The unthinkable | Michael Grasing | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022
Listen to the story of how one horrible decision can affect so many lives forever. Nevertheless, it's never too late to turn your life around and attempt to become a better person. A reckless lifestyle and a series of extremely poor decisions culminated in a long prison sentence for Michael Grasing. However, since entering prison, he has dedicated his life to becoming better and is no longer the man he was. He was born and raised on the South Shore of Long Island by two wonderful and supportive parents and is the proud father of 13-year-old Michael Grasing III. He looks forward to being a positive influence on his his community upon release.
Possibility | Andre Norman | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022
Andre Norman is the reason to believe in second chances. His tenacity and passion for people led him to start his transformational program, The Academy of Hope, a program designed to reduce institutional violence in prisons by providing an intense level of intervention while also creating a positive environment for the inmate population and staff. But this wasn’t always his calling. Nearly two decades ago, Norman was serving a 100-year sentence in prison, but he was no regular prisoner. A natural-born leader, he rose to be the top gang leader within the facility, running all the daily gang activity. After an epiphany in solitary confinement, Norman made the decision to turn his life around. He had a simple dream to attend Harvard University and become successful. Over the next 8 years, Andre worked 20-hour days to make this dream a reality. He taught himself how to read, then to study and understand the law, and then volunteered to participate in anger management groups. After winning his appeal and being armed with a GED and a dream, Andre walked out of prison in 1999, after serving 14 years. Having survived rock bottom, Norman knew he could help others do the same. He pulled from his life experiences and created The Academy of Hope and set out on his mission to teach both individuals and corporations how to turn any situation around. His solution-based recovery efforts have impacted regions, including Honduras, Bahamas, Sweden, Guatemala, Liberia, and Trinidad. He has spoken on multiple TEDx stages. In addition, his innovative strategies against gang activity and inmate manipulation have improved correctional systems across the U.S. Norman also superseded his goal to attend Harvard University. In 2015 — nearly 25 years after leaving prison —he was given a Fellowship at the prestigious institution. Soon, the doors were opened for him to become a lecturer there and beyond. Along with Harvard University, Norman has been a featured speaker at MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning. Andre also collaborates with the London Business School Executive Education department to design unique experiential learning labs for some of its top clients, including: Prudential Insurance (UK), Bovis Lend Lease, (AUS), Deutsche Bank (Germany), British Petroleum, UK), Ericsson (Sweden), DANONE (France), KPMG and more. Through his various notable affiliations — Genius Network and YPO, just to name a few — Norman continues to spread the word about how real transformation happens. In 2020, Norman released his first book titled “Ambassador of Hope: Turning Poverty and Prison into a Purpose-Driven Life.” He also is developing various training manuals to help better serve companies and corrections.
Healing versus vengeance | Elizabeth Gaynes | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022
America has an extraordinary addiction to punishment, so why don't U.S. crime victims feel better? Listen to the wise words of a woman who has been working in the criminal justice arena since the Attica Uprising in 1971. Elizabeth Gaynes served as the Osborne Association’s President and CEO before stepping down in April of this year. Over the course of her 38 years at Osborne, the organization grew from a staff of 3 to more than 300, with headquarters in the South Bronx, and program sites in Harlem, Brooklyn, Newburgh, Buffalo, and 30 NY prisons and jails, with programs that divert people from jail and prison, provide services for incarcerated people and their families during incarceration, and offer a wide range of reentry supports. Liz is a nationally recognized expert on the impact of incarceration and reentry on children and families. Following the incarceration of her children's father in 1984, she designed FamilyWorks, the first comprehensive parenting program in a men’s state prison and the longest continually operating prison fatherhood program in the country. She serves on the Governor's Prison Redevelopment Commission, focused on the redevelopment and re-use of 12 closed upstate prisons. Osborne is near completion of the redevelopment of the former Fulton Correctional Facility, which will soon provide 135 beds for transitional reentry housing for older men returning to NYC after serving long prison terms. Along with her daughter, Emani Davis, Liz was the first nominee from the Global North for the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child for their work on behalf of children of incarcerated parents. Liz began her career as a defense attorney in connection with the 1971 Attica prison uprising. Before joining Osborne, she was a staff attorney at Prisoners Legal Services of New York and an Associate at the Pretrial Justice Institute in Washington, D.C. Liz received her undergraduate and law degrees from Syracuse University.
