Read Freddie’s story here: thelastmile.org/freddie-nole… ______ After nearly five decades in prison, Freddie Nole returned home to a world he barely recognized. He also returned with a purpose. Today, Freddie meets people at prison gates and helps them navigate their first hours of freedom—with transportation, clothing, a phone, a meal, and the dignity of knowing someone is waiting. His work inspired the acclaimed documentary The Second Life of Freddie Nole, which is introducing audiences nationwide to the human realities of reentry. In our latest Changemakers Spotlight, Freddie shares the experiences that shaped him, the barriers he faced after release, and why he refuses to let others come home alone. #FreddieNole #TheSecondLifeOfFreddieNole #ChangemakersSpotlight #PrisonReentry #SecondChances #ReturningCitizens

Comment “SHARE THE LOVE” and we’ll send you 2 free Flikshop Credits! When @_marcus_bullock was 15, he entered an adult maximum-security prison with an eight-year sentence. At one of his lowest points, he told his mother to stop visiting and stop writing. She refused. For the next six years, she sent him letters and photos from the outside world — family moments, everyday life, even pictures of cheeseburgers with reminders that one day, he would be home to enjoy them again. Marcus says those letters changed something in him. Years later, after his release, he realized his friends still inside needed that same connection. That realization became @flikshop — a platform that helps families send photos and messages to incarcerated loved ones as physical mail. If you want to learn more about Flikshop and how to send that kind of connection inside, comment “SHARE THE LOVE” below and we’ll DM you the link.

The article features four community partners — First Step Staffing, Beacon of Hope, FreeWorld and @TLM — whose work spans job placement, wraparound support, commercial driving instruction and technology training.

Chris Schuhmacher had never seen a smartphone when he first imagined the app he wanted to build. Today, Fitness Monkey is available to download. The app brings together sobriety tracking, workout logging, journaling, and daily reflections. Behind those tools is Chris’s desire to share what helped him—and help others feel less alone. For everyone at The Last Mile, this is a moment to celebrate. An idea from one of our earliest classrooms is now something people can use in their own lives. Read Chris’s full story in our newly released article at the link below. Then search “Fitness Monkey” in your phone’s app store, try it, and share it with someone who might benefit.

Roderick Colvin Sr went to federal prison for 15 years, yet he was able to build a career with multi-billion-dollar company @gafroofing. Now he's bringing that opportunity to The Last Mile alumni. The Last Mile and GAF Roofing Academy are hosting a free 3-day commercial roofing training in San Leandro. Participants will get hands-on low-slope roofing instruction from GAF trainers (no experience needed). They will receive A GAF Roofing Academy certificate + free optional OSHA-10. They will have access to on-site interviews with Bay Area contractors hiring right now. Tag a TLM alumni below who you think would be interested! TLM alumni have priority registration but access is open for all formerly incarcerated applicants. When: Sept 29 – Oct 1 · 8am–4pm daily Where: QXO, 1588 Doolittle Dr, San Leandro, CA How Much: Event is Free — breakfast and lunch included Seats are limited — register at the link below. 📷

Walking out of prison marks the beginning of another demanding journey. Returning citizens often have to secure housing, employment, transportation, healthcare, identification, and access to technology—all while reconnecting with family, meeting supervision requirements, and navigating the stigma of incarceration. Even the most motivated person can struggle without a strong support system. Armando Gonzalez understands that journey firsthand. Today, as a Senior Reentry Case Manager at The Last Mile, he uses his lived experience to help others build stability, pursue meaningful careers, support their families, and define their own futures. The Last Mile begins preparing students before release and continues walking alongside them after they return home. Our reentry team provides practical resources, career preparation, employer connections, professional development, and something equally important: a supportive community that answers the phone when life gets difficult. Together, we are changing the script on what happens after incarceration—and helping returning citizens move from surviving to building lives filled with opportunity, purpose, and lasting impact. Become part of our supportive community and help make more stories like Armando’s possible: thelastmile.org/donate/

Prison rehabilitation should not depend on luck. Yet across the country, access to education, workforce training, and reentry support often depends on where a person is incarcerated. Disconnected records and outdated systems can erase years of progress after a transfer or release. The Last Mile has built a secure Platform to change that—connecting residents with educators, service providers, workforce organizations, and employers while preserving progress from intake through reentry. In our latest article, we explore how connected correctional infrastructure could strengthen rehabilitation, improve public safety, and provide every resident with a clearer pathway home. Read our latest article to learn more! thelastmile.org/the-platform…

Before The Last Mile had classrooms across the country, it had a big idea—and @officialharryo was asking the hard questions from the start. Michael is an entrepreneur and music industry pioneer known for helping launch massive brands like Death Row Records. But his history with The Last Mile began inside San Quentin in 2010, when our co-founders @ChrisRedlitz and @thebev first arrived with an ambitious proposal: bring technology and entrepreneurship education inside prison. From inside the walls of San Quentin, Michael became an important early champion of the vision that would grow into The Last Mile. On May 14, he returned to San Quentin Rehabilitation Center to join our technology showcase and see how far that vision has come. We also had the opportunity to sit down with him for an incredible interview about his life, legacy, and belief in what becomes possible when people are given a genuine opportunity. Before the cameras rolled, Chris stopped by. The two immediately began revisiting their shared history—and we knew we had to keep the cameras running. Comment “PAVING THE ROAD” and we’ll send you the full interview between Chris Redlitz and Michael Harry-O Harris.

