Episode 4

The Prison Post #4 Taina Vargas Edmond, Initiate Justice

Published on: 2nd September, 2020

Welcome to The Prison Post, this week we welcome Taina Vargas -Edmond. She is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Initiate Justice. She founded Initiate Justice in September of 2016 with the intention of activating the political power of people directly impacted by mass incarceration. Prior to creating Initiate Justice, she worked in the organizing and policy advocacy field as the Statewide Advocacy Coordinator with Essie Justice Group, as a State Campaigner with the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, and a Field Representative for the California State Assembly. She is directly impacted by mass incarceration having a loved one serve over seven years in a CA state prison. Their mission is to end mass incarceration by activating the power of the people it directly impacts. They organize their members, both inside and outside of prisons, to advocate for their freedom and change criminal justice policy in California. They have more than 28,475 incarcerated members, 135 inside organizers, and hundreds more outside members and organizers throughout California. Initiate Justice is 100% led by people directly impacted by incarceration. Contact them at info@initiatejustice.org

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About the Podcast

The Prison Post
Transforming Lives and Healing Communities by Reimagining Reentry
The Prison Post is a podcast interviewing leaders in the criminal justice reform, restorative justice, and social justice movements. In addition, we share the transformational stories of the currently and formerly incarcerated and highlight what CROP Organization is doing by reimagining reentry for returning citizens.
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Richard Mireles

With a Bachelor of Arts in Healthcare Management from California Coast University, Richard is a dynamic public speaker and expert communicator with Advanced Leadership and Communication certifications with the world recognized Toastmasters International. Having spent over 21 years inside of CDCR, Richard made abundant contributions as a cofounder of the Inside Solutions think-tank and lead intern for the CROP Organization’s programs offered within institutions. An inspiring leader and powerful orator with over 35 transformational coaching seminars and workshops, Richard possesses the uncanny ability to capture a room's attention while conveying impactful messages to any audience. He has an advanced certification as an Alcohol and Other Drug counselor (receiving a certificate of recognition from the California State Senate for his contributions to the recovery community) and was the only known incarcerated person to earn the status of associate trainer for John Maxwell’s EQUIP Leadership and its Million Leader Mandate.