MTC students and alumni

Students and Alumni Respond to COVID-19

By Mount Tamalpais College | June 26, 2020

Current and former Prison University Project students are spearheading an array of advocacy, public education, and reentry efforts during this crisis and leading the conversation on how COVID-19 affects incarcerated individuals.

  • Kenyatta Leal shared tips for living in isolation in USA Today. Read Story
  • David Cowan, Prison University Project Director of Operations and Director of Bonafide, discussed in an interview how COVID-19 has complicated reentry support. Read Story
  • Student and Senior Editor of the San Quentin News Juan Moreno Haines has emerged as a voice for the incarcerated during the COVID-19 crisis. His published pieces in DemocracyNow! and The Appeal reflect what’s happening inside San Quentin in real time. Read Story
  • Phil Melendez, Los Angeles Outreach Associate atRe:store Justice, was featured on “Coronavirus Impact Podcast with Ben Higgins” from ABC 10 News San DiegoHear Phil at 13:56.
  • Adnan Khan and Eric “Maserati E” Abercrombie were featured on “GeriPal Podcast” with Dr. Brie Williams, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Criminal Justice & Health Program at UCSF and Director of Amend: Changing Correctional Culture. Listen here. 
  • Adnan also spoke to Alicia Menendez on MSNBC about the threat of COVID-19 in America’s carceral system. Watch Adnan at 34:50.
  • James King and Sajad Shakoor participated in a webinar, “Getting People Out Of Prison: How to Support People in CDCR In Asking For Release Due to COVID-19” sponsored by the Prisoner Advocacy Network.

Please note that the Prison University Project became Mount Tamalpais College in September 2020.