Actor Mike Farrell says prisons need to do more to help people, such as the San Quentin R.E.A.C.H. program is doing to combat illiteracy.
“My friend Nan Sincero invited me here to see this class,” Farrell said. “When Nan told me about the Marin Literacy Program’s involvement with prison literacy, I was amazed at what the people in it are accomplishing. We need programs in prison that are designed to help people.”
Sincero is a key part of the R.E.A.C.H. program.
Farrell was on a book-signing tour for his new book, “Just Call Me Mike,” in San Francisco. He took a break from his tour to visit Project R.E.A.C.H., a San Quentin literacy program co-sponsored by the Marin Literacy Program.
Farrell is a political and social activist best known for his portrayal of Army doctor Capt. B.J. Hunnicutt in the TV series M.A.S.H., and Dr. Jim Hansen in the weekly NBC series “Providence.” He has served on the board of directors of the National Coalition to Abolish The Death Penalty, as the former co-chair of the California Committee of Human Rights Watch, and is currently president of Death Penalty Focus.
Marin Literacy Program provides Marin County adults with free student-centered instruction in reading, writing and speaking to help them reach their full potential at work, at home and in the community. Begun in 1985 with a $31,000 grant from the California State Library, the program is sponsored by the Marin County Free Library, San Rafael Public Library and Marin Literacy. Marin Literacy has served over 8,400 adult students and trained nearly 5,000 tutors since its inception, and currently has an annual operating budget of over $550,000. Services are provided to Marin County adults, families and prisoners.
Project R.E.A.C.H. tutors receive seven hours of instruction on methods of teaching prisoners the fundamentals of academic proficiency and life skills.
Roy Jones, Robert Frye and Rocky Cote are on the executive body of project R.E.A.C.H. Rocky is a graduate of project R.E.A.C.H. and is currently enrolled in the Patten University program.
Jones said, “It takes a lot of courage for a man who cannot read or write to come to project R.E.A.C.H.” Frye added, “We create a safe environment for a man to expose his weaknesses and be receptive to learning basic academic skills.” Rocky reflected, “Once a prisoner is signed up with project R.E.A.C.H., we are able to assist him in many ways.”
Project R.E.A.C.H. holds an annual fund raiser, and donates the majority of the contributions to other literacy programs in the community.
The model of Project R.E.A.C.H. has been recognized by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and is being implemented in the state’s 32 other penal institutions.
Sponsors Carolyn Hardee, Jane Curtis and Debra Sheldon assist prisoners who attend the Wednesday evening academic sessions..
