[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] we’ve all up in one way or
we’ve all up in one way or
we’ve all up in one way or another some more than others but the
another some more than others but the
another some more than others but the point is we’ve all done something we
point is we’ve all done something we
point is we’ve all done something we shouldn’t have and possibly regret but
shouldn’t have and possibly regret but
shouldn’t have and possibly regret but what about one thing landed you in
what about one thing landed you in
what about one thing landed you in prison what about one thing made you
prison what about one thing made you
prison what about one thing made you part of a larger industrial complex
part of a larger industrial complex
part of a larger industrial complex system not designed to rehabilitate or
system not designed to rehabilitate or
system not designed to rehabilitate or restore you but simply to punish you
restore you but simply to punish you
restore you but simply to punish you imagine having to wake up in an
imagine having to wake up in an
imagine having to wake up in an extremely lonely place where every
extremely lonely place where every
extremely lonely place where every moment of every day is dictated for you
moment of every day is dictated for you
moment of every day is dictated for you and where there’s tremendous
and where there’s tremendous
and where there’s tremendous opportunities for self-reflection in the
opportunities for self-reflection in the
opportunities for self-reflection in the movies on TV and through media coverage
movies on TV and through media coverage
movies on TV and through media coverage you see individuals get swept into the
you see individuals get swept into the
you see individuals get swept into the justice system and there’s this emphasis
justice system and there’s this emphasis
justice system and there’s this emphasis on the crime the trial and transit
on the crime the trial and transit
on the crime the trial and transit prison then does a few portrayed scenes
prison then does a few portrayed scenes
prison then does a few portrayed scenes of prison walk in the yard with the
of prison walk in the yard with the
of prison walk in the yard with the tough guys pumping iron watching him
tough guys pumping iron watching him
tough guys pumping iron watching him back in the shower room and lastly this
back in the shower room and lastly this
back in the shower room and lastly this great experience of being released from
great experience of being released from
great experience of being released from prison back to spending time with family
prison back to spending time with family
prison back to spending time with family and friends barbecues in the summertime
and friends barbecues in the summertime
and friends barbecues in the summertime and so on and so forth
and so on and so forth
and so on and so forth it’s all very about oriented without the
it’s all very about oriented without the
it’s all very about oriented without the day-to-day experiences put on display in
day-to-day experiences put on display in
day-to-day experiences put on display in part that’s because you can’t show the
part that’s because you can’t show the
part that’s because you can’t show the day-to-day loneliness the feelings of
day-to-day loneliness the feelings of
day-to-day loneliness the feelings of exclusion the feelings of shame and
exclusion the feelings of shame and
exclusion the feelings of shame and cowardice at a company individuals
cowardice at a company individuals
cowardice at a company individuals incarceration the realization that
incarceration the realization that
incarceration the realization that they’ve not only victimized our victim
they’ve not only victimized our victim
they’ve not only victimized our victim through whatever offence committed but
through whatever offence committed but
through whatever offence committed but they’ve additionally victimized their
they’ve additionally victimized their
they’ve additionally victimized their family their friends their loved ones
family their friends their loved ones
family their friends their loved ones their communities and the list goes on
their communities and the list goes on
their communities and the list goes on and on so what I hope to get across here
and on so what I hope to get across here
and on so what I hope to get across here for starters prisoners are human beings
for starters prisoners are human beings
for starters prisoners are human beings individuals who have failed Society for
individuals who have failed Society for
individuals who have failed Society for whatever reasons and though no excuse
whatever reasons and though no excuse
whatever reasons and though no excuse relieves them from their poor life
relieves them from their poor life
relieves them from their poor life decisions without hope and help to be
decisions without hope and help to be
decisions without hope and help to be better people without redemption society
better people without redemption society
better people without redemption society is all blossoms and it’s tire tea
is all blossoms and it’s tire tea
is all blossoms and it’s tire tea through their bad behaviors with
through their bad behaviors with
through their bad behaviors with millions of Americans with millions of
millions of Americans with millions of
millions of Americans with millions of men and women behind bars it is
men and women behind bars it is
men and women behind bars it is important to keep in mind that nearly
important to keep in mind that nearly