How to be a better prosecutor | Cyrus Vance | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022
Cyrus Vance was the Manhattan District Attorney for three consecutive terms between 2010 and 2021. He is now in private practice and a partner at Baker & McKenzie in New York City, leading its global cyber security practice. As the Manhattan district attorney, Cy led many criminal justice reform efforts, including creating the Criminal Justice Investment Initiative which invested $250 million dollars in criminal forfeiture funds to support college programming in prison throughout New York State, families and youth at risk of criminal justice involvement, and re-entry initiatives for citizens returning home from prison. Last November, Cy’s office exonerated two men wrongfully convicted of killing Malcolm X in the 1960s.
We need more bridges | Anthony Annucci | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022
Listen to the head of Corrections for New York State talk about the third TED event he has attended at one of his prisons. Anthony J. Annucci was named the Acting Commissioner for the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, effective May 1, 2013. He has been employed with the Department in excess of 37 years, and he started his career in 1984 as Deputy Counsel. He then rose to become Deputy Commissioner and Counsel in 1989, and later Executive Deputy Commissioner in 2007. He devotes time and attention to the Department's use of evidence based programs designed to reduce recidivism through reliance on the risk, needs and responsivity model, with a renewed emphasis upon educational opportunities. In addition, he guides efforts in achieving system-wide accreditation by the American Correctional Association, and in complying with the national Prison Rape Elimination Act standards, while also focusing on the safety of staff, incarcerated individuals, and parolees. Annucci is a member of the American Correctional Association and the Correctional Leaders Association and is a regular lecturer on topics including prison operations and sentencing laws. He has twice been recognized by the New York State Bar Association: once for Outstanding Contribution in the Field of Correction and the other for Excellence in Public Service. This past January, he received the prestigious Michael Francke Career Achievement Award from the Correctional Leaders Association, whose membership includes every corrections commissioner in the country.
Working on healing | Dameon Bodie | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022
I am Black, Jamaican American, and Bronx-born to be a comedic/poetic/song/novelist/play/screenplay writer. Tyler Perry is my role model. I aspire to one day direct and produce my own plays and movies. Aside from being able to be with my daughter and family again, there isn’t anything that I love more than that.
Our shared humanity | Marcelle Chandler | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022
Listen to why the incarcerated men at Coxsackie chose "Our Shared Humanity" for the theme of their event. Event emcee Marcelle Chandler grew up in a violent, fatherless household while living in a poor, high-crime neighborhood in Albany, NY, and was exposed to a negative lifestyle at a young age. He's currently serving time in Coxsackie Correctional Facility where he is a Bard University student, majoring in Liberal Arts. He strives to be a better person every day. He's a member of the “Alliance for Positive Health,” educating his peers on HIV, STI, HCV facts and awareness. He also offers Hospice Aid assistance for incarcerated individuals in need during their last days. Marcelle strives to be a better person every day, and when he gets out of prison, he has plans to start a non-profit organization related to criminal justice and criminal law awareness.
Unrelatable | Eric Goding | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022
Eric Goding breathes life into every room he enters. He loves to make people laugh and finds ways to relate to everyone he comes in contact with. He’s always willing to give a helping hand to anyone who needs assistance and prides himself on being able to solve problems as they arise. Eric has worked hard to obtain his Department of Labor certification as an electrician and also taught himself Spanish. Currently, Eric is dedicated to mentoring younger individuals.
