Episode 23

The Prison Post Podcast #23 Jason Bryant, CROP Organization Director of Restorative Programs

Published on: 24th March, 2021

This week's episode of The Prison Post Podcast features my colleague Jason Bryant. Jason's 26 years to life sentence was commuted by Governor Gavin Newsom a little over a year ago. On April 2, 2020, Jason was set free and a few days later his co-defendant, CROP's Executive Director, Ted Gray was freed as well. Our journey and friendship on the inside was about to begin out here in society after over 20 years of incarceration.

In this episode, Jason and I go down memory lane and share more details about his incarceration story, personal transformation, and CROP Organization's beginnings. We wanted our audience to have a fuller understanding of how our team came together, began to be of service on the inside to add value to our community, and continues to this day. Learn more about CROP Organization's Directors at http://croporganization.org/

As a Business Administration Graduate of Adams State University with a Master of Arts in philosophy from California State University Dominguez Hills and a Master of Science in psychology from California Coast University, Jason brings 20 years of lived experience within the CDCR. He primarily dedicated his term of incarceration to higher education and serving other people through thoughtful conversations about new possibilities for their lives.

Jason, a co-founder of the Inside Solutions think tank, collaborated with the CROP Organization in the development of several prominent programs. He is a state-certified Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) counselor who received senatorial recognition for his contributions to program development. Additionally, Jason wrote a Master’s degree thesis on the existential value of incarcerated people choosing to live responsibly (i.e., in alignment with their commitment to reunite with family) along with the importance of offering restorative programs within correctional institutions.

Jason’s sentence was commuted by the governor of California, who ordered his immediate release due to his remarkable contributions in restorative work while incarcerated. Jason is also a very happy husband, and proud father of two boys under the age of 3!

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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.