San Quentin News

WRITTEN BY PRISONERS – ADVANCING SOCIAL JUSTICE VOL. 2019 NO.6 June 2019 Edition 117 SAN QUENTIN, CALIFORNIA 94964 www.sanquentinnews.com POPULATION 4,090 Public Defender Brendon Woods visits SQ By Kevin D. Sawyer Associate Editor

Brendon Woods, Alameda County’s Chief Public Defender, knows that prisoners take a dim view of lawyers from the PD’s office. And he wants to change that. Woods, 48, and a native New Yorker, is the only Black chief public defender among the 58 Cali- fornia counties. He visited San Quentin Photo by Javier Jimenez, SQN Photo courtesy of Brendon Woods and met with inmates and discussed how to Teachers and students of Prison University Project's Improv Class Alameda County Public make California com- Defender Brendon Woods munities safer—that was also a first time event. Navigating the unexpected: “I’m annoyed at myself for taking so long to get here,” said Woods. “There’s a lot for us public defenders to learn.” He acknowledged the bad rap and derogatory names PDs are called, such as “public pretender” and “dump truck” and Improv offers critical life skills wants to change that perception. “I didn’t ‘clean house,’” said Woods, in response to a ques- tion about his firing staff. “Some people may have chosen to By Aron Kumar Roy Improvisations are routines in which groups of performers act leave.” Staff Writer out skits without any rehearsal or planning. The direction for the “We’ve changed our model of representation to create a sys- skits comes from scenarios suggested by the audience. tem of trust, with one attorney from beginning to end,” Woods Roars of laughter filled the classroom as the Prison University Student Angel Villafan took the improv class after seeing wrote on the county PD website. “We have a lot to do still,” he Project (PUP) Improv Troupe put on the last of two performances improv shows on TV such as Who’s Line is It Anyway and Me told the inmates. for the spring semester. Caigo de la Risa. Woods said public defenders should treat inmates as cli- The April 19 show was a result of everything that the students “I didn’t really know what to expect. I thought we were just ents, not booking numbers. He doesn’t like to hear judges or learned in the Improv for Life class. going to act,” Villafan said, “I didn’t know there was a science the sheriff’s bailiffs say, “bring the body in” (to court). The “Everything that you are about to see has not been planned; it behind it.” county PD’s website states, in part: “Our client-centered prac- has not been rehearsed; it comes from the shoulders, or as we say He enjoyed learning about the six pillars of improv: trust, ac- tice gives a voice to those whose voices have been silenced by it, improv,” said SQN staffer, MC Aaron “Showtime” Taylor as tive listening, spontaneity, presence, storytelling, and accepting poverty.” he welcomed the crowd. offers. See Public Defender Page 4 See Improv Class Page 9

CNN's the Program helps at risk Redemption Project with Van Jones youth through music at San Quentin’s John Wallace went to jail and prison19 times, starting at age 18. Then he was sent to San Quentin, where he served two Protestant Chapel on terms and started writing rap lyrics on his last trip there in the Tuesday June 11th prison’s West Block. An initial opening to a career in music happened by chance 5:00 to 8:00 when Wallace and other inmates created what he described as OPEN CALL a “radio show” called K-FU** Radio in the cell block where they would sing, rap and tell jokes at night. He said it was like comedy night in the cell block, and it inspired him to write music. “We made the best of our time,” said Wallace, now 41 years old and nearly a decade removed from criminal activity. Photo courtesy of the Marin Humane Society Dogs with their inmate trainers at SQ firehouse See Stop Page 11 Criminal canines given reprieve through rehabilitation at SQ By Charles Glasper Journalism Guild Writer

In the County of Marin, some animals that are stigmatized because they are pit bulls are given a second chance. Mack is one of those dogs. He was afforded the opportunity to be trained and prepared for adoption through the Pen Pals program—a 14-year alliance between San Quentin State Pris- on and the Marin Humane Society. The program connects dogs with behavioral problems and nonviolent prisoners who want to care for them, according to the Marin Independent Journal. Twice a week, Pen Pal volunteers provide training for the incarcerated men and help them learn to work with the canines. Dogs like Mack are kept night and day with SQ inmates until they become suitable pets for adoption. The prisoners also care for dogs that receive medical attention from Marin Humane veterinarians—those dogs that require physical rehabilitation and/or medication on a routine basis. Phototo courtesy of John Wallace See Rehab dogs Page 6 John Wallace outside San Quentin Page 2 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com June 2019

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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY Graduate School of Journalism

Significant improvements in prisoner health care expected from streamlining and automating CDCR medical data system By Harry C. Goodall Jr. any healthcare organiza- verage healthcare data is im- department to quickly com- The department as a whole patients in 2015 to 43.5 per- Journalism Guild Writer tion, regardless of the pa- perative to make informed municate inmate patient was able to offer appropriate cent in 2017. This reduction tient population,” said Fed- decisions and improve orga- healthcare factors in order patient care while reduc- of paper records has saved The prestigious HIMSS eral Receiver J. Clark Kelso. nizational performance.” to appropriately place and ing avoidable hospitaliza- the department more than Davies Award of Excellence “Incorporating information These changes now al- house at risk inmate pa- tion for “high-risk” patients $2 million dollars in the first was given to the Califor- technology solutions to le- low healthcare staff and the tients. from 70.9 percent per 1,000 three years of operation. nia Correctional Healthcare Services for developing an automated risk classifica- tion system in an effort to improve care and reduce un- necessary hospitalizations, according to a Healthcare IT News article. In past years, the Cali- fornia Department of Cor- rections and Rehabilitation relied on paper as a basis for maintaining and storing inmate patient records—a system that was “unwieldy” and prone to losing papers. As the inmate population topped 125,000, inmates’ pa- per healthcare records were spread out across the state of California in more than 30 institutions. With new arriv- als averaging 600 per week and 11,000 inmate transfer- ring each month, their health records were slow to follow them. The challenges of this person-dependent paper pro- cess potentially contributed to adverse medical outcomes and eventually resulted in the appointment of a federal receiver to oversee health- care within the California Correctional system. This inspired and accelerated a shift to paperless documen- tation. The creation of an au- tomated risk classification system improved the place- ment of nearly 20 percent of all patients with a high-risk designation, allowing the de- partment to transfer inmates to prisons located closer to tertiary care centers—which had access to expanded healthcare services. “Quality patient care is Photo by CDCR the principle function of California Correctional Healthcare Services staff June 2019 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 3 Some prisoners suffer another form of death penalty

