Ascend Program

04/24/2019

It's been almost 8 years since Ascend had its first class! We've helped hundreds of people return to the community from incarceration. Many "Ascenders" have been clean, sober, employed, and wonderful community members for SEVERAL years now!! Congratulations to all of these amazing men and women -- we are a better society when you are free and being your highest and best selves. Keep Ascending!

07/25/2016

judicial corruption, the state, government corruption

03/27/2016

The 3rd article on the 'Six Major Risk Factors for Re-Offense' was in our recent newsletter! It's free to sign up for the newsletter - ad you won't miss a thing!

The series, by Toni White, is receiving praise from many - parolees who want to stay out of prison and families of the incarcerated. Each part in the series is short and limited to one or two subjects. An essential read for anyone who wants to avoid re-arrest!

Sign up here: www.ascendprogram.com

02/24/2016

Article 2 on the 'Six Major Risk Factors for Re-Offense' was in our recently released newsletter. If you missed it, sign up and let us know you want the issue!

01/16/2016

Our much-anticipated newsletter is about to go out- which includes the first article on the 'Six Major Risk Factors for Re-Offense'. If you haven't yet signed up for our newsletter, now's the time! If you have already, please SHARE it with those you know. http://ascendprogram.com/ascend-program/

The criminal justice system in America is broken. Recidivism is high - nearly 70%. Ascend helps 75% of our students become law abiding citizens.

01/07/2016

Paolo's story. How a criminal offender becomes a mentor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVmc3R60Rno

Paolo is a graduate of the Ascend program. How he transformed his life from that of an offender to college student and mentor is inspiring! It is possible fo...

01/01/2016

Interesting. Things ARE beginning to change.

A law barring former prisoners from holding certain jobs during their lifetimes "sweeps unnecessarily broadly," Pennsylvania judges determined.

12/29/2015

Why are programs such as Ascend essential? Read Rudy Holder's story - the difficulty of moving past the 'stigma' of being an ex-offender is made easier when you have a community standing behind you. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/09/recidivism-harlem-convicts_n_1578935.html

NEW YORK -- As Rudy Holder walked down East Harlem's main drag, everyone seemed to remember him. One man after another greeted him with a handshake or a quick, one-armed hug. Each exchange brought a n

12/28/2015

'An International Embarrassment'. This is what Democratic Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders calls our prison system. He talks about how China, a country with four times the population of the United States, has fewer people in prison than do we. (note - this is not a political endorsement - but sharing of a clearly elocuted statement about the state of our system and race issues)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bernie-sanders-chicago_567b4f2ce4b0b958f65941f3

He said jobs and education are a lot cheaper than prisons.

12/23/2015

For the most part, people completing their sentences are released without the skills they need to live a law-abiding life. Going from prison to the outside world can be completely overwhelming! Here's a good article on the subject - be sure to look at the comments made by those who re-offended. Ascend gives hope to people so they can avoid re-offending and live a great life! http://www.latimes.com/la-voices-of-lifers-who-broke-parole-20141226-htmlstory.html

Under Gov. Jerry Brown, California is paroling two to three inmates with life sentences each day, according to a Times analysis of parole records. Currently, nearly 2,000 lifers who were convicted of their crimes decades ago are getting a second chance at life outside prison. Though most succeed, a…

12/21/2015

You've served your sentence, and successfully completed your parole requirements. Did you know you can now vote? Read on for an interesting article about erroneous perceptions about the right to vote: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/22/california-former-inmate-voting_n_6520100.html

With severe overcrowding, abuse allegations and controversial sentencing laws, California’s prison system is a knotty political topic that often appears on the ballot. But according to a new stu

12/19/2015

A huge step to even the scales of justice. President Obama commutes the sentences of 95 prisoners who were given disproportionately long sentences. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/19/us/politics/obama-commutes-sentences-of-95-prisoners-and-pardons-two.html?_r=1

The president is freeing 40 prisoners serving life sentences as he demonstrates his desire to re-orient the nation’s criminal justice system.