Kenyatta Leal
Name: Chrisfino Kenyatta Leal
Date of Birth: September 27, 1968
Ethnicity: African-American
Crime: Ex-Felon in Possession of a Firearm
Sentence: 25 years to life
Why did you join the T.R.U.S.T.?
I joined the San Quentin T.R.U.S.T. for a number of reasons: First, because I believe the values and principles of the T.R.U.S.T. can assist incarcerated men of San Quentin in overcoming the detrimental cognitive/behavioral patterns which led us to prison; Second, because I recognize the redeemabe qualities of men in San Quentin, and being a T.R.U.S.T. Fellow affords me the opportunity to assist others in not only recognizing their redeemable qualities but in understanding how to use them in ways that are beneficial to themselves, their families, and their communities. And finally, being a T.R.U.S.T. Fellow provides me a unique opportunity to give back to the very community that has given so much to me.
What does being a T.R.U.S.T.Fellow mean to you?
Being a T.R.U.S.T. Fellow is an honor and privilege that I do not take lightly. There are a number of negative stereotypes about men in prison, so in my eyes being a Fellow is all about being an agent of positive change here at San Quentin as well as the outside community.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
In my spare time I enjoy exercising, eating, airbrushing, and listening to a wide range of music from Gregory Isaacs to Norah Jones to the Isley Brothers. I also LOVE Sports, especially football and the Oakland Raiders...it's all about dat Silver and Black!!!
What programs are you involved in other than T.R.U.S.T.?
I am currently working with a number of groups including: The Last Mile, Project R.E.A.C.H. as a tutor helping other men achieve their academic goals; No More Tears which focuses on curbing violence both inside and outside prison; and Victim Offender Education Group (V.O.E.G.). I am also proud to say that I recently earned my Associate of Arts Degree from Patten University and graduated as class valedictorian with a GPA of 3.95.
What kind of work to you do with the inside and/or outside communities?
I am currently working closely with the non-profit Centerforce to develop materials aimed at reducing the prevalence rates of Hepatitis C in the prison system. So far we have successfully created a number of posters, training curriculums, and videos (check out Centerforce's Mythbuster series on YouTube) to help raise awareness and educate the incarcerated community about everything from how Hepatitis C affects the liver to transmission to harm reduction techniques, treatment, prevention, and testing. And with approximately 40% of the men entering the California prison system being Hepatitis C positive, I see this work as being of utmost importance.
How do you live up to the T.R.U.S.T. value system? How do you promote the ideals of the T.R.U.S.T. outside the workshops?
I live up to the T.R.U.S.T. value system by keeping the humble mind state of a student and always staying open to learning. More importantly, I take what I have learned and make a conscious effort to pass it on every chance I get.
What do you want to do after parole?
When I parole I want to work with formerly incarcerated men/women and help them successfully transition back into society. I also want to volunteer for various causes but primarily sports.
What is your personal message to the outside world?
What I want the outside world to know is that I am not just sitting around in here making excuses or blaming others for my incarceration. For the last seventeen-plus years I have been engaged in the process of identifying and addressing the causative factors of my criminal behavior, and brick by brick tearing down the walls of denial that held me captive long before I set foot in prison. This process of self-examination has not been easy, but along the way I have come to understand that my decision-making and actions have impacted not only the lives of my victims but their families and communities; and for that I truly am sorry. I realize I cannot change the crimes I have committed or the pain I have caused in the lives of others; however, I can change my life so that I never do harm to another human being again. I can also use my experience as a vehicle to help other incarcerated men understand that change is possible.
Date of Birth: September 27, 1968
Ethnicity: African-American
Crime: Ex-Felon in Possession of a Firearm
Sentence: 25 years to life
Why did you join the T.R.U.S.T.?
I joined the San Quentin T.R.U.S.T. for a number of reasons: First, because I believe the values and principles of the T.R.U.S.T. can assist incarcerated men of San Quentin in overcoming the detrimental cognitive/behavioral patterns which led us to prison; Second, because I recognize the redeemabe qualities of men in San Quentin, and being a T.R.U.S.T. Fellow affords me the opportunity to assist others in not only recognizing their redeemable qualities but in understanding how to use them in ways that are beneficial to themselves, their families, and their communities. And finally, being a T.R.U.S.T. Fellow provides me a unique opportunity to give back to the very community that has given so much to me.
What does being a T.R.U.S.T.Fellow mean to you?
Being a T.R.U.S.T. Fellow is an honor and privilege that I do not take lightly. There are a number of negative stereotypes about men in prison, so in my eyes being a Fellow is all about being an agent of positive change here at San Quentin as well as the outside community.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
In my spare time I enjoy exercising, eating, airbrushing, and listening to a wide range of music from Gregory Isaacs to Norah Jones to the Isley Brothers. I also LOVE Sports, especially football and the Oakland Raiders...it's all about dat Silver and Black!!!
What programs are you involved in other than T.R.U.S.T.?
I am currently working with a number of groups including: The Last Mile, Project R.E.A.C.H. as a tutor helping other men achieve their academic goals; No More Tears which focuses on curbing violence both inside and outside prison; and Victim Offender Education Group (V.O.E.G.). I am also proud to say that I recently earned my Associate of Arts Degree from Patten University and graduated as class valedictorian with a GPA of 3.95.
What kind of work to you do with the inside and/or outside communities?
I am currently working closely with the non-profit Centerforce to develop materials aimed at reducing the prevalence rates of Hepatitis C in the prison system. So far we have successfully created a number of posters, training curriculums, and videos (check out Centerforce's Mythbuster series on YouTube) to help raise awareness and educate the incarcerated community about everything from how Hepatitis C affects the liver to transmission to harm reduction techniques, treatment, prevention, and testing. And with approximately 40% of the men entering the California prison system being Hepatitis C positive, I see this work as being of utmost importance.
How do you live up to the T.R.U.S.T. value system? How do you promote the ideals of the T.R.U.S.T. outside the workshops?
I live up to the T.R.U.S.T. value system by keeping the humble mind state of a student and always staying open to learning. More importantly, I take what I have learned and make a conscious effort to pass it on every chance I get.
What do you want to do after parole?
When I parole I want to work with formerly incarcerated men/women and help them successfully transition back into society. I also want to volunteer for various causes but primarily sports.
What is your personal message to the outside world?
What I want the outside world to know is that I am not just sitting around in here making excuses or blaming others for my incarceration. For the last seventeen-plus years I have been engaged in the process of identifying and addressing the causative factors of my criminal behavior, and brick by brick tearing down the walls of denial that held me captive long before I set foot in prison. This process of self-examination has not been easy, but along the way I have come to understand that my decision-making and actions have impacted not only the lives of my victims but their families and communities; and for that I truly am sorry. I realize I cannot change the crimes I have committed or the pain I have caused in the lives of others; however, I can change my life so that I never do harm to another human being again. I can also use my experience as a vehicle to help other incarcerated men understand that change is possible.
