Several barriers lie ahead of a reentrant from prison so connecting them with resources and programs prior to leaving prison can be instrumental to successfully reentering society and lowering recidivism.
Hundreds of residents gathered in San Quentin’s Garden Chapel to collect valuable information that will help them transition from prison to their communities and improve their quality of life.
“Transitional resources are a foundation for success. It is imperative we reach out to organizations to provide tangible resources for reentry,” resident People In Blue representative Arthur Jackson said.
The catalyst for the fair was when San Quentin’s Community Resource Office requested to collaborate with the resident-run People In Blue. Jackson said, “Information is power. We look forward to keeping this going to solidify access to resources.”
Despite the rain, dozens of visitors answered the call to come in; they passed out printouts for a variety of programs, services, pamphlets, and business cards. Services for employment assistance, housing assistance, education, vocational training, and financial planning littered the tables manned by representatives from several reentry organizations.
“I was caught by surprise when I came up to the chapel area,” resident Jose Navas said. “It is an awesome thing to be given resources for work upon release.”
Navas said he will be up for the possibility of release in a few months and was ecstatic to see people come into prison to provide needed resources. “Information for housing and employment is of great value and important for reentry.”
Some of the organizations that showed up were Back to Work, Planting Justice, Safe Return Project, Bay Area Freedom Collective, and A New Way to Life.
Sidney Afsarzadehh manned one of the three tables occupied by Project Rebound, which helps formerly incarcerated students transfer into a college like Cal State Humboldt. She said she works in Pelican Bay, where residents can obtain a Communications degree from Humboldt. “I have met a lot of great individuals and I am encouraged to see some of the great things individuals are doing in prison.”
Resident Eric Camanera came to prison at 16 years old and after serving more than 30 years in prison said he had been waiting weeks for the resource fair. He said he was found suitable months back and came to obtain information on employment.
“Five Keys seems like it fits me like a ring on a finger,” Camanera said. “I can go there and they pay me for work and train me for a career, something I can retire on.”
Another organization that garnered lots of attention was Cal PEP. According to representative Michael Benjamin, their main goal is to provide outreach and support services to marginalized communities, especially those who lack access to health services.
“Our agency helps to remove some of the barriers and educate individuals on what is available and connect them to those resources. We know people just need a certain level of help and we do all we can to get people resources and services,” Benjamin said.
Resident Tristan Lynch said events in San Quentin like the resource fair highlight the grace and opportunity an individual needs to create change in their life.
“Being able to see and hear from individuals that want to help you succeed in life is uplifting and motivational,” Lynch said. “It makes you want it just a little bit more. Anything is possible with hard work and helping hands.”
