Breaking the school-to-prison pipeline Wallace and the other men at SCI Phoenix also want Philadelphia’s young people to become scientists, environmentalists, and doctors in the future. Wallace, who grew up in South Philly, has served life for 23 years despite an investigation by the Pennsylvania Innocence Project found evidence that he was wrongly convicted. He’s still waiting for his discharge. Wallace said there is a culture of philanthropy, mutual help and service at SCI Phoenix. Some, like Wallace, volunteer at the hospice, join mentoring organizations, clean streets, and raise money for charities. He used a unique analogy for incarcerated people finding a new self in the prison system that affects disproportionately colored people, a system that presents many obstacles to them. There is a sea snail called Elysia cf. Marginata that regenerates its body after being decapitated. After the beheading, “the sea slug is watched as it eats algae and starts its life all over again,” said Wallace, “and 20 days later, in fact, a third of its body has regenerated, including a brand new heart.” Tyree Wallace with a mentee during one Youth mentoring program. (Courtesy of the Free Tyree Wallace Campaign) “Because of the pain I am responsible for manifesting in this world, I feel obliged to redeem myself,” Carter said. The men who donated the money also said they want to help disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline, the practice of pushing children out of school and into the criminal justice system, which disproportionately affects colored students. Carter criticized the amount of money used to fund prisons across the country compared to underfunded schools. “That’s sad,” he said. “How is it even possible that we live in the richest country in the world, but a group of students do not have laboratory equipment for their science classes?” Many of the men cite the lack of education and resources as a major factor in their stay in prison . Mark Williams, 32, grew up in North Philadelphia and remembers broken railings in his school building and the fact that he couldn’t afford field trips. Williams combined his experience with current school infrastructure problems in Philadelphia, including asbestos, lead, and mold. It’s traumatic, he said. “That makes the whole school experience awkward,” said Williams, “and that’s what then drives the kids away from school. I think it’s hard to get an education when there are so many other money-related factors at play in your life. ”Using the funds raised from the men incarcerated at SCI Phoenix, Yellock will be making two new FOSS kits plus buy spare parts for each kit. Wallace said he plans to keep in touch with Yellock in the hopes that the men can be more supportive of the students in the future. All of the men who have donated, and more within SCI Phoenix, said they also hope to build other avenues to reach young people in nearby towns, to offer them guidance and the wisdom they have acquired since their imprisonment . Wallace also wants to bring SCI Phoenix programs, such as its MANN UP re-entry program and other restorative justice programs and programs for fathers and children, to cities like Philadelphia. “Ultimately, people have to give space to the people who have done harm, to show that we have become too much, much more than our worst expression of ourselves,” Carter said. “If you allow this space, we can become contributing members of our communities instead of just wasting in these prisons.” Complete list of men who donated to Stephen Girard Elementary: Keith Andrews, Hakeem Bradshaw, Nathan W. Bundy, Terrell Carter, Brian Charles, Steve Cheng, Elliott E Fresh Eberhardt, James Graham, Andre Green, Scott Harmon, Lawrence Rhoads, David Rodriguez, John Romagnolo, Tola Ross, Thomas Schilk, Tyree Wallace, Mark Williams and Carmen Woods.
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