Osbert Owuor, Program Manager, Project Re/Frame, is a returned citizen currently working as a case manager for Friends Outside in Los Angeles County at Dads Back! Academy. He grew up in a two-parent household with three other siblings in the city of Los Angeles. His father was a chemical engineer and his mother worked in a tourist office. Osbert originally had planned to attend college and pursue a career in finance, but at age 16, he was arrested and later sentenced to two life terms in California state prison where he served more than 25 years. During those years he was continuously told that he would “die in prison.” With the passage of SB-260, Osbert was given an opportunity for parole and was eventually found suitable.
Upon his release, as part of his reentry program, Osbert participated in the June 2017 Dads Back! Academy cohort and later joined TheatreWorkers Project’s “Moving Forward” program, contributing his story and written work to their play A Man Like Me. Osbert started working with Friends Outside to support individuals making the transition back into society because he deeply understands the obstacles and barriers faced by people who served long periods of time inside.
