Preston Thorpe is a software engineer at a San Francisco startup, also serving his 11th year in prison
Preston Thorpe is transforming his life by advancing in software engineering while serving his 11th year in prison.
Preston Thorpe, while serving his 11th year in a Maine correctional facility for drug-related crimes, has become a notable contributor to an open source project led by the database company Turso. This has not only impressed Turso’s CEO Glauber Costa, who checked Thorpe's credentials on GitHub and discovered his unique situation of being incarcerated, leading to further communication about Thorpe’s transformative journey. Glauber offered him a remote full-time job, facilitated by an experimental program within the Maine state prison system that enables inmates to partake in remote work. Thorpe’s pavement towards change is significantly aided by an environment that fosters professional growth and rehabilitation.
Thorpe is part of a progressive initiative pioneered by the Maine Department of Corrections that provides prisoners with avenues for remote employment, displaying promising results in reversing recidivism trends. Commissioner Randall Liberty, a veteran in corrections, understands deeply the importance of addressing the root causes of criminal behavior—substance abuse and lack of education. Under his leadership, Maine prisons have seen a reduced return-to-prison rate. Thorpe is one of approximately 30 inmates participating in this employment program, contributing 10% of their salaries to the state.
Thorpe's involvement with Turso began with volunteering contributions to their database projects and soon captivated Glauber Costa. Despite the unconventional setting, his commitment to learning programming and subsequent contribution resonated deeply with Turso's work culture. This opportunity arose simultaneously with other educational efforts, with Thorpe enrolling remotely at the University of Maine and the tech-oriented Unlocked Labs previously employing him to develop educational software for use in prisons.
Given the support from figures like Commissioner Liberty and organizations such as Unlocked Labs, the focus remains on integrating educational infrastructure within prison systems. These interventions have provided opportunities previously unavailable, expanding due to COVID-19 adjustments. Liberty notes significant success with vastly reduced recidivism rates among those who pursue educational programs during their incarceration.
The future for individuals like Thorpe looks brighter as they receive the support necessary to overcome their past and meaningfully contribute to society. Thorpe states that his past life on the streets now seems like a distant memory, underlining the personal transformation these programs can achieve. He continues to spend his time engrossed in the world of programming, driven by a newfound sense of purpose and hope for what lies ahead.
Sources: TechCrunch, Turso, Unlocked Labs