STORY - Troy Smith had stood in front of the parole board seven times already and spent 33 years of his life in California prisons when he pled his case again in 2017. "For this parole we find you suitable," someone said and Troy's changed forever.
"I put my head down and cried. The DA, the lawyers, even the security guy was tearing up." To reach this point, Troy had been committed to actively bettering himself on the inside for decades . He had earned his associates degree, his GED, and a certificate as a "restorative justice" facilitator-among many other accreditations.
In America, those who are formerly incarcerated are nearly ten times more likely to experience homelessness than the general public. The problem is even greater for those who have been in prison for most of their lives and can become "institutionalized." But Troy began saving even his smallest paychecks while still living in a transitional home after his release. He bought a car and in one year he moved into a private room in a home and now lives in a one-bedroom apartment in San Lorenzo. He works for Community Works West in Oakland, which facilitates restorative justice in the Bay Area. He helps to run circle meetings with members of the community and former offenders. "This helps others and it helps me to heal from my own past."
Today, Troy is in a period of transition. "I'm still experiencing so many things for the first time." He keeps himself busy with two other jobs and spends as much time as possible on the move. "I spent most of my life in a cell smaller than this [bed]room, so I like to spend as little time inside as possible." With housing inequality on the rise and a criminal record that he has put in his past, Troy Smith is working on himself through others in order to start the new life that he dreamt about for 33 years.



CAPTION - Troy Smith at his home in San Lorenzo on June 3, 2019. Beginning his life anew at 54 years old, Troy knows that he will never had a retirement or many of the privileges enjoyed by those around him. But this small apartment is a first step into the independence that he craved in prison. "One day in prison I got sick and tired of being sick and tired and I decided to change my own life," he explains.

A trading card from Troy's time as a baseball umpire in San Quentin sits on his dresser as he sorts through his belongings at his home in San Lorenzo. For over three decades, Troy dreamed of what his life would be like on the outside. "I planned out in my head how I would decorate my home once I finally had one," explains Troy. "I knew what I wanted; I want this place to be mine."

Troy passes the Oracle Arena in Oakland during his commute home from work at Community Works West. He a fan of most Bay Area sports teams, but rarely attends the games in order to save his money for rent and bills. He also has a habit of giving away his money to friends and family in need. "I sometimes have to catch myself giving too much away or being taken advantage of." Since his imprisonment, Troy finds little desire for wealth.

Troy jokes around with his co-worker, Jessie Backer, at Community Works West on June 4, 2019. His job normally involves facilitating restorative justice circles in the community, but he is currently between assignments and preparing to lead a workshop that combines music and restorative justice for youth offenders. "I get so bored when I don't have anything to do," says Troy. "I always look forward to the next big project."

Troy goes to his second job as a monitor at Men and Women on the Way, a transitional treatment program run by Stephanie Viscaino in San Lorenzo. He spends his time with those working towards sobriety after jail and prison.

Troy chats with his manager, Stephanie Viscaino, at Men and Women on the Way. "You don't have to come from a criminal lifestyle," Viscaino explains. "You can make one bad decision and it can change your entire life." The center is devoted to helping the formerly incarcerated transition to life on the outside.

Troy returns from work to his home in San Lorenzo, a one-bedroom apartment that is his pride and joy. He worked hard and saved in order to leave the transitional homes he was offered after one year and move into a private room and now this small apartment before the two-year anniversary of his incarceration.

Troy chats with his parole officer, Agent Yancy, during a home visit on June 3, 2019. The two check in with each other regularly and Troy hopes to finish his parole as early as next year due to his steady employment, community involvement, and good behavior.

Troy discarded nearly everything from his time in prison, but he still keeps his inmate ID in his wallet on him every day. "I can't say that I'm making up for everything I did wrong, but it reminds me of where I have been and how I want to be positive every day," Troy explains.

At home, Troy watches an episode of "The Redemption Project with Van Jones," a show documenting one-on-one restorative justice interventions between victims and offenders. In San Quentin, Troy umpired baseball with Christopher Smith, the focus of this episode as he meets with the father of LoEshé Lacy, the girl he killed in 1997. "Restorative justice is a very hard thing to facilitate," explains Troy. "But when you see a meeting like this, that criminal will be changed forever. They can never go back."

"I wasn't even able to cry at my mother's passing--I wanted to, but I couldn't--but every episode that I watch of the Redemption Project has made me tear up," says Troy. In his work at Community Works West, Troy leads restorative justice circles between former offenders and members of the community to promote healing.

Troy prepares for bed at the end of a long day. "I spent most of my life in a cell smaller than this room, so I like to spend as little time inside as possible." He works three different jobs, sometimes more, throughout the week in order to afford his apartment and to occupy his time every day.