A self-help group and its alumnus gathered in San Quentin’s Addiction Recovery Counseling trailer to celebrate current graduates. The Coalition for Justice Program recognized 15 participants for completing the curriculum.

“My favorite part of this class is that it’s discussion based. They [facilitators] don’t give you the answer; you journey to the answer and arrive with your group,” said SQ resident Randy Thompson, a future group facilitator.

CFJ is a four-month class that gathers three days a week. CFJ originated in the self-help group Alliance for Change. CFJ’s curriculum is aimed at teaching its participants different forms of transformative justice for successful reentry into society.

The graduation ceremony began with a CFJ outside sponsor taking the podium and congratulating the graduates for their dedication of immersing themselves in the program’s curriculum.

Formerly incarcerated guest speakers David Cowan, Darnell “Mo” Washington, and Royce Ross, were all former CFJ presidents at the Q that attended the event.

Cowan shared his experiences that he had with the group and how he applied the lessons he learned in the group during his incarceration.

“In this situation you have the opportunity to lead in any moment. That’s what this program is designed for,” said Cowan.

San Quentin resident Arthur Jackson, 2019 CFJ graduate, and former group president, spoke about not complaining about problems but embracing the process of solving them. He went on to implore the graduates to step up when justice demands it, find a lane and stay in it.

“I find the tools helpful. I have always been socially awkward; this program helped me find my voice” said graduate Justin Marcado. “I learned that everyone doesn’t always have to agree, but that’s ok, just as long as we are respectful in our disagreements.”

After the graduates received their certificates, inside facilitators and mentors were recognized for their service to the program.

“This group helps connect trauma with emotions. The knowledge of looking at things from a mature point of view,” said graduate John Liu. “It’s the difference between knowing what’s going on and being able to articulate it in a way to be understood.”