Our visit to San Quentin to speak with the TRUST program was very interesting. 
I had an idea of what it was going to be like before going and the actual experience was
much different.  The stories we heard from the inmates gave me a different perspective on
society and the way our justice system works.  Many people who become incarcerated
are from low economic areas and are forced into gangs.  Many also drop out of school
and fall into the pressures of violence.  The story that stuck out to me the most was
David’s because he was so open with his experience.  I appreciated the opportunity to
hear his story.  Also, I believe that the TRUST program at San Quentin is doing a great
thing for the inmates.  It gives them a chance to change their lives and feel better about
themselves.  It is important for people in society to understand that inmates are not what
the media explains them to be.  Therefore, this experience changed my beliefs on the
prison system.  I thought it was interesting when they said that the staff is not exactly the
best choice to be telling the inmates what to do.  I laughed when they told the story of
how it took four officers to try to work a digital camera.  This just shows that the system
is flawed.  The TRUST program is a good way for the inmates to come together and
make people believe that not everything they hear on the news is true.  When they said
that they put together many programs (the Richmond program), I thought it was a good
thing.  The idea that they are helping others inside of prison, shows that anyone can make
a difference no matter if they made bad choices.  Thus, this trip was a good experience
that I will never forget and I learned a lot.