Eight years ago, Julie Lifshay PhD, ventured inside San Quentin for the first time, hoping to help prisoners improve their lives. Today, she continues to contribute time and effort by working as an educator and a volunteer to the betterment of countless inmates.
In 2006, Lifshay met Jody Lewen PhD, executive director of the Prison University Project (PUP), at a presentation at University of California, Berkeley. Shortly after, Lifshay began volunteering for PUP, tutoring/teaching basic math, algebra, geometry, statistics, and public health.
While teaching at PUP, Lifshay recalled, “I was clueless about the injustice in our justice system. I had the potential to be aware of it, but I chose like other people to ignore it.”
She further expressed concerns about the way incarcerated people are viewed. “Violence is a wide spectrum. The range between someone with multiple murders and someone with a burglary is wide,” Lifshay said. “However, the public considers it all as ‘violent,’ which results in unfair sentencing. The law clumps up everyone together, whether they committed a serious act of violence or not.”
Lifshay said she realizes prisoners who are enrolled with PUP have the potential to be good citizens. “Prisoners are normal people. They are smart and insightful.”
Despite a positive view of PUP students, Lifshay said she is aware of being in a prison environment and is careful not to get too comfortable.
“You don’t want to be seen as a pushover. You have to draw the line,” said she said, adding, “You also have to leave a part of yourself outside these walls, which is something I had to grow accustomed to.”
Lifshay said she has spent weekends with other volunteers in support of Proposition 36 to change the Three Strikes Law by collecting signatures and tweeting to create awareness. Proposition 36 was passed last November, allowing some non-violent Three-Strikers the chance to ask a judge to reduce their life sentence.
In 2009, Centerforce hired Lifshay to teach prisoners about HIV, hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases and other health-related issues in a program called Peer Health Education. Inmate Kris Himmelberger, a graduate of the Peer Health program says he enjoyed the class. “I learned about high risk factors and communicable diseases. The most important thing I got out of the class was that a little prevention could save my life.”
“Her dedication to Centerforce and the men at San Quentin is like no other. One thing I can say about Julie is that she cares with all her heart,” said Sonya Shah, Restorative Justice Program director of Insight Prison Project.
Lifshay has become involved with other programs like, Teaching Responsibility Utilizing Sociological Training (TRUST) and The Last Mile (TLM).
TLM is a six month tech-incubator program that teaches prisoners about technology, helps them to develop a business plan, create a verbal pitch, and turn it into a five-minute demo day presentation. “The Last Mile helps change people’s lives,” said Lifshay.
Lifshay has helped TLM entrepreneurs design their own business ideas.
“Dr. Lifshay has a big heart and I’ve seen it shine through on many of the occasions during my interactions with her. I’ve seen her show up at San Quentin in places like The Last Mile, TRUST and Centerforce,” said Tommy Winfrey, a graduate of TLM.
Jorge Heredia, a second-generation TLM graduate, describes Lifshay as “very valuable to The Last Mile program as a mentor. Since I became a part of The Last Mile, I have witnessed her dedication in helping the participants prepare for demo day. She helped me tremendously with developing my five-minute pitch presentation for the Last Mile. I am very grateful to her for everything she’s done.”
Al Amin McAdoo, who recently graduated from TLM said, “I was extremely nervous before going on stage to deliver my Public Outcry pitch, but what put me at ease was remembering Julie’s words, reminding me to speak to the audience as if I was having a conversation with one of my family members, or a close friend.”
“When I was struggling with my business idea, Julie’s encouragement gave me the strength to push myself harder,” said Jerome Boone, another TLM graduate.
After the last TLM demo day, Lifshay said, “I felt very proud.” She said, watching the graduates overcome their fears was very rewarding.
When asked what she would tell her friends about prisoners, Lifshay said, “I think people need to meet the people inside and see it firsthand.” She said everyone should experience volunteering and see the rehabilitation that transpires within the prison walls.
Lifshay said working inside San Quentin has given her a better perspective of how precious life is. “I have learned to a much greater degree to appreciate what I have.”
