PRISON TO EMPLOYMENT CONNECTION, a nonprofit self-help program at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, this year marked its 10th year providing job readiness skills to the incarcerated.
In the spring, 29 inmates graduated from the 15-week program, where they learned to write resumes, do job searches, fill out job applications, conduct themselves in interviews and more.
In week 14, each graduate was given an opportunity to be interviewed by employers who came inside the prison.
“If you’re not afraid of hard work, we’re not afraid to hire you,” said Ken Miller from Iron Workers Local 378.
Several weeks ago, a new session with the nonprofit also known as P2EC started with more than three dozen participants. At a recent session, inmates learned about the Second Chance Act — a law authorizing federal grants for governments and nonprofits to provide reentry services to people released from jails and prisons — and the application of “Ban the Box” laws that restrict employers from asking about an applicant’s criminal history.
Teaching self-advocacy
“We definitely want to support the program,” said Ariel Leitner-Zieff, who came in from the Alameda County Public Defender’s Office. “We want to be able to share information about our programs and services, so people know their rights and how to advocate for themselves.”
The public defender’s office helps the formerly incarcerated with post-conviction record remedy, employment occupation licensing advocacy, and is involved with legislative advocacy.
“It’s a great program,” Robert Tyler said about P2EC. Tyler is an incarcerated facilitator who assists volunteers who come to San Quentin from the outside.
“We make sure people have the skills to be successful,” he said.
Tom Lacey sits on P2EC’s board of directors. When the employer day session ended, Lacey asked the outside guests if these incarcerated men interviewed better than people on the outside. More than half the employers raised their hands to answer in the affirmative.
“It didn’t feel like an interview,” said Raymond Rivera, a P2EC graduate. “It felt like a conversation.”
The P2EC program was the brainchild of the late Diana Williams, who volunteered at San Quentin for more than a decade. She is the author of the book “Traveling Solo.”
“I committed to Diana that I would keep (P2EC) going,” Lacey said. “I’ve had some very emotional experiences in here.”
He said there is interest in the program at some federal prisons.
‘I got you’
Some of the employers and other professional organizations that attended were Urban Alchemy, The Last Mile, Roots of Success, Caminar Jobs Plus, and the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, to name a few.
Zach Moore came in to represent Checkr, a leading company that does background checks where he is a senior software engineer. He also graduated from P2EC when he was incarcerated at San Quentin. It’s where he learned to write computer code at The Last Mile, a nonprofit. He said 5% of Checkr’s employees are justice-impacted.
“The men here, that’s what brings me back,” said Moore, adding that he doesn’t want to leave people behind now that he is home.
“Every prison needs to have this,” said Maurice White, who has been incarcerated for nearly four years and has about a year left on his sentence. He interviewed with Caltrans and expressed an interest in driving trucks.
“It’s been an eye opener that there’s companies outside that are willing to help. I want to help people. It’s a way to move forward and put the past behind.”
James Duff, P2EC facilitator and former graduate
“It’s a way of feeding my kids,” White said.
“Recidivism rates are cut in half,” said Sumer Schulze, P2EC’s executive director, who referenced a nationwide study on full-time employment. “I try to focus heavily on employers who are actively hiring.”
“I made a connection with Caltrans,” said William Tolber, who is incarcerated at San Quentin. “I got you” is what he said the interviewer said to him.
He said it has been years since someone has told him that. “It was refreshing to my heart,” Tolbert said.
“It’s been an eye opener that there’s companies outside that are willing to help,” said James Duff, who became a P2EC facilitator after he graduated from the program. “I want to help people. It’s a way to move forward and put the past behind.”
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