After half his life in prison, Touly Vang is scheduled to parole from San Quentin. He is determined to be a positive role model and a voice that speaks out against gang violence in the Hmong community.
“When I was found suitable for parole I was basically in disbelief,” Vang said. “I had to hear it a couple of times to make sure it was what I heard.” When it registered, Vang said, he thought about his family and friends who helped him prepare for his parole board hearing.
“I thought of the family of the victim, Khao Heu. I thought about his mother and sister,” said Vang. “I thought was I worthy, if 18 years was enough after I took a human life.” When asked if that answer had been given, Vang said yes it had. Now his goal is to give a lot more back to the Hmong community.
“I was self-destructive and angry. I tried to find my way and couldn’t,” said Vang. “Prison taught me to be independent but also to be humble and seek others’ advice.”
Vang credits San Quentin’s programs, Addiction Rehabilitation Center (ARC), Non-violent Communication (NVC), Guiding Rage into Power (GRIP), Impact, Kairos, and Prison University Project (PUP), for instilling the direction he now has. “Impact’s violence prevetion module is what clicked for me today. When I’m angry I know violence isn’t going to straighten out the situation,” Vang said. “I know not to meet the same energy with anger.”
He thanked Jacques Verduin, a volunteer who teaches GRIP, and Katargeo for helping him. “Jacques is an inspiration. His help is genuine,” said Vang. “With PUP I stepped out of my comfort zone going to college. They challenged me and taught me self worth plus the value of education.”
Born in a refugee camp in Thailand, his family fled to the Philippines after a civil war broke out there. Later they would move again. “We came to America,” said Vang. Suddenly he found himself lured into a new battle zone, one of gangs and violence.
“What drew me to gangs was the camaraderie,” Vang said. “It was hard being first generation Hmong. I could hardly speak English. The gangs offered me a sense of belonging. It was like family.”
Yet when his parents and siblings found out they did not approve. “It was a culture clash between the old and new,” said Vang. “They weren’t happy with me. They were very disappointed.”
Today his family is very proud of him, Vang said, especially his plans to speak out against gangs in the Hmong community. His message to Governor Brown regarding juvenile justice is clear. “San Quentin’s education and self-esteem programs should be the model.
“Locking up kids and throwing away the key is not the answer,” Vang said. “There’s a disconnection. People are not connecting to their kid’s cry for help.”
“At 17, I came to prison. Now I’m 34, I have 11 sisters and three brothers,” said Vang. “I have a long way to go still, but for now I just want to be with my family and have some sticky rice and fish.”
