G.R.A.D.

Gang Renouncement and Disassociation

by

Helga Dill and Cheri Lincoln

As we work daily to help offenders in the T.D.C.J. system, we are rarely afforded the opportunity to become educated in the actual methods used to rehabilitate said offenders. We hear the program names and think we know what is happening, when in reality, few free world people actually have that “AHA” moment of clarity.

Recently, we were both invited to see the GRAD process allowed at the Ramsey Unit in Rosharon, Texas. We have all heard the saying, “it takes a village to raise a child” but we have learned it takes dedicated teachers, officers, and prison staff to make the GRAD program a success. With the support of Warden Negbenabor, Captain Torres and Sgt. Brennan are instrumental in working with this program. Their commitment to this program is a testament to correctional officers that see their job not only as a guard position, but a position that can make a difference in the life of an offender who WILL one day be released back into society.

GRAD takes a no nonsense approach to helping former gang members make different choices in life. With the aid of role playing, Cognitive Intervention, Anger Management, and the desire to change, each former gang member is given a 9 month program that can and will change his life significantly if he approaches it with the commitment to succeed.

Many former gang members are throw-away children, have experience the criminal side of life from an early age, and have only known that acceptance in a gang as a way of belonging. Consequently, they become criminals that are feared by society. Many former gang members in our prison system have spent years, if not decades, located in the bowels of TDCJ without access to human interaction or educational skills that are so important to rehabilitation. In the state of Texas we actually have a government code that prevents TDCJ from offering education to administrative segregation offenders. This mentality is akin to cutting off ones nose to spite ones face when you imagine that many of these gang members will be released from prison one day to be your neighbor or my neighbor. Consequently, the only thing accomplished has been to lock the cell door without changing the offenders.

When an offender is given the opportunity to attend GRAD they are equally given the choice to succeed in the program. This choice is theirs from day one in the program and they learn very early into it that poor behavior will find them once again locked in an administrative segregation cell. GRAD is not a babysitting service, rather, it is an opportunity to clear the mind of pre-set ideas drilled into them by the gang mentality. GRAD does not “fix” a former gang member, GRAD affords them choices and skills to succeed outside of administrative segregation and very often, outside of prison altogether.

Currently, The GRAD program is only offered at the Ramsey Unit. TX CURE would like to see this program expanded to at least one more unit in the northern part of the system so that we can begin to empty the beds in administrative segregation and allow former gang members to experience this life changing program. It is our opinion that this state must use every possible means to rehabilitate our former gang members so that our society is safer.

As devoted advocates for our Texas prisoners we both would like to thank everyone involved in making the GRAD program work, from those who work in the Huntsville offices to those who work on the frontlines at the Ramsey Unit. We congratulate you for having an excellent program and we thank you for the life changing experience so many have already received.

A Special thank you to the following men:

Staff

Pat Peterson

Captain O. Torres

Sgt. T. Brennan

GRAD Mentors

William “Bill” D. Ledbetter

David Urquiza

Elbert G. Kirby

Curtis L. Wampler

Vito Hernandez Jr.

Christopher E. Binch

Miguel Torres

We will not forget your hospitality.

Helga and Cheri