn’t hired on the spot, he’d certainly be the first one that they’d call in when an opening came up. “I know they will,” was his response to me. And with that, we returned to the rest of my questions for Paul.
Q: “Paul, just exactly what can we do to stop the violence out there?”  A: Paul’s response was beautiful! “Get myself together by getting that job and then talk to the kids, letting them know that’s not it! Spend time with them; listen to them. I really want to do that because I grew up without pops, so I know how that is.”  Q: The last question was “What do you do out there, Paul?”  A: “I sing man, and R&B is my thang.”
And with that, we concluded what had been my first interview as a San Quentin News correspondent. I am grateful for this opportunity to give back to the community, and, in doing so, I was able to reach out and to encourage one young man to make some positive changes in his life, and perhaps even to reach out and help others. What is my benefit? The reawakening of the humankind within myself and the joy to me that it brings Symbiosis.