When I was sentenced to life and arrived at prison I couldn't help but go within
Mon Feb 02 2026
When a small group of incarcerated men within California's prison system decided to use their lives to uplift fellow prisoners, they launched what is known nationally as C.R.O.P., Creating Restorative Programs and Opportunities. They knew that 54% of those who are released from California prisons encounter a world they barely recognize and without adequate support and resources, will reoffend within three years. In this episode of Power Station my guest is Terah Lawyer, the extraordinary leader who, as president of CROP, is demonstrating the power of systems and culture change in real time. Terah brings her lived experience with incarceration, academic grounding and deep commitment to her community to the design and implementation of Ready 4 Life, an innovative campus-based reentry initiative that is proving to be transformative. It trains and places participants in substantive jobs with meaningful wages, provides secure housing and invests in each person's personal development, from taking accountability to honing leadership skills. Terah honors the nonprofits, formerly incarcerated leaders and champions like Gov. Newsom and the California State Legislature who are investing in the potential and humanity of those who are striving for a productive second chance. A story that needs to be heard.
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When a small group of incarcerated men within California's prison system decided to use their lives to uplift fellow prisoners, they launched what is known nationally as C.R.O.P., Creating Restorative Programs and Opportunities. They knew that 54% of those who are released from California prisons encounter a world they barely recognize and without adequate support and resources, will reoffend within three years. In this episode of Power Station my guest is Terah Lawyer, the extraordinary leader who, as president of CROP, is demonstrating the power of systems and culture change in real time. Terah brings her lived experience with incarceration, academic grounding and deep commitment to her community to the design and implementation of Ready 4 Life, an innovative campus-based reentry initiative that is proving to be transformative. It trains and places participants in substantive jobs with meaningful wages, provides secure housing and invests in each person's personal development, from taking accountability to honing leadership skills. Terah honors the nonprofits, formerly incarcerated leaders and champions like Gov. Newsom and the California State Legislature who are investing in the potential and humanity of those who are striving for a productive second chance. A story that needs to be heard.