A group of San Quentin prisoners is learning how to protect and preserve the environment.
“They are clear that in order to do this, they need to understand the environmental implications of their actions and learn viable alternatives,” said the program’s chief sponsor, Angela Sevin. “They, their families, and members of our communities all depend on the skills they will gain through this project.”
Twice a week Sevin ventures inside San Quentin State Prison to help organize about 25 inmates in the eco-literacy program.
The idea came from an April 2009 San Quentin lecture by environmental activist and leading voice for a green economy, Van Jones.
Jones’ lecture was a catalyst to form The Green Life program at San Quentin.
The program is seeking ways to fix some of earth’s toughest environmental problems, says Sevin.
Sevin works with a worldwide environmental expert, Pandora Thomas, along with inmate facilitators to teach environmental sustainability and self-sufficiency to the program’s participants.
Inmates share examples about how to integrate sustainable practices into their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Inmates also develop individual projects — including the greening of San Quentin by supporting prison’s recycling program, and performing a water and food audit.
The program’s mission works as “a collaboration of solutionaries from inside and outside communities that inspires and awakens our connection to the earth and each other, by contributing to individual, community and global transformations.”
The Green Life is scheduled to graduate its first class in November. It is also planning to stage a Green Fair.