In the shoes of the forgotten
CCWF honors LWOP community with landmark event
On Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, the Life Without The Possibility of Parole (LWOP) community held its first-ever gathering in the gym of the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF). The monumental moment was called “Shoes Of The Forgotten.”
Around 200 inside and outside participants attended the event. As the outside guests started to trickle in, CCWF residents jumped with excitement, as their longtime friends and former LWOPs entered the door. “I want to be like you when I grow up,” LWOP resident Adriana Vasco said, speaking to former LWOP Chyrl Lamar.
The embraces kept coming as the guests arrived. The chatter flowed and everyone moved about, mingling and making introductions, music blared from the speakers. The room was filled with a sense of unity. “I wish we had this type of love and community out there that you guys have in here,” said former lifer K.K. Green.
The room exuded hope and second chances, thanks in big part to the unique decorations and displays. The tables were adorned with decorated cloths. Unicorns dancing along the draping sides, representing the unthinkable. Posters hung along the walls. Created by members of the LWOP community, every poster held its own symbolic meaning tailored to each individual’s personality. They gave a small glimpse into the lives of those hoping for a second chance at life.
Outside guests walked about, looking at the posters. Some were emotional and others intrigued. Jesse Vasquez, Executive Director of the Pollen Initiative and CCWF Paper Trail’s adviser, captured photos of individuals next to their posters.
As it neared 10 am, emcee and current LWOP LaToya Jenkins gave the first speech, recognizing and thanking the people of the day: the LWOP community. “We are all striving for freedom,” Jenkins said. She recognized Mimi Le for her vision for this event to take place. She also thanked former LWOP Kelly Savage-Rodriguez, who now coordinates for California Coalition for Women Prisoners and staff sponsor Roxanne Nichols for the integral part they played in making it happen.
As event organizer Le walked onto the stage, the mic was passed to her.
“My message to all of you guys is that you matter. Look around you and tell the person next to you that they matter,” Le said, as everyone in the room turned to their neighbor and repeated those words.
Savage-Rodriguez then spoke of the injustices of LWOP sentencing and how she came here in support of her sisters, speaking of the LWOP community. “Until we end this sentence, I can’t just walk away,” Savage-Rodriguez stated before descending from the stage.
Afterward, everyone formed a circle and held hands as Stacey Dyer started off in prayer. “In the blowing of the wind and the chill of the winter, we remember them,” Dyer emotionally stated, speaking of her LWOP sisters that have passed away.
“This is the most important event that could’ve ever occurred in CCWF,” formerly incarcerated Caroline Amaya Robles said, full of emotion. “They deserve it. They need to know that they matter, that they’re loved and that even though I’m not an LWOP, they’r still my sisters.”
As the day went on, so did the speeches and performances.
The LWOP community performed “Walk Away Joe,” a skit choreographed by Carmel Murphy and Le. It told the true story of a girl that left home against her mother’s wishes to be with her boyfriend who committed a robbery, double homicide without her knowledge. To her dismay when she woke up, her boyfriend was nowhere to be found. The girl was arrested and charged for felony murder, though she did not partake in the crime.
“Please hear our cries today, and push for legislation to change sentencing schemes in California for LWOPs,” said an emotional Murphy after her performance.
A speech by Eliza Hersh, from the Governor’s Office of Commutations, added that “the people that are here today are taking care of business on the outside. Take care of yourself and each other.”
The crowd erupted with emotion when the LWOP community performed “What About Us,” another skit choreographed by Le. It continued the story of “Walk Away Joe.” Now the girl is in prison and everyone is getting certifications, going to board, and getting released, while she’s denied, judged and treated with bias. As she drops to her knees in defeat, she pleads for a second chance.
In a final performance called “Invincible,” the girl has finally found her strength, no longer the scared, weak, little girl that she once was. Now courageously fighting to see a glimpse of hope in such a dark place, she broke away, ready to be free.
