Alwin Smith

Resource Specialist & Employment Coach

Oakland, California

Mr. Smith is a third striker who was sentenced to 65 years to life after his third arrest for incarceration. During this time I have come to recognize my criminal behavior and irresponsible thinking which lead me to disregard the effects and my actions that were devastating to the individuals that were the victims to my criminal activities. I have lived many years as a recognized gang member and participated in gang activity following my cousins whom I recognized as a father figure and male role models. I understand the influence that others of society have upon individuals and over the course of my incarceration, particularly since the year 2007 have committed myself to renewing my mind (thinking, conduct, goals, ambitions, vocabulary, etc.). Renewal took place in the form of Seminaries, Bible Institutes, and College where I received my AA in Ministry. It was the participation in Celebrate Recovery that brought the focus point to clearity, Habits and Hang-ups where it deals with the emotional, behavioral and psychological pains and bondage. I was also a participant of Academy Program Prison Fellowship formally SOAR (Stepping Out Approved & Renewed), in which Getting It Right; Change Plan, Responsible Thinking, Relapse Prevention and Personal Growth were impactful in the changing of my life. After growing in and through these programs I became a co-facilitator then a preparer of lessons and facilitated small groups (12-15 inmates) where I addressed these hurts, habits and hang-ups incorporating the gifts of other curriculum I gleaned over the years. It is these achievements and many others that lead the Secretary of CDCR request that I be resentenced stating: “The purpose of this letter is to provide the court with authority to resentence inmate Alwin J. Smith, E64303…based upon his exceptional conduct while incarcerated…” “As Secretary of CDCR, I take my obligation to public safety very seriously and choose only to make exceptional conduct referrals when an inmate’s behavior, while incarcerated, demonstrates a sustained compliance with departmental rules, regulations and requirements as well as prolonged participation in rehabilitative programming. These inmates have not only exhibited exceptional conduct through their ability to obey rules and regulations, but have also demonstrated a commitment to their rehabilitation through voluntary participation in self-help programs…” The Secretary of CDCR and the District Attorney via FTP (For The People) and Stanford Law have given their voice which is the reason that I am paroled today.

I was released July 21, 2001. Since that time I have Successfully completed 63 days of Residential Treatment, 8 weeks of Criminal Thinking, 8 weeks of Anger Management and Desert Best Friend’s Closet Job Search Ready Workshop; Provided By ABC Recovery Center, Inc.;

I have Completed and Internship at Lake Avenue Church Pasadena California where I participated in the showering of the homeless every Wednesday, cooking a hot meal every 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sunday of the Month, Completed my first Middle School Program Guest Speaker–Formerly Lake Avenue Community Foundation Mr. Christian Sanchez Program Manager;

Advocated for better reentry support for those paroling from institutions via Ryan Conroy

Director, ProsperOK / Strategic Partnerships Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) [email protected]: www.ceoworks.org and For The People, Ms. Hillary and Ms. Christina; Advocated via Interview with Ms. Marisa Lagos, KQED Radio; Second interview with Ms. Kate Wolffe KQED News in San Francisco;