The San Quentin Rehabilitation Center’s Prison to Employment Connection program celebrated its 10th anniversary with two ceremonies in December 2024. PEC integrated successful employers interested in helping residents to achieve the program’s motto: “A better way out.”
After 14 weeks of intense job preparation and interview training, participants’ hard work and preparation concluded during the highly anticipated Employer Day, which allowed participants to try their new skills before graduating from the program.
PEC designed its job preparation to focus on teaching residents how to write résumés, learn interview skills, and build confidence by meeting with employers, volunteers, and reentry professionals.
“We are all here today to connect with each other, so employers and residents can together create possibilities,” said host and PEC Executive Director Sumer Schulze.
Schulze explained that residents would gain motivation and hope for the future after meeting with potential employers through this venue. “We all know it’s easier to get a job if you know somebody,” Schulze said, adding, “this personal connection empowers them to believe that success is within their reach.”
Before the interviews began, the program told participants to imagine that the interviews would take place in an office setting, rather than in a prison.
Participants greeted 27 employers as they moved from one station to the next, answering questions, presenting résumés, and making connections. Caltrans, Farming Hope, Goodwill, Iron Workers 378, and Forestry Fire, were among those volunteering their time and experience for the job readiness-training program.
The program distributed information pamphlets about apprenticeship programs, job resource centers, and financial aid opportunities to all participants.
Volunteer participant Caroline Norton from The Last Mile coding program said, “TLM helps people build the tactful skills that are needed to get jobs when they get home,” Norton said. “[PEC] builds the confidence necessary to present really well in an interview.”
PEC alumnus John Levin, 64, said he facilitated for the program for the last two years. “[PEC] gave me the opportunity to fine-tune the skills learned in the program, while allowing me to teach others how to combat some difficult obstacles they will face when released,” said Levin. “We teach these guys how to talk about their incarceration in a positive way.”
Levin said PEC would not want residents to hide the fact of their incarceration from employers. Instead, PEC encouraged them to show the important lessons and skills they have learned during their incarceration and that they have improved themselves. Levin added that PEC believed this strategy would give employers insight as to how they could turn into assets for their companies.
Employers provided verbal feedback during the interview process and completed a written assessment for each candidate.
“Wow! We would hire him in a minute,” wrote one employer on graduate Joseph Toy’s interview review.
Resident Brian O’Quin’s, 34, assessment said he “should have no problem finding a job.”
“Articulate and professional,” appeared on graduate Marcus Casillas’ review. Casillas, 36, said he felt lucky to be a part of something that has a direct impact on his future.
“Getting a job that can turn into a career is my entire focus right now,” said Casillas. “Thanks to [PEC], I’ve made connections to help me take steps towards success.”
PEC hosts said they liked helping incarcerated people make smooth transitions into society while giving them the confidence to integrate into their communities.
“I know I have value that extends beyond these walls,” said graduate Eric Bergen, 64.
Since the spring of 2014, PEC Employment Readiness Workshops have taught incarcerated persons the reentry skills needed to secure employment upon release.
According to Schulze, the catalyst that brought about creation of the program in 2012 happened when a San Quentin resident approached volunteer Diana Williams with a vision of helping incarcerated people find gainful employment. Two years later, San Quentin held its first PEC graduation. Williams passed away a year ago.
Resident PEC facilitator Angel Alverez, 52, honored Williams by saying she would always let employers and volunteers know that because of them, residents would gain the skills they needed for a second chance.
“Williams would say nobody is born with experience. You have to learn by trying and finding out what works,” said Alvarez.
Alvarez also acknowledged program manager Gabrielle Nicolet as one of the key elements to the success of the program. “Nicolet has been a huge part of PEC since 2017, showing up every Thursday night to teach interview skills and to coach participants.”
“[PEC] connects participants to their values, strengths, skills, visions, and inherent worth as a human being,” said Schulze.
