Advocacy Stories

Prop 17 Impact

It’s election day! The polls are open and we encourage everyone, especially our system-impacted community members, to cast your vote. As voters flock to the polls we want to highlight our community members on parole, many of whom will be voting for the first time this election as a result of Prop 17 passing last year, restoring their right to vote.

Jeremy

First up is ARC Member, Jeremy.

“When I was inside, I knew because of my record I wouldn’t be able to vote. I couldn’t speak up for myself. Now that I can vote because of Prop 17, I can help my community by voting. Now I’m part of the community, and I finally have a say.”

Mark Taylor

Next we want to highlight ARC Life Coach Mark Taylor and his story of voting for the first time.

“For the first time in my life, I feel like I have a voice because, for the first time in my life, I was able to exercise my right to vote. I will vote in every local, state, and federal election because I have a deep appreciation for what is at stake. We, the people, can overcome any national challenge we face if we, the people, exercise our right to vote and steer our country in the right direction”

Pamela Johnson

Last, but certainly not least, is ARC Life Coach Pamela Thompson.

Pamela was able to vote YES on Prop 17 last year and restore the right to vote for nearly 50,000 community members just like her. Read about the excitement Pam still experiences when voting, when casting her voice to be counted in the community.

“I voted for the second time and still had excitement! Voting is important to me and my community because we have been disenfranchised for so long. I feel like I can really exercise my constitutional rights. Activating my political power is important to me because I never had any power that could make a difference in a positive manner”

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Rose Brown

In my journey inside, nothing could really prepare me for what was to come. Everyone’s journey is different & I’ve learned these basic things in my re-entry and transition:Be patient (Especially with yourself), don’t compare yourself to others (Your path is yours alone), and continue climbing the mountain (Obstacles will come, just keep climbing). Being in the trenches of re-entry & working with an organization that focuses on re-entry made me realize what my purpose really is-to give back. Surviving Board, paroling, discharging from parole…I’ve climbed that mountain. My focus today is to make a positive difference to the community I’ve harmed and the inside community I’ve left behind.

J’Mel Carter

There were so many things that contributed to me making the poor choice to live a criminal and gang lifestyle. I don’t mention these facts to justify my despicable actions. With the help of good men and women and through education and hard work, I was able to change and transform the person I was into the person I was meant to be.

Pamela Thompson

When I was sentenced to 33 years to life under the third strike law, I thought my life was over and lost hope. 17 years into sentence, I got tired of feeling hopeless and decided to start attending self-help groups. Soon enough, I was the one leading them. After serving 24 years I was resentenced and released under 1170 (d)(1). I am now enjoying my freedom by giving back to my community through the work with ARC and different local organizations. As a life coach, I help ARC Members by lending my lived experiences to help guide and mentor them as they navigate their own reentry journey.

Rodney Bryant

Understanding all that CA offered me a chance to start fresh; however, I soon realized that even though the landscape changed, those old childhood issues still persisted. In 1990 I found myself making impulsive & irrational decisions whenever stressed. That year, I was sentenced to serve an indeterminate term of 15 years-to-Life. I spent more than 28 years of my life in correctional facilities; however, with hard work, persistence, & divine intervention my life was transformed. I spent a considerable amount of time on self-improvement, earning a High School Diploma, various vocational trades, and self-help certifications. Wanting to help make a difference, I became a Peer Literacy Tutor, Recreational Coach, and Youth Mentor, as I continued to seek self-help through self-improvement.

Angel Zubiate

It had been a rocky experience each time that an employer would ask “why are you being tracked like an animal?” Or the confused public eye that would question the same thing. My inability to swim in a pool or beach with family, friends, and loved ones because the monitor would glitch causing for my parole officer to panic that a registered gang member was on the loose. Now that I am completely free to travel and swim, work where I choose, wear shorts in the summer with out feeling judged, I could tell you that today I am as blessed as can be.

Jose Santana

US Forestry Service Fireman

I’m doing fire work now because it has given me self confidence and self worth that I feel I used to lack. Nowadays I hold my head up high and take pride in everything I do because what I do has value that I truly appreciate. I’m no longer hurting the community, I’m giving back to it. I’m constantly humbled when I see my friends, family and strangers and they thank me for my service. I get a bit embarrassed by it to be honest.