Alan Ross

On August 13, 2012, I stepped outside federal prison after 9,135 days of incarceration. Though not yet free—my next stop was a halfway house in San Francisco’s gritty Tenderloin District—I was overwhelmed with gratitude. Carole, my wife and steadfast partner through my journey, picked me up outside the prison gates and drove me into a world that would be new to me. I looked forward to starting my life with her.

I’d laid the groundwork for my during my imprisonment. Carole had built a website that served as a platform for the journals I wrote in confinement. Through these writings, I shared my strategies for atoning for the bad decisions of my youth and preparing for a life of contribution and productivity. It was my way of proving that I was more than the sum of my mistakes—a testament to the power of documenting one’s efforts to rebuild.

That decision bore fruit almost immediately. Within a week of my release, I received an unexpected call from an editor at the San Francisco Chronicle. He had followed my story through the website and wanted to write about my efforts. The article highlighted how I had used my time inside to prepare for a better future, inspiring others in the process.

Not long after the article was published, Professor Alan Ross from UC Berkeley reached out to me. He extended an invitation to lecture in front of his class—more than 500 students strong. For me, it was not just an opportunity but a defining moment. The chance to speak at a world-renowned institution like UC Berkeley affirmed the value of my journey and the message I was eager to share.

Carole and I recognized the significance of this opportunity. I hired a videographer to capture the lecture, ensuring that it could serve as a resource and a testament to the work I was doing to build a new life. The event was an incredible success, opening doors I hadn’t imagined.

Since that day, I’ve returned to UC Berkeley every year to lecture in Professor Ross’s class. I challenge the students to think critically about their lives and their impact, urging them to live as the change they want to see in the world. The experience is both humbling and invigorating, a reminder of the limitless potential that can arise from disciplined preparation and a commitment to growth.

Professor Ross’s invitation validated the years of effort I put into building a narrative of accountability and transformation. It also reinforced a core belief that I carry into all of my work: documenting and sharing our journeys—whether through journals, videos, or platforms like Prison Professors Talent—can open doors to new opportunities.

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