By Harry C. Goodall Jr. inspections of local jails and Although the TCJS is dez to comply with record compliance with the man- in a transport van overnight in Journalalism Guild Writer prisons. TCJS is also respon- responsible for investigat- requests. The sheriff’s of- datory headcounts every 30 April, 2017. This was followed sible for investigating the ing the deaths that occur fice had made claims that minutes. by the December, 2017 suicide An alarming number, 80 deaths in the jails and pris- in Texas jails, no jail was to provide such information Michael Crittenden, Chris- of Maytham Alsaedy, who was prisoners, died in Texas jails ons. found at fault for any of the would threaten the security topher Simpson and Milton scheduled for a guilty plea on in a nine month period be- “We shouldn’t look to the 80 deaths. TCJS performs of the guards and its jails. Walker were the guards al- capital murder charges. tween Oct. 1, 2017 and July 1, TCJS to do what they were procedures such as: video The sheriff utilized a leged in the tampering of Debora Lyons committed 2018, according to the Bureau never intended to do. We’re evidence and documenta- Texas law loophole that pre- documents. The charges were suicide in August ,2018. In of Justice statistics, in an ar- putting all our eggs in one tion review to see if any vents any information, even prompted by the suicide death 2019, Evan Parker hanged ticle published by Prison Le- basket” said Michele Deitch, standards were violated, ac- in death, being released on of Michael Angelo Martinez himself at the Waller Coun- gal News. lecturer at the LBJ School of cording to the article. a person not convicted of a on Nov. 1, 2015. ty Jail. One month prior to The Texas Commission Public Affairs in Texas. De- The investigations can crime, according to the ar- The video from the prison his death, the prison was of Jail Standards (TCJS) is itch is in favor of a statewide be troublesome. Kenneth ticle. Legislation has intro- showed the aforementioned found to be in non-compli- an agency that sets the stan- ombudsman for the prisons, Paxton Jr. of the Office of duced a bill to prevent this guards logged in head- ance of several operating dards for Texas jails to fol- jails and families, according the Attorney General had to tactic being used in the fu- counts they did not per- standards. low. They perform annual to the article. order Sheriff Sally Hernan- ture. form, reported the Prison This is the same facility In 2015, Sandra Bland Legal News. where Sandra Bland com- committed suicide in the “We weren’t checked ev- mitted suicide four years Waller County jail. The jail ery hour or every half hour. earlier and where the San- settled with a $1.9 million At maximum we would see dra Bland Act began. settlement resulting from the jailers twice a day,” said Some attributed the prison Study: mental health her death. The county also Barbara Nixon, a nursing deaths to low pay and under- created a new law called the student housed at the An- staffing. The commission Sandra Bland Act, which derson County Jail. Adding, later was asked for a pay in- diagnoses result in high created policies and pro- “They’d come at the begin- crease by Anderson County cedures for dealing with ning and the end of their Sheriff Greg Taylor, who people with mental health shifts. We’d also see them hoped to recruit more guards rates of prisoner isolation issues. when they brought meals, to remedy understaffing. In 2015, three LaSal- but that was about it.” The annual pay was in- By Amir Shabazz confinement, according to The Corrections depart- le Correction guards in The TCJS standards had creased from $27,000 to Journalism Guild Writer the article. ment and the governor are McLennan County were ar- recent violations with the Har- $30,000, which is still Criminal defense attorney trying to come up with rested for changing jail logs ris County Jail, in which four around $3,000 below the New Mexico has one of Matthew Coyte said that sol- some solutions, but they are to appear as if they were in detainees were left and locked state average pay. the smallest prison popula- itary confinement is an issue having a hard time hiring tions in the country at 7,300 that poses cost and safety and retaining officers. At but is fourth in the nation problems for the public. the release of this story in when it comes to confining Coyte, who worked with March, they were still look- prisoners to solitary, ac- the ACLU, says that segre- ing for a Secretary of Cor- cording to the Santa Fe New gation only worsens a pris- rections, according to the Oklahoma initiates Mexican. oner’s mental state instead article. On any given day one out of providing rehabilitation, Several Democrats are of 10 prisoners is being held said the article. sponsoring a bill that would new parole reforms in isolation, just because stop the isolation of juve- they have been diagnosed niles and pregnant women By Timothy Hicks compliant” with Department the following month. The ini- with mental illness, accord- and confine those diagnosed Contributing Writer of Corrections case plans, the tial list of 138 was eventually ing to the article. “We have been with mental issues to no Oklahoma Watch said. reduced to 74. According to the ACLU, more than 48 hours in lock- Oklahoma recently began The board approved one- the state has routinely un- manufacturing up. a new way to parole inmates third of nonviolent offend- derreported its use of soli- mental illness The governor wants to in its prison system. ers in Oklahoma in 2018, an In 2018, the Legislature "Individuals... increase from the 27%ap- tary confinement over the for years...” take a look at New Mexi- past decade, in part because co’s Department of Correc- approved House Bill 2286 don't have access proved two years prior. it has no clear definition of tions policies on solitary among a host of criminal The new approach is draw- “solitary” and instead uses confinement and suicides justice reform measures, re- to the remedy of ing skepticism from criminal “multiple and constantly “We have been manu- in the prisons, said the ar- ported the Oklahoma Watch. justice policy analysts on changing terms” to refer to facturing mental illness for ticle. She said that solitary They established it as what administrative whether it will work or not. the practice. years with this form of incar- confinement “should be they called administrative parole” Damion Shade, an analyst Researchers from the ceration,” he said. “You don’t used in only the most ex- parole, rather than the tradi- with the Oklahoma Policy University of New Mexico want people who are incar- treme and narrow circum- tional way of paroling, ac- Institute, is taking a “wait- along with the ACLU found cerated to come out worse.” stances.” cording to the article. and-see” approach, said the that 90% of the prison- Prisoners in isolation com- Josh Anderson, a union “If you meet the five statu- Oklahoma has standard article. ers surveyed said they had plained about a lack of rec- representative for prison of- tory requirements, we skip requirements that are simi- “I think the biggest issue been diagnosed with men- reation time, losing track of ficers, said that the group is that part,” said Justin Wolfe, lar to those implemented with the administrative pa- tal health problems and had time, experiencing violent open to looking at how to general counsel for the Par- by California’s Proposition role part of the process is that been enrolled in the Preda- thoughts, fits of rage, and improve living conditions don and Parole Board. Wolfe 57 in 2017. Proposition 57, it began in November of last tory Behavioral Manage- hearing voices. Some had and is reviewing policies for is referring to the process which was passed by Cali- year…Those individuals who ment Program and spent thoughts of suicide, the ar- managing the state’s pris- where inmates have had to fornia voters in 2016, allows came into the system before eight months in solitary ticle said. ons, according to the article. appear in front of the board California inmates to earn November 1 don’t have ac- and then undergo a pre- good time credits that will cess to the remedy of admin- review investigation before shorten their prison or jail istrative parole,” Shade said. the board members approve time by significant margins. Wolfe disagrees. Unlike Inmate walks out of prison after them. The new “truncated” Both non–violent and violent California’s Prop. 57, the ad- parole process cuts out those offenders capitalize on the ministrative parole of Okla- two parts, said the article. bills. homa is retroactive. This 27 years of confinement Eligible inmates must have Oklahoma’s bill took ef- means that the time inmates served one-quarter to one- fect on Nov. 1, 2018, and a served before the law went By Anthony Manuel light near the shooting while All these facts validated third of their sentences, and list of eligible inmates was into effect would count to- Caravalho making a beer run for a par- the commutation, prompt- they must be “substantially recommended to the board ward eligibility, he said. Journalism Guild Writer ty. ing the governor to release The AP noted that Mor- the innocent man after 27 Ten days into the new ris’s trial judge, Michael years. year, Quentin Morris walked Hoff, displayed doubt as to “I feel good. I feel good,” Gov. Mike DeWine halts out of Folsom State Prison. the validity of the evidence Morris repeated after his re- Last August, Governor in the case, asking the prose- lease, according to Michael Brown commuted his sen- cution to consider dismissing Semanchik, managing at- executions in Ohio tence to 25 years to life, al- the charges in their entirety. torney of the California In- lowing Morris a chance for a Hoff briefly overturned the nocence Project. By Leonard F. Brown available alternative meth- just, wasteful protracted parole date. When released, conviction in 1994, but the “It was surreal watching Journalism Guild Writer od of execution that would and does not make our he had served 27 years for a district attorney’s office re- Quentin walk out of prison avoid needless suffering, by state safe,” Newsome said. crime he didn’t commit.. affirmed it on appeal. after more than 27 years for Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine Ohio’s current method of ex- ‘Innocent people have Morris was convicted of In 2000, Morris was ad- a crime he did not do…To has halted capital punish- ecution. been sentenced to death shooting at four teenagers in vised by a federal judge think about three decades ment in his state until a con- The governor delayed in California. Moreover, the Pacoima area of the San to seek clemency on the worth of holidays, birth- stitutional method is devel- Henness’ execution while the National Academy of Fernando Valley in Novem- grounds that a federal court days, graduations, births, oped for executions. the review is under way, Sciences estimates that as ber of 1991, according to the had “significant doubt” as to and other significant events “As long as the status cleveland.com reported. many as one in 25 people Associated Press. whether he committed the he missed is pretty over- quo remains where we don’t Earlier this year death sentenced to death in the At his trial, one teenager crime. whelming,” declared Alissa have a protocol that has been penalty opponents and drug United States is likely in- identified Morris as the gun- Governor Brown’s com- Bjerkhoel, Morris’ lead at- found to be OK, we certainly manufactures challenged the nocent.” man despite the fact that the mutation statement, accord- torney. cannot have any executions constitutionality of similar true shooter was masked ing to the AP, revealed Judge Quentin will likely spend in Ohio,” DeWine told re- methods of execution in Ne- during the attack. Though Hoff’s support of clemency the next six-months in an porters at an Associated vada. shedding light on the there was no accompanying for Morris in 2013. Hoff re- L.A. halfway house, read- Press forum. “That would length that some states will “That would not physical evidence, the testi- cently told a parole board, “I justing to society. not be right, at least in my go through to execute peo- be right, at least mony led a jury to convict don’t think he did it.” Semanchik told the AP, opinion.” ple, reported The New York him in 1994. He was sen- The governor’s report “He has a lot of PTSD. He DeWine ordered a review Times. in my opinion” tenced to 33 years to life. also noted the lack of physi- has to live on the outside of Ohio’s method of execu- California Gov. Gavin All the while, Morris and cal evidence and motive, again.” tion in January. He acted af- Newsom placed an indefinite his attorney maintained combined with the con- The outside: a place that, ter a federal judge ruled that moratorium on executions in Henness was convicted of his innocence. They claim fession of another man in given his wrongful convic- Ohio could execute Warren his state. murdering his drug-abuse Morris and his friends were 2000, who insists to this tion, Morris should never Henness, because Henness “California’s death pen- counselor in 1982 but main- stopped by police at a red day that he was the shooter. left. had failed to provide an alty system is unfair, un- tain his innocence. Page 4 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com June 2019 Prison and Jail Tour offers unique insight into incarcerated conditions By Lloyd Payne what the systemic oppression “It was horrible to see how They spoke to incarcerated “One of the men talked “La’ Mavis’ story touched Journalism Guild Writer was like for him. people were living in there. It peer counselors who assisted about crying when he had me, because he told me about The educational trip start- was dehumanizing, and they other women with anger, sub- to let his dog go,” Sweeney how his daughter was sick A group of college stu- ed at the California Center were not benefiting from be- stance and drug abuse, edu- said. “It’s like your kids— in the hospital, and he was dents got a first-hand, up- for Service & Action – LMU ing in jail like that.” cation, and other cognitive you help them grow, and they just trying to take care of his close look at the California Alternative Breaks program. Gibson said, “They told us behavior needs. grow up, and come back to daughter who died,” Swee- prison system on a recent LMU Alternative Breaks how they checked on them At CIW the students met see you, but the dogs don’t ney said. tour arranged by a former has a number of trips it co- every 15 minutes, but we all a male guard from Corcoran come back.” Concoiwilla said, “I told inmate. ordinates for students. They felt like what they were say- State Prison. He was contem- San Quentin was the last her I wish I had a daughter to About 20 students from have the option of taking ing was odd.” plating transferring to work stop on the prison tour. call, and get on her nerves, but Loyola Marymount Univer- trips to places like Haiti at CIW because he said he They went to the Museum, I can’t. I told her, ‘Her dad’s sity went on the Prison & Jail and Ghana to do humanitar- hated working in the men’s looked at old memorials and greatest punishment was not Tour created by a formerly ian work combating poverty, prison. Originally he wanted learned its history before being there with her.’” incarcerated man, Francisco hunger and genocide, or vis- “It was horrible to be a children’s hospital going inside the prison The group also visited the “Franky” Carrillo Jr. iting jails and prisons. to see how nurse, according to Sweeney. walls. SQ Media Center, including Carrillo was innocent, and Growing up, Sweeney “The women’s facility was Once inside, they were the San Quentin News. Swee- he proved it several years ago heard stories about prison be- people were so different from Corcoran. escorted by SQ Lt. Sam ney said she felt more open at with the help of the LMU ing a distant, unwholesome, living in there” It’s too different; it doesn’t Robinson to the Art Building San Quentin then the other Law Clinic. After obtaining crowded and noxious place feel like a prison,” the male to look at the painting and art prisons, because the students his freedom, Carrillo worked for people. guard said, according to of prisoners. There Sweeney were able to interact with to educate others about the They visited the Los An- Sweeney and Gibson re- Sweeney. met artist La’ Mavis “Shorty” prisoners and hear their sto- prison industrial complex geles Twin Tower Jail Mental ported the sheriff’s deputies Soledad was the next Concoiwilla, who is serving ries without a guard towering and mass incarceration. Health Infirmary first. The explained that past reports of prison the students visited. life in prison. over them. The 2019 prison tour was first-hand account of one of- police brutality were not true Sweeney said the Soledad organized by Charlye Swee- ficer was tough for Sweeney. in the mental health infirma- prison information officer ney and Emma Gibson. For “The officer was just tell- ry but happened in Central (PIO) said, “You’re going to Sweeney, a 21- year-old com- ing us how it’s us versus Booking. have a great time at Soledad.” munications major, the jour- them, and how he can tell They also visited the However, Sweeney said they ney was personal. Her father who is mentally ill, and who Reception Center and general did not get to interact with was incarcerated. She had isn’t,” Sweeney said. “It con- population at the California prisoners. unanswered questions about firmed what I heard. Institution for Women (CIW). “I didn’t like that it was su- per selective,” Sweeney said. “We did not get to see any cells or where they sleep.” Judge rules against unnecessary The PIO took them to a prison-based dog program where prisoners train service sleep intrusions dogs for disabled people. A federal judge has or- After lights go out at 11 disruptions, but the plaintiffs dered Santa Rita jailers to p.m., sheriff deputies check dispute this. stop unnecessarily disrupt- on detainees’ welfare every There are also distur- ing the sleep of female pris- 30 minutes to see if they’re bances from cleaning, ongo- Florida DAs charge fentanyl dealers oner for “pill call” at 2:30 alive. ing maintenance, intercom a.m. and breakfast at 4 a.m. Deputies have been ac- announcements, and doors with murder in cases of overdose “No one can argue with cused of shining flashlights opening and shutting. the proposition that de- directly in the faces of the Upshaw said all she was By Alfred King According to the Marion person delivered the drug that tainees with medical needs prisoners during this half- asking for in the suit was “the Journalism Guild Writer County sheriff’s department, caused the death—fentanyl, should get their prescrip- hour welfare check The Post opportunity to get enough video shows Patrick handing it’s first-degree murder.” She tion, but why 2:30 a.m.?” reported. sleep to be alert for my trial.” A woman overdosed and something to Gardner, who remains committed to putting U.S. District Judge James The women said that “if “When the state takes a died in jail. As a result, an- then put it to her face. Soon af- Patrick in prison for the rest of Donato commented. He they try… covering their person into custody for any other faces first-degree murder ter, she began to show signs of her life, adding that small-time added that the Alameda head with a blanket or cover- reason, the Constitution charges. physical distress. dealers are the problem. County Sheriff’s Office of- ing the (night) light, the depu- imposes a duty to provide On Sept. 7, 2018, 24-year- Later footage shows some- Drug policy experts caution fered no justification for ties either bang on their cells for the detainee’s basic old Jeniffer Patrick was riding thing falling out of Patrick’s that these new harsher penal- breakfast at 4 a.m. so they remove the blanket or human needs,” Donato wrote. in a car with her 49-year-old pants: a small baggie contain- ties will not save lives—in He ordered the Santa Rita will write them up…” “Conditions of confinement boyfriend when they were ing a tan mixture. The sub- fact, the threat of more time jail to stop waking up fe- Donato acknowledged the that deprive detainees of stopped by Marion County stance was tested and was in prison might increase the male prisoners needlessly welfare checks are legiti- those needs…violate the sheriff deputies, who found revealed to be 2.5 grams con- likelihood of a fatal overdose because it deprives them of mate, and found that the sher- Constitution.” drugs and syringes in the car. taining fentanyl. if family members, friends or a basic human need, accord- iff’s office tries to minimize —Lloyd Payne Patrick was arrested and In November, Patrick was other users hesitate to call au- ing to the Washington Post. booked into the Marion Coun- charged with first-degree thorities, Linsay LaSalle of the Donato noted sleep depri- ty Jail in Ocola, Fla., where she murder. The murder charges Drug Policy Alliance told The vation has been found to be was then strip-searched and against Patrick are a part of a Appeal. cruel and unusual punish- placed in a holding tank with push to treat fatal overdoses as Simply, this acts as a deter- ment for those duly convict- other women. homicides. rent to calling 911. Lawmakers ed of crimes, and stressed This is where she came In June 2017, Florida passed stand firm stating they want to that these women have not across 22-year-old Lorraine a fentanyl trafficking law that send a clear message to drug ever been to trial. Gardner who had been in increased penalties for dealers, dealers in Florida. Gov. Rick Pretrial detainee Tiki- custody since July 2 on a pro- including first-degree mur- Scott signed the bill and prom- sha Upshaw said, “There bation violation stemming der charges in cases where a ised it would save lives. are days when I can barely from three drug charges for homicide results from a drug Attorney General Pam stay awake during the day MDMA, cocaine and metham- overdose. Bondi seconded the notion time…I cannot problem phetamine, according to The Amy Berndt, the prosecutor that the law would protect solve. I can’t remember Appeal, a non-profit criminal in the case, said, “Basically, as Floridians from dangerous things people have told me.” File photo justice news outlet. long as we can prove that the drug traffickers.

