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History |
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The original 25 constituents of the T.R.U.S.T. were recruited by Dr. Garry Mendez 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 who enrolled midway through the yearlong series are poised to graduate in the Second Annual T.R.U.S.T. graduation ceremony in November of 2007. The next cycle of workshops began October 25th, 2007 with a new group of approximately 60 inmates working to change their lives.
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