A University of San Francisco student, ex-convict, and
former inmate of San Quentin State Prison is working to reduce domestic violence and re-educate men currently in jail for
domestic violence and abuse.
Reggie Daniels '11, a USF business
organization student, works at the Resolve to Stop the Violence Project (RSVP), an organization within the San
Francisco Sheriff’s Department. As a case manager and facilitator, Daniels
teaches inmates at the San Bruno County Jail to assert themselves
non-violently. The program he teaches, Manalive, focuses on developing
listening and communication skills so that violent offenders can translate
their emotions into words instead of violence.
“I love it when guys have that ‘aha’ moment,” said Daniels,
an honor roll student who plans to apply to USF for graduate school after
graduating in May. He hopes to continue working with RSVP, facilitating
violence-reduction programs while he pursues a degree in international and
multi-educational programs.
“My goal is to become a liaison between those incarcerated
and higher education,” said Daniels, who applied to USF after collaborating
with Assistant Professor and Dance Coordinator Amie Dowling in 2008 on a play
put on by Community Works, RSVP’s sister organization that focuses on restorative arts in jails.
Daniels was incarcerated for weapons charges and drug sales
in 1990 and spent four years in San Quentin. While in jail, he enrolled in RSVP
to help him break the cycle of violence. After his release, Daniels committed
himself to RSVP’s mission to promote restorative justice. He recently told his
story on KQED radio’s “Perspectives” program.
“As a formally incarcerated man Reggie brings tremendous
credibility to this work,” said Ruth Morgan, executive director of Community
Works. Since its inception in 1997, RSVP has worked with approximately 300
incarcerated men a year.