Brown bodies and putting them hard to say. It’s an adversarial “A lot of the kids just need ing for it. However, he added, fender Woods is “actively Public Defender in cages,” said Haines. “That’s process.” someone to listen to them,” ob- “I think 1437 is a better opera- engaged with the media to not going to make us safe.” “Our reports are com- served Haines. tion of law because it’s clear shed light on instances of lo- Continued from Page 1 “I’m all in,” said Woods, in pletely different than what’s Alameda County employs cut.” cal law enforcement miscon- regard to the forum. “I was in a [client’s] file,” said 40 support staff and 18 inves- However, Woods did say duct.” He and his staff “led “We’ve never had a public born to do this.” Marynella Woods (no rela- tigators in the public defender’s that Alameda County is “pret- public defenders around the defender inside [the news- But Woods didn’t come tion to Brendon Woods), a office, according to its website, ty well funded” compared to Bay Area in holding a Black room]”, said Juan Haines, San alone. He brought some of social work supervisor. “If and is “devoted to serving our other counties in California. Lives Matter rally…” Quentin News senior editor. his staff along to explain the people who come to the fo- clients.” It has 100 lawyers, He said laws like Proposition While in office, Woods In the past, the inmate-run programs developed to keep rum could come away in- many of whom have attended 47 (the Safe Neighborhood and created its Racial Justice newspaper has arranged dis- charged defendants out of formed and inspired, they some of the most prestigious Schools Act) helped change Committee, “charged with cussion forums with district prison, including those with can find ways to better assist law schools in the United things. addressing the impacts of attorneys, law enforcement, substance abuse issues and at- their clients.” States. These attorneys are flu- Prop. 47 reduced some racism in the criminal jus- legislators and public school risk youth. Woods explained he is ent in more than 12 languages, non-violent and non-serious tice system and the dispro- teachers. Woods’ office employs full- making an effort to pro- “and come from diverse ethnic property and drug offenses portionate incarceration of Woods was given a tour time social workers “to link vide kids with information and economic backgrounds.” to misdemeanors. “You don’t minorities,” the PD website of San Quentin’s media cen- clients with essential services on how to deal with the po- “People need to be defended need a hammer to get people noted. ter and a brief history of San throughout their criminal cas- lice. He has developed a in immigration too,” Woods treatment,” said Woods, adding Woods has worked in Quentin News. Later, Haines es, to provide alternatives to youth know-your-rights pro- told San Quentin News. “The 88 percent of the social worker the Alameda County Pub- explained the forums and incarceration,” according to gram called LYRIC (Learn money is completely imbal- program’s clients in his county lic Defender’s office for 23 programs men have taken to the Alameda County PD web- Your Rights In California), anced,” he said, in regard to the don’t return to prison. years, six of those years as deal with their incarceration, site. “aimed at empowering high funding available for public de- Rodney Brooks, Executive its Chief. He graduated law rehabilitation and eventual “We force the DA and judges school students by teaching fenders compared to resources Programs Manager for the school at the University of reentry to society. to look at the person instead of them how to safely assert spent on prosecutors and law Alameda County Public De- San Francisco. He earned a Haines said he wanted the crime,” said Sascha Atkins- their constitutional rights,” enforcement. “There’s got to fender’s Office, has visited San Bachelor’s degree in politi- Woods to hear directly from Loria, a social worker in Alam- according to the PD website. be some changes. The ratio is Quentin before. He compiles cal science from the Univer- the men affected by incarcera- eda County. “We get referrals Atkins-Loria said she wants terrible.” reports that assess the money sity of California at Santa tion. He said he also wants in- from attorneys (PDs).” She to be involved in which prison Woods said with the pass- saved by defendants not going Barbara. mates to know all a PD does. added that Nancy O’Malley, her clients are sent to and she ing of Senate Bill 1437, which to the prison system. “I think I “Ideas spark change,” said He asked Woods what public Alameda County’s District At- also wants to learn more about changed the felony murder learn the most when I’m here,” Woods. “I like to work. I like safety looks like to him. torney, “is very supportive of the success rate of CDCR’s rule, all the PDs are getting he said. to fight. “We’ve got to make “In the name of public safe- our social program. Whether YOP (Youth Offender Pro- “crushed” by it because they According to the PD’s this [the discussions and fo- ty… we’re taking Black and she is open to expansion, it’s gram) in each prison. haven’t received up-front fund- website, Chief Public De- rums] more of a routine.” June 2019 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 5 Governor Gavin Newsom appoints new players in three key CDCR positions By Salvador Solorio ity and State Pris- appointed undersecretary of $189,456. Allison is Repub- population male offenders and Journalism Guild Writer on at Corcoran. operations for the CDCR. lican. as deputy director of facility He then served as Her career began with the Connie Gipson was appoint- operations. She has been the Gov. Gavin Newsom an- associate director CDCR as a medical techni- ed director of adult institutions acting director of adult insti- nounced in late March three of high security cal assistant at North Kern for the CDCR. She began her tutions since 2018. Her yearly key appointments for the institutions for State Prison in 1993. She is corrections career at the Cali- compensation is $174,344. California Department of Cor- the CDCR, and a licensed registered nurse. fornia Institution for Women Gipson is a Democrat. rections and Rehabilitation later as the deputy While working at Avenal in 1988 . She (CDCR). All three appoint- director of facil- State Prison she worked as then worked ments require Senate con- ity operations. He community resources man- at Wasco State firmation. His appointments was undersecre- ager, senior medical tech- Prison as cap- include a Republican, a Demo- tary for operations nical assistant and medical tain, business crat and a person without po- and then acting technical assistant. While manager and litical affiliation. secretary prior to at the California Substance health program Ralph Diaz has been ap- his appointment Abuse Treatment Facility director. While pointed Secretary of the to secretary of and State Prison at Corco- at California CDCR. He began his cor- CDCR. The sec- ran, she served as warden, State Prison rections career as a CO at retary’s compen- chief deputy warden, associ- at Corcoran Wasco State Prison in 1991. sation is $265,920 ate warden and correctional she served as He worked multiple jobs as per year. Political- health services administra- warden, act- counselor supervisor, captain, ly Diaz is without tor. She was the director ing warden and chief deputy administrator and Photo by CDCR party affiliation. of the CDCR’s Division of chief deputy warden of the California Sub- Undersecretary of operations Kathleen Al- Adult Institutions from 2016 warden. She stance Abuse Treatment Facil- of CDCR Kathleen Allison lison has been to 2018, and she has served then worked as Acting Undersecretary as the CDCR’s of Operations since 2018. associate direc- Photo by CDCR Two California Supreme Court Her yearly compensation is tor of general Secretary of CDCR Ralph Diaz justices against capital punishment San Francisco DA office to dismiss Two California Supreme Potts, convicted of two mur- Justice Goodwin Liu pot convictions dated back to 1975 Court justices have joined ders in 1998. Liu’s opinion wrote that he has voted to the debate against capital was cosigned by Justice affirm many death sentences By Lloyd Payne My Record” technology, a are eligible for reclassification punishment. Mariano-Florentino Cuellar, and would “continue to do Journalism Guild Writer computer based algorithm, or expungement. Still, few “California’s death pen- the San Francisco Chronicle so when the law requires,” Code for America identified people come forward to have alty is an expensive and dys- reported March 28. reported the San Francisco The San Francisco District the 9,362 cases that are eligi- their cases changed. functional system that does Liu noted the California Chronicle. Attorney’s office said it will ble under proposition 64. “What we have shown with not deliver justice or closure execution moratorium im- Liu wrote,” I express no dismiss more than 9,000 mar- “Contact with the crimi- marijuana is that is can be in a timely manner, if at all,” posed by Gov. Gavin New- view here on the morality or ijuana-related convictions dat- nal justice system should not done en masse,” Gascón said. Justice Goodwin Liu wrote som and said it should be constitutionality of the death ing back to 1975, according to be a life sentence, so we’ve “You can go through the in a published opinion. a signal for a renewed ex- penalty,” then derided “the the San Francisco Chronicle. been working to reimagine criminal records of thousands The opinion upheld the amination of capital punish- promise of justice in our DA George Gascón an- the record-clearance process,” of people and provide the re- death sentence of Thomas ment. death penalty system” as “a nounced this step following said Jennifer Pahlka, Code for lief that they qualify for.” promise that California has the legalization of marijuana America’s founder and execu- been unable to keep.” He also in California two years ago. tive director. said the 2016 Proposition 66 “It’s incumbent that we, “This new approach, which San Quentin News initiative aimed at speed- as law enforcement leaders, is both innovative and com- San Quentin News Staff Staff Administrative Review ing up executions “promised continue to evolve how we mon sense, changes the scale Richard Richardson, Executive Editor Lt. S. Robinson, Warden’s Office more than the system can de- advance fairness and public and speed of justice.” Pahlka Marcus Henderson, Editor-in-Chief Sgt. R. Gardea, Warden’s Office liver.” safety in our respective com- added. Juan Haines, Senior Editor Bill Sessa, CDCR Proposition 66, upheld by munities,” Gascón said. Gascón said, “What we Kevin D. Sawyer, Associate Editor Information Officer I the courts, limited prisoner San Francisco is the first have shown with marijuana is Jonathan Chiu, Managing Editor Krissi Khokhobashvili, appeals and prohibition on jurisdiction in the country to that this can be done en masse. Joe Garcia, Journalism Guild Deputy Chief CDCR Office of External Affairs regulatory review of one- take this step to clear old mar- “You can just go through Chairman Linda Xiques, Adviser drug lethal injections. But ijuana convictions. This step the criminal records of thou- David Lê, Staff Writer William Drummond, Adviser then the courts rejected its has prompted other district sands of people and provide Aaron Taylor, Sports Editor Jan Perry, Adviser David Ditto, Staff Writer five-year deadline for decid- attorneys across the state and the relief that they qualify for Joan Lisetor, Adviser ing appeals in state court country to take similar action, without having to have a lot Aron Roy, Staff Writer Stuart Wagner, Adviser Michael Johnson, Staff Writer Steve McNamara, Adviser as being unfeasible and un- according to the San Francis- of human resources invested Anthony Faulk, Staff Writer John C. Eagan, Adviser constitutional. Liu said the co Chronicle. in it.” Javier Jimenez, Photographer Jon Spurlock, Adviser ballot measure’s goal could Gascón partnered with Under Proposition 47, Vincent Turner, Layout Designer Susanne Karch, Adviser not be met unless California Code for America a year ago which reduced many theft and Photo by Jonathan Chiu, SQN Juan Espinosa, Layout Designer Nikki Meredith, Adviser devotes “considerable addi- to identify the exact number drug-related felony offenses Richard Lindsey, Researcher Monica Campbell, Adviser tional resources to its judi- of cases that are eligible to be to misdemeanors, there are San Francisco DA George Gascón Lisa Adams, Development Manager cial branch.” dismissed. Using its “Clear thousands of more cases that Current and past stories of the San Quentin News are posted online at: The opinions were chal- (www.sanquentinnews.com) lenged by Kent Scheidegger, (www.facebook.com) a death penalty advocate and AB32 would prohibit contracts Permission is granted to reprint articles appearing in the San Quentin legal director of the Crimi- News provided credit is given to the author and this publication, nal Justice Legal Foundation except for articles reprinted herein from other publications. in Sacramento. He said other with private prisons states handle death penalty By Anthony Faulk Rehabilitation to reduce the However, there is still more to We Want To Hear From You! appeals faster and less ex- Staff Writer state prison population to make do, and we’ll be looking at all The San Quentin News encourages inmates, free staff, custody pensively, California could room for the 2,000 inmates of our options when the time is staff, volunteers and others outside the institution to submit articles. follow their example by lim- California would phase out currently housed in private right,” Ferguson wrote. All submissions become property of the San Quentin News. iting successive appeals. the use of private prisons under prisons in Kern and San Ber- A spokeswoman for the pris- Please use the following criteria when submitting: Pending in the state Leg- pending legislation. nardino counties, the Chronicle on guards union said the group • Limit your articles to no more than 350 words. islature is a measure that AB32 would prohibit new said. This decline will need to “believes the state of Califor- • Know that articles will be edited for content and length. would place another death contracts with private prisons be achieved at a time when nia is responsible for people • The newspaper is not a medium to file grievances. penalty repeal on the No- and phase out existing con- the 113,656 non-private prison who are tried, convicted and (For that, use the prison appeals process.) We encourage vember 2020 ballot. A poll tracts over four years, the San population is only about 3,300 incarcerated … not a private submitting articles that are newsworthy and encompass by the Public Policy Insti- Francisco Chronicle reported. below a federal court-ordered corporation who answers to issues that will have an impact on the prison populace. tute found 62 % of adults The measure was introduced cap, according to the article. shareholders.” • Please do not use offensive language in your submissions. surveyed said they would by Assemblyman Rob Bonta, Gov. Gavin Newsom cam- California should pay coun- • Poems and artwork (cartoons and drawings) are welcomed. prefer a life-without-parole D-Alameda. paigned for an end to the use ties to house overflow inmates, • Letters to the editor should be short and to the point. sentence instead of death for Bonta said he introduced the of private prisons in California. Bonta said. However, the Cali- first-degree murder. bill because corporations that His campaign website said that fornia State Sheriff’s Associa- Send Submissions to: Former Chief Justice Ron- run private prisons put making for-profit prisons “contribute to tion opposes the bill. Associa- San Quentin News ald George said in his 2013 money for their shareholders over-incarceration. ” In his in- tion lobbyist Cory Salzillo said 1 Main Street memoir that the death pen- above rehabilitating inmates, augural address, he also prom- county jails are already over- San Quentin, CA 94964 alty system “places the ad- according to the March 31 ised to “end the outrage that is crowded because of former For inmates that want to receive a copy of the San Quentin News ministration of justice… in Chronicle article. private prisons in the State of state prisoners remaining in in the mail, send $1.61 worth of stamps for postage to a very bad light” because of “It’s just the wrong approach California once and for all.” county jails under realignment. the above address. The process can be repeated every its costs, delays and overall to a government service that Newsom spokesman Brian Many of those prisoners are month if you want to receive the latest newspaper. ineffectiveness. should be public,” Bonta said. Ferguson wrote in an email: more dangerous, have mental Behind the Scenes After the governor of The bill is part of his broader “Addressing inequities in the health issues, and serve longer Washington declared a goal to move California “away criminal justice system is sentences than former county moratorium on executions, from mass incarceration, from among the governor’s top pri- jail inmates, Salzillo said. the state’s Supreme Court mass warehousing” and refo- orities. Bonta has also proposed struck down Washington’s cus on “the rehabilitation side. “The governor and his staff legislation to require the state’s death penalty law on the We’ve lost sight of that over the are also working closely with public employee and teacher grounds it was used in years.” corrections department offi- pension funds to divest from The San Quentin News is printed by an arbitrary and racially Shutting down private pris- cials to reduce the state’s reli- private prisons. The retirement Marin Sun Printing, San Rafael. discriminatory manner. ons will require California ance on out-of-state and pri- system for teachers announced —Salvador Solorio Department of Corrections and vate prisons to house inmates. it would do so in November. Page 6 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com June 2019