“It’s gonna be hard to do a grounding after that performance,” said Boundless Freedom Project’s Nhut Vo, as he led everyone into a grounding exercise. Afterwards, everyone was asked to break off into discussion circles.
The energy in the room had shifted to an almost quiet calmness as the circles began to wrap up.
“This has been an incredible moment for the CCWF LWOP community, to sponsor this event with mindfulness of inclusivity and community. Well done, so proud of my CCWF LWOP community,” stated Michele Scott, former LWOP.
CCWF’s PIO Lieutenant Monique Williams agreed.
“I am so excited to be here,” Williams said. “And Warden Anissa De La Cruz is really excited about sponsoring this event and ensuring that our LWOP individuals are seen, heard and not forgotten. We are so thankful for our Governors’ Office, outside agencies for coming out and our CCWF community for continuing to be pillars of their community.”
As it neared noon, Delina “DJ” Jahnigen, a current LWOP undergoing chemo for cancer, came up and spoke about the hardships of having cancer while incarcerated and having an LWOP sentence. This will be DJ’s third time in remission. She’s taken outside trips to medical over one hundred times, for eight hours at a time, just to come back and wait another three hours in the infirmary.
“It sucks to be in here sick, waiting months for a specialty appointment. Chemo is painful, it’s lonely and this is my third time in remission,” said an emotional DJ.
The smell of fried chicken engulfed the room as Plant Operations electrician Kenny Nichols pulled in a cart of food signaling that it was lunch time. The plates were topped with potato salad, macaroni salad, Hawaiian rolls and fried chicken. The volunteers went about the room passing out plates. Once everyone ate, there was another exercise presented by current LWOP Deserae James, called “Step to the Line”. The purpose of that exercise was to see everyone’s commonalities, to see that they weren’t all that much different and the only thing separating them from the outside guests were their LWOP sentences.
As the day came to a close there was one last performance beginning to take place. “Be Blessed” by Yolanda Adams made its way through the sound system, as a powerful praise dance unfolded before everyone’s eyes. To their surprise “‘Open My Heart,” by the same artist, soon followed behind. The praise dancers set the stage aflame. Tears flowed through the room as the dancers captured the attention of everyone.
At 3:00pm, the LWOP community and outside guests were called to the stage for Vasquez to take their picture. Following the photos, cake and candy were passed out. The MC announced that the event was over; gifts were given upon their departure.
“This moment is historical,” Elizabeth Lozano, sentenced to LWOP as a juvenile, said. “I never thought that LWOPs would actually be able to come together with the outside community to bring attention to LWOPs. An LWOP sentence causes shame and hopelessness.”
“Everybody deserves a second chance,” said former lifer Keeairra Dashiell of After Life Initiative.
For all present, truer words were never spoken.
Mimi Le, B Yard
Mimi Le brought the vision for the LWOP gathering, and a whole commu- nity rose up to make it happen. During the event, she explained that the purpose of the poster wall was “to allow each individual sentenced to life without the possibility of parole to represent themselves in any manner they chose.” Some chose poetry, others used photos, hand-drawn illustra- tions, collage or words of inspiration. Or all of the above.
Naturally, Le made a poster for herself, too. All the pictures she used represented her support system, which consists of her friends, family and children. She chose to highlight those individuals because, “they’re why I do what I do. My support system loves me unconditionally and is my driving force.”
Erica Olson, C Yard
Erica Olson created a poster dominated by a large butterfly with a pink rib- bon. Olson, who is receiving treatment for breast cancer, said, “the butterfly signifies freedom and my ability to overcome anything. The pink ribbon signifies my transition to life without cancer.”
Catherine Thompson, C Yard
Catherine Thompson’s poster depicted her transition from the Condemned Row to General Population with an LWOP sentence.
“My transition has been exceptional,” Thompson said. “I am grateful to have the chance to get more engaged with the institution and get involved. My passion is working with ladies in the Skilled Nursing Facility and I never would have had that chance if I had not been released from the Row.”