important to keep in mind that nearly all of them will at some point be
all of them will at some point be
all of them will at some point be released as I stand here today my
released as I stand here today my
released as I stand here today my brother sits in a prison cell at 12
brother sits in a prison cell at 12
brother sits in a prison cell at 12 years from now he will be one of 93
years from now he will be one of 93
years from now he will be one of 93 percent of inmates who returned to
percent of inmates who returned to
percent of inmates who returned to society and walk amongst us thanks to
society and walk amongst us thanks to
society and walk amongst us thanks to him I became interested in mass
him I became interested in mass
him I became interested in mass incarceration a certified prison yoga
incarceration a certified prison yoga
incarceration a certified prison yoga teacher and advocate for prison reform
teacher and advocate for prison reform
teacher and advocate for prison reform this semester I embarked on a great
this semester I embarked on a great
this semester I embarked on a great unknown adventure as part of a project
unknown adventure as part of a project
unknown adventure as part of a project for my peaceful day in conflict
for my peaceful day in conflict
for my peaceful day in conflict resolution class I decided to write
resolution class I decided to write
resolution class I decided to write letters to inmates across the nation I
letters to inmates across the nation I
letters to inmates across the nation I mailed 100 letters to prisoners who had
mailed 100 letters to prisoners who had
mailed 100 letters to prisoners who had committed everything from murder
committed everything from murder
committed everything from murder homicide robbery promotion of
homicide robbery promotion of
homicide robbery promotion of prostitution and nonviolent drug
prostitution and nonviolent drug
prostitution and nonviolent drug offenses just to name a few
offenses just to name a few
offenses just to name a few I wasn’t expecting much which is why I
I wasn’t expecting much which is why I
I wasn’t expecting much which is why I meld a hundred letters but to my
meld a hundred letters but to my
meld a hundred letters but to my surprise
surprise
surprise two weeks after mailing them I had 51
two weeks after mailing them I had 51
two weeks after mailing them I had 51 letters waiting for me in my peel box as
letters waiting for me in my peel box as
letters waiting for me in my peel box as of today I have 76 friends behind bars
of today I have 76 friends behind bars
of today I have 76 friends behind bars in 23 states serving sentences from five
in 23 states serving sentences from five
in 23 states serving sentences from five years to life and death row the
years to life and death row the
years to life and death row the responses I have received have inspired
responses I have received have inspired
responses I have received have inspired and moved me beyond anything I could
and moved me beyond anything I could
and moved me beyond anything I could have ever imagined and today I’m here to
have ever imagined and today I’m here to
have ever imagined and today I’m here to tell you a little bit about my
tell you a little bit about my
tell you a little bit about my experience through these letters and why
experience through these letters and why
experience through these letters and why you should pick up a pen and write a
you should pick up a pen and write a
you should pick up a pen and write a prisoner today currently the u.s. makes
prisoner today currently the u.s. makes
prisoner today currently the u.s. makes up 5% of the world’s population but
up 5% of the world’s population but
up 5% of the world’s population but houses 25% of world’s prisoners we have
houses 25% of world’s prisoners we have
houses 25% of world’s prisoners we have 2.2 million men and women behind bars
2.2 million men and women behind bars
2.2 million men and women behind bars which means if we had an entire city
which means if we had an entire city
which means if we had an entire city designated to them it’d be the fourth
designated to them it’d be the fourth
designated to them it’d be the fourth largest city following New York Los
largest city following New York Los
largest city following New York Los Angeles and Chicago study after study
Angeles and Chicago study after study
Angeles and Chicago study after study have consistently found that prisoners
have consistently found that prisoners
have consistently found that prisoners who maintain close contact with family
who maintain close contact with family
who maintain close contact with family and friends have lower recidivism rates
and friends have lower recidivism rates
and friends have lower recidivism rates and better post release outcomes
and better post release outcomes
and better post release outcomes recidivism is repeated relapse or the
recidivism is repeated relapse or the
recidivism is repeated relapse or the rate at which criminals riaf end it’s
rate at which criminals riaf end it’s
rate at which criminals riaf end it’s one of the most fundamental concepts of
one of the most fundamental concepts of
one of the most fundamental concepts of criminal justice but as it stands our
criminal justice but as it stands our
criminal justice but as it stands our current system hasn’t done a really good
current system hasn’t done a really good
current system hasn’t done a really good job at lowering these numbers with six
job at lowering these numbers with six
job at lowering these numbers with six out of ten inmates returning to prisons
