In January of 2003, local media reported that the increase of violence in the communities of Oakland was the direct result of inmates being released from San Quentin Prison.

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When the Warden of San Quentin, Jennie S. Woodford, heard the announcement on the local news, she took responsibility to address these issues of violence in the city of Oakland.   She partnered with Dr. Garry Mendez, Jr., the founder of the National T.R.U.S.T., located in the State of New York. A program was developed to train lifers to mentor and prepare short term inmates to become positive and contributing members of society.

 

To develop a group of  T.R.U.S.T. Fellows, the San Quentin Chapter of the National T.R.U.S.T., then recruited 25 men from its prison population for training.

 

Upon completion of intensive sessions with Dr. Mendez, T.R.U.S.T. Fellows were recognized as mentors within the prison community. Based on evidence of positive changes and behavior in their lives,  T.R.U.S.T. would later be designated by the prison administration as an official organization within San Quentin in December of 2003.

 

 San Quentin T.R.U.S.T. was created as a re-socialization program designed to transform incarcerated men from social liabilities into assets. The goals are to improve on pro-social values while cultivating self-awareness and personal responsibility geared towards families and communities. 

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T.R.U.S.T. Fellows are consistently committed to improving their communities both inside and outside the walls of the prison.

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Current Officials:

 

Ron Broomfield, Acting Warden

Lt. Sam Robinson, Public Information Officer

Lt. Armand Armas, Community Partnership Manager

 

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Special Thanks and Acknowledgements:

 

As a gesture of good faith and great appreciation, the Fellows of today would like to acknowledge all who have provided ongoing support for change in the lives of so many. The San Quentin T.R.U.S.T. has long been supported by the past six wardens: Jennie S. Woodford, Brown, Ayers, Cohen, Mertel, and Chappelle, as well as our current Warden, Ron Davis. Additional support, past and present, has come from other staff associated with the prison: Lt. V.M. Crittendon, Lt. Sam Robinson, Capt. K.J. Williams, Officers Grent, Brown, Debra Wynn and Madeleine Tenney.

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