I recently came across an essay on Quora.com. It was written by Tommy Winfrey, an inmate in San Quentin State Prison. His words were in response to the question: “What should everyone know about prison?” As someone who regularly goes behind bars as a Truth Be Told volunteer at Lockhart Prison, I found myself wondering what it would […]
2012
My Name is Katherine
My name is Katherine now, but before that I was Boyett #877299. Before that I was Kathy and before that I can’t remember. I’ll be turning fifty this year and almost all of those years have been marked, no matter my name, by a state of loss – loss of my innocence to a stepfather […]
An Amazing Opportunity
Lauren J., a participant in the TCCC Del Valle Program shares her connection with Truth Be Told. I had the amazing opportunity, and hopefully only the first of many, to go to prison today. Only this time I got to leave a short while later! I got released in March of 2011. Since then I […]
Lee Thorsness, board vice chair, shares what makes Truth Be Told so special
In 2006, 48.8 percent of citizens re-entering society after prison were re-incarcerated. In 2007, the re-incarceration rate of Truth Be Told graduates was 24.3% — half that of the general population.
So Truth Be Told is moving this in the right direction; however, we need to continue to improve this rate.
Cara's Story, Part 2
Today’s guest post is by Cara, a Truth Be Told graduate, and is part 2 of 2. You can read Part 1 here. It has been three years, five months and six days and I can still remember driving off with “My Jeremy,” just like it was yesterday. I smile real big; he smiles and […]
The Last Stop: Cara's Story, Part 1
Today’s guest post is by Cara, a Truth Be Told graduate, and is part 1 of 2; you can read Part 2 here. That anxious nervous feeling washes over me as I wait for the Guards to come get me. Every time I am moving to another unit or even cellblock I get this feeling. […]
SUE AND LOU AND THEIR SUPPORT OF TRUTH BE TOLD
A Piece of History, Nathalie Sorrell, founder of Truth Be Told Before Truth Be Told existed, I was a minister to women at Sanctuary Church, which was then called Tarrytown Baptist Church. I worked with women in this church for several years before going into women’s prison. In February of 2000, I began volunteering at […]
Getting real, risking vulnerability, connecting: a story from Behind Bars
“I’m excited to go home and rekindle my relationship with my children and grandkids. I want to read a book to my grandkids that was never read to me, “The 3 Little Bears.” I’m nervous that my family will not accept me for the changed woman that I am.”
Amber Bode, board chair, shares her story and invites you to support the work
When I found out TBT offered meaningful programs in prison that used artistic creativity to actually work through what brought them there in the first place, I couldn’t believe it at first. Then I wanted to be on the board of directors. I wanted to help change the women’s lives, not only for the participants but for myself as well. I needed to see people find redemption.
Making art at Gatesville: Peg Runnels teaches Exploring Creativity
When it was time, Peggy had the women form a circle, introduced me, and without saying a word I began to dance in the circle, a dance of fear and nervousness. I looked each woman in the eye. Their eyes showed confusion as they glanced at each other. What is she doing, they seemed to say. Then as my vulnerability dance began to change into acceptance, I saw their faces soften and grow warm. We had connection.