Tiger Prison Project held a criminal justice panel Friday to discuss what the project means and to give previously incarcerated individuals an opportunity to share their stories.
The project, founded in 2019 as “a coalition dedicated to ending mass incarceration, improving the lives of which it has affected, and promoting fair and effective alternatives” according to their website, believes that the power of education can shed light on the consequences and flaws of the criminal justice system.
The event was held in the Atchafalaya Room in the Student Union to a modest crowd. The leaders of the Tiger Prison Project and three previously incarcerated individuals introduced themselves, then the event carried on with conversations and food.
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“They taught me how to be independent instead of being told what to do all the time, like when to eat and when to shower,” Tyjuan Williams said when asked about how the Tiger Prison Project has helped get him back on his feet after his release.
Williams was imprisoned at age 19 on a charge of second-degree murder. He was incarcerated for over 30 years and got released this past October. He flew back to his home state of Virginia on Sunday.
“It was a hard run. I really hadn’t had a chance to live, so I never experienced paying bills, owning my own home, my own car, or anything like that,” Williams said.
Williams spent most of his time at Louisiana State Penitentiary in West Feliciana Parish, commonly known as Angola, which is known for its reputation of brutality, violence and crumbling infrastructure.
Tiger Prison Project was one of the many organizations that reached out to Williams once his parole was granted. Every program shared the same goal of getting him back on his feet and reintegrating him into society.
The Tiger Prison Project has held a series of events throughout the month, including a re-entry workshop on Nov. 13, a banner making event on Nov.15 and this networking event to wrap it all up.
“The mission has remained the same,” LSU senior Spanish major and President of Tiger Prison Project Gianna Thornhill said. “It’s to educate the student body about the prison system and mobilize them to do something about it.”
Students interested in the organization can learn more on their Tigerlink.
