I came to know Professor Joan Petersilia during her tenure as a policy director for the RAND Corporation, where she conducted groundbreaking research on criminal justice policies and played a leading role in shaping evidence-based practices and reentry strategies. Her work focused on sentencing, parole systems, and reentry, and she authored numerous influential publications. I wrote to her several times, but for many years, our correspondence was mostly one-sided.
As my release date approached, I received a letter from Joan. To my surprise, she shared that she had been using my work in her teaching. By that time, she had transitioned from RAND to become a professor at Stanford Law School, where she continued her influential work on sentencing reform and corrections. She was writing The Oxford Handbook for Sentencing and Corrections and invited me to contribute a chapter.
Her invitation was a profound honor, and it reflected her belief in the importance of elevating voices of lived experience within academic and policy discussions. She asked me to describe what it was like to enter the prison system and to live inside for so many years. Inspired by the lessons I had learned from mentors like Norval Morris, I wrote a detailed chapter about the concept of earning freedom. When I submitted the chapter, Joan encouraged me to expand upon it. That process ultimately led to the writing of Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term, a book that would later serve as a cornerstone for the career I built after my release.
Prior to completing my sentence, Joan extended another significant opportunity. She wrote a letter inviting me to work with her and her colleagues at the Stanford Criminal Justice Center. After my release, I had the privilege of participating as a guest speaker at Stanford Law School, an experience that was both humbling and inspiring. Joan’s endorsement and mentorship not only provided opportunities for collaboration but also demonstrated the power of persistence and preparation. Her belief in me reinforced the idea that meaningful contributions can emerge from adversity and that early, disciplined efforts in prison can open doors to transformative success.
Joan Petersilia’s influence on my journey highlights the importance of persistence, education, and the power of relationships to create pathways for change. Her guidance not only amplified my voice but also reinforced the belief that even in the most difficult circumstances, meaningful contributions are possible.
Self-Directed Learning Question:
- “How can you prepare today to seize opportunities that may arise in the future, even if they seem out of reach now?”
