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.
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
“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.”
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.
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.
This week’s post is from Karen C., a Behind Bars graduate. Following Karen’s post is a piece written by Nathalie about Karen. TBT came to me as an extravagant gift when I was at the Hilltop Unit in Gatesville. It has been the miracle that brought freedom and liberty in creative writing, public speaking, respectful […]
Today’s guest post is from Truth Be Told volunteer and supporter, Wendi Romero: Last year, I had the profound privilege of attending a Truth Be Told graduation at Hilltop Prison. I was a changed woman when I walked out of those prison gates that day. At the time, I was at a crossing in my […]
Dara M. once resided here, in Lockhart Correctional Facility. On this day, she returned for the first time since her release, to go back inside those walls and share her story with the current Truth Be Told Behind Bars group. Share her experience here: [youtube=http://youtu.be/F1cBDE0xpf4] Dara has also shared with us her own personal journey […]
