Concrete Rose co-founder and community advocate walks out after decades

An incarcerated lifer’s journey through prison is full of ups and downs. After more than two decades in and out of prison, San Quentin News photographer and co-founder of Concrete Rose Truck Driving School Vincent E. O’Bannon was resentenced and paroled just in time for his daughter’s birthday.

For some individuals, prison is the perfect opportunity to learn about themselves, find purpose, and be of service. O’Bannon said having a purpose lifted him up. 

“Live your life for you, not by what your friends think of you,” O’Bannon said. “Self-discovery was key for me to not continue on the path from jail to prison.”

In the span of two years since his second board hearing, O’Bannon went from being found suitable, to a suitability rescission, to denial of appeal, and ultimately to a resentencing and release.

“When my suitability was rescinded I felt dejected, let down, and defeated. I spent the whole day reflecting on why — if I [was] doing the right thing — did this happen?” O’Bannon said. “The next day I got back out into helping my community. I was confident they would give me a date and that I would overcome one day and push forward.”

O’Bannon said he focused on the positive instead of the negative because there was still work to be done.

Peer-to-peer therapy and mentorship has proven to be an effective formula for rehabilitation, personal growth, and transformation. O’Bannon said there were several peers and self-help programs that helped him, but it was his co-worker Heriberto Arredondo Jr. that left a lasting impact.

As a non-violent three-striker, O’Bannon thought a life sentence was enough to keep him out of prison again, but he said he was determined for this prison term to be different. “Arredondo asked [me] thought-provoking questions and challenged me to learn about myself and to be better,” O’Bannon said. He said Arredondo told him to write a timeline of life-impacted events to explore his causative factors [derivation of underlying beliefs] and his shortcomings.

Throughout this tumultuous time O’Bannon said he focused on building his truck-driving program. He also worked with his daughter, Autumn, to expand SQRC correspondence curriculum to in-person classes in English and Spanish.

“Working with my daughter is a good thing because two heads are better than one. I have one vision and she another, but they are pretty much aligned,” O’Bannon said. “Sometimes I get in my feelings but then I remind myself she is asking for clarity. We have a good dynamic.”

Concrete Rose is working with Virage Simulator to provide hands on truck diving program with an all-terrain simulator. Upon completion of the yearlong class, Concrete Rose will provide endorsements and training so that graduates can go to the DMV for their Class A permit.

“We are certified to give certificates for behind-the-wheel training and in three weeks to six months, we will provide truck[s],” O’Bannon said. “This program is a pathway into the trucking industry where there is a high demand for commercial drivers — 80,000 nationally.” 

O’Bannon said the program’s foundation rests on three “R’s,” rehabilitation, reform, and reduction of recidivism.

“In order for you to grow to be who you were born to be, separate yourself from unhealthy friendships and figure out what you need to grow,” O’Bannon said. “If you’re headed to prison do not approach it as a reunion with friends, instead learn about yourself.”