Jamie Almanza, CEO of BACS, met Ken Oliver, Chief Innovation Officer of The Just Trust, looking to join forces for justice-involved individuals. We clicked immediately, even as he asked, “what is this woman dressed this way in my hood?” Our CEO loves to thrift and wears 4 inch heels even when helping people out of encampments. “You never look at Ken and see how many years he spent in solitary,” said Jamie, continuing “His spirit and joy shine through.” They bonded over shared visions for freedom and community integration.
The BACS team are first responders – on the front lines of behavioral health and homelessness – which takes dedication, motivation, and passion. As CEO, my job is to support every single team member to make real transformation possible. So BACS invited our colleague, Ken Oliver, who has lived the life inside and out of the most serious carceral system, to teach and motivate the 90+ members of our leadership team and bring that learning to the streets.
Ken joined BACS to share his experience inside the justice system. Ken’s presentation and Q&A support our team’s learning and advocacy as we continue to build pathways for successful reintegration and advocate for justice-impacted individuals through comprehensive support services.
Jamie recalled, “A few years ago, Ken called me with an urgent request: he was working with a gentleman, just two hours after his release from Santa Rita, who would be falling into homelessness… unless BACS had a place for him. I met them both at one of our homes, did the intake, and handed him his keys an hour later. We all shed a tear and Ken said ‘whatever you need… BACS really does whatever it takes. When the CEO pulls up, conducts a low barrier interview, and welcomes him home.’ The incarceration system is set up for punishment, not rehabilitation, and we want do build a society with windows, not bars.”
Ken’s journey—from serving 24 years in prison, including 10 years in solitary confinement, to becoming a leading voice in criminal justice reform—provided valuable insights into the transformative power of second chances.
Ken shared how his successful civil rights lawsuit led to his release in 2019, and how he’s dedicated himself to improving reentry programs. His advocacy for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) continues to drive major change, including securing $28.5 million in California’s budget for reentry housing. His message reinforced the importance of dignity, opportunity, and respect for justice-impacted individuals.
At BACS, we are deeply committed to supporting people in their reentry journey, offering housing, behavioral health services, and employment support to formerly incarcerated individuals. Our programs aim to break down barriers and provide the stability needed for successful reintegration. Ken’s story and message reinforced the vital role of organizations like BACS in advocating for second chances and creating systems that empower individuals to thrive.
