Visions of Hope Press Releases

Press Releases

State of California Department of Corrections

MEMORANDUM

Subject: Press Release: “Visions of Hope” Youth Intervention Program

During the month of May 1995, the CSP-LAC Warden’s office received several requests from the community for inmate’s to speak to the youth regarding their criminal experience, it’s impact/consequences on their lives and how they planned to turn their lives around as a result. Warden Ernie Roe endorsed the program. Dean Crenshaw, the Warden’s Administrative Assistant at the time, began canvassing the prison inmates for interested participants. There were many volunteers who responded to the proposal. Inmates were carefully screened and a program was formed. The inmates named the program “Stay on the Streets” (SOS). Each week inmates with the proper security clearances were selected from the group and escorted by Dean Crenshaw and a Correctional Officer into the community to speak to various youth groups and schools. The message the inmates shared was well received and left a lasting impression with the youth. The program is still active at CSP-LAC and growing in popularity.

One of the tough questions occasionally asked by the youth was “You inmates say you are going to do all these positive things when you get out of prison, how do you know you will do them?” This question prompted Dean Crenshaw when he transferred to become a parole agent in March 1997 to seek out interested individuals who were making a successful parole adjustment to begin a similar program. The program, named “Visions of Hope” by the participants began with a powerful message of possibilities based on their current successes and positive lifestyle. The group is comprised of approximately twenty members, each with a different life experience to share. Some members of the group were part of the original SOS program. Several have successfully discharged parole and continue to participate in the program. The group speaks regularly to the youth in local juvenile detention facilities, continuing education schools, Drug/ Alcohol diversion classes, and the UCAN Program directed by retired LASD Officer Billy Pricer. The group has made a positive impact on the more than 3,000 at-risk youth, they have talked to as evidenced by the numerous phone calls and letters received from the listeners as well as the new requests for the group to return to speak again.

The Visions of Hope Program has had an unanticipated secondary benefit by serving as a support group for the participants. Many of the group members assist each other with employment referrals, financial assistance and helping each other through stressful situations by being available to talk to each other. Additionally, when parole agents identify a parolee who is not making a successful parole adjustment he has the option of taking the parolee to meet the group and listen to their message. This has resulted in several successful interventions.

The Visions of Hope group is pursuing the possibility of expanding their outreach to include a follow-up program to provide one-on-one dialogue with the at-risk youth to guide them back on the right path and assist them in pursing their dreams. They are canvassing the community for a suitable location, to allow them to be accessible on a full time basis as opposed to a single 2 hour presentation.

For additional information regarding the VOH Program, you can contact Parole Agent D. Crenshaw at (661) 274-4155 ext. 212 or visit their website at: www.visionsofhope.org