THE PEOPLE IN BLUE
Reimagining California’s Prisons from the Inside
The People in Blue (TPIB) a diverse coalition of stakeholders with over two centuries of incarcerated experience. Our goal is to reduce harm, create safer communities, and minimize California’s need and over-reliance on prisons and institutions.
Our Story
On the night of March 17, 2023, Steve Brooks and Arthur Jackson were in their fifth-tier cell in the North Block housing unit at San Quentin State Prison. They had just returned from Gov. Gavin Newsom's press conference and they were debriefing each other on the day's events. After listening to the governor's speech, Brooks and Jackson believed the governor was about to embark on another failed attempt at prison reform. The two took turns pacing the small cell floor knowing that this was their moment to do something to help this governor develop a workable model for prison reform.
!["On a Saturday afternoon [in April], 17 incarcerated fathers in black tuxedos at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center watched their beautiful daughters in dresses walk down a long strip of red carpet. The fathers tied corsages around their daughters’ wrists and escorted them inside a first-of-its-kind Parenting Prom at the prison.
The prison chapel was converted into a ballroom with huge black drapes, colorful lighting and an illuminated dance floor. There were 25 daughters, ranging from ages 7 to 27. Correctional officers, guardians, mothers, and volunteers cheered as each reunion took place. Some people were in tears.
In order to participate in the Parenting Prom, each incarcerated father had to graduate from an eight-week family communication workshop, created by Tam Nguyen, a member of TPIB who has been incarcerated for 22 years..." -Steve Brooks, Bay City News.
Read more at the link in our bio.
#sanquentin #restorativejustice #prisonreform #criminaljusticereform #endmassincarceration #secondchances #communityhealing](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/519003704_17911384116172282_2775363258530809487_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=PVMZhXjHGcEQ7kNvwGcIeVv&_nc_oc=AdlmM_pQkGaQgMRBt2Z3BE_4Bb8EMv6hRGtLfjqZ0FGv06KhFjHD20POWDYsuu66_V4&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=APsS1C1_uxC2GijYwecaFA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQHyCuLn1Su2sEdyJVAfpbsskE55cfOEkbvrE9acTAuIGQV7Ix7-0G9SHtXxkyQykK-VnbIQbLPx&oh=00_AfxM1NWEyXmeGuHvZlS9JcMos6uOrZI0DkuBdh2Lnnx3LQ&oe=69B140A5)
![Prisons can be violent, hopeless places but, the reason we send people to prison is to rehabilitate them, not to torture them. Community projects have been shown to lower rates of violence and recidivism. Isolation from the community and separation from family is one of the leading root causes of why someone commits crimes in the first place. If someone does not feel like they are a part of their family or community, they are willing to violate the trust between people and their community. Family reunification is a cornerstone of rehabilitation.
That’s why we in collaboration with Officer Romero, and Lt. Berry the Public Information Officer here at SQRC are planning a Parenting Prom (similar to the event chronicled in the award-winning Netflix documentary Daughters) This event consists of a comprehensive 8-week Family Communications Workshop, led by incarcerated person Tam Nguyen - based on the Youth Diversion Program at Valley State Prison. The course consists of creating intentional time with their families and learning how to communicate effectively utilizing Motivational Interviewing Techniques.
Once the incarcerated person and their families complete this training, they will be rewarded with a Parenting Prom “dance” where they will be allowed to dress up and have a prom-like experience that creates meaningful memories that are positive and healing. There will be activities such (as trivia competitions [Family v. Family] and keepsake creations that allow the families to create and take home a memento of their time together).
This type of comprehensive program is true public safety and helps not only make California’s prison system a safe place to rehabilitate but also leads to strengthening the family bond and helping prevent future crime/harm creating a safer California.
We want to create an environment that allows the family to feel like they are not in a prison setting for a short while.
In order to have the incarcerated people at San Quentin return home as better humans and neighbors, we encourage you to help out.
To donate, please visit thepeopleinblue.com and/or contact our outside supporters at friendsofthepeopleinblue@gmail.com](https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/469743798_17885137005172282_2756010210173659646_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=UuAHJ9vGjaIQ7kNvwFtpnCv&_nc_oc=Adm0t50MUYoiSsNBIUtUQHu-yr1c_FTxjaTaRwukKyfPgBrNjHyZ9fPr25vyAHp6Jes&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=APsS1C1_uxC2GijYwecaFA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQEKWbkKImOerWOy0IGHFYv7kWdsc8L4dk2dQMvPSzlx4wK-uq5Qs4vboWIEmWwAea_J_ELBCilg&oh=00_AfxXmMRhL1N4IudA1Z6iAtujz9AZZJCeWzhKMAObDTjjGQ&oe=69B138FB)
