In the first installment of Clutch Q&A, my friend Trip Taylor opens up about his journey from prison to purpose and how he’s now using his experience to shape reentry programs, empower others, and demand a system that sees people for who they can be, not just who they were. From the hard lessons to the hopeful wins, Trip brings clarity, courage, and a whole lot of heart.
In 2-3 sentences, tell me what the world should know about Trip Taylor.
Trip Taylor is… wait, should this be in first person… The world should know that I fundamentally believe that positive belongingness is a powerful force that can heal and sustain most humans. I also believe that society has too many structures and institutions that drive wedges between people and groups, and that this “othering” is the root cause of so many societal problems. Also, I love water and trees.
You developed FICGN’s FIELD Program, that was no small undertaking! What was that process like? What elements of FIELD are you most proud of?
I am so incredibly proud of the FIELD program. My task when I started at FICGN was to develop a leadership program for formerly incarcerated nonprofit professionals, and I hit the ground running. I did extensive research on training curricula with specific interest in the nonprofit sector, trauma-informed care, personal leadership, and storytelling. With a limited budget, I had to narrow down the options so that we could also include an in-person retreat and 1-on-1 coaching throughout the program. Ultimately, I think we landed on a robust structure that gives participants enough content and support for their personal leadership journey.
The element that I am most proud of, and something that warms my heart every time it happens, is the space and time provided for participants to partner and collaborate and help one another.
You’ve helped a lot of people find their way after incarceration. What’s the one piece of advice you always give that never fails?
There is not one piece of advice that works for everyone in reentry because the system is complicated and everyone has a different journey. I would say the thing that I have seen that is effective most of the time is surrounding yourself with good people and leaning on the supports that you build around you. We are stronger together. The problem, unfortunately, is that one bad egg can ruin a souffle, so sometimes a support system will lead someone down the wrong path.
What’s one myth people still believe about incarceration that drives you nuts, and what’s the reality?
I was at a site visit at a facility in Oregon last week and one of the Correctional Officers said he couldn’t trust his wards because “they are all in here for a reason.”
The myth is that everyone in prison deserves to be there. We have an incredibly flawed justice system that has put countless people behind bars who are factually innocent or others who have decades of time served for offenses in one state that would not even be a crime in a neighboring state.
Some of the most caring and intelligent people I’ve ever met were incarcerated. Some of the worst people I’ve ever met were publicly elected officials. What does that say about our society?
What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps and do this work?
Social justice work can be physically and emotionally exhausting because many systems are slow to change.
Let’s say you’ve been handed unlimited funding and zero oversight: what ridiculous but amazing program do you launch first?
I love this last question! I would develop a retreat program for formerly incarcerated people that would include animal, nature, and psychedelic therapies along with programming centered around belongingness and community. Somewhere to heal, connect with self/life/others, and to be prepared to return to society with a full battery and tools for success.
Officially adore Trip? Keep up with him on LinkedIn.
