Every Friday at Inverness Jail, Multnomah Education Service District Transition Specialist Nathanyel Israel sits down with a small group of adults in custody who have chosen to break unhealthy patterns in their lives.  

They have voluntarily enrolled in his ManUP course — a program whose name stands for Men Advancing Nobility, Unity, and Purpose.  

“Being a man means different things to different people,” Israel said. “We want to redefine it. The true measure of a man is someone who takes accountability for their actions, leads, acts selflessly, and exercises control over themselves to break generational cycles.”

That philosophy resonates deeply with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). Our partnership with MESD and Israel reflects our commitment to demonstrating dignity and respect and providing fair access and opportunity for every person in our custody.  

The ManUp Course is in its fourth cycle. Israel recently held a graduation ceremony for an adult in custody who successfully completed the program, the seventh to do so since its inception.

Programs like ManUP help create the conditions for change that strengthens families, neighborhoods, and long-term community safety.  

They would not be possible without the dedicated professionals of the MCSO Programs Unit, which Steve Ciccotelli oversees. The Programs Unit has built strong relationships with local nonprofit organizations that can bolster our efforts to provide adults in custody with opportunities to change their lives for the better.

The ManUP course is part of a broader collaboration with the MESD Bridges Program, a statewide initiative designed to support students who have experienced educational disruption. Bridges transition specialists act as system navigators, helping youth and young adults reenter school after time in justice facilities, hospitals, or treatment programs.

The Bridges Program began in response to House Bill 2016, passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2015. The bill directed the Oregon Department of Education to create a statewide education plan for African American and Black students from early childhood through postsecondary education.

A year later, Bridges — then known as Bars to Bridges — received its first Student Success Grant to provide transitional services for African American, Black, Biracial, and Multiracial students. The program’s focus included:

• Increasing school engagement
• Supporting key educational transitions
• Using trauma-informed practices
• Improving postsecondary attendance and persistence

Since then, Bridges has expanded significantly to serve youth across all demographics in the region, thanks to investments from the Oregon Department of Education Student Success Plans, Youth Development Oregon, and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

For many adults in custody, incarceration is a continuation of disrupted education, unstable support systems, and generational barriers. Programs like ManUP help break that cycle by rebuilding confidence, teaching emotional regulation and accountability, and strengthening communication and leadership skills.  

They also often inspire individuals to pursue education and employment pathways, preparing them for successful reentry into their communities

When individuals gain tools for self-reflection and growth, they’re better equipped to make different choices. And when they succeed, our entire community benefits.

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office is proud to support programs that honor the humanity of every person in our custody.

If you’d like to explore more about the work happening inside our facilities, or learn more about our partnership with MESD, visit the Bridges Program page.