Formerly Incarcerated Speaker Series

Blue circle surrounds a brown fist holding a microphone with title “Formerly Incarcerated Speaker Series”
Formerly Incarcerated Speaker Series on Alcatraz Island

Troy Williams/Restorative Media

Saturdays throughout the Summer, 2-3 PM

The Formerly Incarcerated Speaker Series is a program on Alcatraz Island that lifts up and highlights the voices of people who have spent time inside of jails and prisons. The National Park Service believes in parks as platforms for dialogue, and Alcatraz Island, being one of the only NPS sites that interprets mass incarceration, works directly with people who have been affected in order to give them a platform to showcase their stories.

The events occur on multiple Saturdays throughout the summer, from 2-3 PM. See the specific dates below. While the event is free, you must purchase a ticket to the island. To purchase ferry tickets, visit the Alcatraz City Cruises website.

If you are a community leader working with the formerly incarcerated community and you would like to bring a group to an upcoming program in the series, please email us. If you have any accessibility needs such as ASL translation, please contact goga_accessibility@nps.gov at least 5 days in advance.

For more information on the Formerly Incarcerated Speaker Series, or other community outreach initiatives (including ranger-led programs), please contact alca_outreach@nps.gov.

Upcoming dates, 2-3 PM:
  • September 6 and 13
 
Bald Black man in button-down shirt and tie takes selfie.

Image courtesy Edwin Hutchinson

September 6: Edwin "Zakee" Hutchinson

Edwin “Zakee” Hutchinson is the Regional Program Manager for the GRIP Training Institute. As both a veteran and formerly incarcerated individual, Zakee has devoted himself to helping others to transform their lives, by learning accountability and changing their life narratives. His personal life experiences drive his desire to create positive change and improve the lives of others impacted by the criminal justice system.
 
Woman with short brown hair takes selfie.

Image courtesy Cedar Annenkovna Mortenson

September 13: Cedar Annenkovna Mortenson

After serving over five years in prison for a wrongful conviction, Cedar Annenkovna was suddenly released by the Supreme Court with only 30 minutes’ notice. While incarcerated, she became a mentor and GED instructor, earned an associates degree, got involved in legislation, had her art and writing published and exhibited nationally and internationally. Now, as an artist, poet, and activist, she is an advocate for prison abolition.
 

May's Speakers

 

June's Speakers

 

July's Speakers

 

 

August's Speakers

Last updated: September 4, 2025

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Alcatraz Island
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
201 Fort Mason

San Francisco, CA 94123

Phone:

415-561-4900
United States Park Police Dispatch: Non-Emergency: 415-561-5505 Emergency: 415-561-5656

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