by Morgan Vicki Emmess I flew into LAX on Sunday, September 5th, preparing myself for what would become one of the most enlightening experiences I have ever had. The following day, six of us piled into a 12-person van stocked full of supplies and were on our way to pilot our 12-part curriculum series, Trauma Talks, at Valley State Prison…
by Robert Wells Derrick Carter received a life sentence when he was only 17 years old. Fifteen years later, he’s creating an online STEM (science, technology, education, and math) academic program for students who have fallen behind due to Covid-19. Despite his contributions to society from behind bars, Mr. Carter was recently denied re-sentencing, even though both the judge and…
CPP’s new pilot program, “Trauma Talks”, is an innovative video series with accompanying workbook. “Trauma Talks” brings substantial trauma education and healing tools to our nation’s prisons, for both residents and staff. As part of our “Trauma Talks” launch, on September 8th and 9th CPP is hosting an historic event at Valley State Prison (VSP) in California. 150+ men living…
In any situation, high temperatures can be dangerous, even deadly. Those on medications or with high blood pressure are even more at risk. Maintaining reasonable temperatures within prisons has been a long standing problem. In addition to the medical risks, heat triggers more fights and psychiatric emergencies. An inmate at Rikers Island Prison, Jerome Murdaugh, fifty-six, mentally ill, an…
“…there’s a reason for that hyper-sensitivity.” Greetings Compassion Prison Project Staff: I just saw your ad in Prison Legal News, or I’d’ve wrote you sooner. Below I’ll answer the ACE survey, something that I’m very familiar with, as I followed the js online.com / time-to-heal series, discussing trauma-informed care, wondering why (& asking the editor so … ) no mention…
Dean Williams was appointed Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Corrections by Governor Jared Polis on January 8, 2019. Prior to joining the Colorado DOC, he was the Commissioner of Corrections in Alaska where he oversaw the operation of community jails, halfway houses, pretrial and sentenced facilities, probation, parole and pre-trial efforts in the state.
Thomas Hübl is a renowned teacher, author, and international facilitator whose lifelong work integrates the core insights of the great wisdom traditions and mysticism with the discoveries of science.
by Christopher Blackwell Christopher Blackwell is incarcerated at the Washington State Reformatory in Monroe, Washington, and is working toward publishing a book on solitary confinement. His writing has been published by The Washington Post, HuffPost, Jewish Currents, The Marshall Project, and many other publications. He is serving a 45-year sentence. Follow Chris on Twitter My first experience with the carceral…
by Marian Brinkman At the end of January 2019 I decided to pick up the digital pen and find an inmate to write to. I chose to find someone my age and came upon Mondo who sparked something in me when he was writing about how he loved to train and work with the younger guys. Mentoring them and sharing…
In this series, we share intimate stories written by the men and women living or working in our nation’s prisons. Poignant and captivating, these stories are a testament to the human spirit. They show our capacity, no matter our background, experiences or trauma, for self-compassion and ultimately, healing. When I was 16 months old, my father was arrested on a…
by CPP’s Melonie McCoy At age 46, Chris Scott is a man who is passionate about learning. Along with his love of reading complex novels and scientific narratives, Chris has multiple degrees and is a sought-after tutor in English and writing. That is, when he’s not busy coaching a softball team or motivating others at hip-hop dance class. Chris is…
CPP is a grassroots, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We value every donation, no amount is too small. Your contribution directly funds CPP’s projects and operations which support our mission to transform prisons and communities through compassionate action. All donations are 100% tax-deductible.
CPP is a grassroots, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We value every donation, no amount is too small. Your contribution directly funds CPP’s projects and operations which support our mission to transform prisons and communities through compassionate action. All donations are tax deductible.
Fritzi Horstman is the Founder and Executive Director of Compassion Prison Project. She is a Grammy-award winning producer for her work on “The Defiant Ones”, has been a producer and post-producer on dozens of television projects and documentaries and has directed several films. She believes it is urgent to bring humanity and compassion to those living behind bars and these acts will help transform our society. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from Vassar College.