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Samuel Nathaniel Brown, a dedicated advocate and former incarcerated individual, spent 24 years challenging the inhumanity of the current prison system. He champions innovative rehabilitation approaches for successful societal reintegration. Sam's incarceration journey exemplifies reentry success, showcasing his unwavering determination and the vital support networks needed for human rights advocacy.

During his time in prison, Sam initiated the 10P Program, guiding incarcerated persons from anti-social to pro-social mindsets, emphasizing personal growth and transformation.

Samuel is a fervent supporter of The California Abolition Act (ACA 3), a constitutional amendment aimed at ending prisoner slavery, promoting rehabilitation, and stopping forced labor exploitation. The goal is to facilitate the transition of individuals leaving prison into contributing members of society.

In 2014, Sam introduced "The Theory of Emotional Illiteracy-Based Criminality," linking adverse childhood experiences to criminal behaviors as coping mechanisms.

A significant milestone in his journey occurred when, a few months before his release, he became one of the first to graduate with a bachelor's degree in communication studies through Cal State LA's Prison B.A. Graduation Initiative.

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In 1999, at the age of 18, Joey Pagaduan was sentenced to life in prison. Joey was found suitable by the California Board of Parole Hearings in 2020, but his suitability was unilaterally reversed by Governor Gavin Newsome. Two years later, Joey was found suitable again and, after 23 years, was released on June 30, 2022.

Joey is an accomplished actor having played Hamlet, Bottom in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Master Harold in “Master Harold and the Boys,” and many other roles at Shakespeare at Solano. He founded P@S – Performances @ Solano – to give theatre artists and musicians opportunities to write, workshop, and perform their original works. For P@S, he has written and directed several short plays. He was also the editor-in-chief and photographer for the Solano Vision newspaper. Joey is working as a Certified Addiction Counselor, currently enrolled in a coding bootcamp through CSU Eastbay, and a Designing Creative Futures internship with California Lawyers for the Arts and Marin Shakespeare Company.

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This episode is an audio extract of a presentation that took place during the NYU Drama Therapy Research Symposium 2023, hosted by the NYU Program in Drama Therapy and Theatre and Health Lab.

View the full video presentation here.

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