Organizations That Provide Creative Escape From Prison Start to Connect [JJIE.org]

Samantha Sangenito 3/24/1712:00 PM

Life prospects appeared bleak for 17-year-old Terrance Williams on a quiet Saturday in the spring of 2013.

He was facing years in prison on charges of armed burglary. This was just the latest setback in a rough and tumble Philadelphia childhood that had taught him that the only way to make a living was by hustle and crime.

Then Terrance noticed a bit of ruckus coming down the hallway of the Philadelphia jailhouse where he awaited his day in court. Someone was shouting that people should get a move on. Terrance turned to his cellmate and asked what was going down with something called “YAS.”

[For more of this story, written by Zach Williams, go to http://jjie.org/2017/03/24/org...on-start-to-connect/]

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Christine Cissy WhiteIt's not trauma-informed unless it's informed by trauma survivors.

Samantha:

I love this story because it talks about Terrance's life over many years before he got to prison as well as while in prison and also the obstacles he faced once out having a record. The YAS program he was in gave a place to be creative, to make connections to himself and others and all of that is incredibly powerful. It's one of the things I think writing workshops do well. But it also was super practical and he got a job. Thanks for sharing.

Cissy

3/26/173:41 AM

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