thought I would find more to I have been working for the see Ernie Ford, Johnny Cash, former San Quentin resident of our audience, including my life than just doing time. paper for five years now, after B.B. King, Common and a shot at the D-League. Gold- volunteers, staff and admin- Editorial I thought I was OK because beginning as a member of the many others. en State Warriors star Kevin istration. I was functioning. I wasn’t Journalism Guild and work- By coming in to entertain Durant produced a documen- San Quentin News has By Marcus Henderson self-medicating with drugs ing my way up to become the us, these visitors give us a tary, called “Q-ball,” about been working for our incar- Editor-in-Chief or prison wine. I still had my Journalism Guild Chairman. sense of normalcy. It is a mo- the basketball program here cerated population since its hard exterior, but I was dead I learned the importance of ment in time to allow us to and its rehabilitative nature. revival in 2008 and that’s I am proud to have worked inside. telling our stories. imagine being free. These We recently hosted a team more than a decade. Our and walked the journey of I locked up a lot of the real When we produce this pa- same people are using their of CDCR recreational coach- staff will continue to get a prison journalism with a re- me. I didn’t know what “mak- per, we do have all of you in celebrity status on behalf es from around the state newspaper out and into your markable group of men for the ing amends” was until I came mind, your families and ours of criminal justice reform, prisons system to discuss hands, despite lock-downs, past five years. These dedi- to San Quentin. The first day I and those who have paroled including Kim Kardashian, how they could bring some quarantines and searches. cated men have produced the arrived, my old cell-mate from and are trying to reintegrate Common, J. Coles and many of these sports programs to award-winning San Quentin Calpatria State Prison, Rah- back into society. others we have covered in the their institutions. We con- News while also balancing saan (“New York”) Thomas, We read all your letters, San Quentin News. tinue to work to show that college and rehabilitative pro- asked me to help cover a base- your complaints, support and Bob Meyers, Golden State change is possible for those grams. ball game in which the prison- grievances. We want you to Warriors general manager, who want it. That hard work has paid ers were playing a team from know and understand that we and Eric Reid, former 49ers Some readers want more off for some of those in the outside, an event that would are a news agency; it’s our re- safety, who took a knee with legal advice, but not one of us newsroom: Six of our fellow be unheard of in my former sponsibility to report on dif- Colin Kaepernick, sat on is a lawyer, and we wouldn’t staff members received com- prison world. ferent aspects of our prison a Sports and Social Justice want to misdirect anyone. mutations from former Gov. Thomas told me to inter- life. Our mission statement Roundtable at San Quentin But we will always report Jerry Brown, while other staff view those people. My mouth is to report on rehabilitative that was moderated by Van on CDCR policy changes and members have been “found dried up, and I realized I efforts to increase public Jones, a CNN political com- any new laws that are passed. suitable” by the parole board haven’t talked with anybody safety; that is our task. mentator and founder of Believe me, we hear you— and are home now. besides prisoners and guards Some question us on why #Cut50, an organization to and we are doing time just as I am honored to have my for more than 15 years. That we are reporting on sports reduce U.S. prison popula- you are. name recently added to the was my introduction as a and entertainment? I would tion by 2050. Even if you don’t like distinguished list of editors- reporter. I had to learn the like to say San Quentin has These people make con- something or someone, it in-chief of San Quentin News. power of capturing history a long history of entertainers tributions beyond sport and is not for us to take away Photo by Eddie Herena Coming off a Level Four yard and fairness, no matter if you performing within the prison play by adding their voices their voice. Our stories are Editor-in-Chief with a life sentence, I never like a topic or not. –from Eartha Kitt, Tennes- to our cause. Meyers gave a intended to give voice to all Marcus Henderson

living creatures who need love and attention at SQ. Jer- turn to the prison to help work help. And, of course, the pres- emy, the inmate put in charge through what they viewed Rehab dogs ence of the pooches provides of Mack’s socialization train- could be an impediment to daily fun and excitement—a ing, forged a lasting connec- adoption. Continued from Page 1 much needed relief from the tion with the pet. After a happy reunion, Jer- rigors of incarceration. Under the guidance of the emy gave Mack equal doses Participants in the Contrary to negative be- Pen Pals volunteers, Jeremy of behavior training and love. program believe the process liefs about pit bulls, Mack is trained Mack in all of the And eventually, Mack be- is profoundly therapeutic for just the opposite. Mack is a fundamentals of good canine came suitable for adoption, dogs and humans alike at San 3-year-old fun-loving pooch behavior. demonstrating the success of Quentin. who came to Marin Humane After several weeks of the Pen Pal program formula. According to the Marin In- Society as a stray. To better training, Mack appeared to Not long after, a man and his dependent Journal, a special his chance for adoption into a be ready for a stable home. He son saw Mack’s photo on the bond is forged between each permanent home, the Pen Pals was taken back to the shelter Marin Humane Society web- dog and prisoner, and it gives team intervened and situated but showed signs of separa- site, “fell in love,” and ad- inmates the chance to nurture Mack with one-on-one, 24/7 tion anxiety, according to opted him, according to the the article. The Pen Pals staff article. figured that Mack should re- The Pen Pals program con- tinues to facilitate productive relationships built on love be- tween San Quentin inmates and dogs who get a second Photo courtesy of the Marin Humane Society chance to find a forever home. Former firehouse member Harold Martini in the SQ fire truck

Photo courtesy of the Photo courtesy of the Marin Humane Society Marin Humane Society Rashid Lockheart and Prince Jeremy Mayfield and his dog Photo courtesy of the Photo courtesy of the Marin Humane Society Marin Humane Society Letters to the Editor Frank Hoaglin and his pitbull Love Pauis training his dog

By Eddie Turner Many of us didn’t have the rare privilege of having a father in our lives when we were children. The lack of a father’s love and guidance caused us lots of pain. It is naturally in the heart of a child to want to do right. But without the natural love, discipline and proper teaching that comes from a father, most young men will surrender to pain and shame, which will lead them later on in life to mistreating the people they grow to love. Then these young men start to look for love in all the wrong places. This new- found love turns out not to be love at all, a false love that lies, steals and even kills. It usually starts out innocent, or even fun. But once the poison of deception enters the heart of these young men, they become corrupt. From that point on, their lives start to slowly go downhill. If we can’t stop this stagnation in our young men of today, they will stay children in morals, manners and actions forever. Many of us have something to give to these young men. They’re seeking love and understanding from us, but unfortunately they fall into the arms of those other older men who continue acting like delinquents themselves. These men may dress, look and even speak like us, but they’re not. And their presence among us creates a hole where our young men can stumble and fall. This generation of lost young men looking for fathers is a problem that was caused by us and must be fixed by us. We must make them our first priority, coming up with ways that will keep this from happening to the next generation. May peace and love be with you. Photo courtesy of the Marin Humane Society Firehouse member Jimmy Vue with a puppy June 2019 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 7 The complicated role of an SQ Correctional Counselor Youth offenders keep CCI V. Sibley's hands full

