Going to jail is no small matter. You are there because you did something you should not have done, and as a result, both your life and the life of the victim have been damaged. However, incarceration does not have to be an ending—it can also mark the beginning of a new chapter in one’s life.
To support that new beginning, a weekly memoir class was launched in 2023 for men and women in the Sheriff’s Addiction Treatment Program. The class, taught by journalist and volunteer Andrew Visconti, provides participants with a structured space to tell their stories and reclaim their voices.
Each week, participants receive a writing prompt and are invited to share their reflections with the group. The goal is to create a safe, supportive environment where individuals can explore the experiences—both positive and negative—that have shaped their lives.
“The memoir writing class launched in 2023 has become one of the most meaningful of the programs,” said Sheriff Toulon. “Each week, Andrew offers participants writing prompts that invite them to explore the experiences that have shaped their lives. He gives them a safe space to process trauma, loss, hope, identity, and transformation.”
On Tuesday, November 18 at 12 p.m., Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr., was joined by Visconti and several formerly incarcerated individuals to unveil the “In Their Words” memoir exhibit at the Yaphank Correctional Facility.
“In Their Words” features written reflections from incarcerated men and women with substance-abuse issues who participated in the specialized program.
The exhibit features excerpts from participants’ writings over the past two years. These reflective pieces touch on themes of memory, loss, hope, and transformation. The collection will be on display in the visiting lobby of the Yaphank Correctional Facility throughout the holiday season.