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.
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.
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 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.
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.
The power of language to redefine what matters | Javier Miranda | TEDxSingSing 2020
What does it mean to be “rehabilitated”? What if the person in question was never taught how to live and stay on the healthy path in the first place? Javier Miranda wants us to think about what it feels like to be someone in need of rehabilitation, specifically those incarcerated in American prisons. In this powerful talk, Javier discusses the power of language to impact someone’s recovery as well as the ways in which we can rehabilitate ourselves. Javier Miranda believes in the power education has to transform lives, communities, and societies. At the time of his arrest in 1994, he could not speak English; today, he holds a Masters Degree and is the author of Out of the Wilderness: A New Approach to Personal Development and Rehabilitation. For over 26 years as a peer counselor, Javier has been involved with many organizations combating AIDS, substance abuse, and epidemics of violence inside prisons. Currently, he is one of the coordinators for the New York Theological Seminary's Master Degree Program at Sing Sing.
The power of your thoughts | Yasiman Esmaeili | TEDxPerryvilleCorrectional 2018
"I had unknowingly been creating my own misery and depression for years. It never occurred to me to stop and examine my own thoughts and attitudes because in my reality at the time, circumstances were always to blame for my behavior. Once incarcerated, all I had was time to figure out why I acted and thought the way I did. As it turns out, spending time in prison has been pivotal to my personal growth and self-discovery. It is here that I’ve learned the power that my thoughts carry. It is here that I’ve changed my old ways of thinking. And it is through TEDx that I have been given the opportunity to share this message with others."
Removing labels | Dominique Goodmond | TEDxPerryvilleCorrectional 2018
Prior to Dominique’s incarceration people would label her as smart, talented and determined. Driven and ambitious, she moved to Arizona to obtain another degree that would enable her to accomplish her goal of becoming a professor at HBCU College. After an accident that derailed her path, she ended up incarcerated. The labels others placed on her became liar, manipulator, and criminal. Dominique tried to tell the world that she was so much more but no one could see beyond her orange outfit. She understood why others felt this way, having carried with her the same preconceived notions when entering Perryville. Having gone through this experience she’s now enlightened with the education, talent and worth of the women within Perryville's walls. “We are educated, talented and amazing women. We are also determined to expose our greatness to the world so they can witness the beauty that is being covered by our orange veil. We will leave prison and accomplish every goal, knock down every barrier that stands in our way while proving to ourselves that we are capable of doing anything!” Through Dominique’s talk, she removes the labels society places on felons, challenging you to do the same.
How to fix our broken criminal justice system | Robert Barton | TEDxSanQuentin 2016
After having worked with hundreds of prisoners, victims of crimes, and correctional officers and administrators, California's Inspector General has a pretty good idea of what's broken and why in our prison system. Listen to his talk to learn what we all must do in order to fix these system and improve public safety. Robert Barton currently serves as California's Inspector General and is responsible for oversight of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, including critical incidents, internal affairs, complaints, medical care, use of force, and other legislatively requested reviews. He chairs the California Rehabilitation Oversight Board reporting and making recommendations on rehabilitative programs for inmates and parolees. He began his public service with the Fresno Sheriff’s Department in 1984, while completing his B.S. in criminology at CSU- Fresno. He graduated from UC Davis King Hall, with his JD in 1988. He then served as a prosecutor in the Kern County District Attorney’s Office and from 2000-2005 supervised the gang, prison crime, juvenile and truancy units. He was then appointed as a Supervising Assistant Inspector General in 2005, before being appointed in 2011 as the Inspector General. He holds a lifetime Community College instructor credential in law.
Cracked sidewalks | Tonya Wilson | TEDxWashingtonCorrectionsCenterforWomen 2015
No one blames a badly planted tree for cracking the slabs of sidewalks. Tonya blurs the line between habilitation and rehabilitation, and how it relates to society. Tonya’s life revolves around words. Love of books, learning, and family has shaped her connection to the world. Tonya believes that human understanding, connection and acceptance create change. Understanding that every life has intrinsic value adds passion to her pursuit of nonviolent academic excellence. Using her varied street, prison and educational experiences, Tonya intends to promote change in her community.
Transformation through education | Michael Tineo | TEDxSingSing 2014
Prison rehabilitation leads to healthy communities on the outside when men are released. Rehabilitation prevents crime. Let’s rebrand Sing Sing as the Healthy Community Maker. Michael Tineo is a patient and loving father, who is mindful of his actions. He tries his best to be of some benefit to others he encounters. He has big dreams, plays hard, and is deliberate in implementing the steps necessary to achieve his goals. Michael is proud of the relationship he has developed with his daughter, despite the hurdles created by his incarceration. This relationship has been a source of growth and fulfillment for himself and his daughter. He aspires to be a tremendous benefit to the world through influential and philanthropic efforts.
Working toward redemption | Heather Lavelle | TEDxMuncyStatePrison 2014
College-educated Heather Lavelle was a successful professional until alcohol and drug addiction led her to commit a crime that resulted in a life prison sentence. Ms. Lavelle discusses “Working toward Redemption,’’ beginning with the hardest task of all - forgiving herself.
The R in CDCR | Millicent Tidwell | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Millicent Tidwell is the California Judicial Council's Acting Administrative Director. She previously served as the council's Chief Deputy Director, overseeing the Judicial Council's Leadership Services Division. Prior to that, she served for two years as the Judicial Council's Chief Operating Officer, directing the Operations and Programs Division. With more than 20 years of experience in the criminal justice field, she previously served as Director of the Division of Rehabilitative Programs for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation where she managed an annual budget of more than $450 million. Ms. Tidwell’s breadth of career experience includes policy making, strategic planning, partnership building, research, and evaluation and process improvement for complex and diverse organizations. Ms. Tidwell practiced law in Sacramento before turning to public service in 1999, when she went to work as a public safety policy analyst for the Office of Governor Gray Davis. A year later, she became Chief of Mentally Ill Offender Services at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. In 2005, Ms. Tidwell became Deputy Director of the Office of Criminal Justice Collaboration at the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, during which time she served on the Judicial Council’s Collaborative Justice Courts Advisory Committee. In 2013, she became the Director for the Division of Rehabilitative Programs at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, where she served until joining the Judicial Council. Ms. Tidwell holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Sacramento State University, with a major in criminal law. She earned her juris doctorate from Lincoln Law School of Sacramento, and was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1997.