Life revealed | Philip Melendez | TEDxSanQuentin 2016

If you've never been to prison before, what can you expect to discover at a TEDx event held inside San Quentin? Inmate Phil Melendez discusses the organizing principles behind the theme "life revealed." Born and raised in Sacramento, CA, in 1997, at age 19, Philip Melendez committed two counts of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 30 years to life. Numerous years of self-help and introspection have taught him to live a more restorative and positive life. He is currently enrolled at Patten University in San Quentin, mentoring at-risk youth, and striving to teach people about the need for more empathy, compassion, and understanding in the world. A key member of the TEDx marketing team, he is also the president of Kid C.A.T.’s Communications and Outreach Department where he is actively involved in creating awareness of youth justice issues and developing ways to end the school-to-prison pipeline. When he is not studying for his classes at Patten University at San Quentin he is taking self-help and personal growth classes to better prepare for mentoring traumatized youth. He is a perpetual optimist, who believes that restorative justice will one day become global practice.