Formerly Incarcerated Speaker Series: Mariah Cenea
A ferry ticket is required to reach Alcatraz. Purchase tickets at Alcatraz City Cruises. We recommend the 12 PM boat or earlier.
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. Speaker events are offered on various Saturdays from May-September 2026, from 1 - 2 PM.
After spending 21 years incarcerated, Mariah returned home determined to turn experience into purpose. Re-entering society came with many challenges, especially navigating adulthood for the first time and learning basic skills, like navigating the internet, finances, and obtaining vital records. Through the organization CROP, she found a safe space to grow, develop leadership skills, and build the mindset needed to move forward.
In her current work, Mariah is passionate about helping people who are returning from incarceration access stable housing, education, and real opportunities. She uses a trauma-informed and gender responsive perspective, shaped by her lived experience as a transgender woman navigating reentry. Her goal is to use her voice, story, and leadership to advocate for second chances and stronger communities.
If you are part of a justice-impacted group and are interested in attending one of the days, please email us about community tickets for these events.
If you have any accessibility needs such as ASL translation, please contact goga_accessibility@nps.gov at least 5 days in advance.
Fees
This event is free to attend.
Location
New Industries Building
Latitude and Longitude 37.827741, -122.424825
Schedule
Date:
Time:
Duration:
Event Type
- Talk