In 2009, CP had her first exposure to the post-incarceration world, through her second-year internship at a methadone maintenance clinic in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. CP worked with close to 250 clients, many of whom were mandated to treatment per their parole expectations. After obtaining her master’s degree in 2010, CP moved to Cleveland and got a job in a community mental health organization that placed her in inner-city homes and schools.
As CP took a deep dive into the core of inner-city life, she saw first-hand how ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) landed clients in the justice system at an early age at an alarming rate. What was worse was that the detention centers and juvenile prisons did not take these traumas into consideration and were punitive and re-traumatizing by nature. When the kids would attempt to re-enter society upon release, they were often more violent, aggressive and paranoid as a result of their time in detention.
Determined to make a difference, CP secured a job as a social worker in 1 of 4 juvenile prisons in Ohio. Horrified at the abuse (as reported on Serial) that she witnessed and experienced firsthand, CP made it her mission to:
- Bring awareness to the public and lawmakers about the atrocities and corruption in our country’s juvenile justice system
- Always be an advocate to incarcerated and post-incarcerated people who are on the quest of healing and rehabilitation
CP currently offers pro bono therapy to inmates and to the post-incarcerated population. CP has helped former incarcerated people enroll in college, enroll in therapy and find jobs upon release. Contact CP if you are interested in helping make change, or, if you or someone you know has been formerly incarcerated and is interested in mental health therapy.