On Wednesday (June 24th, 2015) an amazing man came by to speak to the men enrolled in LTOP (Long Term Offender Program). His name was Eddy Zheng. Eddy has been free now for ten years; before that, he was a lifer. He served time in San Quentin and here at Solano. At one point in his incarceration he became conscious and turned his life around.
While still in prison he started participating in San Quentin's SQUIRES Club and organizing a book to throw light on the growing presence of Asian and Pacific-Islanders in California's prisons. Eddy stopped being selfish and put his heart into serving the Asian community, which he'd once harmed before being sent to prison.
Slowly those efforts started to win over those who once distrusted him, and positive feedback encouraged him to dream bigger. Setbacks came, but when they did, Eddy remained undaunted. It came as no surprise to those in prison with him when Eddy was found suitable for parole and eventually released.
What did surprise many is that upon his release Eddy did not lose his community focus or his will to pursue higher education. Eddy started off in a humble position that allowed him to interact face-to-face with at-risk youth. Through his work, he came to the notice of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the Mayor. Eddy's commitment to public service, year after year, made him a fixture in the BayView, Hunters' Point, and Chinatown areas of San Francisco, where his good works were and still are routinely recognized in the local newspapers. Those who see him now would never believe that this model citizen was once in prison serving a life sentence. He's come a long way since the BPH found him suitable for release.
Today, Eddy Zheng came back to Solano Prison to address the men in Solano's LTOP who are taking advanced courses (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, at the moment) to better themselves and to equip them to serve society in a positive way someday. Eddy came to encourage us and deliver a message: Dream big, stay disciplined, don't give up, and give back when you get the opportunity.
His message was received with thunderous applause.
While still in prison he started participating in San Quentin's SQUIRES Club and organizing a book to throw light on the growing presence of Asian and Pacific-Islanders in California's prisons. Eddy stopped being selfish and put his heart into serving the Asian community, which he'd once harmed before being sent to prison.
Slowly those efforts started to win over those who once distrusted him, and positive feedback encouraged him to dream bigger. Setbacks came, but when they did, Eddy remained undaunted. It came as no surprise to those in prison with him when Eddy was found suitable for parole and eventually released.
What did surprise many is that upon his release Eddy did not lose his community focus or his will to pursue higher education. Eddy started off in a humble position that allowed him to interact face-to-face with at-risk youth. Through his work, he came to the notice of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the Mayor. Eddy's commitment to public service, year after year, made him a fixture in the BayView, Hunters' Point, and Chinatown areas of San Francisco, where his good works were and still are routinely recognized in the local newspapers. Those who see him now would never believe that this model citizen was once in prison serving a life sentence. He's come a long way since the BPH found him suitable for release.
Today, Eddy Zheng came back to Solano Prison to address the men in Solano's LTOP who are taking advanced courses (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, at the moment) to better themselves and to equip them to serve society in a positive way someday. Eddy came to encourage us and deliver a message: Dream big, stay disciplined, don't give up, and give back when you get the opportunity.
His message was received with thunderous applause.
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