“It’s Time for You to Go Home” — Preparing for Parole – Al Cruz & Sister Mary Sean Hodges Interview [Video]

In this Embraced:Fully Interview Series conversation, Alfredo (Al) Cruz and Sister Mary Sean Hodges from the Partnership for Re-Entry Program (PREP) talk with David Fowler about what real parole board preparation requires: accountability, honesty, insight, community support, and the long work of preparing to come home.

The replay also includes a short Ready for Reentry course clip from Carlos Vasquez near the end of the interview.

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https://embracedfully.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/517/files/2026/06/prep-parole-board-interview-audio.mp3
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Links mentioned in the interview

PREP course list

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In This Interview

How PREP helps people prepare for parole hearings through correspondence courses, reflection, accountability, and practical support.

What parole boards are listening for when someone speaks about responsibility, growth, remorse, and readiness.

Why honesty matters in the hearing room and in the years of preparation before the hearing.

How community can help without taking over the work that the person coming home must own.

What Ready for Reentry adds to the broader preparation ecosystem for people working toward a safe and successful return.

About Our Guests

Sister Mary Sean Hodges, O.P., a Dominican Sister of Mission San Jose, founded PREP after years of ministry with crime victims, incarcerated people, and their families. PREP grew out of a restorative justice vision and serves incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people through courses, parole preparation, and reentry support.

Alfredo (Al) Cruz was paroled in 2015 after more than 28 years of incarceration. He returned to PREP as a volunteer reviewing Spanish Insight work and later joined the staff. His work is grounded in the conviction that people who want to help themselves prepare well should have meaningful support as they work toward coming home.

This interview is for Angel Team members, chaplains, families, volunteers, and anyone who wants to understand how serious preparation, community support, and spiritual growth can help open a path toward successful reentry.

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Our Mission

In partnership with others, Embraced:Fully supports incarcerated and returning citizens in their moral and spiritual journey toward successful reentry. Through Angel Team members, we help connect individuals with community, faith, housing, employment, transportation, friendship, and mentorship, building bridges of hope and belonging.