Lal received two back-to- ect (PUP)—and all the posi- “She’s the best counselor to Level 2 points KidCAT Speaks! back Rules Violation Reports tive efforts he’d made within when it comes to helping out so he can stay at (RVRs)—or “115”s—for pos- the YOP program. YOPs—getting them into SQ. By Joe Garcia session of a cell phone, and “It’s because of that one programs and staying at SQ.” “She made it Journalism Guild Chairman then, separately, the phone’s moment, that one chance—a “It feels weird—the recog- a point that we charger. Facing transfer to a second chance, really—that nition,” said Sibley. “I’m just shouldn’t just Ask any prisoner about his higher security prison put all I’m getting my AA this June,” doing my job.” stand by, be idle or her experience with cor- the opportunities available to said Lal. “And I’m in Joint Not all YOPs at SQ share and get pushed rectional counselors and the him at SQ in jeopardy. Venture (earning minimum the same good opinion of around by the responses will vary great- CCI Sibley remembers the wage), so I’ll be able to walk Sibley. “She’s the worst coun- whole system— ly—from torrid expletives to incident well: “Lal came into out of here with more than selor ever,” said one guy but instead be heartfelt praise. That’s the my office and immediately $200 when I get released.” when he heard about the oth- more proactive nature of the inmate/coun- told me, ‘I know I f--ked up.’ Sibley explained: “The er YOPs praising her efforts. and utilize the re- selor dynamic: Does the pris- And he had no idea he was in YOPs (guys in the program), “She’s shipped out all kinds sources available oner feel he got helped or got the process of getting a sec- they have to sign a contract. of dudes—for doing nothing, to us here,” said screwed over? ond RVR—because while he They’re being given a chance just looking at her funny.” Prosser. “She re- Correctional Counselor V. was there talking to me they to program at a programming Other YOPs around him ally encouraged Sibley knows all about this were searching his bunk area facility, so they agree not get heard this and echoed their me to continue go- tricky duality. and found something else. into trouble, essentially. same opinion about CCI Sib- ing to groups, go- “There’s plenty of inmates “He got caught with what- “I’ve transferred out quite ley. ing to school—just pissed off at me, I’m sure,” ever he got caught with, but I a few YOPs for 115s—or “Often, there’s really noth- stay out of trouble. she told SQNews. “We coun- knew he’d really been trying rather, I should say I’ve been ing I can do,” said Sibley— That impacted me selors do what we can, but we to program—going to school, present at committees where after erupting in laughter big time. can’t please everybody.” learning to code, working YOPs were transferred out. when told about the ‘worst “It made me feel Still, some young men with Lt. Sam Robinson.” Counselors can speak up be- counselor ever’ comment. like I had some- in San Quentin’s Youth Of- Lal went before a YOP dis- cause they usually have the “People seem to think coun- one, other than my fender Program (YOP) point ciplinary committee where most info, but it’s a collec- selors can get past rules and family, who’d go out CCI Sibley for making a his fate would be determined. tive decision, with a Captain wave our magic wand. the extra mile— Photo courtesy of Firstwatch meaningful difference in the “At any committee like there.” “Some guys, you can just not look at us as Correctional Counselor V. Sibley trajectory of their incarcera- this, there always has to be at Gabe Uribe, another YOP tell—they want to program just young kids go- tion. least two counselors and one who faced transfer, said, here or try anyway. ing around doing dumb stuff. counselor doesn’t know me “Because she took the time captain,” said Sibley. “Sibley doesn’t want to see “Other guys, you can tell “She’s the only counselor like that.” to believe in me—that made Although the final decision young guys fail and have to they’re still in the game.” so far that‘s shown any hope “She definitely gave me it possible for me to see my was not hers to make alone, go to other prisons to learn Richard Prosser is a YOP in me. Made me feel human.” a hard time—made sure to true potential,” said Sumit Sibley spoke up about Lal’s lessons they’d have to learn waiting for Sibley to initiate Prosser took Sibley’s ad- remind me of how short of a Lal. “I didn’t realize what I hard work in The Last Mile’s the hard way. She actually a program review process— vice to heart and is commit- leash I was on.” could do with my life by be- coding program, his progress takes the time to understand where he hopes his current ted to immersing himself in Not only did Lal progress ing at this prison.” in the Prison University Proj- your situation. Level 3 points can be reduced SQ’s self-improvement atmo- successfully through the sphere. He currently appren- ranks as a coder in The Last tices as a roofer in Career Mile, but he now teaches cod- Technical Education, par- ing to prisoners at other fa- ticipates in ELITE (Explor- cilities, male and female, via ing Leadership Improving video phone conferencing. Transitional Effectiveness), “I can relate to these young regularly attends Alcoholics men and women through cod- Anonymous meetings and is ing, but it’s about much more enrolled in PUP. than coding,” he said. “We Once YOPs arrive at SQ, end up talking about the daily the responsibility is on them struggles that, as youths, we to become involved in pro- all go through.” grams that will benefit them. Sibley offered these words “There’s no structure,” to youth offenders who are said Lal. “YOPs are just put trying to navigate their way on the yard and told ‘Hey, go through being locked up: stay out of trouble.” “They have to figure out what When new YOPs came to they want. Without a plan or Sibley’s caseload, she would idea, they’re going to go no- often call Lal to her office to where. If their plan is to stay try and help show them the in a gang or whatever—then ropes. that’s what they’re going to do. “It’s easier to talk to some- “If they want to program, one who has more in common if they want to get out, they’re with you,” said Sibley. “Obvi- going to work toward that. ously, I’m not, like, 20—not “Some people just aren’t a male. ready—no matter how old “I’d introduce them to Lal they are.” nd and say, ‘This guy can help In an ironic and recent Support Project Avary on June 22 for its you.’ He’d walk around with twist, the same YOP inmate Third Annual March for the Next Generation. them and point out the pro- who spoke negatively about grams here that can benefit Sibley ended up having her Send your donation to the following address: them.” reassigned as his counselor. Project Avary “Sibley utilized me to help “I still stand by every- get these guys in school, col- thing I said before,” he told P.O. Box 150088 lege, groups—whatever,” SQNews right before press San Rafael, Ca. 94915-0088 said Lal. “YOPs that aren’t time. “But she was real cool even on her caseload, she’d today. She helped me out a at: www.projectavary.org/sanquentinwalk. call me because maybe their lot. She was great.”

Any inmates interested in receiving the KidCAT curriculum must ask the Community Partnership Manager (CPM) at their facility to contact the CPM at San Quentin. As of February, 2019, KidCAT’s curriculum can only be distributed to inmates through their CPM.

Kid CAT and The Beat Within hold monthly writing workshops. The Beat Within conducts writing workshops in juvenile detention centers throughout the country. Kid CAT Speaks will publish one topic each month. Your writing should reflect a positive message that helps the youth make a better decision in life. Your stories will be read by the youth in detention centers. If published, you will receive a free copy of the publication. Your story can make a dif- ference. Tell The Beat Within you read about them in Kid CAT Speaks! What makes you different? There are so many things that we all have in common. We all laugh at what’s funny; we all cry when we’re sad; we all bleed when we’re cut; we’re all born and we all die. But what makes each of us different from everyone else? What makes you one of a kind? Look around at your homies and family, and tell us what’s different about you from all of them. Is it how you think? How you dress? Your dreams and plans for the future? Without getting into whether you are “better” or “worse” than anyone else, tell us how you are unique. The Beat Within P.O. Box 34310 San Francisco, CA 94134

Kid CAT (Creating Awareness Together) is a group of men who committed their crimes in their teens and were sentenced as adults to life terms. The group’s mission is to inspire humanity through education, mentorship and restorative practices. Kid CAT Speaks wants to hear from all offenders, educators, and policymakers concerning juvenile justice issues and rehabilitation. Contact us at San Quentin News, Attn: Kid CAT Speaks, 1 Main St., San Quentin, CA 94964. Page 8 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com June 2019 The Beat Within celebrates 21 years of giving youth a voice

Photo by Jonathan Chiu, SQN Dave Inocencio (second from left), The Beat Within and KID CAT members By Lisa Strawn Prior to meeting Drucker pacted their lives. Tupac ended how to deal with racism, to with the Ella Baker Center home alone. He would watch Journalism Guild Member in 2013, Inocencio had started up being featured on the first how an adult has helped you in for Human Rights in Oakland other kids get picked up after The Beat Within after working cover of the publication, and so the past. and the California College of school by their parents, and For the past five years, Dave as a social worker for juveniles The Beat Within began. “The subjects passed out Arts, to name just a few. Now it bothered him that nobody Inocencio has been coming to in San Francisco’s county jail. When Inocencio brought have a lot of meaning,” Mack- there are 25 outlets of The Beat was there to come get him. San Quentin to lead a writing He wasn’t afraid to go into the publication to San Quentin, ey said. Within in the U.S., including To fill this void, Nguyen workshop for The Beat Within jails. It was inspiring for him. Miguel Quezada, a San Quen- Michael Weeb spoke about Hawaii and New Mexico, with turned to gangs and looked publication that he started 21 “The system would label tin inmate, helped him run The how, even though he isn’t more than 100 volunteers. at the older guys as father years ago in San Francisco. the kids, but once I saw them, Beat Within workshop. Today, around them, his kids don’t “I have pinch me moments, figures. He got involved with San I found that they had dreams, Michael Webb and Michael have any resentment against and I don’t take anything for “The Beat Within has Quentin through Karen Druck- loves and fears,” he said. Mackey help to facilitate and him because The Beat Within granted because I wanted to helped me learn express er, who, at the time, worked According to Inocencio, the lead the publication. carries his voice to them. He learn from everyone and the those feelings that I had had with the KID CAT program meaning of The Beat Within is “The Beat Within has helped added that The Beat Within volunteers,” Inocencio said. as a kid,” Nguyen said. and emailed him asking him to to listen and connect with the me to communicate better with has given him a voice to help “It’s not about me.” For the future, Inocencio be a part of it. The first time he souls and wisdom of those who others,” Webb said. “I needed other kids hear his message as At the most recent San hopes that The Beat Within saw the CAT program, Inocen- often don’t have a voice. The Beat Within to be a better well. Quentin workshop, one of will get more funding to cio was blown away. In January 1996, Inocencio person.” When asked about the be- the prompts was how spend- expand to other prisons and “[KID CAT shows] all those had his first workshop. It was Each month four topics are ginning stages of The Beat ing time alone has affected jails. who are incarcerated that they the same year Tupac Shakur passed out to the group. Ev- Within, Inocencio explained you. Hieu Nguyen, a prisoner “I have no plans to retire, matter and have a story and a was killed. The kids began eryone has time to write on as that he had a lot of interest in the program, spoke about and as long as people are place for them at the table,” he to tell Inocencio stories about many of the subjects as they from friends who wanted to his experiences growing up incarcerated, I will have The said. Tupac Shakur and how he im- wish. The subjects range from help, leading to partnerships without a father and being left Beat Within,” Inocencio said.

