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.
Attica prisoners and guards | Peggy Vance, E. Nowak, Jemar Kelley + Donovan Jackson | TEDxAttica 2019
Attica is definitely not known for teamwork between its prisoners and guards. However, this talk given by two incarcerated men and one correctional officer tells of a popular program at Attica where they work together to mentor and help at-risk youth.Peggy Vance is a photographer and letterpress printer living on a farm in upstate New York. Shooting with film and printing in a dark room remain my favorite way to create photographs. My work is varied; I have shot weddings, in prisons, my family, home interiors, around the world and especially around this farm. I work primarily with a Leica M7 and a Holga. For events, including weddings, I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark II as well. I have been printing on a Chandler & Price for over two decades. The letterpress branch of Beech Tree is my effort to encourage handwritten communication for every occasion -- for gratitude, for congratulations, for mourning, for keeping in touch. The paper is usually from Italy but I recently began working with a heavier card stock. Collections change seasonally.A correctional officer for 30 years, Mr. Nowak looks forward to working with his son as he begins his own career as a correctional officer at Attica. A whiz at everything automotive, Mr. Nowak enjoys building race cars and driving them and with his son fixing cars throughout their neighborhood. Mr. Nowak is a first lieutenant in his local fire department, where he works with the Boy Scouts of America Explorer Program. Here at Attica, he serves on the Fire Brigade Team, is an expert on SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus), a member of C.E.R.T. (Crisis Intervention Response Team), the Youth Assistance Program, and a certified drug tester for NARC. He has worked a locksmith fixing cells, doors, gates and locks and as a fabricator building objects for the facility from steel. In his spare time, Mr. Nowak loves to hunt and fish. Above all, he is devoted to his family and his wife of 31 years.With much work, Jemar Kelley has left his negative influences behind. While in prison over the last 20 years, he has completed multiple substance abuse programs as well as aggression replacement training. He has learned to think in terms of intelligent options and consequences before deciding upon a course of action. He is a man who checks and constantly renews himself, realizing that life is a continuous growth process, requiring adjustment, ever evolving and changing. He is deeply committed to mentoring youth recognize their own negative behaviors to help them avoid making the same bad choices he made that will lead them down a road of poverty, incarceration, and or death. At 42 years old, Jemar is the proud father of two intelligent daughters. His oldest is enrolled in college to be a medical assistant. His youngest has received acceptance letters from 18 colleges and graduated from high school with honors. She is enrolled in college to be a business administrator.Donovan Jackson was raised by his preaching mother and teaching grandmother where church and school were mandatory. A well-known rebel, he embraced an opposite path in life where he majored in bad decisions and choices. When he got tenured at Attica, he made great strides to shake off all he learned at the university of knuckleheads. At 33, he now spends his time at Attica mentoring at-risk youth, counseling his peers, and spreading his infectious smile to others. He is devoted to his wife of 9 years and their four daughters.
How you see me inside these walls | Rick Matthews | TEDxAttica 2019
Check out this entertaining and insightful talk by a long-time Attica correctional officer and standup comic. Yes, prison guards can be funny! Rick Matthews tackles labels and stereotypes of officers and inmates, making us laugh while underscoring the humanity of everyone and that we all have possibilities. NOTE: He is definitely NOT advocating a brazen bulldozer escape. Rick Matthews was born and raised in Western New York. Taking what that region has taught him, he is hard working, gritty, and destined to be in second place. A correctional officer for 16 years, Rick has worked at the Attica Correctional Facility for 14 of them. He's also been a stand-up comic for the last 12 years. His family, past, and full-length mirror provide him with all the material he needs to fuel his relatable brand of humor that keeps audiences laughing. He has toured around the country with Jim Norton, and has performed in numerous clubs, casinos, colleges, and festivals throughout the U.S. He is also the creator of the hit "Comics Against Humanity" show, based on the popular card game "Cards Against Humanity," which is now featured at other Helium locations around the country. Rick teaches both introductory and advanced stand-up comedy classes at Helium Comedy Club.
The bridge between an inmate and society | Earnest Sanford | TEDxSanQuentin
Starting on death row with the "worst of the worst," correctional officer Earnest Sanford has worked at San Quentin for 15 years. Listen to his story. Correctional Officer Earnest Sanford has worked at San Quentin for 14 years. During his career he has worked in a number of locations around the prison - from death row, to San Quentin’s reception center, and now for the past 4 years, in San Quentin’s education department. His view of offenders has shifted over the years, especially since being an education officer, and now he believes every human being is entitled to respect. With this shift, his ability to be an effective officer has greatly increased, as has his capacity to lead a full and productive life.
Changes and consequences | Amelia McPeek | TEDxMuncyStatePrison 2014
Amelia McPeek, corrections officer at SCI Muncy, admits that her personal disappointments fueled by alcohol consumption in her off hours, created an angry, unpleasant demeanor that was ruining her life both professionally and personally. Her decision to change her attitude has changed her life for the better and she encourages others in her talk entitled “Changes & Consequences.’’
The importance of fathers | Correctional Officer Calvin Williams | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Single father of 3 children, Correctional Officer Calvin Williams of Ironwood State Prison speaks about the importance of being a father. Calvin Williams is a widower and a single father of three wonderful children. A spiritual man, he believes we should love God, our family, and all God's creations, including ourselves. He also believes we should all work for what we get. He is a peace officer and is employed at Ironwood State Prison.
Do you have any change? | Sam Grisham | TEDxMarionCorrectional 2013
Sam Grisham is a husband, father and grandfather of two. After serving in the U.S. Army he settled in Ohio, but still has strong ties to his hometown of Monticello, Arkansas where his mother still resides. Spending so much time on the softball diamond paid dividends when the team he was on won a 2012 national championship. Even though he has a career, spends time on the diamond and is a hunter, he still finds it hard to keep up with his wonderful wife Kelli. That is why he enjoys the little moments like making coffee for her every morning. Sam is confident in the person he is, which is why he will be painfully honest with you. His mind is constantly moving. He is taking the stage to tell his story of change. After TEDxMarionCorrectional he will continue his work at Marion Correctional Institution helping others.