Our Founders.
Carlos "Losdini" Meza
"I was incarcerated at the age of 19, with my earliest possible parole date being 2061. I expected to be in prison until I was at least 84 years old. I made a vow the moment I entered the system to never hurt another human being again. That can be a difficult promise to keep in prison but I have kept it since I was first incarcerated in 1996 - I have not had a single disciplinary infraction since I have been in prison. From a Level Four institution to my current job as the Head Landscaper of San Quentin, I have made a point to be of service to any and everyone around me. Because of recent legislation giving "youthful offenders" a second chance, I just had the Parole Board Hearing that I never thought I would see, and I await the results. Whatever happens, my passion is and will remain seeking and spreading education, because education is the greatest prevention of crime and violence. My life now is about ending violence and ACT has given me a beautiful tool to educate and be of service. That is why I joined ACT and why I am proud to facilitate it today."
"I was incarcerated at the age of 19, with my earliest possible parole date being 2061. I expected to be in prison until I was at least 84 years old. I made a vow the moment I entered the system to never hurt another human being again. That can be a difficult promise to keep in prison but I have kept it since I was first incarcerated in 1996 - I have not had a single disciplinary infraction since I have been in prison. From a Level Four institution to my current job as the Head Landscaper of San Quentin, I have made a point to be of service to any and everyone around me. Because of recent legislation giving "youthful offenders" a second chance, I just had the Parole Board Hearing that I never thought I would see, and I await the results. Whatever happens, my passion is and will remain seeking and spreading education, because education is the greatest prevention of crime and violence. My life now is about ending violence and ACT has given me a beautiful tool to educate and be of service. That is why I joined ACT and why I am proud to facilitate it today."
Philip “Big Deal Phil” Melendez
Phil was incarcerated at the age of 19 years old. For the first week after his arrest, he was facing a death sentence; he was ultimately sentenced to 61-Years-to-Life. Although he was not going to be eligible for parole until he had served a minimum of six decades, Phil dedicated his life to his transformation and his living amends. While inside, he facilitated many self-help and restorative programs, mentored traumatized youth, and organized numerous events linking community members with incarcerated people at San Quentin. His work to develop ACT was instrumental in building our program. Thanks to SB261, Phil had a chance to go to the Parole Board in 2017. The Board saw his transformation and hard work, which led to Phil’s release in September of 2017. He became the first Restorative Reentry Fellow of our Fiscal Sponsor, Insight Prison Project, and he is now the Impacted Leadership Manager at Re:Store Justice, as well as a loving husband and devoted father to three.
Phil was incarcerated at the age of 19 years old. For the first week after his arrest, he was facing a death sentence; he was ultimately sentenced to 61-Years-to-Life. Although he was not going to be eligible for parole until he had served a minimum of six decades, Phil dedicated his life to his transformation and his living amends. While inside, he facilitated many self-help and restorative programs, mentored traumatized youth, and organized numerous events linking community members with incarcerated people at San Quentin. His work to develop ACT was instrumental in building our program. Thanks to SB261, Phil had a chance to go to the Parole Board in 2017. The Board saw his transformation and hard work, which led to Phil’s release in September of 2017. He became the first Restorative Reentry Fellow of our Fiscal Sponsor, Insight Prison Project, and he is now the Impacted Leadership Manager at Re:Store Justice, as well as a loving husband and devoted father to three.
Todd "Silk" Williams
"Being a part of ACT since its inception has had such a profound effect on me. It opened my mind and heart. It made me want equality, justice, and recognition for all people. ACT became my family, the place where I laughed, cried, and got real. I will forever be an Ally. I am grateful to ACT for being that catalyst."
Todd Williams #D90258A
Sierra Conservation Center
5100 O’Byrnes Ferry Road, Jamestown, CA 95327
"Being a part of ACT since its inception has had such a profound effect on me. It opened my mind and heart. It made me want equality, justice, and recognition for all people. ACT became my family, the place where I laughed, cried, and got real. I will forever be an Ally. I am grateful to ACT for being that catalyst."
Todd Williams #D90258A
Sierra Conservation Center
5100 O’Byrnes Ferry Road, Jamestown, CA 95327
Azrall "Big Az" Ford
"When I first entered prison I was a young skinhead mad at the world and I thought I knew everything. I was dead wrong. I didn't know jack! I have been in prison for nearly two decades now and I learn new things about myself and humanity all the time. Every one of my co-Founders of ACT taught me something about myself that has enriched my humanity. After decades of violence and hate a person can realize there's more to this life than prison. You start to see people of different colors and class sharing your same struggles and you feel a bond. You learn that it takes cooperation to climb out of the abyss. You learn that the people you once hated are the first to offer you a hand when you fall. You learn that we're all in this together and real friendships can be made in the worst places. ACT allowed me to be a person of compassion, an Ally, and it has brought me many new true friendships."
"When I first entered prison I was a young skinhead mad at the world and I thought I knew everything. I was dead wrong. I didn't know jack! I have been in prison for nearly two decades now and I learn new things about myself and humanity all the time. Every one of my co-Founders of ACT taught me something about myself that has enriched my humanity. After decades of violence and hate a person can realize there's more to this life than prison. You start to see people of different colors and class sharing your same struggles and you feel a bond. You learn that it takes cooperation to climb out of the abyss. You learn that the people you once hated are the first to offer you a hand when you fall. You learn that we're all in this together and real friendships can be made in the worst places. ACT allowed me to be a person of compassion, an Ally, and it has brought me many new true friendships."
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Lady Jae Clark
Check out Lady Jae's TEDx Talk! |
Mark Hensley
Mark is serving a life sentence for a crime committed at the age of 19 years old. Mark was raised in the Bay Area, graduating from Henry M. Gunn in Palo Alto and he attended college at Humboldt State University. Mark contributed mightily to building the KidCAT program at San Quentin and he also works as a clerk to a sergeant and a lieutenant. "I joined ACT in an effort to lower violence in prison. I am proud of the culture-change ACT has created, particularly as San Quentin's population has changed dramatically in the last several years, becoming a transgender hub and institution available to Sensitive Needs incarcerated people."
Mark Hensley#T61205 San Quentin State Prison Main Street, San Quentin, CA 94964
Mark is serving a life sentence for a crime committed at the age of 19 years old. Mark was raised in the Bay Area, graduating from Henry M. Gunn in Palo Alto and he attended college at Humboldt State University. Mark contributed mightily to building the KidCAT program at San Quentin and he also works as a clerk to a sergeant and a lieutenant. "I joined ACT in an effort to lower violence in prison. I am proud of the culture-change ACT has created, particularly as San Quentin's population has changed dramatically in the last several years, becoming a transgender hub and institution available to Sensitive Needs incarcerated people."
Mark Hensley#T61205 San Quentin State Prison Main Street, San Quentin, CA 94964
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John "Dunie" Windham
John was featured in a sports documentary and couldn't resist the opportunity to ALLY UP for his LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters behind the bars. Watch it below!
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Michael D. Adams
Listen to Michael on the Ear Hustle Episode:
Down Low 
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