I have changed | Pedro Santos | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022
I was arrested at the age of 17. I have been locked up for almost 13 years, and when I was a free man, I was a student at Hempstead High School. I was living with my mother and my stepfather and never worked. My wish was to be a member of the United States Army. I used to be a gang member, but I have changed my life and now I attend Bard College at Coxsackie Correctional Facility. My goal is to show society that there are some good people locked up in prison, people who have made and learned from their mistakes, including me.
The best they can be | Stephen Lape | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022
When Deacon Lape accepted the offer to become a prison chaplain at Coxsackie Correctional Facility, he had no idea that besides the Catholics, he'd be in charge of the Santerias, Rastafarians, Wiccans, and Buddhists. He had a lot to learn...and quickly! Stephen Lape is a Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church, ordained in May 2011. He has a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies from St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Syracuse University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. His primary clinical focus was in Substance Use Disorders. Besides ministry and work, he enjoys reading, gardening, outside activities, and time with his family.
Teardrops | Robert Van Orden | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022
I grew up in the military with my father. I’ve lived in seven different states in my 22 years of life. I have 12 siblings. I started writing music after I fell in love at 16 years old and made a mistake and lost her. Nothing has been the same since. I’ve been in and out of jail since I was 17 years old. I want to change my life and show the world that a guy can make a mistake and want to fix it. I want to show that everyone messes up and it’s okay as long as they work to change and be better.
Smooth days | A. Hussain + John Giuca | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022
There aren't many more positions in U.S. society more strongly at odds than that of a correction officer (CO) and an incarcerated individual (II). Yet, here are on the stage at Coxsackie Correctional Facility, a CO and an II were brave enough to take the stage together to talk about their mutual goal of achieving peaceful days in prison.Correctional Officer A. Hussain: I am the Pakistani-American dream. Knowing that my time on this planet is limited, I intend on making the most of it. I will hunger for knowledge, devour every macro, and never starve myself for a laugh. I know that humans can make it.John Giuca attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice before being arrested in 2004. He is now a student in Bard’s college program at Coxsackie Correctional Facility and spends his free time fighting to finally go home one day. He has always maintained his innocence.
Respect | Correction Officer J. James | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022
Listen to this correction officer explain how vital respect is -- both giving and receiving it -- in his life of work. A correction officer for 14 years, 20 years state service, J. James strives to be helpful to others. Within the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, James is a Master instructor on many topics including domestic and workplace violence and diversity and inclusion. He is also an aggravated harassment evidence collector and a member of the Employee Benefit Fund. James enjoys building and long-distance driving, as he once was an over-the-road, long-haul driver. James love to hunt and fish whenever possible and enjoys classic and modern cars. He hopes one day to own that ’70 Chevelle with a 454 engine. James likes to keep up on global issues. Above all, he is devoted to his family.
The man I have become | Diego Pillco | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022
Diego Pillco killed a beautiful human being, which created immense pain and suffering, and he thinks about this every day. Although it isn't possible for him to go back in time and undo the terrible thing he did, his only path forward is to dedicating his life to improving himself and trying to alleviate other suffering where he can. Diego is a native of Cuenca, a beautiful but impoverished state in southern Ecuador. At the age of 18, he came to the United States as an illegal immigrant who spoke little English. Once in prison, he thought his life was over. But gradually he began to understand English just by listening to it. In 2011, he earned his GED and became involved in numerous programs such as being a teacher’s aide, working with the disabled, working in the tailor shop (as a foreman now), and being a hospice aide. He very much enjoys his work. These programs helped him grow and change to become a better person. He loves sewing and he loves sports, especially American football. He’s a die-hard New York Giants fan, and he loves music, too. After his release from prison, he plans to return to Ecuador to take care of his elderly parents. He will open a tailor shop to make clothes for the poor kids in his town as well as to teach them to sew so he can bring hope to the youth for a better tomorrow.
