Life Line for Youthful Offenders

Objective

The objective of the Life Line for Youthful Offenders is to encourage YOs to take advantage of the myriad of opportunities available for personal growth and development while incarcerated, and to plan for re-entry while discouraging YOs from getting involved in negative and/or unproductive behavior.

This program will offer mentorship, positive peer support and guidance to allow the youthful offender(s) to achieve their individual goals and objectives, and prepare for re-entry. Emphasis will be placed on self-improvement, increasing self-esteem and self-worth, understanding values and morals, strengthening family ties, and building community ties through successful, productive behavior, decision-making and achievement.

In addition, the YOs will be afforded enrollment in various self-help programs, to include but not limited to those offered by the Volunteer Education Program (VEP) and In-Building Self-Help.

Program

In April 2015, the Lifers With Optimistic Progress (L.W.O.P.) group was founded by Mr. R. Ross, a CDCR Life Without the Possibility of Parole inmate who has served nearly 38 years in prison.

In July 2015, Community Partnership Manager T. Parker-Mashburn and Warden E. Arnold offered their support in the possibility of having LWOPs mentor the Youthful Offenders at CSP-Solano.

In June 2016, after months of planning, the Life Line for Youthful Offenders was approved as an official Inmate Leisure Time Activity Group (ILTAG) with VEP Coordinators M. Mills and S. Stevenson as the sponsors.

Purpose

Youthful Offenders:
The purpose of Life Line for Youthful Offenders is to mentor youthful offenders (YOs) from the time they are received into CDCR until the age of 26. The intent is to allow the YOs greater access to programs with the goal of increasing the likelihood of rehabilitation during a critical developmental stage in their lives.

Inmate-Facilitators/Mentors and Coordinators:
The purpose of the Life Line for Youthful Offenders is for experienced inmates to have the opportunity to have a positive impact with the youth in the institution. The intent is for the facilitators/mentors and coordinators to learn leadership traits through their interactions with the Youthful Offenders.

The nature of the program will allow facilitators/mentors and coordinators to develop strong social and life skills, experience personal growth, and understand diversity.

The Life Line for Youthful Offenders mentors will demonstrate and encourage positive behavior and assimilation into prison, guide the YOs to engage in programming, direct them to available resources, and help them to understand their behaviors and choices so they can achieve productivity and begin their rehabilitation efforts while at SOL.

Life Line Resources

– Education through VEP — GED, HS completion, College

– Friends Outside — Re-entry, Conflict Resolution, Parenting

– IBSHP Art in Corrections (AIC)

– Peer Health

– Peer Mentoring

– Goal Setting Meetings

– Curriculum focused on: Social Skills, Student Issues, Employability, Financial Management

– Guest Speakers

Contact Info

Life Line Coordinators

A-yard:
Perry —AM5639 — 4-141
Sparks — C81539 — 6-134