Troy Williams, who spent 18 years in San Quentin State Prison, reminds us that the mistakes we make do not have to define us, and that every day is a new opportunity to make a positive impact. 

In this episode, Troy shares the life events that led to his incarceration, what it was like to be in prison, the people that inspired him, the challenges he faced after his release, the tools that keep him grounded, and the legacy of good that he’s now leaving behind.

Since  his release in 2014, Troy has given back to his community in countless ways including working as a Youth Program Development Specialist, Restorative Justice Facilitator, and serving San Francisco District Attorney’s Formerly Incarcerated Advisory Board.

Troy is also a national speaker, cinematographer and filmmaker. His most recent film is a raw, thought-provoking and award-winning documentary called The Prison Within, to which he contributed as a cinematographer and documentary subject.

“The Prison Within exposes the devastating impact untreated trauma has on individuals and communities through the powerful stories of survivors of violent crimes and prisoners incarcerated for murder in San Quentin prison. The prisoners and survivors come together and participate in the Victim Offender Education Group (VOEG)—an innovative restorative justice program enabling prisoners to discover how the trauma they’ve experienced contributed to their criminality and to understand the impact their crimes have on their victims.” – theprisonwithin.org

WE WILL EXPLORE

• How our environment and life experiences, especially as children, shape our perspectives and expectations
• The challenges that formerly incarcerated people face when applying for jobs and schools
• How programs, books and education are greatly needed and desired, yet largely unavailable, in most prisons
• The people and programs that most influenced Troy during his incarceration
• The great difficulties that people face when released from prison, which often lead to recidivism
• The tools that keep Troy grounded and living with purpose

CONNECT WITH TROY WILLIAMS

www.troywilliamsjournal.com

You can also connect with him on Facebook @troywmsjournal

RESOURCES

The Prison Within documentary and Facebook Page

If you’d like to volunteer, donate or learn more about programs for prisoners and reintegration, please visit:

Insight Prison Project

Ride Home Program

California Re-entry Program

Thank you Troy, for sharing your inspirational story so openly and honestly!

And to my listeners, thank you for tuning in and have a magical day!

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