85 to Stay Alive:
National Coalition
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to advocate for the abolishment of inhumane temperature conditions within all prison systems and facilities. We are committed to the establishment implementation, and regulation of a robust and science-based universal temperature standard for all incarcerated individuals. We believe that no one should be subject to the dangers and harms of extreme heat and cold temperatures.
The Driving Force Behind the 85 to Stay Alive Coalition!
STEERING COMMITTEE
We’re proud to introduce the TPCA Steering Committee members who passionately advocate for meaningful change. Each member brings unique insights and deep dedication to our mission of improving conditions and upholding justice within Texas.
Dr. Amite Dominick, Founder and President of Texas Prisons Community Advocates (TPCA), is chairing the 85 to Stay Alive Steering Committee. A passionate advocate for justice reform, Dr. Dominick has dedicated her career to addressing systemic injustices within the Texas prison system. Under her leadership, TPCA champions efforts to improve the lives of system-impacted individuals and their families.
As chair, she guides the 85 to Stay Alive initiative, fostering collaboration and empowering communities to advocate for meaningful changes in prison policies and practices across Texas.
Andrea Cedillo, brings a wealth of experience in business, law, and advocacy to the TPCA Steering Committee. She previously served as a marketing director for a multimillion-dollar company in the restaurant franchising and specialty food manufacturing industry, where she managed advertising capital, budgeting, and operations for a marketing team.
As her career evolved, Andrea transitioned into the legal field, working alongside attorneys, former judges, county officials, and members of the Texas House of Representatives. Through this work, she developed a deep understanding of legal processes and strengthened her commitment to community service.
Now an empty nester, Andrea has pursued another lifelong passion—culinary arts. She earned degrees in both Culinary Arts and Pastry Arts and currently owns a bakery in San Antonio, Texas. While she finds joy in crafting custom cakes and pastries, her true calling lies in advocacy.
As a formerly incarcerated individual, Andrea is deeply committed to TPCA’s mission. She believes that advocacy is not just important, it is essential. “Helping customers is a passion, but helping the incarcerated is a must.” Through her work with TPCA, she continues to fight for justice, dignity, and meaningful change within the criminal legal system.
Chivas Watson is a prominent community leader, organizer, entrepreneur, and educator dedicated to advancing social justice and reform. As the founder and director of WorkingGroup512 (WG512), a Texas-based service agency, he focuses on enhancing justice delivery by addressing community challenges and providing essential resources to those in need.
His unique experience as an “inmate lawyer” greatly informed his criminal justice reform work. While incarcerated in 2020, Chivas tirelessly worked on approximately 515 cases over 378 days, successfully aiding 110 men in securing their release, including his own, before being wrongfully convicted.
Operating across Houston, Dallas, Abilene, and San Antonio, Chivas catalyzes innovative projects and initiatives through his consultancy, United Consulting, based in Austin, TX. He also serves as the End Mass Incarceration reporter for KPFT 90.1 FM's The Prison Show and is Indeed.com's Fair Chance Hiring spokesperson. His work with TPCA and our #85ToStayAlive campaign has proven to be invaluable.
Recognized as a City of Austin Net-Zero Hero, Chivas champions prison reform, re-entry services, and the urgent need for the release of incarcerated individuals, tirelessly working towards a more equitable and just society for all.
David Ciplet is a sociologist whose research focuses on power and inequality in environmental governance, aiming to advance social justice. His work spans United Nations negotiations to community meetings, using participatory methods to explore social change in climate and energy politics. His current projects include: studying what’s needed to achieve sustainable energy for all, examining successful advocacy campaigns for fossil fuel divestment, and exploring pathways for a "just transition" to a low-carbon society that addresses inequality and worker rights.
As the Executive Co-Director of CU Boulder’s Just Transition Collaborative, Ciplet is committed to ensuring equitable transitions to sustainable energy, especially for communities most impacted by social and environmental inequalities. He collaborates with community partners to guide Boulder’s shift to a renewable energy economy, and he engages students and the public through media projects like The Brink: Stories of Inequality, Struggle, and Transformation.
His expertise in environmental justice and equitable transitions to sustainable energy will be invaluable to the steering committee. His research background and hands-on experience with community-centered transitions will help shape policies that prioritize the needs of vulnerable communities in a warming climate. As a member of the committee, Ciplet can offer insights into effective advocacy strategies, guide initiatives that support a "just transition" for impacted workers, and help develop frameworks for climate and energy policies that promote social and economic equity.
Janet Delk, serves as the Events Coordinator for TPCA, bringing extensive experience in organizing large-scale events that drive awareness and community engagement. Her work focuses on amplifying the injustices incarcerated individuals face within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) system.
