Formerly Incarcerated Speaker Series: Rafaella Benoit
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.
Facing 40 years to life in prison due to California's three strikes law, Rafaella’s addiction was too strong and shame too deep. After 6 overdoses, she was arrested and sentenced to 8 years 8 months.
After completing her AA in Psychology and transferring to UC Berkely, she is now pursuing a double major in Psychology and Sociology and proposing her own research. Rafaella will share her story with the hopes of inspiring others’ to improve their lives. “I firmly believe that all of my hardship was worthwhile if I am able to make a difference in someone else's life.”
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 37.827754, -122.424801
Schedule
Date:
Time:
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Event Type
- Talk