TEDxFolsom State Prison

The purpose of TEDxFolsom State Prison is to build a bridge that connects the incarcerated community with the world. For over 10 years Folsom State Prison's Gavel Club has gained a reputation for its rehabilitative powers and its zero-recidivism rate. In bringing a TEDx event to Folsom State Prison, the Gavel Club challenges old narratives through the power of communication. The Gavel Club has not only reformed the perspectives of its members, but it has changed the lens with which guests view the incarcerated population. Through the medium of speech, poetry, art, and story-telling, Folsom’s positive programming and incarcerated transformation will be highlighted so that other facilities may utilize the tools that Folsom offers. This event will transcend the narratives of prisons and prisoners by demonstrating the universal value and aspiration of human potential.