The National Trust program (also known as The Trust) is a re-socialization program in which life-term inmates mentor, train and prepare short-term inmates to become positive citizens.  Founded by Dr. Garry Mendez, Jr. more than 20 years ago in New York, the goal of The Trust is to transform the incarcerated from social liabilities into assets for themselves, their families and their communities. This is achieved through a curriculum aimed at purging destructive value systems and instilling new pro-social values while cultivating self-awareness and personal responsibility.

The original 25 members of the San Quentin chapter of the National Trust were recruited on August 11, 2003 and dubbed "T.R.U.S.T. Fellows." The T.R.U.S.T. Fellows were identified by other prisoners and the prison adminstration based upon evidence of positive changes and behaviors present in their lives. Following recruitment, the T.R.U.S.T. Fellows underwent intensive training sessions with Dr. Mendez to become mentors within the prison community. In December 2003, the T.R.U.S.T. became a recognized organization within San Quentin State Prison.

On September 20, 2004, the T.R.U.S.T. Fellows began facilitating workshops to the prison population at large in 29 subject areas, with the assistance of area-specific professionals from the surrounding communities. Originally, there were 20 participants in the workshops, but that number has now grown to over 60 participants on a weekly basis. A T.R.U.S.T. Fellow waiting list has also been created to accommodate the number of prisoners desiring participation in the T.R.U.S.T.  workshops. Currently, there are 31 T.R.U.S.T. Fellows.

On April 6, 2006, the T.R.U.S.T. held its first annual T.R.U.S.T. graduation ceremony. Out of the original 20 participants, 17 graduated. Forty more participants graduated in the Second Annual T.R.U.S.T. graduation ceremony in November of 2007, and 23 more men graduated in December of 2008. The next cycle of workshops will begin in February 2009 with a new group of 60 to 75 inmates working to change their lives.