Episode 5

The Prison Post #5 Jim & Mia, Palma School, Exercises in Empathy

Published on: 9th September, 2020

Episode #5 features two of the greatest people that I’ve ever known. They are a remarkable team and are truly changing the world one person at a time. Jim Micheletti and Mia Mirassou Direct Campus Ministry at Palma School, an all male college preparatory school in Salinas, California. Palma is an Edmund Rice Christian Brother School networked with schools across the globe. The mission at Palma is for "boys of promise to become men of character." A Catholic school, Palma challenges students to be the change they wish to see in the world. An Essential Element at Palma is for students to stand in solidarity with those marginalized by poverty and injustice. Jim and Mia lead immersion experiences with students to Mexico and Peru to build homes. Locally, Students load and deliver food and other goods to migrant farm workers in the Salinas Valley. Students visit the elderly with Alzheimer's and contribute-head, heart, and hands--in a long list of causes for peace and justice. For the last 9 years Palma has partnered with Soledad State Prison with their "Exercises and Empathy” program. In this program, Palma students and their "Brothers in Blue" (currently incarcerated) read literature, share their own transformational stories, and build a no excuses mindset. World renown journalist, Lisa Ling recently filmed a documentary on this unique partnership for her show "This is Life" which will air soon on CNN. Palma enjoys a productive relationship with the CROP Organization in the business of hope. #PalmaSchool #ExercisesInEmpathy #ThePrisonPost #ThePrisonPostPodcast #CROPOrganization #CROP #CreatingRestorativeOpportunitiesandPrograms #WorkingTogetherToRestoreLives #RestorativeJustice

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for The Prison Post

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.
Support This Show

About your host

Profile picture for Richard Mireles

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.