Cortez Chandler, better known as “Taz” was born in Zanesville, OH. His father was a United States Navy Chief Petty Officer, and his mother was a stay-at-home mom. His parents raised their three children, of whom Cortez was the oldest. The family migrated to Long Beach, CA in 1980.
Throughout Mr. Chandler’s youth and years of education, he attended California public schools. Mr. Chandler graduated from Millikan High School in Long Beach, CA., and played college football for Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. In 1989, Mr. Chandler obtained his California business license and ran a successful auto detailing service until the summer of 1991.
Unfortunately, and regrettably, in the fall of 1991, Mr. Chandler was ordered by a judge to serve a life sentence in a California correctional facility. He served 24½ years and was released on August 19, 2015. During his incarceration, he met Mr. Yusef-Andre Wiley of the Timelist Group, with whom he began to talk about life after prison and building the necessary skills to successfully transition. That meeting would change his life forever. Upon his release, he was transitioned to the Amistad Foundation, where he learned coping skills and much more taught through the Timelist programs. Being on Parole, Mr. Chandler became a PRNN for CDCR. Using all the life skills that Parole has helped him with. He wants to give back to the men and women so they can reintegrate smoothly.
Also, during Mr. Chandler’s incarceration, he met his best friend, La Para, who became his wife when they married on the day of his release. They recently celebrated their 2nd wedding anniversary. Today, Mr. Chandler spends the bulk of his time being a great husband and helping other ex-offenders who have been released from prison to be successfully reintegrated back into society. Ironically, he now works for the Timelist Group’s reentry program as the Director of Operation and runs their transitional homes. He is dedicated and compassionate to helping other ex-offenders find their way in life and teaches them how to succeed after prison.
Mr. Chandler returned to the Avenal State Prison as a motivational speaker, sharing what PRNN is all about; this is the same prison Mr. Chandler was paroled from. He further promotes reentry and reintegration, wholeness of self and mind, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship for ex-offenders as the Vice President at the Timelist Group.
