Men Built for Others: Life Lessons from Those Serving Life Sentences

If you can learn to find happiness even when life throws obstacles in your way, then you have the potential to positively impact the whole world. Men Built for Others is a thought-provoking and eye-opening compilation of real stories from men who were once serving life sentences in Soledad State Prison in California. This uncensored book brings raw insight into the harsh realities that many people must face due to wrongful actions or choices they've made. The eleven stories contained within this book were written by these men as a way of atoning for their wrongdoings, while also proving that hope still exists even during times of hardship. Not only will Men Built For Others bring you tears and joy through each story, but it will also give readers tools on how to turn life's darkest moments into empowering comebacks - which may be especially helpful if someone is dealing with personal hardships or trying to help a loved one go through difficult times.

A Healthcare Management graduate of California Coast University with a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, Ted brings over 20 years of lived experience and program administration skills within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). During his incarceration, Ted helped to found both the CROP Organization with his father and established a think tank in restorative institutions called Inside Solutions, which worked collaboratively with CROP to honor the mission of transforming the culture of restorative institutions.Having helped to successfully develop and implement an Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) certification program, dozens of leadership seminars and trainings, and establishing a newsworthy scholarship, Ted has proven himself to be a gifted leader. He is at his best when he is building collaborative partnerships with organizations in order to build authentic restorative, leadership, and career development opportunities.

With a collection of six Associates Degrees, which he earned while serving more than 23 years in prison, Matthew is epitomized by three simple words: efficient, tireless, and productive. Serving as a co-founder of the Inside Solutions think-tank and as a lead intern for the CROP Organization's Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) state certification program, Matt helped to create a TAP-21 core competency training program. This course was an industry-standard curriculum that enabled 30 men to become certified as Alcohol and Other Drug Counselors.Moreover, Matt served on a multitude of executive bodies while incarcerated and was viewed by many as the most effective and organized manager within the entire institution. His incredible work ethic merited the development of a special assignment, wherein he organized the overall system for 112 self-help and rehabilitative programs between three different facilities.In addition to completing six vocational trades, Matt is an internationally certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor who received Senatorial recognition for his work. In 2019, Matthew's sentence was overturned and he was provided with an immediate release from restorative institutions by way of the Sacramento County District Attorney's recommendation for resentencing under PC 1170(d) due to his exemplary conduct while incarcerated. Matt has since earned an Interdisciplinary BA degree in Criminology/Business (summa cum laude) and completed a certification program from Cornell University in Financial Success for Nonprofits.

Jason holds a BA from Adams State University with an MA in Philosophy from California State University and an MS in Psychology from California Coast University. He has 20 years of lived experience within the CDCR. Jason dedicated his term of incarceration to higher education and serving other people through thoughtful conversations and coaching about new possibilities for people's lives.Jason was a lead counselor who collaborated with the CROP Organization in the development of several successful workforce development and personal leadership programs. Jason holds an advanced certification as an Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor and received Senatorial recognition for his contributions in the development of a counseling program for justice-involved people.Additionally, Jason wrote a master's degree thesis on the existential value of incarcerated people choosing to live responsibly (i.e. in alignment with their higher commitments to freedom, family, and community) along with the value of engaging transformative programs within correctional institutions.In 2020, Jason's sentence was commuted by Governor Newsom who ordered his immediate release from prison due to his remarkable contributions in transformative and rehabilitative work while incarcerated.