6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 25-OCTOBER 1, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com 831 It started as a volunteer program, Empathy in Action, that takes civilians inside the Correctional Training Facility, a Level II prison in Soledad, to engage in raw and honest conversations and educational activities with inmates—those determined to work on themselves by participating in this long-term, weekly exercise. A couple of years in, the initiative’s leader, Megan McDrew, was able to not only produce (with the help of Humans Being Media) the first part of an eight-part mini-documentary series about the experience, but also create a physical location for the initiative: the Transformative Justice Center in downtown Monterey. Her goal is to make people realize that those in prison are just like us, usually victims of their past and circumstances, and that they deserve not to be ignored. If you have walked down Tyler Street in Monterey since mid-November, you may have noticed a green sign announcing the center. That’s where McDrew meets with future volunteers who will join her for meetings with inmates in prison, people who have close ones in prison and anybody who is curious about the nonprofit. There’s an inspirational mural on the welcoming wall inside, painted by local artist Hanif Panni, that shows a bridge, metaphorically joining the inside of the prison with the society outside. The space offers an abundance of chairs, inmate-made art and brochures on resources for those who recently left the prison and those who want to understand what prison really does to people—retraumatizing them instead of creating change. There’s even an actual cell inside, taken straight from the CTF in Soledad, to help visitors imagine the experience of being locked up. Soon, the center will offer programs to help people who’ve been recently released to connect with prospective employers. “The grant we had for the last few years expires and we need more funds,” McDrew says after giving a tour of the center. “But I know we will be fine,” she adds quickly, marvelling over unexpected checks from private donors touched by the group’s mission. She has also received checks from former inmates, many of whom participated in the Empathy in Action program while incarcerated. Now, 10 months after opening the physical space, the documentary series is available. When watching the first part of the Time Together series, it’s hard not to believe the participating inmates’ determination to change their lives. It shows in their faces in a way that cannot be faked, with muscles trembling from tears hidden deep inside, such as in the case of William, one of the Brothers in Blue—as the program refers to the inmates—who recites a poem, written for the 15-yearold boy he killed when he himself was a very young man. It’s unbelievable, he says, how a verbal altercation can lead to a murder. “There’s no reason for it,” he continues. “You died in my hands. I’m the reason for all this pain,” referring to the countless lives affected by his actions. The film consists of the inmates’ stories, many of them tragic childhood stories, many of finding themselves in prison and getting ready to leave with new purpose, such as Keith, now a certified alcohol and drug use counselor. “When we were young, we numbed our pain with alcohol, drugs or violence because no one taught us how to reach out,” he says, adding that he plans to stick to counseling once he’s released. He says he finally knows what his life will be like after he gets home. In the Transformative Justice Center, McDrew has meetings all day long. She mostly talks to members of the public who volunteer their time every week for eight weeks to participate in the Empathy in Action program. On the other side, in Soledad, there’s a waiting list of inmates who want to participate. But perhaps, before we get brave enough to venture inside—deep inside the hearts and minds of prisoners— watching this documentary is where the journey should begin. Time Together screening takes place at noon on Saturday, Sept. 27 at Lighthouse Cinema, 525 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove. $5-$10 donation suggested. Transformative Justice Center is located at 439 Tyler St., Monterey. transformativejusticecenter.org. Think Brave The upcoming screening of a prison documentary can change the way you think about life on the inside. By Agata Popęda It shows in their faces in a way that cannot be faked. TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS Megan McDrew, founder of Empathy in Action, in the Transformative Justice Center in Monterey, where a mock prisoner’s cell is installed. All of its elements come from the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad. Shop Fresh, Shop Local at our weekly farmers’ markets PLUS - Join us for Seaside Summer Sessions every 3 Thursday with live music and a beer garden! rd All markets accept CalFresh/EBT & provide a 60% discount on all EBT purchases up to $30 ($30 = $75!) through Market Match SERVING FAMILIES IN MONTEREY COUNTY SALINAS SEASIDE PACIFIC GROVE MARINA Sunday Marina 10am-2pm Monday Pacific Grove 3pm-7pm Tuesday Alisal 11am-4pm Wednesday Natividad 10am-2:30pm Thursday Seaside 3pm-7pm Friday SVH 11:30am-4:30pm www.everyonesharvest.org for more info!
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