Forty incarcerated men graduated from Prison to Employment Connection in November. It was the largest group to have completed the 14-week job preparation class since the program began in 2015.
“I believe [PEC] is something needed in the prison system,” said Jesse England, who has been at San Quentin for two years.
During the 14-week job preparation program, employers and other reentry professionals visited the prison to help the men write résumés, learn about interviews, and other skills needed to secure employment.
For many graduates, the highlight of the job readiness-training program was Employer Day, which took place a week earlier.
“I’m learning skills in here that I can take out and better my life,” said participant Kolby Southwood. “You don’t really know what you’ve done until you see it on paper.”
James Gardner said he took the course to kill time. He said after his arrest, he had lost much self-confidence. “I didn’t think I had many prospects for employment.” He thanked the guests for “seeing us as people.”
Several back-to-work programs offered a second chance. Among them was Local 378 Iron Workers Union, Goodwill, Checkr, Salesforce, and Social Imprints.
“Keep it up. You’re going places,” said Denise Moody who came in from West Oakland Job Resource Center. She provided participants with pamphlets of information for maritime employment, the transportation industry, pre-apprenticeship programs, and financial coaching.
“I was so inspired,” Moody said.
“It helped a lot for us who don’t know how to start off the process of an interview and prepare a résumé,” said Albert Campos Jr., who is hearing impaired. A translator used American Sign Language to make the program inclusive. “It helps everybody in the deaf community, because our English is a second language.”
San Quentin resident Tommy Wickerd, who teaches ASL, attended the program to help with translation. “It’s awesome to include them,” he said. “That’s what we do around here.”
“There’s all kinds of reasons not to show up,” said Kevin McCracken, PEC’s outgoing executive director. “A lot of guys don’t make it.” McCracken accepted a position with The Last Mile, but said he would volunteer at PEC.
Sumer Schulze replaced McCracken less than a year ago. “When I came in I felt like I was going to [teach] a skill, but I think I learned from the men in the program,” she said. “I hope I can fill Kevin’s shoes.”
“We have a great group,” said Xina Hinson, a PEC volunteer. She said the engagement at the event excited her.
Lou Ramondetta came in to represent Surplus Services, a company that recycles medical equipment. He has attended PEC’s Employer Day three times.
“The reason we do this is because we had a person who had a hard time,” said Ramondetta. “It’s important to us with a program like this to provide fair chance opportunity.”
Michael Jackson Jr., a three-striker who arrived at San Quentin in February, has been incarcerated for 12 years. “My main problem when I came home is I didn’t have a plan,” he said. “That’s part of the reason why I came back. There’s a lot of things I didn’t know.” He said PEC gave him skills to secure employment.
“I can’t stay away,” said Diana Williams, PEC’s former executive director and co-founder. “I love to see the guys inspired.” She attended Employer Day and graduation but said this will be her last time at San Quentin. “I’ll try not to cry too hard,” she said.
“I never left,” said Gabrielle Nicolet, a PEC volunteer since 2017. A paralegal for six years, she did not attend the last PEC session because she studied for the California Bar exam, widely considered the hardest in the country. She passed on her first attempt, without having attended a law school.
“I think we started about 60 [participants],” said Nicolet. “This group is really good.”
At graduation, McCracken congratulated everyone for making it through 14 weeks and Employer Day.
Angel Alvarez has worked as an incarcerated facilitator at every PEC session since its founding. “I’m not missing Employer Day,” he said, even though he had suffered a wrist injury. He told the graduates, “Plans are worthless if you don’t implement them.”
Interview assessments showed 87.9% of interviewees scored equally high or better than people on the outside, according to PEC.
Williams thanked everyone who made PEC possible. “I’m confident and relaxed in the knowledge this program will be in great care,” she said of Executive Director Schulze.
“Gabrielle [Nicolet] keeps detailed notes,” Williams said. “Thank you for holding the integrity of this program.”
Williams said PEC, its volunteers, and its graduates “have changed my life for the better.” She received a standing ovation.
“There’s nothing more I look forward to than Thursday nights,” said McCracken. “Just show up.”