Breakdancing | Kolton Cotter | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022
Kolton Cotter grew up rough. His life story has been included in a book. He's seen and been through a lot and loves to help other people. His heart is his family – his mom, for sure. He always says what’s his mind. He loves soccer and baseball. All around, he's been through and done a lot, so he can relate to just about anything.
Talks with my son behind bars | Kevin Vaughn | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022
Kevin Vaughn has never met his son, as he was just born when Kevin was arrested. Listen to this deeply moving talk about how an incarcerated father develops and maintains a strong, positive relationship with his son solely by use of phone calls. Kevin Vaughn has sacrificed a lot and experienced all the bad that comes with the criminal lifestyle. While in prison over the last 13 years of a 20-year sentence, he learned how to shine bright after so many years of darkness. Among his many accomplishments are multiple alternative to violence programs, aggression replacement training, G.E.D., general business certificate, job/employment titles, substance abuse programs, and a host of volunteer and incarcerated individual-run programs and fundraisers. He’s also a student in the culinary arts program seeking his apprenticeship and certificate in Servsafe food safety. He is a man who checks and renews himself constantly. And his life purpose is to guide and uplift the youth as a whole and have a personal and positive impact on their future. But most of all, he’s the proud father of a 13-year-old son whom he loves and misses tremendously.
Session 2 | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022
TED Social at Coxsackie Correctional Facililty - Session 2, December 2, 2022, ”Our Shared Humanity”, Kolton Cotter, Diego Pillco, Eric Goding, Dameon Bodie, Elizabeth Gaynes, Cyrus Vance Andre Norman, Anthony Annucci
Session 1 | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022
TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility, December 2, 2022, ”Our Shared Humanity”, Raymond Shanley, Superintendent, Marcelle Chandler, Emcee, Michael Grasing, Officer J. James, Pedro, Santos, Deacon Stephen Lape, Robert Van Orden, Officer A. Hussain + John Giuca, Kevin Vaughn
I was not born a murderer | Quan Huynh | TEDxSanQuentin 2022
Quan Huynh was convicted of murder and was sentenced to life in the state of California. But somewhere along the way, he found a path to his own inner freedom. Watch as he shares his journey and how he still wants to make an impact in the world. Quan Huynh has been described as a mighty warrior, a magician, and a mountain of goodness. He is the bestselling author of Sparrow in the Razor Wire: Finding Freedom from Within While Serving a Life Sentence. His book was written for men that are doing long or life term sentences, and in it, he shares how he found his freedom years before he was even paroled. He works as the Executive Director for Defy Ventures in Southern California, a non profit whose mission is to shift mindsets, to give people with criminal histories their best shot at a second chance. After spending 22 years in and out of correctional institutions, Quan was paroled from a life sentence in 2015 and created his first company, Jade Janitors, Inc. six months later. The following year, he received the Peace Fellowship Award for his work with the Alternatives to Violence Project.Quan has been featured in Entrepreneur, PBS Newshour, Talks at Google, and numerous other publications and podcasts.
Failure - get over it | Terry McAuliffe | TEDxAttica 2019
In this entertaining talk, former Governor Terry McAuliffe talks about his first entrepreneurial endeavors as a young boy in Syracuse to his time as Governor, reforming Virginia's criminal justice system. Terry McAuliffe served as Governor of Virginia from 2014 to 2018. He also served as Chair of the National Governors' Association from 2016 to 2017 and Chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2001 to 2005. During his term as Governor, the unemployment rate in Virginia dropped from 5.4% to 3.6% and initial unemployment claims fell to a 44-year-low. By the end of his term, McAuliffe had restored voting rights for 206,000 released felons, more than any governor in U.S. history. He also issued more pardons than any Governor in Virginia history and reduced the state’s population in state-operated Juvenile Correctional Centers by nearly two-thirds. His new New York Times best-selling book, Beyond Charlottesville: Taking a Stand Against White Nationalism, describes the tragic events at the "Unite the Right" rally that resulted in the deaths of three people in Charlottesville, Virginia, during his governorship.