“What have you got to lose?” That was the question from a friend that ultimately prompted Pam to apply for a state job that kept popping up for months in front of her (literally in the form of email messages). Pam now serves in that job, the Braille Program Manager for Washington Talking Book and Braille Library, because she decided to take that leap and applied.
As the Braille Program Manager, Pam’s responsibilities are far-ranging and ties directly with her former role as Lead Transcriber for CI’s Braille program while incarcerated at the Washington Corrections Center for Women. Pam recognizes that her work experience at CI combined with her attitude to keep achieving, is what earned her this opportunity, and she is humbled. The only difference is rather than transcribing textbooks for schools as she did for the CI Braille program, Pam now works on literary books. “I get paid to read books,” said Pam. As part of her job, Pam manages 22 volunteers at the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library, which is a federal library located in downtown Seattle, and she is responsible for producing Braille for anyone in Washington state.
Before starting in September 2024 in her new role, Pam, who had been released in April of 2024, had been working as a consultant with Ogden Resource Center (who provides projects for the CI Braille program), through her business, Braille By Pam. “By mid-May I had my driver’s license, I was able to save enough to pay for my own car and had started a business. It all felt good to be able to pay for these things myself,” said Pam. She also paid off her legal financial obligations a few months before her release thanks to her CI Braille program earnings. Reflecting on how much working in the CI Braille program has set her up for her success during her reentry journey, Pam doesn’t hesitate to say, “All of it.”
Pam had known about the library job posting before she released, having seen it circulating via emails from Ogden Resource Center, but it didn’t occur to her to even apply, thinking she would never get hired because of her background. After releasing and working with Ogden through Braille By Pam, she kept receiving emails from Ogden about the library job posting. It took that fateful question and more encouragement from a friend to take a chance in applying. Pam was making a decent living from Braille By Pam work, but she was missing working with people like she did at the CI Braille Program, something she really enjoyed.
When she received a call back for an interview after applying, Pam was surprised. In July, she interviewed in person with a three-person panel and let the panel know that she had recently released from prison. She felt confident about the interview, knowing her extensive experience with Braille work would allow her to hit the ground running from day one. However, she remained concerned about how her background might impact her chances of getting the job. She found out much later that as soon as she left the room, they all agreed to hire her. “I asked my immediate supervisor if my background would be a problem. She asked me if my restrictions kept me from doing the job and I said ‘no.’ She said, ‘then we don’t care.’”
Pam started her new role at the library on September 16. “You know when you get a new job and its awkward in the beginning? I had no awkwardness. Within two to three days, I felt like I belonged there,” said Pam. Her second day on the job, her immediate supervisor took her to lunch to welcome her, and by her fourth day on the job, she was invited to a welcome after-party that was thrown in her honor by the rest of the staff. Since the warm welcome, Pam has had opportunities to attend more events, having fun during holidays, including dressing up for Halloween. “It feels like a family,” Pam said. Her only regret? Not applying sooner as she would have started her wonderful job sooner. “We beat ourselves up. We have to move beyond our past. Put that behind you and take chances. What have you got to lose?” Pam said.
Being released when she was in her 50s was intimidating to Pam as she was very worried about how she would survive her later years. With her state job at the library, Pam earns $75,000 annually and enjoys full benefits, including retirement. This has alleviated her concerns about her later years and positions her for a rewarding and secure future.
