POISD- Our Story

How We Started

On December 17, 2018, my 20-year-old son, Dylan, was sent to prison. It was one of the hardest days of my life. I remember walking out of the courthouse on that cold December afternoon, clutching my son’s jacket that he had worn into the courtroom that we had walked into together. As I walked out without him, I cried. Many thoughts flooded my mind; I felt lost. I was not sure what the next several years would entail for my son and for our family. My son’s father had been in prison most my son’s life and their relationship was minimal. I never for one moment imagined that my son would follow in his father’s footsteps.

Shortly after my son’s incarceration, he wrote me a letter and said that he always felt it was a part of the natural progression of his life that he too would go to prison like his dad. His feeling this way shocked me. I never knew that he felt that way. To most people, it is very difficult to understand.

As the days and weeks passed after my son was sent to prison, many thoughts and questions ran through my mind. How did we end up here? How did my son, who as a child received good grades, was well liked, played sports, never got into any trouble (until about age 15), end up in prison? How will we get through this? I worried about his safety & overall well-being behind prison walls. What would his life be like when he comes home? I pondered the many obstacles he will face when he gets released and how he would get over them.

I began to research resources for families dealing with incarceration in the community that I live in. I also researched resources for people coming out of prison so I would know what was available for my son when he comes home. I wanted to see what resources were available and how I could help not only my own family, but other families going through the same difficult experience. During this process, I met Tierre Webster, who has a vast experience working with those impacted by incarceration in various roles. Tierre currently works as Executive Director of Damascus Way Re-Entry Centers, which provides transitional housing and other re-entry services to men leaving incarceration. In February of 2020, Tierre asked me if I wanted to start a parent support group for those whose children are incarcerated. I thought that was a great idea and agreed. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the idea of starting an in-person support group was put on hold. Shortly thereafter, we decided to cofound a non-profit organization called Parents of Incarcerated Sons & Daughters (POISD) and that is how POISD came to be.

According to the most recent report by Prison Policy Initiative (www.prisonpolicy.org), there are 2.3 million people currently incarcerated in the United States. Each person that is incarcerated leaves loved ones behind while they serve their sentence. We serve the time together in a sense. To us, our incarcerated loved ones are more than the mistakes that led to their incarceration. While we understand that there needs to be consequences for the poor choices that our loved ones have made, there also needs to be healing and restoration so that when they are released, they can live productive and fulfilling lives. We know that our loved ones are capable of much more than spending their lives in a small prison cell.

We look forward to working towards our mission to provide support, resources, encouragement, advocacy & increased community awareness that leads to the holistic restoration of those impacted by incarceration.

Leslie Sutter
POISD Co-Founder

Board of Directors

Board Chair- Leslie Sutter

Board Treasurer- Satharina Taherkhanchi

Board Vice Chair- Tierre Webster

Leslie Sutter is the Co-Founder of POISD. After dealing with the incarceration of her son, Dylan, Leslie began to seek out resources for those going through what she was experiencing, the heartbreak and pain of someone you love being incarcerated. During her quest for resources, Leslie met Tierre Webster and together they founded POISD.

Professionally, Leslie works as a Human Resources Director in the home healthcare industry. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration & Human Resources Management from Winona State University and her Master of Arts degree in Management from Saint Mary’s University. Leslie served for 6 years in the US Navy. Most importantly, Leslie is a mom of three, Dylan, Isaiah and Olivia.

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Board Vice Chair- Tierre Webster

Board Treasurer- Satharina Taherkhanchi

Board Vice Chair- Tierre Webster

Tierre Webster, Co-Founder of POISD, has a depth of experience working in settings with marginalized communities, including those involved in the cycle of incarceration. His passion for serving those coming out of incarceration is birthed out of his own experiences and his deep belief that all people have value and potential. His professional and vocational experience includes being a pastor in the Church of God in Christ, a licensed graduate social worker, a nonprofit leader, and adjunct professor. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Damascus Way Re-Entry Center, which is a statewide organization serving people exiting the Minnesota Department of Corrections and other criminal justice systems. Tierre holds a bachelor’s degree in Christian Leadership and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership.

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Board Treasurer- Satharina Taherkhanchi

Satharina TaherKhanchi has worked in healthcare administration for eight years as an Operations Manager for Joseph Companies LLC. She is a licensed MN Realtor and Property Manager of AMIR Real Estate & Property Management, specializing in short term property and hospitality management. Satharina earned a bachelor’s in Business Administration from Saint Mary’s University & is currently pursuing her MBA. Satharina currently serves on the Rosa Parks Charter High School Board of Directors, serves as the Chair on the Personnel Committee, & volunteers as a mentor to youth in the community. She is also a member of the National Association of Realtors and Southeastern Minnesota Association of Realtors.

Satharina says “After exploring the corruption of our prison systems and the harmful impact it brings to individuals, families, communities, and economic factors, my desire is to better understand the experiences of individuals that are incarcerated, which drew my interest around affiliating myself with POISD. I look forward to bringing the necessary change to our communities and assisting those who have been incarcerated with their re-entry to our communities by offering essential resources, support, and opportunities.”

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Board Member- Grace Baba-Lola

Board Treasurer- Satharina Taherkhanchi

Grace Baba-Lola is an IT Business Analyst that has worked in three different continents of Africa, Europe, and North America. As an immigrant in Ireland, Grace worked with her missionary husband in integrating
the African immigrants to the Irish communities. Her experience taught her that a true Disciple of Christ walks on two legs of grace & mercy; and it exposed her to the human travails and the need for empathetic hands and efforts to lift people up. Grace is excited to be part of POISD and the opportunities it presents to incarcerated people and their families.

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Board Member- Eric Williams

Board Member- Grace Baba-Lola

Board Member- Eric Williams

Eric Williams worked at the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center for eleven years and as the Manager of the Juvenile Detention Center for one year. Eric graduated from Mankato State University with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Organization Studies. In his spare time, Eric enjoys being home with his wife and four children and volunteering as a youth sports coach. Eric has enjoyed coaching youth baseball, football, and basketball for several years and recently began a basketball training program at the Rochester Athletic Club.

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