***Correction to May issue page 8: Bread & Roses is a nonprofit organization that has sponsored volunteer music events for over 40 years, currently including about one each month inside San Quentin. The origin story of New Hope: San Quentin's LGBT church In 2014, two transgender either share a special song or express my faith. However inmates founded an LGBT lead the congregation in song, I understand it to be a by- church at San Quentin called as well as leave time aside product of trauma, I will rise New Hope. Kim McBride, where if someone needed to above someday.” a minister for 19 years, and talk I would make myself “We at New Hope would Adriel Ramirez wanted oth- available for the individuals like more of the LGBT. popu- ers to have a place to worship to do so. lation to attend,” Kim said. without judgment. “The goal for New Hope is “All we require is an open New Hope is made up of not to be recognized as a gay mind, open heart and a hun- primarily LGBT people, but church but open to all who ger for the Word of God. We doesn’t exclude anyone who seek to have an intimate rela- will treat you like family in wishes to attend New Hope. tionship with God who loves the chapel and promise once Kim said, “The meaning of them all. you join us you will return.” New Hope is a fresh start in “My experience in New When asked if she were re- the Lord Jesus Christ as a Hope has given me a strength leased today, would she con- family.” where I can attend other tinue the work she has done “I was inspired to have churches or participate dur- in prison with New Hope on New Hope at SQ because I ing a service without having the outside, Kim said, “I plan saw how I was received by to hide who I am and what I to start New Hope wherever other inmates,” Kim said. “I truly mean to God.” my feet land. From this home was welcomed at the door and Michael Adams, who has church at San Quentin, I will asked to sit among them, but attended New Hope for four establish other New Hope the snide remarks under their years, said, “I got involved Congregations.” breaths and the non-fellow- with New Hope because it —Lisa Strawn ship outside the church made is the first time in 20 me sad. years of incarceration “I prayed and asked God that there was a place for guidance, and He lead me for me to celebrate and to Adriel, and the rest is his- function in all of me, tory,” Kim added. not just my faith.” Father George Williams of When asked what the Catholic Church is who he would like to see Kim and Adriel went to with for New Hope in the the idea of New Hope. “Fa- future, Michael said, ther George,” Kim said, “is “Growth that opens the biggest supporter for New us up to those from Hope.” New Hope meets on the outside who have Saturdays 9 to11 a.m. and learned to be sincere Sundays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and navigate their faith with staff on Saturdays and in light of so much holy inmates only on Sundays, opposition. with oversight from Father “We need to learn Williams. from each other. “My role in the church is “New Hope has been Photo by FirstWatch music,” Adriel said. “I would a safe place for me to Minister Kim McBride June 2019 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 9 “Improv gave me a chance to practice everything I've learned in self-help groups" would like to see another act twins as Jonathan Chiu direct- line. Moore then suggested “The fastest gun in the taught the improvisation from. After the second round, ed them to stand back to back that the two writers combine West,” said Brooks. The only class. They are also part Improv Class a winner would be chosen for a with their arms interlocked. In their stories into a story about people left standing were Sher- of the Berkeley Improv third and final scene. the tradition of improv, audi- cats and rats gangbanging in iff Losdini and Brooks. Troupe, where they practice Continued from Page 1 Torrance directed the first ence members were encour- the hood. END SCENE improvisation in their free act in which Steve Brooks aged to participate in the form END SCENE Next, Chiu opened up his time. The unexpected duo, “Improv gave me a chance — “the quickest gun in the of suggesting topics or even by Nicholson conducted the second scene with the main from Germany, are both vis- to practice everything I’ve West”—played the main voting for their favorite scenes, voting round, during which the superhero losing his life in the iting scholars at UC Berke- learned in self-help groups, character in a Western movie. but the whole room was pleas- crowd cheered the loudest for battle while his dedicated side- ley, with Martin studying college, and interactions As he walked into a saloon, antly surprised, including the the Western scene and the su- kick was crying in distress. chemistry and Elena study- in prison in a real life set- Aaron Taylor, playing a bar- PUP Improv Troupe, when perhero scene. He bid goodbye The Siamese Superheroes ing Chinese food politics. ting,” Villafan explained. “If tender garnered laughter from audience member George to the story about the reporters were somehow split up dur- “When attending an improv you told some guys at other the crowd as he said, “We “Mesro” Coles courageously in the newsroom. ing the battle and the sidekick show, the audience should ex- higher level prisons, they don’t serve your kind around and spontaneously stepped out The actors were taught in ended up trying to stick them pect to have a good time, to be wouldn’t believe us. This here,” while pouring imagi- of the crowd to play the evil su- class that when a story is voted back together. surprised, and to experience class is very unique. At any nary drinks. Both men are per villain. Everyone prepared out, they should say goodbye to END SCENE emotions,” said Elena, “It’s other prison, you couldn’t Black, which made this scene for a battle. the story and not to the person The crowd then voted for much more than just comedy.” bring the races together. uniquely surprising and light- END SCENE who created it. By doing this, Chiu’s superhero movie to In the class, they aim to Now, I can call these guys hearted — given the culture The final act of the first they created a culture that cele- move on to the third round. teach the scholars-in-blue my brothers” of racial segregation and ten- round was Mike Moore’s brated failure as a learning ex- The scene opened with the improv skills that will ben- The premier skit was based sion in many prison settings. newsroom scene in which perience and encouraged their Siamese Superheroes and the efit them in their everyday on a style of game called Super Sheriff Losdini played by Car- three reporters were creat- team to try again in the future. sidekick all somehow getting lives. These skills include: Scene. los Meza then stood up on the ing quirky stories. Michael The second round started stuck together. With their backs celebrating risk, building Troupe member Dashawn other side of the saloon with Moore not only directed the with Devin’s Western scene. together and their arms inter- trust, supporting others, fail- Nicholson explained the rules: his deputies and told Brooks scene, but also played the edi- This time Brooks came locked, they had to keep rotat- ing well, and being generous. three actors, Mike Moore, to leave. tor in the newsroom. He asked back to the saloon with his ing in a circle to fight the bad The troupe practiced these Devin Torrance and Jona- AND SCENE a writer what their story was sidekick Jack so that they guy, who was the main super- skills throughout the semes- than Chiu, would direct the The next skit was directed about and the reporter re- could finish off the sheriff hero resurrected from the dead. ter, which gave them the co- other team members to act out by Jonathan Chiu — a super- plied it was about cats in the and his crew. Both Brooks END SCENE hesion needed for such an en- scenes in a fictitious movie hero movie in which a main hood. As the crowd was still and Jack rode their imaginary The show ended with com- tertaining performance. with imaginary props. When champion, accompanied by his laughing, the next reporter horses to the bar and tied them ments from the audience. “If you can be vulnerable, the Improv troupe decided that devoted sidekick and a set of explained that his story was up outside. The following “Now y’all have let me develop empathy, and fail well; the scene was over, they would Siamese superheroes were all about rats in the hood. The gunfight had the whole crowd know that all y’all crazy,” said it makes you a better person,” say, “End Scene.” After each searching for a bad guy to bat- chemistry between the per- laughing as all of the depu- Jack Benford, “It was hella explained Martin, “You don’t director presented a scenario, tle. Troupe members Brooks formers was evident in their ties fell to the ground before good.” have to be funny or witty. Just the audience voted on their and Shatka were the star ac- ability to seamlessly develop Brooks was even seen draw- Wife and husband Elena be present, and I’m confident favorite 2 scenes, which they tors, playing the Siamese a story upon each other’s last ing his imaginary gun. and Martin Lichtenthaler good things will happen.”

Photo by Raphaele Casale Photo by Javier Jimenez, SQN Improv students acting out Western Scene Professors Elena and Martin Lichtenthaler watching their pupils

Photo by Javier Jimenez, SQN Photo by Javier Jimenez, SQN Improv student Michael Moore presenting his Newsroom Scene The Siamese superheroes and sidekick stuck together

Photo by Javier Jimenez, SQN Photo by Javier Jimenez, SQN Students taking questions from audience Improv Students Deavon Terrence and Jonathan Chiu Page 10 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com June 2019 Two Marin professional classic musicians join Zuill Bailey to perform at San Quentin

Photo by Jonathan Chiu, SQN Jeremy Constant, Zuill Bailey and Jenny Douglass performing at San Quentin Protestant Chapel

By Kevin D. Sawyer Bailey opened with a solo Moving through his selec- parts are the hardest to play,” The trio performed three the rose painted on the centu- Associate Editor performance of the The Swan tion of songs, he played faster he said. parts of a five-piece move- ries-old instrument. He told the by Johannes Sebastian Bach, and used more of the instru- At age 19, Bailey said he ment, reading from charts. The audience they’re lucky to hear Grammy Award winning written in 1717. He followed ment’s fret board to dem- was told by an accomplished first movement opened with a such an old cello because most cellist, Zuill Bailey, returned with a piece by Tchaikovsky, onstrate the auditory range musician, “Congratulations, strong attack, filling the chapel are in museums. to San Quentin State Prison’s and the audience quietly lis- of the instrument from high you can play the cello. Now go with centuries-old sounds; the Constant played a 1850 vio- Protestant Chapel for a third tened as they watched the piercing notes to low bass get a life so people will care.” second was a pleasant piece lin. “It’s amazing to be able to time to perform for an audi- emotion Bailey displayed as he tones. Because of his age and years played with single low notes play borrowed instruments,” ence of inmates, staff and out- played his 326-year-old Stradi- “You smoked Eddie Van of dedication playing the cello, from the cello that supported he said. “In a sense, these are side guests. varius cello. Halen,” one inmate in the au- Bailey said he had not expe- the high notes played by the our voices.” “Thank you for taking me “Thank you,” Bailey dience called out, arousing rienced hardship and “didn’t violin and viola. It was Douglass’ fourth visit out of prison for a while,” an said in a humble greeting laughter. even have a girlfriend.” He said In the third movement, the to the prison and her second inmate in the audience said. to the audience. “It’s really “Don’t tell him,” Bailey re- unlike many kids of that age, cello growled as Constant and time performing at San Quen- It was by far the best turn- great to be back.” Remain- sponded with a smile. he didn’t know loss, suffering Douglass played the violin and tin with Bailey. She is the Di- out for one of Bailey’s perfor- ing consistent with his prior Some parts of his next and other things life brings to viola, at times in what sounded rector of Education at Marin mances. The audience kept engagements at the prison, slowly played melodic com- someone, so he had to get some like a call-and-response style. Symphony. She said the pro- growing during the perfor- he spoke candidly on the position sounded sad, then life experiences to play some “You have to be able to read gram trains children, ages 8 mance as inmates and staff stage about his path to mu- picked up with quick strik- songs well. Now he says: “It’s together,” said Bailey. to 19, in orchestral ensemble. trickled into the chapel for the sic. ing phrases that morphed not what I do but how I feel is “The key is to let yourself go She’s been playing the viola noontime show. “I didn’t ask to play the into a range of what sounded what sticks with me.” there,” explained Bailey. “Mu- since age four. It was a sunny afternoon at cello,” said Bailey. “It was like an ensemble of musi- Halfway through the show, sic lets me know I’m alive.” “When the three of you the prison, so Bailey was com- destiny.” He shared a story of cians. When he was done, Bailey welcomed Jeremy Con- “Have you named your played, it seemed like there peting for attention with men his first run-in with the cello at the applause that filled the stant, Marin Symphony’s con- cello?” an inmate in the crowd were more of you,” an audi- playing basketball and activi- age four when he accidentally room was anything but certmaster and Jenny Douglass, asked during a brief question ence member told the group. ties on the Lower Yard while knocked the instrument out of obligatory. Marin Symphony’s principal and answer session after the “When are you coming back?” others waited for the perfor- a girl’s hand at a concert and “Pretty cool, huh?” Bailey violist to the stage to play violin show. “This is my personal third mance to begin. broke it. asked the audience. “The slow and the viola respectively. “I’ve considered calling it time,” said Bailey. “I guarantee Rose,” said Bailey, referring to we’ll be back.”

Photo by Jonathan Chiu, SQN Photo by Jonathan Chiu, SQN Photo by Jonathan Chiu, SQN Marin Symphony's principal violinist Jenny Douglass at SQ Cellist Zuill Bailey for the third time at SQ Marin Symphony's concert master Jeremy Constant at SQ June 2019 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 11 “Feeling humiliated, embarrassed and shame” executive director of STOP. Wallace learned about High School, Madrone, and song writing, recording and Jassy prepared Wallace to Stop She said “John is the face of equipment and video produc- San Andreas. “The kids are videotaping skills. record a few rap lyrics. After the program,” and she works tion at Community Media really getting an opportunity Wallace does on the outside Wallace selected music cre- Continued from Page 1 behind the scene. We’re “so Center of Marin. While in the by coming through our pro- what artist and producer ated by Jassy he was ready to opposite but (we) work well Marin county jail, he learned gram,” said Wallace. He built David Jassy does with youth record. Wallace said when he pa- together,” she said. about a grant for mental a multimedia studio at Marin offenders on the inside of On playback they over- roled, he experimented with “I was trying to hold back health. He said funding was Oaks, where he decided to San Quentin. The two met dubbed some ad lib tracks drugs and got involved with tears,” said Wallace. “It was available for people to write make the studio a one-stop in the prison’s media center and layered the previous vo- gangs and later left both emotional coming back. It’s about life experiences, so he shop. and shared some ideas. Jassy cals with a duplicate track to alone. “I didn’t want to come eye opening to come here.” applied. “Kids hear about the extended an invitation to expand the dynamic presence back” (to prison), said Wal- “STOP will improve the Wallace said it was Cesar program through word of Wallace to participate in the of the sound. The two of them lace. “I was exhausted and lives of local youth through LaGleva of Behavioral Health mouth,” said Wallace. “And 16 Barz Behind Bars project discussed the possibility of wanted to make some chang- engagement in therapeutic and Recovery Services, who no experience is necessary for at the prison. STOP, YOP mix tape inmates es.” self-exploration and self- clued him in on available kids to participate in STOP.” “I think it’s cool for you to and San Quentin’s SQUIRES When he ran the streets, expression by providing funding for kids. LaGleva’s The program starts with come back to do 16 Bars Be- program collaborating to help his family used to tell him an innovative music and wife, Liz Prior, is the princi- a group of about 15 kids. hind Bars,” said Jassy. youth inside and outside of he was disgracing himself. video production program ple viola player for the Marin Wallace said about 11 to 12 Jassy said “Some people prison. But what made him enter to the under-served and Symphony. finish the program. which don’t understand the impact “I’m super excited to work recovery was something his marginalized…population in STOP targets at-risk youth meets twice a week for this music has on kids.” He with you, especially from daughter said to him on Fa- Marin County,” its website who attend Marin County several months. There, they said Wallace’s influence will prison,” Wallace told Jassy. ther’s Day. “I don’t want to says. schools, such as Marin Oaks feed the kids, teach them help make a difference. —Kevin Sawyer bury my father,” she told him. Feeling humiliated, em- barrassed and shame, Wal- lace decided to deal with his addiction. Another change came in the form of music. After serving time at California Rehabilitation Center, California Medical Facility- Vacaville, and the ranch at Folsom State Prison, Wallace paroled for the last time in 2008 and discharged from parole in 2011. Getting out of prison, Wal- lace said it made him realize his real friends didn’t offer him drugs or try to invite him to commit criminal activity. His good friends, he said, en- couraged him to go to school. Wallace returned to San Quentin in May. But this time he wasn’t wearing prison blues. Dressed in all black attire with red, high-top Tim- berland boots, he visited the prison’s media center to dis- cuss his nonprofit Surviving The Odds Project, STOP for short, where he is the founder and CEO. Wallace’s wife, Melissa Courtesy of John Wallace Greene, is the co-founder and Youth participants of STOP program

Photo by FirstWatch Courtesy of John Wallace John Wallace and David Jassy at SQ media center STOP participants at the studio headquarters

