Rafael is a Social Worker Intern and student at Bronx Community College who has spent approximately 10 years in and out of the New York City and State prison system. Rafael's goals and aspirations are to empower our communities and disrupt the Prison Industrial Complex. First, I would like to say I’m one of those inmates that both New York City and State Department of Corrections don’t want to speak out against them. And it’s not just because I was assaulted by them numerous

With the generous support of a grant from Literacy for Incarcerated Teens (LIT)[1] Prison Writes workshops are being brought to youths living in group homes in Brooklyn under Administration of Children’s Services Close to Home program. “Launched in 2012, Close to Home allows youth who are deemed Juvenile Delinquents by the Family Court to be placed in residential programs closer to their families and communities. Under Close to Home, young people receive therapeutic services