out of ten inmates returning to prisons
out of ten inmates returning to prisons within three years of release the status
within three years of release the status
within three years of release the status quo in the u.s. for years has been a
quo in the u.s. for years has been a
quo in the u.s. for years has been a steady return of felons after two to
steady return of felons after two to
steady return of felons after two to five year terms who pose the same risk
five year terms who pose the same risk
five year terms who pose the same risk they did as when they were arrested
they did as when they were arrested
they did as when they were arrested we’ve done too little
we’ve done too little
we’ve done too little fix a system in which we deem it normal
fix a system in which we deem it normal
fix a system in which we deem it normal that prisoners return to society at
that prisoners return to society at
that prisoners return to society at least as dysfunctional as when they went
least as dysfunctional as when they went
least as dysfunctional as when they went in these studies have been have proven
in these studies have been have proven
in these studies have been have proven that it is abundantly clear that
that it is abundantly clear that
that it is abundantly clear that prisoners need to maintain contact with
prisoners need to maintain contact with
prisoners need to maintain contact with family and friends if family and friends
family and friends if family and friends
family and friends if family and friends yet despite this clear correlation
yet despite this clear correlation
yet despite this clear correlation prison officials often do little to
prison officials often do little to
prison officials often do little to encourage contact between prisoners and
encourage contact between prisoners and
encourage contact between prisoners and their family members there are three
their family members there are three
their family members there are three primary forms of communication available
primary forms of communication available
primary forms of communication available to prisoners visits phone calls and
to prisoners visits phone calls and
to prisoners visits phone calls and letters however visitations can
letters however visitations can
letters however visitations can sometimes be an unpleasant process
sometimes be an unpleasant process
sometimes be an unpleasant process including lengthy weights heavy searches
including lengthy weights heavy searches
including lengthy weights heavy searches restricted visitation times and rigid
restricted visitation times and rigid
restricted visitation times and rigid enforcement of often petty rules for
enforcement of often petty rules for
enforcement of often petty rules for example the first time my mom my sister
example the first time my mom my sister
example the first time my mom my sister and I went to visit my brother in prison
and I went to visit my brother in prison
and I went to visit my brother in prison we were told we could not enter because
we were told we could not enter because
we were told we could not enter because the underwire and their bras would set
the underwire and their bras would set
the underwire and their bras would set off the metal detector I was wearing a
off the metal detector I was wearing a
off the metal detector I was wearing a sports bra and thought I looked down
sports bra and thought I looked down
sports bra and thought I looked down until they pointed to the small metal
until they pointed to the small metal
until they pointed to the small metal circles on the straps
circles on the straps
circles on the straps after leaving removing our bras and
after leaving removing our bras and
after leaving removing our bras and returning we were told we could not
returning we were told we could not
returning we were told we could not enter because we weren’t wearing a bra
enter because we weren’t wearing a bra
enter because we weren’t wearing a bra luckily for us my brother’s house sided
luckily for us my brother’s house sided
luckily for us my brother’s house sided facility less than an hour from my from
facility less than an hour from my from
facility less than an hour from my from our house but this isn’t the case for
our house but this isn’t the case for
our house but this isn’t the case for everybody we met a woman in her line who
everybody we met a woman in her line who
everybody we met a woman in her line who flew from Chicago to visit her son for
flew from Chicago to visit her son for
flew from Chicago to visit her son for the first time had the same issue and
the first time had the same issue and
the first time had the same issue and was forced to drive to the nearest
was forced to drive to the nearest
was forced to drive to the nearest Walmart to purchase a sports bra due to
Walmart to purchase a sports bra due to
Walmart to purchase a sports bra due to such probably problematic issues with
such probably problematic issues with
such probably problematic issues with visitation phone calls or her primary
visitation phone calls or her primary
visitation phone calls or her primary needs of maintaining communication but
needs of maintaining communication but
needs of maintaining communication but phone calls can add up and if you take
phone calls can add up and if you take
phone calls can add up and if you take the call expect multiple interruptions
the call expect multiple interruptions
the call expect multiple interruptions reminding you that your call is being
reminding you that your call is being
