Flag Retirement Ceremonies | Erik Swenk

Monthly work at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility — pairing accountability with practical hope.

My time as a volunteer attorney with the Ninth Circuit State Attorney’s Office taught me the importance of upholding community standards. I also believe service means recognizing the deeper issues that bring people into difficult places — and looking for ways to address them.

Once a month, I visit the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Sanford to lead a meeting for the men of O Pod, focused on alcoholism and addiction recovery. The goal is to give people tools to rebuild their lives.

That kind of proactive work matters. It is not about replacing accountability. It is about pairing accountability with understanding and a path forward.

My own experiences have helped me see the person behind each story. I believe that perspective makes me a better neighbor, mentor, and public servant.