
Fritzi Horstman brings Compassion Prison Project to SQ
On Oct. 22, Compassion Prison Project held it first Trauma Talks Symposium at San Quentin State Prison.
The event was held on the prison’s Lower Yard inside the Addiction Recovery Counseling building. Approximately 70 incarcerated residents sat in a large circle to listen to the program’s guidance. The host and CCP founder Fritzi Horstman greeted everyone and welcomed them into the room.
“I am here to help you guys find who you are, we are here to help,” Horstman said.
The Trauma Talks Symposium helps people process traumatic experiences that took place in their life. Prior to coming to SQ, CPP held a similar event at Lancaster State Prison, were 235 incarcerated men took steps inside the circle of trauma, according to the Prison Project.
When Horstman asked the men how many of them were raised in an adverse environment, the majority of the attendees raised their hand. Horstman described “three types of poisons” that participants had encountered as “hate, greed, and ignorance, that can be combatted with love, compassion, and empathy.”
Horstman then asked how many people felt they were in a safe place, and most of the crowd raised their hand.
“Our limbic system is still surveying the situation, wondering to fight or flight,” she said. Horstman asked the audience why they were in prison. Some answered “violence and belief systems.”
You are in prison, it’s just that, you are not your past. “Leaders and change-makers are locked up for no reason,” Horstman said.
The incarcerated attendees were asked to stand and come into the circle of trauma. The host asked ten questions related to physical and emotional abuse. Participants who had experienced any of these trauma-related issues were asked to take a step forward.
By the time the last question was asked, almost everyone was standing in the middle of the room facing each other. Horstman then asked everyone to return to their seated area. Another ten questions were asked concerning domestic violence. The results were the same as before.
The last part of the trauma exercise was to show empathy for correctional officers. Horstman asked the men to put themselves in the shoes of a correctional staff member, as if they had been asked to compromise the integrity of their correctional duties, or witnessed a murder or a violent assault in prison.
There were ten questions in all, and just like before, everyone stepped forward.
Horstman then conducted a symmetric exercise called the banana dance, and told the audience to follow her lead. She led the group in a dance routine that seemed to lighten spirits, since people were smiling as they danced and chanted the banana song.
“I arrived here with no experience of prison,” CPP instructor Dave said. ”We have met some extraordinary people.”
Trauma separates, and community heals, Horstman said. She pointed out that the Gazebos on the Yard are placed in segregated areas, and challenged the incarcerated men to desegregate San Quentin, suggesting that the residents take a vote to decide whether or not to desegregate the yard.
Incarcerated cartoonist Jessie Milo tore a piece of paper from his notebook, and made a makeshift ballot. He drew a box that said “segregate SQ,” and another one that said “desegregate SQ.”
Milo looked up for a moment, before checking the box that said “desegregate SQ.”
“There is no Black or White, male or female, we are all divine human beings,” Horstman said. “When we dehumanize other people, we do it to ourselves.”
Horstman plans to bring correctional officers and the incarcerated together for a truth and reconciliation forum.
People can reach out to Compassion Prison Project, 8726 Sepulveda Blvd. Suite D #4201 Los Angeles, CA 90045 / Compassion Prison Project.org