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.
How to conquer fear and find happiness | David Williams | TEDxAttica 2019
Throughout his long career in medicine, Dr. David Williams has witnessed much suffering, sickness, and death. Searching for answers about how to be happy when life can be so difficult led him to a Zen monastery and ultimately to inner peace. David Williams grew up in a small town in Michigan where he completed his B.A. degree in biology before entering Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit and getting his M.D. degree. After finishing his family practice residency at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, MI, he worked for a federally funded rural health organization in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He later moved back to Detroit to work for the Henry Ford Health System in several primary care centers and in the infectious diseases department treating HIV/AIDS patients. In 1999, he moved to New York to work for the Bassett Healthcare System and to be closer to Zen Mountain Monastery where he has been a student since 1996. Since then, he has worked for the University of Rochester Medical Center, the Cayuga Medical Center, the Neighborhood Health Center in Buffalo before taking his present position at Attica as Director of Health Services.
Look at this beard: I'm a man! | Brian Edwards | TEDxAttica 2019
What happens when a male staffer at a maximum security prison -- Attica Correctional Facility, no less - has a panic attack at work? Will he be laughed at? Fired? Bullied by officers? Taken advantage of by inmates? Find out in this ground-breaking, courageous, and humorous talk by an Attica staffer. Brian Edwards is an academic teacher for the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision with 13 years on the job. He suffers from anxiety and depression and isn’t afraid to talk about it. Well, maybe he’s a little nervous. One time, while at a funeral, he heard the person giving the eulogy describe the deceased as “the most genuine person I’ve ever met.” All Brian wants is someone, one day, to say the same thing about him.
You matter! | Jessica Barrett | TEDxAttica 2019
In this painful and gripping talk, Jessica Barrett reveals the nightmare her family lived through after her brother committed suicide. She implores that anyone contemplating suicide remember that they matter to someone and they should reach out for help. The oldest of three children, I experienced the true blessing of being raised by devoted and loving parents who instilled in us three critical attributes. The first being absolute reverence for our Polish heritage. Second, the often underappreciated ability to connect with others on an emotional and intra-personal level ,as well as the life lesson that if you are good to people, they will be good to you. During a parochial, public, and now correctional teaching career that has spanned 20 years, I have worked to hone these attributes not only to celebrate my Polish heritage, but also to try to brighten the future of others. The winding road that I have traveled has been filled with incredible highs and soul crushing lows, yet it is these experiences that have helped me realize how critical suicide awareness has become and how a once taboo subject has shaped my life and the person I have become.
True leaders | Sue Fazzini | TEDxPittsburghStatePrison 2015
As a child growing up a large, financially struggling family, Sister Sue Fazzini learned at an early age that all that we have is a gift - and gifts, no matter how humble or meager, are meant to be shared with others. True leaders, she reminds us, reach down to help others up. A member of the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh, she presently works as a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist Supervisor at the State Correctional Institution at Greene in southwestern Pennsylvania.
What’s the difference? | Chris Hubert | TEDxWashingtonCorrectionsCenterforWomen 2015
Chris Hubert talks about his professional experiences and acknowledges the differences in working with male and female offenders. He promotes a shift in thinking. In a little over 27 years of public service, I have seen many shifts in philosophy, training, and implementation. I’m excited to see the Washington State Department of Corrections continuing to innovate in the area of gender responsiveness by embracing the best research and practices so that our department remains a recognized leader in evidence-based corrections. I was born in Texas almost 57 years ago. I have traveled a lot, mostly in America. My experiences range from a fairly well-off upbringing to being homeless, more than once, to being rich now. I consider myself rich because I have a family I love and who loves me as well as a home and career I really like and take pride in. I love my pets and enjoy hobbies such as reading and woodworking with reclaimed lumber. Having had times in my life when I had almost nothing, I am all the more appreciative of what I have now.
Tattooed | Deb Sahd | TEDxMuncyStatePrison 2014
“Tattooed,’’ written and performed by Deb Sahd, executive assistant to the Secretary of Corrections. Ms. Sahd sings about the importance of the simplest acts of kindness and the impact it has on others – sometimes leaving an indelible memory that can change a life for the better.
