“We owe much of our success, both individually and as an organization, to Jacques’ boundless spirit and visionary leadership,” said Kim Grose Moore, Executive Director. “He will continue being part of our GRIP family and supporting this organization’s mission, as the Guiding Rage Into Power program keeps on promoting healing and transformation to students inside and outside prisons.”

The essence of GRIP’s mission is encapsulated in the motto, “Hurt people, hurt people. Healed people, heal people,” which Verduin embraced wholeheartedly. His vision and dedication have been central to the fabric of GRIP, fostering a community driven by compassion and healing.

Verduin’s vision encompassed an in-depth and community-centered offering of healing and accountability programming to incarcerated people serving life in prison with the possibility of parole. To date, over 1,400 people have graduated from the year-long program, and over 600 graduates have been released from prison. The profound impact of GRIP’s work is evident in the testimonials from GRIP program graduates who are now healing others as program facilitators. 

“Countless lives have been changed due to Jacques’ faith in humanity, his vision, and his incredible generosity,” said Marcos Morales, GRIP graduate, facilitator, and area prison lead. “We are honored and blessed with the task of continuing his legacy and his vision for a more just, compassionate, and healthy world.”

As Verduin starts his next chapter, GRIP reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the program’s quality and integrity while expanding its reach to positively impact more incarcerated people. 

“We are confident that his legacy will endure through our collective efforts to carry forth the mission he so passionately championed,” added Moore.

Everyone in the GRIP community extends heartfelt gratitude to Jacques Verduin for his profound contributions, inspiring vision, and unwavering commitment to healing. 

For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact:

Sarada Tangirala
Communications and Marketing Director
GRIP Training Institute

About GRIP Training Institute

GRIP Training Institute serves incarcerated people in California. Our mission is to create the personal and systemic change to turn violence and suffering into opportunities for learning and healing. GRIP stands for Guiding Rage into Power, a comprehensive, year-long healing and accountability program serving primarily people in California state prisons serving life sentences for violent crimes. Recently highlighted in Governor Gavin Newson’s press event at San Quentin, the GRIP program stands as an evidence-based solution to prevent revictimization, repair harm, and successfully reintegrate people coming home from incarceration.