Some stories stay with you long after you hear them. Chris Young grew up with parents struggling with addiction. As a child, he lived for years without electricity or running water. With few opportunities and desperate to survive, he and his older brother turned to selling drugs to make ends meet. After losing his brother to suicide, Chris continued down that path and was eventually sentenced to two life terms in federal prison. But in solitary confinement, he made a decision that changed everything. Today, Chris is an author, speaker, and advocate for hope, resilience, and second chances. As he says:"Your mentality equals your reality." His memoir, The Wound Is Where the Light Enters, is a powerful reminder that no matter where you've been, your future is not determined by your past. Chris's journey is one of extraordinary resilience—and proof that hope can transform lives. At The Last Mile, we believe that hope is where change begins, and we are excited to showcase Chris as a Changemaker who is willing to tell his story to make a difference. Want to read Chris's Book? Comment "Mentality" below and we'll send you a 20% off coupon for his book.

Should someone carry the label "felon" for the rest of their life, even after decades of contribution? thelastmile.org/why-i-stoppe…

Stable housing is one of the strongest predictors of successful reentry after incarceration. It provides the foundation people need to pursue employment, education, healthcare, and long-term stability. After spending 21 years incarcerated, Thailee Nguon returned to a world that required him to rebuild every aspect of his life. Safe, reliable housing gave him the stability to focus on job training, secure transportation, access healthcare, enroll at Cal State Fullerton, and ultimately earn a double major. Today, as an Academic Success Representative at The Last Mile, he continues helping others navigate the same journey. His experience reflects a broader reality explored in our latest article. Research consistently shows that housing creates the foundation for employment, education, family reunification, healthcare access, and long-term stability after incarceration. Despite its importance, many returning citizens continue to face significant barriers to securing a place to live, even after completing rehabilitation programs and finding work. Maryland's new Fair Chance Housing Act represents a growing recognition that expanding access to housing strengthens both individual reentry outcomes and community safety. Watch Thailee's story, then read the full article to learn why fair chance housing deserves a central place in conversations about successful reentry and public safety. Read the full article: thelastmile.org/fair-chance-… #TheLastMile #PavingTheRoad #FairChance

A true second chance requires a safe place to live. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people leave prison ready to work, reconnect with family, continue their education, and build a better future. Too often, stable housing remains out of reach. A single denied rental application can affect employment, healthcare, recovery, financial stability, and family reunification, creating barriers long after someone has completed their sentence. In our recent article, we examine Maryland's new Fair Chance Housing Act, why housing has become one of the strongest predictors of successful reentry, and how policies like this have the potential to strengthen individuals, families, and communities. We also share the experiences of The Last Mile alumni whose stories demonstrate how stable housing creates the foundation for lasting change. At The Last Mile, we believe education, employment, and housing stability work together. Reentry does not end at release, and lasting outcomes require support that continues long after someone leaves prison. Read the full article: thelastmile.org/fair-chance-…

Thank you to the @BrennanCenter for Justice for convening such an important conversation on improving prison conditions and post-release outcomes. Earlier this month, The Last Mile joined leaders from departments of correction, advocacy organizations, researchers, and people with lived experience to discuss what it takes to build safer prisons, stronger rehabilitation programs, and better outcomes after release. The event brought together voices from across the field to explore how successful reforms can be replicated and scaled nationwide. Our Executive Director, Kevin McCracken, participated in a panel discussing how education, meaningful work opportunities, and improved living conditions can contribute to stronger post-release outcomes while also supporting correctional staff and safer facilities. Conversations throughout the day reinforced an important idea: better outcomes for incarcerated people, correctional employees, and communities are deeply connected. We're grateful to the Brennan Center for creating space for these discussions and for bringing together leaders committed to building a more effective and rehabilitative justice system. Photo credit: Dan Creighton (©Creighton), Courtesy of NYU Photo Bureau.

