NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2021
WELCOMING NEW LEARNING FELLOWS TO CTJC! When we launched the Learning Fellows program in 2019 it was an experiment in how we could both integrate the leadership and vision of those most impacted by police violence into the Center’s work while simultaneously recognizing and addressing the learning and skills development needs of individuals who have had decades of their lives stolen by the carceral system. And, it was a success! Mark Clements, one of the first Learning Fellows at the Center, has moved into a Community Organizer role. Now, we are incredibly excited to have Carl and Demond joining Gregory as CTJC Learning Fellows. Please help us welcome Carl and Demond to the team!
Carl Williams (he/him/his)
Demond Westen-McIntosh (he/him/his) When asked about his goals and aspirations for starting this journey as a Learning Fellow at CTJC, Demond expressed his desire to learn as much as he can.
Carl, a survivor of police brutality, sees himself as a voice for the silenced. His main goal is to be more involved and active for individuals who are incarcerated or formerly incarcerated through organizing. “I would like to organize focusing on clemency, education, and mental health.” He hopes to build relationships with other people, activists and communities that are doing this kind of work. Carl also wants to make resources more accessible to those reentering their communities. “There is no preparation and most of the time no access, especially for us with longer sentences, there is always the well-known excuse! The waitlist! There is a waitlist for all the so-called resources”. After experiencing a lack of resources first-hand, Carl strives to make reintegration a less difficult process for those he meets. “There are many times I felt voiceless and CTJC was there for me, they provided me with information...I want to do the same for those who are incarcerated and for survivors because I am a survivor and I stand deeply rooted in that”.
At the same time, he wants to provide his insight to contribute and to extract the most of his experience. “I am a torture survivor, my experience of vulnerability and being at the mercy of authority, I comprehend that, and I understand feeling and being powerless. I wish to provide real and raw insight on the feelings, emotions and transitioning from powerless to survivor and fighter.” Demond is focused on getting acclimated to society while providing guidance to youth and talking about the pitfalls of torture and incarceration. “I want to provide youth guidance through relationship building. Becoming a visual, becoming present in the community... I just want them to know that I am here and to communicate.” Lastly, Demond expressed the major importance of mental health for incarcerated individuals and the importance of realizing that being free while previously incarcerated is rough yet a blessing. In his words, a “rough blessing”.
Interviews by Gabriela Martinez, CTJC Intern
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