Roots of Success
(2013-2023)
Following SPP-Ohio’s success with Roots of Success, an environmental literacy curriculum, SPP-WA supported the program in Washington prisons from 2013-2023. Roots covers vital environmental topics and issues and challenges students to think critically in order to innovate community-based solutions. The program emphasizes job readiness and re-entry skills; Graduates are equipped for work in the green economy. In its ten years as part of SPP-WA, more than 1600 students graduated from the program.
Graduates from the Roots of Success class proudly display their certificates; from the top left, you see graduates Jill Robinson, Dara Alvarez, Shannon Marie Xiap, Nikkea Marin, Katlynn Draughon, and instructor Chelsey Johnson.
Roots of Success students and instructors at Stafford Creek Corrections Center celebrate every class graduation--17 cohorts in 3 years. Photo by WA Corrections staff.
Surrounded by her fellow graduates, Roots of Success graduate Kandyce Benefield acknowledges applause. Photo by Joslyn Rose Trivett.
Roots of Success Master Trainer Cyril Walrond asks a class of new instructors about what characteristics they expect to see in their students. Photo by Joslyn Rose Trivett.
Roots of Success graduates talk about their time as students in the program at Stafford Creek Corrections Center. Photo by Joslyn Rose Trivett.
Roots was an ideal introduction to SPP’s other sustainable programs. For example, at Washington State Penitentiary, successful completion of the course became a prerequisite for men seeking employment in the facility’s pioneering Sustainable Practices Lab. The lab is also paired with the classroom work, and the students gain practical experience working in many sections of the lab until they graduate. They have the chance to extend theory to the practice of vermiculture, aquaponics, wood reclamation, and more. Additionally, Roots was offered in some Protective Custody Units for a limited time.
SPP-Ohio ties lessons from Roots classrooms to sustainable operations practices and other sustainability-focused programs in prison. “We were able to appreciate what [Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction] ODRC is doing because now we can show [the students] that the knowledge they have can be implemented,” explained Willie Lagway, Roots Master Instructor for ODRC.
Roots classes were taught by incarcerated individuals trained by Dr. Raquel Pinderhughes, Professor of Urban Studies & Planning at San Francisco State University, an internationally recognized expert on the green economy and green workforce training. She says the curriculum is different from most environmental classes; Rather than focusing only on environmental problems, it offers a problem-to-solution model.
“People have to leave our classes with hope, believing that there is something they can do… We want them to understand the problems, and be part of the innovative discussion about solutions.”
Dr. Raquel Pinderhughes
Once incarcerated instructors gained sufficient experience in the program, they became candidates for advanced training with Dr. Pinderhughes. SPP-Washington identified six incarcerated students who showed exceptional teaching and leadership skills and invested in the three-day training needed to certify them as Master Trainers; They went on to train and certify more Roots instructors statewide.
A class of graduates from Coyote Ridge Corrections Center: Kuoy Chhong, Christopher Edwards, Edwin Edwards, Seth Fulmer, Richard Johnson, James Lees, Neil Mitchell, Andrew Quinn, Jayson Smith, Travis Turley, Kimothy Wynn, and Jeffery Willis. Photo by Joslyn Rose Trivett.
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