reminding you that your call is being recorded and monitored for security
recorded and monitored for security
recorded and monitored for security purposes during a brief 15 minute call
purposes during a brief 15 minute call
purposes during a brief 15 minute call if you happen to miss the call don’t
if you happen to miss the call don’t
if you happen to miss the call don’t expect the call back or the luxury of
expect the call back or the luxury of
expect the call back or the luxury of being able to return the call which will
being able to return the call which will
being able to return the call which will end with you beating yourself up for the
end with you beating yourself up for the
end with you beating yourself up for the rest of the day those inmates that are
rest of the day those inmates that are
rest of the day those inmates that are seeking to maintain and restore healthy
seeking to maintain and restore healthy
seeking to maintain and restore healthy relationships with their family and
relationships with their family and
relationships with their family and friends are often faced with the
friends are often faced with the
friends are often faced with the challenges of communicating behind bars
challenges of communicating behind bars
challenges of communicating behind bars the simple convenience of calling
the simple convenience of calling
the simple convenience of calling friends and family
friends and family
friends and family no longer as easy choice but a privilege
no longer as easy choice but a privilege
no longer as easy choice but a privilege that the prison system controls
that the prison system controls
that the prison system controls therefore writing letters is a valuable
therefore writing letters is a valuable
therefore writing letters is a valuable communication process for inmates letter
communication process for inmates letter
communication process for inmates letter writing was nothing new to me I often
writing was nothing new to me I often
writing was nothing new to me I often write to my brother who always expressed
write to my brother who always expressed
write to my brother who always expressed his gratitude for taking the time to
his gratitude for taking the time to
his gratitude for taking the time to write to him I never understood why he
write to him I never understood why he
write to him I never understood why he seems so thankful for something I
seems so thankful for something I
seems so thankful for something I consider so simple after all he is my
consider so simple after all he is my
consider so simple after all he is my brother and it’s the least I can do but
brother and it’s the least I can do but
brother and it’s the least I can do but quickly after receiving these letters I
quickly after receiving these letters I
quickly after receiving these letters I began noticing something most of these
began noticing something most of these
began noticing something most of these prisoners weren’t as lucky as my brother
prisoners weren’t as lucky as my brother
prisoners weren’t as lucky as my brother they didn’t have family and friends to
they didn’t have family and friends to
they didn’t have family and friends to write to much less receive letters from
write to much less receive letters from
write to much less receive letters from these letters have inspired me in so
these letters have inspired me in so
these letters have inspired me in so many ways and I know a lot of people
many ways and I know a lot of people
many ways and I know a lot of people believe that there should be no
believe that there should be no
believe that there should be no compassion for prisoners but in reality
compassion for prisoners but in reality
compassion for prisoners but in reality most of our inmates serving time are
most of our inmates serving time are
most of our inmates serving time are serving time for nonviolent drug
serving time for nonviolent drug
serving time for nonviolent drug offenses
offenses
offenses most of these inmates aren’t violent as
most of these inmates aren’t violent as
most of these inmates aren’t violent as were made to believe and I truly believe
were made to believe and I truly believe
were made to believe and I truly believe that the Prison Reforms should not be
that the Prison Reforms should not be
that the Prison Reforms should not be left to politicians and law enforcement
left to politicians and law enforcement
left to politicians and law enforcement we can all be involved in this process
we can all be involved in this process
we can all be involved in this process through simple things like writing
through simple things like writing
through simple things like writing letters through these letters there is
letters through these letters there is
letters through these letters there is no set formula for what to write when
no set formula for what to write when
no set formula for what to write when I’ve mailed out these letters all I told
I’ve mailed out these letters all I told
I’ve mailed out these letters all I told them was a little bit my by myself I’m a
them was a little bit my by myself I’m a
them was a little bit my by myself I’m a student
student
student I studied communication and I love yoga
I studied communication and I love yoga
I studied communication and I love yoga I also included some chat pact questions
I also included some chat pact questions
I also included some chat pact questions things like what is your favorite movie
things like what is your favorite movie
things like what is your favorite movie woody believe is the greatest truth of