Courtesy of John Wallace Courtesy of John Wallace Courtesy of John Wallace

John Wallace at his studio STOP participant performing John Wallace training STOP participants Page 12 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com June 2019 AROUND THE WORLD

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seth malcolm in Guildhall london June 2019 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 13

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CROSSWORD PUZZLE 13 14 15 By Jonathan Chiu / Edited by Jan Perry Snippets 16 17 18 hichimeca Across Down 19 20 21 means "dog 1. Sets of martial art movements 1. Hoda of Today C 22 23 people" that was 6. Some grades 2. Curative substance 9. Place 3. T.I.’s significant other the name of the 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 13. Type of branch extension 4. Chevy small vehicle first founders of 14. Teachers’ org. 5. Follows blood, truth, or anti 34 35 36 Tenochtitlan. Later 15. Promise 6. Again known as Mexicas. 16. Copier necessity 7. Pinto, white and soy 37 38 39 40 17. Rip 8. Floor covering 41 42 43 n 1962 a Mexican 18. Beauty store 9. 25 Down’s taste Imilitia led by 19. “Stand out from the rest” 10. Buddies 44 45 46 47 General Ignacio 22. Former British PM Teresa 11. Actress Miranda 23. Body of water 12. Sooner rather ____ later 48 49 50 51 Zaragoza defeated 24. Bravo (Sp.) 17. Honda rival far better equipped 27. Vin Diesel char. 20. Submarine’s necessity 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 French expeditionary 29. Sport movements 21. Livable planets 61 62 63 forces on Cinco de 34. Stiller of Meet the Parents 24. Former President 35. The ____ U Give 25. Citrus fruit Mayo. 64 65 66 36. Mock 25. _____-Gay apoleon was 37. “Person who gets it done” 28. High IQ org. 67 68 69 a military and 41. Back tooth 30. Motorists' org. N 42. Cavities connected to the lung 31. _____ of Hazzard political leader who 43. Flightless bird 32. Purgative L A C E D M I C A O N E rose up to become 44. Outdated transmission 33. Play a guitar A M A R A S I R I A R M O R S Creator's note: the emperor of 46. O2 35. Action hero quality T O L I N A L O T S T A G E France. 47. Rockwell of Matchstick Men 38. Kilmer of Top Gun K I N G O F A N Y T H I N G 48. Apple system 39. Platforms Apologies to M E D E N R E S inco de Mayo 50. Big ___ 40. Purge O N B A R E S B R O T B S first gained 52. Result of 19 and 37 Across 45. Parent's order last issue's C 61. Epps of The Mod Squad 49. Comes mostly in plastic T G R A S S B R A T S O P S popularity in the H 62. Expensive watch brand 51. Actress in Bad Girls crossword. ’ A I R A L A T E L O O U.S. in the 1950's 63. Treasure-_____ 52. Baseball’s Sammy S S N O G N E V E T A L O N and 1960's. 64. Genesis maker 53. Prediction Wrong clues 65. ___ money 54. Wise men from the East A G N R C U E H E L E N fficially, Cinco N A A H T E A M 66. River in NW China 55. Asian mountain range were given to de Mayo marks 67. Plant that blue dye comes from 56. Conceal S O W L O V E O N T H E R O C K S 68. Female sheep 57. Vietnamese name the Battle of Puebla. the puzzle. E A E S I R A R A L N O A H 69. To anoint for last rites 58. Ripped R 59. Dr. ____ S P E S T O M A T S D A L E 60. English military org. T R A Y E P S S L E D

Last Issue’s BRAIN TEASERS OF THE MONTH Sudoku Corner Sudoku Solutions The following box will remind you of the weather (at least in the northern hemisphere). fill in the letters HEAT so that those four 8 1 6 6 1 5 2 8 4 9 3 7 letters are in each row, across, down, and on the long diagonal, 9 7 8 3 1 6 4 5 2 but not two letters may be the same in any line, nor two identical 7 5 3 2 3 4 9 7 5 1 8 6 letters be next to each other. One line is filled in to get you started. 8 6 2 1 4 9 5 7 3 8 7 7 4 1 5 3 8 2 6 9 H 3 5 9 6 2 7 8 1 4 E 5 2 6 7 9 1 3 4 8 6 7 9 4 4 9 7 8 5 3 6 2 1 A 9 3 2 6 5 1 1 8 3 4 6 2 7 9 5 T The following cryptogram is simple substitution of an unsual sort. Each letter 5 4 1 2 8 3 1 2 6 7 5 9 4 5 2 6 8 4 9 1 7 3 or symbol represents one letter, the same one each time. Decipher the sentences. 9 7 9 7 4 3 5 1 2 6 8 1 4 7 6 3 8 9 5 2 JS1/41/4OMRDD OD S DYPVL YJSY 2 3 6 6 5 2 9 1 4 8 3 7 D1/4;OYD YJTRR GPT PMR YJR 3 9 8 7 2 5 6 4 1 FSU SGYRT UPI NUI OY 2 7 8 2 6 9 1 7 3 4 8 5 4 8 3 5 9 2 7 1 6 Eight coins represent a Christmas tree, as shown. Three tails-up coins 7 1 5 4 8 6 3 2 9 (shown in grey) form the Christmas tree’s garland. There are six different challenges in the puzzle. The rules of each challenge are the same: by 3 7 moving one coin at a time, in a few single moves as possible, make another Last month's Brain Teasers: Christmas tree of exactly the same shape and orientation, but with another 8 7 2 arrangement of the garland. When moving at coin, the coin must be placed Tree: Elm, Ash, Beech, Lime, so that it touches at least two other coins (fixing its position in relation to the 2 7 8 Poplar. coins). Person: Bill, Jim, Tony, Syl- vester, Desmond. 6 5 4 7 Club: Squash, Golf, Tennis, 1 8 2 4 Bowling, Soccer. ◄ Bird: Owl, Blackbird, Crow, ◄ 3 6 1 5 Robin, Starling. Year: 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, Goal 1 Goal 6 7 2 4 1974. ►

1 3 7 ◄ ▼ Tony likes tomatoes. He only likes ▼ 4 6 words that start with prepositions.

If you would like to submit a photograph to be placed in SQ News just because, please Goal 2 send it with name(s) and a brief message to go with your photo. Please understand, we Goal 5 June would not be able to return your photo so send a copy and address the letter to: San Quentin News, 1 Main Street, San Quentin, CA 94964 Goal 4 Goal 3 Page 14 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com June 2019 Presos en California pueden aplicar para un perdón gubernamental Por la oficina del Hay dos maneras para certificado de rehabilitación, para aplicar por un perdón solicitante al tiempo de certificado de rehabilitación Gobernador solicitar un perdón en la corte debe enviar la orden es someter una petición cometer el crimen; se les sugiere que usen las California: un certificado de a la oficina del gobernador, directamente a la oficina del • El desarrollo personal del posibilidades para someter Las personas que han rehabilitación y un perdón donde ésta automáticamente gobernador. solicitante y la conducta que una petición por perdón. sido convictas de un crimen directo. se convierte en una petición En los dos casos, el ha mostrado desde la ofensa, Contacte a la Oficina de en el estado de California Aplicación de perdón por de perdón. El solicitante no solicitante debe notificar incluyendo si el solicitante los Defensores Públicos en pueden aplicar para un certificado de rehabilitación: necesita hacer algo a futuro a al abogado de distrito en ha hecho uso de todos los el condado donde reside perdón gubernamental. El una manera de aplicar por un menos que sea contactado por el condado en donde fue programas de rehabilitación a para obtener información gobernador de California no perdón es pedirlo primero a la oficina del gobernador, o el convicto y el porqué la su alcance y ha identificado y adicional. puede conceder un perdón la corte superior del condado Board of Parole Hearings. petición de perdón ha sido enfrentado las necesidades; y Para someter una por una condena dada en otro en donde vive el solicitante. Aplicación de perdón sometida. • La necesidad del petición directa por perdón estado o por procedimientos Una vez que la corte le por petición directa al Antes de que el gobernador solicitante por el perdón. por primera vez en tres federales. conceda una petición para el gobernador: el segundo paso pueda conceder un perdón Los solicitantes del perdón años, usted debe toma los a cualquier persona que ha serán notificados cuando el siguientes dos pasos: sido convicta por uno o más gobernador decida actuar • Someter una petición delitos, la Corte Suprema sobre la petición. para perdón completa a la de California debe primero COMO APLICAR oficina del gobernador. Usted Reos reincidentes ven más recomendar la concesión de PARA UN PERDÓN- puede pero no es requerido clemencia. La oficina del REAPLICACION a someter información gobernador mandará a la Si usted sometió una adicional o copias de esperanzas de rehabilitarse Corte Suprema de California petición por perdón, ya sea documentos relevantes la petición de perdón y todos una petición directa o por que apoyen su petición, los documentos relacionados certificado de rehabilitación como cartas de apoyo o en San Quentin a la misma para su revisión. a un gobernador en el certificados de logros. Por Juan Espinosa los reos reciben información la sociedad. Dice que en estos INVESTIGACIÓN Y pasado y no recibió ninguna Explique las circunstancias Diseñador gráfico y escritor y enseñanza sobre cómo casi dos años ha tratado de REVISIÓN: notificación de que un extraordinarias que justifican tratar con los problemas mantenerse ocupado, se El B o a r d of Pa r ole He a r i ng s perdón le fue concedido, su la restauración a su derecho Algunos reos reincidentes que les aquejan. Programas levanta temprano y hace investigará las peticiones de petición ha sido cerrada. Si a portar armas. Por favor ven más esperanzas de como AA, NA, Justicia mucho ejercicio. “Esta vez sí perdón para la oficina del usted sometió una petición no mande documentos rehabilitarse si son transferidos Restaurativa, GRIP, VOEG me quiero mantener afuera, gobernador para decidir si para ser perdonado en los originales porque los a la Prisión Estatal de San entre muchos otros, están reportarme con mi oficial de éste perdón es concedido o últimos tres años y quisiera documentos no pueden ser Quentin, en California. enfocados en la rehabilitación parole, estar con mi familia no. La oficina del gobernador que el Gobernador Gavin devueltos; y Boris Tamayo de 46 años, de la población carcelaria y y ser capaz de mantener revisará cuidadosamente Newsom habrá y reconsideré • Someta una noticia de dice que ha estado en prisión en evitar la reincidencia en la mi trabajo, algo que no ha cada petición y considerará: su petición, usted puede intento para petición de en repetidas ocasiones “cinco comisión de delitos. pasado anteriormente”, • El impacto que causará someter una petición para ser clemencia al abogado(s) para ser exactos. Yo soy chofer “San Quentin tiene muchos concluyó. la concesión de un perdón a perdonado. Para reaplicar por de distrito en el condado de camiones, pero debido a mi programas; también puedes —Daniel López contribuyó la familia y a la comunidad un perdón usted debe tomar o condados de su(s) adicción al alcohol me meto asistir a la escuela”, dijo con esta historia del solicitante, incluyendo si los siguientes pasos: convicción(es) por ofensa(s) más fácil en problemas”, dijo Tamayo. “Yo pienso que si la concesión es consistente • Someta una forma de re- por las cuales usted está Tamayo a SQN. estos programas existieran en con la seguridad pública y aplicación para perdón. No pidiendo un perdón. Tamayo argumenta que otras prisiones menos gente el interés de la justicia, y si envié su petición original u Su usted desea formas de durante las temporadas que ha regresaría a la prisión. Aquí sí ésta es relevante, cualquier otros documentos a menos petición por correo, favor de pasado encerrado, la mayoría te hacen pensar seriamente en circunstancia extraordinaria que estos sean requeridos por mandar una carta a la: de las veces salía sin ningún tu rehabilitación”. que justifique la restauración la oficina del gobernador o el Office of the Governor, oficio. “En la cárcel no aprende Tamayo dijo que en el del derecho a la portación de Board of Parole Hearings. State Capitol, Attn: uno nada, en la calle puedo condado de San Mateo armas o un perdón en un caso PERDÓN –PETICIÓN Legal Affairs/Clemency, aprender algún oficio. Nada participó en varios programas de ofensa sexual. NU EVA Sacramento, CA 95814. más me servía para dejar el como CHOICES y otros • La edad y circunstancias A los solicitantes que —Traducido por alcohol pero una vez afuera programas que abordan el de la ofensa y la edad del son elegibles para un Juan Espinosa volvía a recaer”, dijo Tamayo. consumo de drogas, alcohol San Quentin se ha vuelto y defectos de carácter. “Estos el principal programa programas me han ayudado piloto del Departamento de a reconocerme a mí mismo y Correcciones de California a identificar mis defectos de en lo que se refiere a la carácter”, dijo. Pasos para conmutación o rehabilitación. San Quentin Ta mayo t iene u na sentencia FiIe photo cuenta al momento con cerca de dos años por lo cual pronto Reos de San Quentin en de 100 programas en donde será liberado y podrá volver a un grupo de auto-ayuda reducción de sentencia

