When David Todd was released from prison after serving 21 years, he knew his experience as a returning citizen would be difficult. Yet he could not predict the challenges he would face living outside of prison. On Monday, March 24, the CNY Humanities Corridor’s Incarceration and Decarceration Working Group facilitated a dialogue between David Todd and advocate and writer Thomas Gant. The two discussed their experiences and the transformative role of writing and higher education both inside and beyond prison.
Patrick W. Berry, associate professor of writing and rhetoric in the College of Arts and Sciences and the founder of Project Mend, opened the event with remarks recognizing both speakers. Todd was a former student of Berry’s through the Education Justice Project, a multidimensional college-in-prison program based at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Reflecting on their connection, Berry shared, “It’s always great to see a student and their successes after they leave the university. This is especially impactful when the university is in prison.” Berry also collaborated with Gant, inviting him to speak at his Engaged Humanities Network course, WRT 413: Rhetoric and Ethics after Prison, last semester, where I was a student and had the opportunity to meet Gant for the first time.
During the talk, Todd and Gant reflected on the struggles of re-entering society after incarceration. Todd shared his personal challenges, from lost time with family to the difficulty of adapting to new technology. Similarly, Gant described the overwhelming pace of life after prison, saying, “Re-entering society is much like asking for water and someone turns on a fire hydrant and hands me a straw,” highlighting the speed and obstacles he faced.
Despite these challenges, Gant stressed the importance of family, peers and community in easing the transition back into society. However, he also highlighted the harsh reality that many formerly incarcerated individuals face with laws and systemic barriers that limit their ability to rebuild their lives and advance in society.
This workshop was organized by the Incarceration and Decarceration (LLC5) working group of the CNY Humanities Corridor.