From A Cell To A Home: Newly Released Inmates Matched With Welcoming Hosts

Jason Jones, left, with his roommates Joe Klein and Tamiko Panzella in their Oakland apartment. Tamiko and Joe are participating in a new program to provide housing to former inmates. Jason was released recently after nearly 14 years in prison.

Courtesy Tamiko Panzella

It’s a Friday night and roommates Jason Jones and Tamiko Panzella are hanging out in the Oakland, Calif., apartment they share, laughing about an epic gym workout misfire.

“I get there and we have to take our shoes and socks off. And I’m like, oh no, she got me into yoga. She tricked me,” Jones says, laughing.

What made the yoga session more jarring — it was Jones’ first full day of freedom after more than a decade behind bars.