woody believe is the greatest truth of
woody believe is the greatest truth of all and what is the greatest change
all and what is the greatest change
all and what is the greatest change biggest change of opinion you’ve ever
biggest change of opinion you’ve ever
biggest change of opinion you’ve ever had I also included some fun facts I
had I also included some fun facts I
had I also included some fun facts I thought what would I want to hear if I
thought what would I want to hear if I
thought what would I want to hear if I was sitting in a prison cell and I loved
was sitting in a prison cell and I loved
was sitting in a prison cell and I loved random facts in turn they’ve shared
random facts in turn they’ve shared
random facts in turn they’ve shared their stories conveyed inner workings of
their stories conveyed inner workings of
their stories conveyed inner workings of the prison system crack jokes given me
the prison system crack jokes given me
the prison system crack jokes given me more facts shared their creative writing
more facts shared their creative writing
more facts shared their creative writing and art shared their hopes and
and art shared their hopes and
and art shared their hopes and aspirations for the future but most
aspirations for the future but most
aspirations for the future but most importantly all of these men have shown
importantly all of these men have shown
importantly all of these men have shown raw vulnerable emotions and when I look
raw vulnerable emotions and when I look
raw vulnerable emotions and when I look at these letters they often express
at these letters they often express
at these letters they often express gratitude I haven’t had one letter where
gratitude I haven’t had one letter where
gratitude I haven’t had one letter where an enemy
an enemy
an enemy doesn’t start by taking the time to
doesn’t start by taking the time to
doesn’t start by taking the time to thank me for writing them and I think
thank me for writing them and I think
thank me for writing them and I think about these letters and I think about
about these letters and I think about
about these letters and I think about how we need to be treating these inmates
how we need to be treating these inmates
how we need to be treating these inmates with the same kindness and respect as we
with the same kindness and respect as we
with the same kindness and respect as we want them to treat members of society
want them to treat members of society
want them to treat members of society when they return so how can you change
when they return so how can you change
when they return so how can you change the life of an inmate sadame one such
the life of an inmate sadame one such
the life of an inmate sadame one such group trying to bring the public in
group trying to bring the public in
group trying to bring the public in prison reform and bring some hope to
prison reform and bring some hope to
prison reform and bring some hope to this depressing situation is right a
this depressing situation is right a
this depressing situation is right a prisoner this is the website I decided
prisoner this is the website I decided
prisoner this is the website I decided to use as I found it easy to navigate
to use as I found it easy to navigate
to use as I found it easy to navigate and it provided personal information
and it provided personal information
and it provided personal information background check and prison addresses
background check and prison addresses
background check and prison addresses it’s where I found 76 men who are eager
it’s where I found 76 men who are eager
it’s where I found 76 men who are eager and ready to start an ongoing friendship
and ready to start an ongoing friendship
and ready to start an ongoing friendship through pen Pauline it’s where I found
through pen Pauline it’s where I found
through pen Pauline it’s where I found Joshua from Texas who just sent me a
Joshua from Texas who just sent me a
Joshua from Texas who just sent me a newspaper clipping about prison yoga
newspaper clipping about prison yoga
newspaper clipping about prison yoga expressing his interest for a program
expressing his interest for a program
expressing his interest for a program like that at his facility it’s where I
like that at his facility it’s where I
like that at his facility it’s where I found Roshan from Louisiana who just
found Roshan from Louisiana who just
found Roshan from Louisiana who just sent me a letter with this mission
sent me a letter with this mission
sent me a letter with this mission statement and goals for the nonprofit he
statement and goals for the nonprofit he
statement and goals for the nonprofit he plans to start upon release for at-risk
plans to start upon release for at-risk
plans to start upon release for at-risk youth it’s where I found that little
youth it’s where I found that little
youth it’s where I found that little reminder that we all desire for the same
reminder that we all desire for the same
reminder that we all desire for the same things acceptance friendship freedom
things acceptance friendship freedom
things acceptance friendship freedom love and happiness these inmates have
love and happiness these inmates have
love and happiness these inmates have all shared a part of themselves with me
all shared a part of themselves with me
all shared a part of themselves with me that I never expected when I first
that I never expected when I first
that I never expected when I first opened my pill box and had 51 letters
opened my pill box and had 51 letters
opened my pill box and had 51 letters waiting for me I immediately broke down