A special thank you to Hoai Scott, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at @NBCUniversal, for joining us as a featured speaker at The Last Mile Showcase at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. Hoai has been a powerful advocate, partner, and friend of The Last Mile for several years. Through NBCUniversal's commitment to fair chance talent and workforce innovation, multiple TLM alumni have already launched meaningful careers. Their partnership continues to demonstrate what becomes possible when employers focus on potential, talent, and opportunity. We're especially excited about what's coming next in this partnership between The Last Mile and NBCUniversal. Be sure to stay tuned to both our accounts - Partnerships like this are helping redefine what rehabilitation, workforce development, and second chances can look like in America. Partnerships like this are helping redefine what rehabilitation, workforce development, and second chances can look like in America. Learn more about the event and the future of rehabilitation: thelastmile.org/future-rehab…

On May 14, The Last Mile was honored to welcome Roderick Colvin Sr. of GAF Roofing Academy to the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center for a powerful day centered on education, opportunity, and true rehabilitation. The GAF Roofing Academy will be working with TLM Workforce Solutions to bring the roofing trade into SQRC, providing TLM students with much in demand skilled trades. As one of more than 80 supporters, partners, and community leaders in attendance, Roderick brought a meaningful perspective on what it takes to create real pathways beyond incarceration. His presence and remarks helped reinforce the importance of workforce readiness, learning skilled trades, and opening doors to careers that can change the direction of a person’s life. At The Last Mile, we believe rehabilitation must be connected to opportunity. When people are given access to education, training, mentorship, and support, they are better prepared to return home with purpose and possibility." Thank you, Roderick Colvin Sr., for joining us at SQRC, supporting The Last Mile, and believing in the power of second chances #TheLastMile #GAFRoofingAcademy

California spent $239 million to transform San Quentin into a rehabilitation-centered prison. Critics call it an expensive experiment. But what if rehabilitation actually produces a measurable economic return? A new long-term economic analysis from The Last Mile models what happens if expanded education, workforce training, and structured reentry planning reduce recidivism and increase employment over time. The findings are striking. The bigger question isn’t whether prison reform is compassionate. It’s whether rehabilitation-based reform may ultimately be cheaper than the status-quo of repeated incarceration. With @robertproche Read the full analysis here: thelastmile.org/a-239-millio…

On May 14, The Last Mile was honored to have Sway Calloway, a proud TLM board member, and, SiriusXM host of Shade 45. @RealSway Sway joined us during our visit to San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. Throughout the day, Sway witnessed the impact of education and community, inside SQRC. What stood out most was the amount of love, respect, and appreciation he received from the residents, a powerful reminder of the connection he has built through his voice, his presence, and his belief in people’s ability to grow. Sway’s support of The Last Mile reflects what this mission is all about: creating pathways for justice-impacted individuals to build skills, reclaim possibility, and prepare for a future beyond incarceration. Thank you, Sway, for standing with The Last Mile, showing up for the community, and continuing to believe in the power of rehabilitation, second chances, and human potential. Listen to Sway's full segment here: open.spotify.com/episode/2WN… #TheLastMile #SwayCalloway #SanQuentinRehabilitationCenter

Thank you to @kron4news and reporter @pdjegal for covering our recent showcase event at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center and helping bring national attention to the future of rehabilitation. The segment highlighted The Last Mile's technology in San Quentin’s newly transformed learning center, where incarcerated students are gaining access to education, media production, workforce development programs, and the only secure AI learning platform currently operating inside a prison anywhere in the world. We’re grateful to everyone helping shine a light on the power of education, opportunity, and second chances — and on the students doing the hard work every day to build better futures for themselves and their communities.

Thank you to Alex Bell from ABC10 for going inside San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, and giving viewers a closer look at what The Last Mile has built in the new Education Center. Her reporting highlights a powerful shift: a space once defined by punishment is now being reimagined around rehabilitation, workforce training, and preparation for life after release. From open classrooms to hands-on learning opportunities, San Quentin’s new rehabilitation-focused learning center represents what’s possible when people are given access to education, skills, and hope. The Last Mile is proud to be part of that work, helping justice-impacted individuals build real career pathways and return home ready to contribute to their families and communities. #PavingTheWay #TheLastMile #ABC10

Darryl Norcott, Director of Community Partnerships and Special Projects at AMEND, explains how AMEND uses a public health framework to address harm inside prisons. Instead of looking only at punishment or control, this approach asks deeper questions: What conditions are causing harm? What environments are people exposed to? And what kind of care, support, and rehabilitation would help people return home healthier, safer, and better prepared for their communities? Public health is recognizing that people cannot all be treated with the same one-size-fits-all response. Inside carceral settings, true rehabilitation requires individualized care, right support, at the right time, for the right person. When prisons become places of health, learning, and rehabilitation, the impact reaches far beyond prison walls. It strengthens families, improves reentry, and helps create safer communities for everyone. Watch the full episode on AMEND at The Last Mile Radio at the link below:lnkd.in/gTZGWERF #TheLastMile #TheLastMileRadio #TheBrennanCenterForJustice #VeraInstitute