A group of violent crime survivors and perpetrators recently came together for a remarkable night of healing.
The Oct. 20 graduation event began with the soaring majesty of a choir, whose words of wisdom ultimately set the tone for the evening in Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel.
It was the concluding evening of The Victim Offender Education Group (VOEG), a 22-week course that covers such topics as crime impact, self as victim, cycle of offense, impact on victims and relapse prevention. At weeks 20 and 21 the VOEG facilitators create a safe space for dialogue with a panel of victims.
This allows victims of violent crimes to share their experiences and the profound effects that crime continues to have on their lives. It is an open dialogue with the convicted men of the program, who are also given an opportunity to outline the impact that their crimes have had on themselves, their victims and society in general.
The cases of the victims and perpetrators are not usually connected. Instead the experience serves as a medium for connecting people that remain in pain.
“This is a historical night in San Quentin,” said Patrick Mims, a co-facilitator of the program. Beginning in 2004, with a class of 13, VOEG has graduated 79 people. Mims spoke for all when he thanked The Insight Prison Project Executive Director Jacques Verduin, Restorative Justice Program Manager Rochelle Edwards, and VOEG facilitator Jack Dyson for their foresight in creating this program and Warden Robert L. Ayers, Jr., Deputy Chief Max Lemon and Community Partnership Manager Laura Bowman for allowing programs like these to become commonplace at San Quentin.
Edwards took center stage and first thanked her guests, the survivors of violent crimes. She also thanked The San Quentin administration, IPP represented by Verduin, IPP Program Director James Fox and Associate Director/VOEG facilitator Jamie Karroll, VOEG facilitator Jack Dyson, VOEG co-facilitators William Amos, Robert Frye, Patrick Mims, Dennis Pratt, Leonard Rubio and Phillip “P.J.” Seiler.
Finally she offered tearful, heartfelt thanks to her husband for his encouragement and support. Edwards spoke of the commitment and dedication the graduates maintained during the 12-month course that went four months beyond schedule. “We were at the one year mark and you were asking me when we were going to graduate. In as much as I wanted for you to graduate, I just was not ready to let you go. Now that you are here, I want to let you know that I am so happy that we had the extra time. I am very proud of you.”
Edwards went on to give special thanks to all invited guests and Catholic Chaplain Father Stephen Barber in his tireless efforts in supporting Restorative Justice Projects.
Guest speaker Brian Smith, who paroled from San Quentin in 2007, gave a moving, inspirational speech on how he does his very best to be a force of change to those who remain in the clenches of negativity, self-loathing and addiction. Employed as an addiction counselor at a local substance abuse center, Brian said, “Change begins in the here and now and not in the hereafter. I changed my life because it was not just the right thing to do; it was the only thing to do. My change was not for the parole board, not for family, not for somebody else. It was for me. It is up to you how you want your new beginning to end. I know that you can and will do it.”
Several members of VOEG Next Step graduation class of 2008 spoke of their appreciation for the program, the facilitators and group members.
Ronald Martin said, “Through this program, my life is definitely changed forever.”
Bobby Brown spoke of “the opportunity to connect and find growth in the process.”
Darnell Hill vowed that he will “continue to do everything I can to become a source of change in the lives of those who desire to do so. Don’t listen to what I say, watch what I do.”
Steve Higueret said he is “thankful and grateful for who I am today and most assuredly will never hurt anyone ever again.”
Richard Lindsey added, “It’s about doing the work!”
Greg Sanders spoke on how VOEG has allowed him to “become a better man through and through.”
Albert Hernandez says that VOEG has “taught me special lessons that I can share for a lifetime.”
Juan Navarette thanked VOEG for the opportunity to serve others.
Harry Barton said that he has “learned a great deal about my crime, myself, and the lives of others.”
Tuan Tran stated that VOEG has “raised his consciousness to understand the impact that I caused in the life of my victim’s family.”
James Houston stated that he is most thankful that VOEG “allowed me to become accountable and responsible for my crime, to find the courage to forgive my father and challenged me to listen, speak and be heard.”
Demetrius Daniel credits VOEG for his “continued commitment and focus in being a mentor to those who endure their own difficult circumstances.”
Edwards, Dyson, Karroll and Verduin presented diplomas to each of the graduates of VOEG. At the end of the diploma presentation, Verduin presented Edwards with a purple leather- bound journal from a group of women in Nepal, which will be signed on an individual page by each VOEG NEXT STEP graduate.
Additionally, there was a wide variety of commentary from participants, administration and guests.
Bowman said she was delighted on how well the event turned out. “What a night! The program was excellent. I am looking forward to the next series of graduations.”
Fox commented on a personal level how profound the evening was for him. “Just take a look around you; there is a great deal of healing in this place.”
Former ARC/ACT I&II Director Claire Elizabeth DeSophia said that she was impressed on how well organized the event was. “I appreciate how each graduate spoke from the heart on how the VOEG program has changed their lives and how the spirit of the choir in music and singing rang through.”
Smith added, “What more can I say? There is a great sense of purpose in this place. I can see and feel positive change here. I was pleased to be involved.”
At the conclusion of this historic evening, the East Bay Church of Religious Science choir, graduates and audience formed a circle and sang a song of joy and healing.
Verduin summed up the evening in only one word: “Awesome.”
