Blog - Page 7 of 9 - Truth Be Told

DAY 10 of $30,000 in 10 Days: Hear Dara’s truth

Posted on September 13, 2018 |

My life today is more than amazing and full of ‘awe-full’ moments. To think that my life almost eight years ago was a wreck. I only had a sixth grade education, a broken spirit and a death wish. Today, I have two degrees — an associate of applied sciences degree in general human services and a bachelor of science degree in social psychology. I have been sober for almost eight years after a 25-year dance with death and six felonies.

My life today is so full of beauty, even in the hard times. I never believed I would be where I am today.

Carol Waid makes personal deliveries to two graduates celebrating three years of freedom

Posted on July 16, 2018 |

When a program graduate chooses to stay in regular communication with Truth Be Told after incarceration, she receives a handmade quilt upon her three-year anniversary of freedom. These one-of-a-kind quilts are part of Truth Be Told’s Quilt Project, which was started in 2004 by Peggy Chandler, the mother of Truth Be Told co-founder and Program […]

Examining privilege

Posted on April 20, 2018 |

(Editor’s note: This op-ed piece was written and submitted by Truth Be Told volunteer Melissa Klein. She facilitates the PEACE program for women at the Travis County Correctional Complex. ) Every Friday morning I go to the county jail to facilitate a women’s circle. I go to hold space for a group of people who […]

A closer look inside

Posted on December 7, 2012 |

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 […]

My Name is Katherine

Posted on December 3, 2012 |

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

Posted on November 15, 2012 |

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

Posted on October 31, 2012 |

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

Posted on October 3, 2012 |

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

Posted on September 26, 2012 |

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

Posted on September 20, 2012 |

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 […]