July is Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Awareness Month. On this episode of EquiTEA with RivCo Public Health, Starting Over, Inc. Peer Support Specialists Ivan & Javier delve into the intersection of mental health, the BIPOC community, and the criminal justice system.

Richard Jerimiah Giles III and Bennie Burrell, two recently released individuals from California, share their experiences of reentry to society. While the process of reentry is challenging, having a support system and a focus on mental health can help reduce the mental toll. Richard credits his success to his support system and attending reentry courses. Bennie, who served 31 years, is actively giving back to other formerly incarcerated individuals by offering reentry support. Both men emphasize the importance of a support network and mental health in ensuring a successful reentry.

“Unfortunately, those same entities who have a vested interest in continuing the cycle of incarceration are the same who make the claim that Prop 47 contributed to increases in crime”…

“Some of California’s deadliest jails are in Riverside County, where 45 people have died since Jan. 1, 2021 […] Gov. Gavin Newsom pledged almost five years ago that the state would take a stronger hand to prevent deaths in the 57 jail systems run by California county sheriffs. In every year since, more people have died in California jails than when Newsom made that pledge — hitting a high of 215 in 2022. Tulare, San Diego, Kern, Riverside and San Bernardino counties’ jails set records.” Read more at CalMatters.