Ivan Thomasson served a total of 34 years of his life inside prison bars.
“I was called a lifer on an installment plan,” said Thomasson.
Now, he’s a Delta College student navigating new systems, including much younger classmates.
“I had to remember that these are kids,” he notes.
Thomasson is one of a number of formerly incarcerated students on campus t Delta College, these students are guided and aided by the Phoenix Project.
The Phoenix Project has been available since 2018 and helped in total 180 students.
They see themselves as family and is here to serve and to uplift students and not bring them down.
The project, one of the programs housed under the campus Empowerment Center, links students who have done time with campus resources for success.
This kind of support is vital, said Thomasson.
“I treated it like I’m still in prison. The rule is the same thing in Latin is the same thing in Greek,” said Thomasson, describing his adaptation from being an ex-con to being a student.
The transition from prison to classroom is sometimes hard, specifically when formerly incarcerated students have “difficulty finding and maintaining employment, and difficulty forming and maintaining relationships, which can contribute to a cycle of poverty and social marginalization,” according to the National Incarceration Association (NIA). The description noted is for Post Incarceration Syndrome.
Students might take the steps and enroll back in school for a high school diploma, GED or even go to college but still will have the mindset of being in prison.
“These difficulties can also increase the risk of recidivism, or returning to criminal behavior,” notes the NIA.
Thomasson notes that formerly incarcerated students will adapt. He said he functions in prison the same way he functions in the streets.
“It’s all about giving respect and staying in your own lanes,” he noted.
Thomasson said he didn’t know about the Phoenix Program when he first started at Delta College, but since he has been connected, he’s been able to receive support, as well as books and supplies.
“I’m going after my certification in audio engineering and that helps my record company Eyes on U Records. My studio is a safe and affordable place to come relax and record,” he said.
I spoke with Sydney Johnson who is the information specialist and also a student at Delta and part of the program as well.
Johnson stated, “I’m formerly an incarcerated inmate. Coming from being sentenced to 15 plus life to now I’m living my life as a civilian and a full time student.”
Johnson also added, “I will be graduating this year as a substance abuse counselor and will continue work as Delta as an intern.”
What is the Phoenix Project? According to Delta’s website “Phoenix Project is a student support program for Delta College students who were formerly incarcerated/in custody, or who are currently incarcerated within the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) or Custody to Community Transitional Reentry Program (CCTRP) in Stockton.”
The Phoenix Program also provides help with students who are not familiar with the process of enrollment and help with filling out FAFSA for financial aid.
Johnson also quoted “I hope that each and every student will be successful in choosing their major and careers as we assist them throughout their journey.”
