Friends Outside is an organization committed to serving all 31 California state prisons, including San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, by providing resources and reentry services to residents. 

Jasmine Baldo is a liaison specialist for the organization. She helps residents feel confident about returning to society by offering informational material, upon request Mondays through Fridays. 

“I’m here to set the population up for success so they don’t have to worry about coming back to prison,” said Baldo.

Friends Outside is a non-profit that has supported incarcerated individuals and their families since 1955.

During weekend visiting hours, families can utilize Friends Outside services while visiting the family center station at the facility. If a guardian forgets a child’s birth certificate and is prevented visiting access, the visiting coordinator will babysit children, providing a play area, food, and books during visiting hours.

The organization offers visiting family members clothing exchange options when a person’s outfit is outside California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s approved standards.

Residents incarcerated in correctional facilities can submit an institution request form or Friends Outside request form via institutional mail to inquire about services offered by the organization.

An opportunity to receive information on reentry assistance and resources is important for people who have been incarcerated for many years. Having a plan can contribute to a successful reentry into society.

Torrion King, a San Quentin resident, was advised by SQ resource team member Officer Lopez to contact Friends Outside before his release date. He took the advice and put in a Friends Outside request form.

“Ms. Jasmine helped me with a lot of things I needed, especially finding out what counties are best for me to parole to, giving me the best possible chance at successful reentry,” said King. “There’s so many things I can’t do from [prison], like find job opportunities such as apprenticeships. Jasmine brought me the valuable information I wanted.”

Rehabilitative programs inside prison tend to focus on personal transformation and self-discovery classes, while reentry programs prepare individuals for life outside prison. 

Realistic reentry plans and resources are pivotal components for helping incarcerated people structure their lives before being released back into society after years of imprisonment. Studies have shown that this makes communities safer and reduces the recidivism rates of people who have served long sentences in a California State Prison. 

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office released a report detailing the impact positive reentry programs have on the men and women who are released back into society across the state.

According to a Davis Vanguard article, “California’s reentry programs lower recidivism rates by 34% for men and 44% for women, part of a broader state effort to reduce crime and improve public safety.”

“According to 2019–20 cohort data, more than 80% of female participants and 74% of male participants released through community reentry programs did not reoffend. CDCR said the recidivism rate is 15 percentage points higher for women who do not participate in reentry programs, and 14 percentage points higher for men,” the article said.

Another organization that assists people after release is the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, a nonprofit founded by movie producer Scott Budnick. He started the organization to help provide job opportunities to help formally incarcerated people stay out of prison once they’re released.

Friends Outside is also planning to expand its program to include a self-help group called Positive Parenting that would qualify San Quentin residents to earn rehabilitative achievement credits. The class helps people meet court-ordered requirements regarding child custody cases. The class will serve to empower participants to become confident, better parents over a 30-hour program session and completion.

“I want to meet people where they’re at. I want people to be confident and know if they are scared, that means they are doing something right,” said Baldo.

Services offered by Friends of Outside:

• Family support
• Visiting information
• Institution problems
• Addressing family concerns
• Missing person referrals

General information:

• Child custody information
• Counseling
• Case management
• Rental assistance
• Housing
• G.E.D support