waiting for me I immediately broke down
waiting for me I immediately broke down I knew this was no longer a class
I knew this was no longer a class
I knew this was no longer a class project but something greater and I
project but something greater and I
project but something greater and I thought about how can this be a new way
thought about how can this be a new way
thought about how can this be a new way of doing justice how can we create a
of doing justice how can we create a
of doing justice how can we create a connection a person based connection
connection a person based connection
connection a person based connection based justice system right a prisoner is
based justice system right a prisoner is
based justice system right a prisoner is not the only website out there to
not the only website out there to
not the only website out there to contact prisoners there’s also friends
contact prisoners there’s also friends
contact prisoners there’s also friends beyond the wall black and pink meet an
beyond the wall black and pink meet an
beyond the wall black and pink meet an inmate and Prison pen pals I do want to
inmate and Prison pen pals I do want to
inmate and Prison pen pals I do want to offer a disc camera that some of the
offer a disc camera that some of the
offer a disc camera that some of the prisoners and people are the public
prisoners and people are the public
prisoners and people are the public treat sites like these such sites like
treat sites like these such sites like
treat sites like these such sites like these as dating websites I actually had
these as dating websites I actually had
these as dating websites I actually had an inmate address a letter to Tonya aka
an inmate address a letter to Tonya aka
an inmate address a letter to Tonya aka Miss Allen which happened to be his last
Miss Allen which happened to be his last
Miss Allen which happened to be his last name
the act that I acted penpal in years the
the act that I acted penpal in years the mindset shift that will be necessary to
mindset shift that will be necessary to
mindset shift that will be necessary to rethink how our society does justice on
rethink how our society does justice on
rethink how our society does justice on a march larger scale my conversations
a march larger scale my conversations
a march larger scale my conversations correspondences and relationships with
correspondences and relationships with
correspondences and relationships with prisoners have taught me that separation
prisoners have taught me that separation
prisoners have taught me that separation breeds more separation and that the
breeds more separation and that the
breeds more separation and that the coldness and isolation of prison with
coldness and isolation of prison with
coldness and isolation of prison with the coldness and isolation of violence
the coldness and isolation of violence
the coldness and isolation of violence and I think about how that one-on-one
and I think about how that one-on-one
and I think about how that one-on-one relationship in which the individual
relationship in which the individual
relationship in which the individual labeled a prisoner emerges as an
labeled a prisoner emerges as an
labeled a prisoner emerges as an individual they are with the history
individual they are with the history
individual they are with the history thoughts hopes dreams and nightmares my
thoughts hopes dreams and nightmares my
thoughts hopes dreams and nightmares my serve as a new model and I know it’s
serve as a new model and I know it’s
serve as a new model and I know it’s hard to imagine many criminals from
hard to imagine many criminals from
hard to imagine many criminals from America’s favorite gangster movies
America’s favorite gangster movies
America’s favorite gangster movies spending their prison time writing
spending their prison time writing
spending their prison time writing letters to a person like you or a person
letters to a person like you or a person
letters to a person like you or a person like me but outside of Hollywood many
like me but outside of Hollywood many
like me but outside of Hollywood many prisoners are ready and eager for human
prisoners are ready and eager for human
prisoners are ready and eager for human connection whatever its source perhaps
connection whatever its source perhaps
connection whatever its source perhaps instead of totally rejecting our prison
instead of totally rejecting our prison
instead of totally rejecting our prison population we should have a little bit
population we should have a little bit
population we should have a little bit more compassion for them perhaps instead
more compassion for them perhaps instead
more compassion for them perhaps instead of treating them as worthless Outsiders
of treating them as worthless Outsiders
of treating them as worthless Outsiders we should be doing more to change their
we should be doing more to change their
we should be doing more to change their hearts and help them reintegrate into
hearts and help them reintegrate into
hearts and help them reintegrate into society in the end the truth is none of
society in the end the truth is none of
society in the end the truth is none of us are perfect
us are perfect
us are perfect perhaps we should remember that this is
perhaps we should remember that this is
perhaps we should remember that this is one person one stamp one gesture thank
one person one stamp one gesture thank
one person one stamp one gesture thank you
you
you [Applause]
”
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