What’s New
Prison Tour is Moving Experience
Emory Edward, president of the Congregational Council of Trinity Church, New York, recently had an opportunity to meet some of Hudson Link's students in the classroom. Here's his reaction to that experience:
"Sean, I really appreciate that opportunity that you offered last night to see Hudson Link programming, to meet some of your students and graduates, and to tour Sing Sing. I am still processing some of what I learned, but there were a couple of things that stood out. For the first time, I finally got some glimpse of the enormity of what it means to be incarcerate for 20 years starting at an early age. I have heard your own story before, but in context of so many other stories, it puts the entire criminal justice and sentencing system into a very stark light. Secondly, seeing the facilities, I know people who live in more difficult personal situations out on the street, which really does not speak well to poverty in America. It is not hard to imagine some of the recidivism that you referred to, regarding people returning to prison to reclaim their sense of community.
"I will ponder how to help promote this message at Trinity and to figure out some additional ways we might be connected. The model being built by First Reformed in Bronxville, NY demonstrated a very concrete way that we can help further your work. I am sure that there are other models as well.
"Again, it was extremely helpful to get "three" tours. I appreciated the perspective of the officer who was with us, your own perspective and the perspective of the men there. It gave a very full picture that was very meaningful to me. I find your transformational work and commitment nothing short of miraculous."
Trinity has been a long-time supporter of Hudson Link.
32 Men Graduate in the Class of 2010
Thirty-one men earned the privilege to wear caps and gowns in June when they graduated with degrees from Mercy College. Eighteen (18) men earned their Bachelor of Science degree and fourteen (14) others earned their Associate degree. This brings to 197 the number of degrees granted in the college program at Sing Sing. Activist/Community Organizer Felipe Luciano delivered the keynote speech.