Mentor madness; loss, gain, and other irritating realities | Tim Smith | TEDxMarionCorrectional 2014
Chaplain Tim Sith provides a meaningful perspective and philosophy on relationships and mentoring. six.word.bio: Spiritual leader who likes Grumpy Cat.
Art's healing power | Pamela Jacques | TEDxGraterfordStatePrison 2014
Pamela Jacques, Graterford state prison counselor and artist, shares her message of healing and hope in a unique and beautiful way. Jacques reminds us that all life is precious and worthwhile, regardless of problems and pain we experience.
Whose foot is on my neck? | Gloria Bridget | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Gloria Bridget has been working in the criminal justice field for over 10 years as a Case Manager for The Female Offender Treatment and Employment Program, Transitional Counselor for the Re-Entry program at Ironwood State Prison, and as well as a Motivational Speaker. She has assisted thousands of people, including offenders, change their lives and reintegrate into society. Because of Gloria‘s professionalism, expertise, training, and commitment she is able to overcome many of the challenges that are presented to her. Using her education, life experiences, and networking she is committed to enhancing peoples‘ lives every day.
A journey of forgiveness | Ellen Rutledge | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
From the perspective of a mother whose son was murdered in 2008, Ellen Rutledge speaks on the topic of her journey of forgiveness, which is the ultimate gift to herself. Ellen Rutledge began her second career in the clerical field at Ironwood State Prison after resigning from the Palo Verde Unified School District where she worked as a Paraprofessional in Special Education for nearly 30 years, beginning with the elementary grade levels and progressing to the high school senior level. Since the murder of her son, she has been compelled to speak out on topics that reflect her journey through the grieving and forgiveness process. She is actively involved with the planning of the Crime Victims’ Service conducted annually during the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week at Ironwood State Prison in conjunction with Chuckawalla State Prison.
Maximum opportunity | Ryan Quirk | TEDxMonroeCorrectionalComplex 2014
Maximum security units have long been places of containment. With the majority of the offenders housed in maximum custody one day releasing to the community, there is both a need and an opportunity to provide therapeutic programming. The Washington State Department of Corrections is currently offering such programming in a manner that demonstrates that safety and security need not be compromised. Ryan Quirk, Ph.D., is a psychologist who has worked with the Washington State Department of Corrections since 2009. He is the supervising psychologist for the maximum custody units located in the Monroe Correctional Complex. In the units, Ryan works with a multidisciplinary team to provide programming and other opportunities to offenders in an effort to decrease recidivism. Such interventions are also designed to assist in offender transition to less-restrictive settings, including the community. It is his hope that individuals pursuing a career as a mental health professional will consider working in the field of corrections.
A Montessori prison education | Brian Walsh | TEDxMonroeCorrectionalComplex 2014
Prison is one of the most un-fun places one can live and work. Preschools are all about fun. But both are about preparing people for the real world. Brian argues that we can unlock the future of prison education by relearning the lessons of preschool. Brian leads the offender education program for Peninsula College at two state prisons in the northwest corner of Washington state's Olympic Peninsula. As Associate Dean of Basic Skills and Corrections, Brian started the first prison-based Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (IBEST) program, a nationally recognized curriculum for adult education in Washington state. He began five new vocational programs including Sustainable Horticulture, Artisan Baking, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Green Building and Computer Programming and Development. In November 2013, Brian was recognized by the White House as a Champion of Change, one of "10 local heroes who are taking creative approaches in using technology to enhance learning for students in communities across the country."
Growing in adversity with song | Derek Mortland | TEDxMarionCorrectionalSalon 2013
Derek Mortland has had a devilish interest in motorsports from an early age. At 20, he enrolled in the California Superbike School to learn to race motorcycles. After receiving his race license he went on to achieve numerous successes, including multiple top 10 finishes at WERA Grand National Final Events and numerous National Endurance Series Events with multiple teams, including 24 Hours of Nelson Ledges. Derek's career on motorcycles tragically ended in1997 when he suffered paralyzing injuries during a WERA National Endurance Race. Since that time, he has gone on to achieve success regardless of his disability by competing in wheelchair basketball, becoming a certified FAST Defense Combatives Instructor, and organizing disability conferences. He is currently assisting inmates through Win-Win Inc. and as a volunteer with the Horizon program. After TEDxMarionCorrectional he will work on his life goal of training his cats to perform on David Letterman's "Stupid Pet Tricks."