Janet’s journey into advocacy began with health disparities and maternal mortality while supporting the Deputy Secretary of Health in Florida. However, after experiencing firsthand the failures of the criminal justice system through a loved one’s incarceration, her focus expanded to include prison reform. As part of the 85 to Stay Alive Steering Committee, she is dedicated to amplifying the urgent need for sentencing reform and humane treatment of aging and vulnerable populations in Texas prisons.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Flagler College and an MBA from West Texas A&M. Janet currently resides in Pearland, Texas, with her son, while her daughter attends Sam Houston State University.
Mark Vasquez, is a dedicated advocate for justice reform, committed to educating and empowering communities to challenge and change the post-prison system. As a key member of The John Manuel Project, Mark has worked to provide individuals with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate and improve reentry systems, ensuring a more just and rehabilitative approach for formerly incarcerated individuals.
In addition to his work with The John Manuel Project, Mark plays an integral role in supporting Texas Prisons Community Advocates (TPCA). He is passionate about raising awareness of TPCA’s mission and advancing initiatives that address the inhumane conditions within Texas prisons. Through strategic outreach and advocacy, he helps amplify the voices of those directly impacted by the criminal justice system, ensuring that TPCA’s goals of policy change, rehabilitation, and dignity for incarcerated individuals remain at the forefront of public discourse.
Mark’s dedication to justice reform reflects his unwavering belief in second chances and systemic change. He continues to push for policies that promote fairness, rehabilitation, and meaningful reintegration opportunities for returning citizens.
Tangi Smith, a dedicated community leader raised in the Third Ward’s Cuney Homes, brings a lifetime of experience in community service and advocacy to TPCA. Inspired by her grandmother, Olivia Sholars, and local organizer Ruby Mosley, Tangi learned early how to uplift her community. From coordinating hurricane relief efforts to organizing senior citizen support, her hands-on experience laid the groundwork for her later achievements.
With a background in journalism and public service, Tangi has worked with influential figures and community-based organizations, honing her skills in writing, activism, and outreach. She is an active member of the Texas Organizing Project and holds a leadership role with KPFT Community Radio's Advisory Board. Her efforts culminated in founding the Texas Federation of the People, dedicated to ensuring safe communities, fair wages, and family reunification for system-impacted individuals.
Tangi’s commitment to justice and community empowerment continues to drive her contributions to TPCA’s mission.
Pastor Wesley E. Bridges, DMin, is a dedicated advocate for justice and community leadership. Married to Maria since 2001, he is a proud father of four and grandfather of four. With a deep commitment to ministry, he has been preaching the gospel since October 2001 and has served as a Senior Pastor for 12 years.
Beyond his pastoral work, Pastor Bridges has been actively engaged in civil rights and education. He is the former President of his local NAACP branch and is currently serving his second term on the local school board of the Lawrence County School District. His dedication to prison reform began in 2015 when he joined Clergy for Prison Reform under the leadership of President and Founder, Dr. CJ Rhodes. In 2018, Dr. Rhodes appointed him as CEO, entrusting him with overseeing the organization’s daily operations.
Under his leadership, Clergy for Prison Reform has tirelessly advocated for comprehensive prison reform in Mississippi. The organization works to ensure lawmakers and taxpayers recognize the humanity of incarcerated individuals both during and after their time behind bars. Their efforts have played a pivotal role in closing one private prison, and they continue to highlight data proving that Mississippi’s high incarceration rates do not equate to greater safety or economic benefits. Rev. Bridges remains steadfast in his mission to bring meaningful change to the criminal justice system.
🌡️ Addressing Inhumane Prison Temperatures in a Warming Climate: Webinar Recap 🌡️
We recently hosted an impactful webinar, "How to Address Inhumane Prison Temperatures in a Warming Climate," where speakers, advocates, and community members came together to discuss this urgent issue. The panel explored the impact of extreme temperatures on incarcerated individuals, the need for policy change, and how climate conditions amplify these challenges.
Key Topics Discussed:
-Health risks associated with inadequate temperature regulation in prisons
-The legal landscape and potential reforms to ensure humane living conditions
-Advocacy strategies and actions we can take to support those affected We’ve made the full recording and resources available for anyone who missed the live session or wants to revisit the discussion.
Click below to watch, share, and learn how you can get involved in advocating for humane prison conditions in every state.
➡️ Watch the Webinar Recording: youtu.be/snlbPWbwsLU...
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Be part of a collaborative effort to create meaningful change in our community! Join the 85 to Stay Alive Coalition and help advocate for more humane and just conditions within the criminal justice system.
Together, we can make a real difference!
Click the button below to fill out this form to share your information with our Steering Committee Members and one of our team members will respond with more details.