HISTORY
The San Quentin TRUST was established by a group of educated, incarcerated men who have enhanced their value system from their former criminal lifestyle while they are still incarcerated. With assistance by Dr. Garry Mendez, these men, through their hard work and determination, created a program at San Quentin that was validated and deemed a functioning program of the prison on August 11, 2003. With the help of staff sponsors and community support, the San Quentin TRUST has become a group of incarcerated men who have taken responsibility to rehabilitate themselves. The TRUST’s core educational principle is its asset-based training. The program develops long-term inmates into peer mentors who assist other men in changing negative behaviors and thought patterns by re-enforcing positive ones: ‘turning liabilities into assets.’ The San Quentin TRUST mission is to enhance one’s value system from criminal behavior to a sense of respect and responsibility for themselves, their families and communities. By building a bridge of communication with their communities for a successful re-entry, they ultimately decrease crime and recidivism and improve public safety with the quality of life. San Quentin TRUST program mentors are called TRUST Fellows.
