Cultural Empowerment Models for Prisoner and Formerly Incarcerated Populations
10
Cultural Empowerment Models for Prisoners and Formerly Incarcerated Populations Asian Prisoner Support Committee (APSC) Eddy Zheng Co-Chair, APSC Harrison Seuga Reentry Director, APSC Kasi Chakravartula Case Manager, APSC
-
Upload
frontlinesol -
Category
Government & Nonprofit
-
view
123 -
download
1
description
Formerly incarcerated men who have participated in Roots 2 Reentry shared their knowledge regarding incarceration and cultural stigma in Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities and the process of community-building in the reentry process.
Transcript of Cultural Empowerment Models for Prisoner and Formerly Incarcerated Populations
Cultural Empowerment Models for Prisoners and Formerly Incarcerated Populations
Asian Prisoner Support Committee (APSC)Eddy ZhengCo-Chair, APSC
Harrison SeugaReentry Director, APSC
Kasi ChakravartulaCase Manager, APSC
APSC Mission●APSC’s mission is to provide support to API prisoners and to raise awareness about the impact of criminalization on our community.
●Address the isolation and stigma that face many API prisoners.
●We believe that access to culturally competent rehabilitative resources will lead to safer communities, not mass incarceration.
Cultural Empowerment Models for Prisoners and Formerly Incarcerated Populations
Asian Prisoner Support Committee
Incarceration in the Asian & Pacific Islander
community
●The API prison population grew by 250% while the overall prison population grew by 77% between 1990 and 2000.
●High criminalization rates for some Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander groups: In Oakland, Samoans (140 per 1,000), Cambodians (63 per 1,000), Laotians (52 per 1,000) and Vietnamese (28 per 1,000) have some of the highest arrest rates.
Cultural Empowerment Models for Prisoners and Formerly Incarcerated Populations
Asian Prisoner Support Committee
Issues of Isolation and Stigma
●APIs categorized as “Other.”
●Often shunned or disowned by family and community.
●Lack of culturally competent programs focused on API language and culture.
Cultural Empowerment Models for Prisoners and Formerly Incarcerated Populations
Asian Prisoner Support Committee
SQ ROOTS program●Weekly class at San Quentin comprised of 30 “lifers” primarily of API ethnic background.
●Guest speakers share about various API cultures, histories, and experiences.
●Themes include historical trauma, social justice, and cultural healing practices.
Cultural Empowerment Models for Prisoners and Formerly Incarcerated Populations
Asian Prisoner Support Committee
SQ ROOTS programBased on pre/post surveys, the majority of participants reported increased knowledge for:
●Reentry planning●Preparation for parole board●Comfort level and ability to share about their history and culture
●Leadership skills
Cultural Empowerment Models for Prisoners and Formerly Incarcerated Populations
Asian Prisoner Support Committee
Roots 2 Reentry●Weekly support group for former prisoners.
●Community reintegration activities.
●Case management services referrals.
Cultural Empowerment Models for Prisoners and Formerly Incarcerated Populations
Asian Prisoner Support Committee
Closing Thoughts●Critical to include cultural healing and community-building for immigrant and refugee groups.
●With limited resources, our programs are possible by leveraging a strong network of volunteers, Asian Am/Ethnic Studies professors, cultural workers, and community-based organizations. (Budget for 2013 was under $10,000)
●With more support, APSC can expand our work and share our model with others.
Cultural Empowerment Models for Prisoners and Formerly Incarcerated Populations
Asian Prisoner Support Committee
