Participant Spotlight: Anna

Anna walked out of California Institution for Women on May 27 after 26 years. Michelle, the CIW Program Manager and Robert, Land Together’s Southern CA Reentry Coordinator, were both at the gate, along with Bernadette, Anna’s future mother-in-law, who drove her all the way to San Luis Obispo where she paroled.

In LT’s program at CIW, Anna stood out for her critical thinking, hard work, commitment to transformation, and kindness toward everyone around her. She was always one to share her harvest, even when it meant she didn’t get any herself.

After completing the program, she came back as an alum and showed up to every single class and work day. But her real domain was the shed.

She kept it immaculate. Every tool checked out through her, every tool returned clean. If it came back dirty, she sent it back. Often times she’d spend the entire work day inside that shed instead of in the garden because it needed the attention. Everyone called her the “shed mama,” and the name fit.

Her favorite part of the program was the singing bowl during meditation. She was touched when Michelle gifted her one during their time together on her release day.

Now Anna’s navigating everything at once: reconnecting with family, figuring out how to get around, adjusting to new housing, and staying calm through all of it after 26 years inside. Earlier this week, Anna sent us a photo of her with her aunt, whom she hadn’t seen in over two decades. She also shared a video of herself feeling the ocean for the first time since she was a little girl.

We miss her at CIW. And we’re so glad she’s out.