Por la oficina del tamento de Correcciones y mitigarse por medio de su Gobernador Rehabilitación, investigará salida de prisión o reduc- La música es un medio para combatir las aplicaciones de conmu- ción de sentencia. Las personas que han sido tación, reducción de senten- CONMUTACIÓN- la soledad en prisión convictas de un crimen y actu- cia. La investigación incluirá PETICIÓN NUEVA almente están cumpliendo su una revisión de los archivos Para aplicar por una reduc- Por Taré Beltranchuc como el viento, se olvida que nder a tocar la guitarra era sentencia en California pueden de la historia criminal del so- ción de sentencia por primera Escritor contribuyente está preso y le trae bonitos re- mayor que el dolor de las am- aplicar para una conmutación licitante, archivos policiacos vez o por primera vez en tres cuerdos de su juventud. pollas”, Quiñones dijo. "Mu- o reducción de su sentencia. y de los juzgados, y archivos años: En los 17 años que lleva chas veces prefería tocar la Para decidir si se reduce de información del periodo de • Someta una re-apli- encarcelado, José Herminio guitarra que comer”. una sentencia o no, la oficina encarcelamiento del solicitante cación de conmutación a la Pedroza Quiñones nunca se ha Al cabo de dos años de per- del gobernador revisará cui- y otros fuentes de información oficina del gobernador. Usted separado de su guitarra. “La música es... severancia y dedicación, fue dadosamente cada petición de relevante. puede, pero no es requerido "La música se ha conver- una vitamina invitado a ensayar con el fa- reducción de sentencia y con- COMO SOLICITAR UNA someter información adicio- tido en mi mejor herramienta moso “Grupo Solitario”, que se siderará: REDUCCIÓN DE SENTEN- nal o copias de documentos para lidiar con la soledad y el para el alma” interesó en él, pero por razones • El impacto de la re- CIA-RE APLICACIÓN DE relevantes que apoyen su apli- estrés”, dijo Quiñones de 77 personales rechazo la oferta. ducción de sentencia en la co- LA MISMA cación, como cartas de apoyo años de edad, en una entrevista Posteriormente, en compañía munidad, incluyendo si dicha Si usted sometió una o certificados de logros. Por con SQN. Con una sonrisa en el rostro de dos amigos formaron un trío concesión es conveniente con petición para reducción de favor no mande documen- Quiñones es un residente de Quiñones relató como nació su para llevar serenatas. Su amor la seguridad del público y el sentencia al gobernador pre- tos originales porque los la prisión de San Quentin que amor por la música. “Mientras a la música era tan grande que interés de la justicia; vio y no recibió noticia de la documentos de aplicación no cumple una sentencia de 27 trabajaba como carpintero a la el dinero paso a ser secundar- • La edad y circun- reducción de sentencia, su serán devueltos; y años a cadena perpetua. edad de 15 años, me llevaron io. No tocaban por dinero. En stancias de la ofensa y la sen- aplicación ha sido cerrada. Su • Someta un noticia La música ha llegado a ser una guitarra para repararla. muchas ocasiones llevaron ser- tencia impuesta, y la edad del usted sometió una aplicación de intento de aplicación para como una adicción, “si no toco Con la ayuda del encargado de enatas gratis. “Tocábamos por solicitante al tiempo de haber para la reducción de senten- clemencia al fiscal de distrito la guitarra no me siento bien”. la carpintería reparé la guitarra amor al arte, y cuando nos iba cometido la ofensa; cia en los pasado tres años y del condado en donde fue Quiñones añadió que cuando en un mes. Después empecé a bien nos invitaban unos ricos • El desarrollo del quisiera que el Gobernador convicto y cometió la ofensa; toca la guitarra se siente libre practicar y me fascinó el soni- tacos”, mencionó Quiñones. solicitante y conducta desde Newsom reabra su aplicación • Someta una autor- do de las cuerdas. Así que no En el 2002, su vida cam- el día que cometió el crimen, previa y que ésta sea consid- ización de consentimiento la devolví hasta que compré mi bió radicalmente al cometer incluyendo si el solicitante ha erada, usted puede someter Para información médica si propia guitarra”. un asesinato que lo llevo a la hecho uso de los programas una re-aplicación de clemen- usted está solicitando con- Quiñones tuvo que realizar prisión. “Cuando llegué a la accesibles de rehabilitación cia. Para re-aplicar para re- mutación porque sufre una muchos sacrificios para com- prisión estaba muy lastimado, y ha identificado las nece- ducción de sentencia: enfermedad terminal o tiene prar su guitarra. Incluso pre- me sentía solo y abandonado”, sidades del tratamiento de su • Someta una forma una discapacidad crónica firió no pagar la electricidad dijo Quiñones. Fue en ese en- problema; de re-aplicación de clemencia. que substancialmente puede para poder realizar sus pagos tonces que decidió comprar • La necesidad de la No re-introduzca su aplicación mitigarse por su libertad de semanales de un dólar por un una guitarra y descubrió que reducción de sentencia del so- original u otros documentos a prisión o la reducción de su año. Su primera guitarra fue “la música es una terapia para licitante; y menos que estos sean requeri- sentencia. La forma de con- una Valenciana y le costó 48 el estrés y una vitamina para el • Los planes del so- dos por la oficina del goberna- mutación solamente esta ac- dólares. alma”. licitante cuando sea liberado. dor. cesible en inglés. Quiñones ha tocado la gui- Quiñones concluyó, “me Los solicitantes serán noti- • Someta una autor- Para obtener formas de tarra por 62 años y está muy fascina ayudar a los jóvenes ficados cuando el gobernador ización de consentimiento conmutación por correo, en- agradecido con Anastasio que tienen interés en aprender tome acción sobre la aplicación de información médica si vié una carta a: Office of the Zárate, a quien se refiere como a tocar la guitarra. Creo que de reducción de sentencia. usted está aplicando porque Governor, State Capitol, maestro y mentor. Al inicio le es una herramienta de reha- INVESTIGACIÓN Y RE- sufre una enfermedad ter- Att: Legal Affairs/Clem- salían ampollas en las yemas bilitación y una forma de hacer VISIÓN minal o tiene una discapa- ency, Sacramento, Ca. 95814 Photo by First Watch de los dedos, pero eso no lo enmiendas por el crimen que El Board of Parole Hear- cidad severa y crónica que —Traducido por Juan Herminio Quiñones desanimó. “Mi deseo por apre- cometí". ings, una división del Depar- podría substancialmente Espinosa June 2019 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 15 San Francisco Glens vence a los Earthquakes de San Quentin 8 a 2

Photo by Javier Jiemenez, SQN Jugadores de SF Glens y SQ Terremotos muestran compañerismo después del juego

Por Carlos Drouaillet Por ser visitantes sacó los archivos de los equipos y do en problemas a la defensa 56, para poner el marcador 6 Al terminar el partido, los Escritor Contribuyente primero el equipo San la prensa local. de S.F.Glens que concedió a 1 Glens. aficionados aprovecharon para Francisco Glens, tocando El primer gol se dio a los dos tiros de esquina para evi- Durante las jugadas que hacer preguntas y tomarse fo- El equipo de San Francis- el balón con gran destreza, 5 minutos del juego, cuando tar cualquier otra sorpresa. ocasionaron esos goles, tos con el veterano de futbol, co Glens puso una extraordi- mientras los jugadores de en una entrada fuerte por Ronald Luna, delantero del López el portero recibió un Jimmy Conrad, exjugador naria goliza a los Earthquakes los Earthquakes, recibían parte de los S.F.Glens, Jimmy equipo local recibió la pelota golpe fuerte en el muslo iz- mundialista de Estados Uni- de San Quentin en un partido indicaciones verbales de Conrad, (mundialista con el en el segundo tiro de esquina quierdo, lo que le impidió dos en el 2006. Uno de los en el que los jugadores de los técnicos. Fue un parti- equipo de U.S.A. en el 2006), haciendo un tiro “ráfaga” a seguir jugando. aficionados Ramiro Badajoz, ambos bandos trataron a toda do perfectamente bilingüe, le pasó el balón a Steve Cor- la puerta que salió poco des- Al minuto 60, Refugio después de hablar con Conrad costa de imponerse sobre sus con el director técnico dova intentando una jugada viado, sacándole un susto al “Cuco” Juárez, mandó a comentó, “Jimmy Conrad, en rivales Garvín “YoYo” Robinson de pared, pero éste en vez de portero visitante. calentar al portero suplente su trayectoria deportiva se dio EL Partido dio inicio a las dando instrucciones en regresar el balón, hizo una Desde el comienzo del par- Luis Gutiérrez para hacer el el gusto de anotarle a Osvaldo 5:45 p.m. del 16 de abril, cu- inglés, mientras Refugio finta y se acomodó solo el tido los dos porteros recibier- cambio. Sánchez, portero de la selección ando Chris Marshall, árbitro “Cuco” Juárez lo hacia en esférico para tirar de derecha on tiros de “artillería” pesada, En una descolgada por de México”. central dio luz verde a la com- español. venciendo al portero Hugo dándoles la oportunidad de parte de Taré Beltranchuc El evento concluyó con los petencia con las indicaciones Los camarógrafos de Los Eduardo López. lucir su agilidad y destreza. que presionó a la defensa de saludos y abrazos acostumbra- de rigor: ‘jueguen limpio, S.F.Glens y de SQ News, Los Earthquakes avan- Al minuto 17, en una juga- los Glens, la pelota salió para dos en el deporte, demostrando duro y respetuosamente”. tomaban fotos y video para zaron con buen estilo ponien- da que empezó por la derecha tiro de esquina a favor de los agradecimiento mutuo entre le enviaron un pase elevado a earthquakes. Francisco "Chi- todos. Después formando un Conrad quien la bajó de pecho cali" Huizar recibió el balón círculo entre todos, intercam- y al rebote, anotó el segundo anotando de tres dedos para biaron comentarios positivos. gol de la tarde. el segundo de los locales, de- Jimmy Conrad said, “I will El equipo visitante siguió jando el marcador en 6 a 2. speak on behalf of the group… dominando y en el minuto 33, Con la balanza a favor de and thank you for letting us el mediocampista Francisco los visitantes en el minuto win”;(hablaré de parte de Rangel, anotó el tercer gol 75, el delantero de los Glens todo el equipo...y gracias por para los Glens. en jugada individual, jaló dejarnos ganar). Javier Ayala, Casi al final del primer la marca de tres defensas director técnico de S.F.Glens tiempo, cuando los earth- y dió el pase perfecto a “El comentó, "to make friends and quakes veían la dificultad del güero” Medina que quedó play together, it doesn’t mat- partido, un gol por parte de solo frente al portero Gutiér- ter where we come from, or Jonathan Rivas salvó la hon- rez, venciéndolo con un tiro whether we are Brown, Black, ra, dejando el marcador del a bocajarro. El marcador se White or whatever; we just primer tiempo 3-1. fue 7 a 1. have to do it( Para hacer ami- Segundo tiempo El portero López rein- gos y jugar juntos, no importa EL segundo tiempo inició gresó al campo al minuto 32. de donde venimos o el color mal para los earthquakes, Al minuto 79 con des- de nuestra piel, nadamas juga- pues en los primeros 11 pliegue por el centro del mos).; el portero de los Glens, minutos recibieron tres goles: campo, Tariq Puljkamp de solo dijo, “I got a lot of bruises doblete de Jimmy Conrad, al los Glens, disparó un tiro but it was fun thank you”. minuto 53 y el minuto 55, y el cruzado anotando el octavo (tengo muchos moretones, Photo by Javier Jimenez, SQN otro de Andrew, quien por- y último gol, quedando el pero estuvo divertido, muchas SF Glens Jimmy Conrad muestra sus habilidades futbolísticas en la cancha taba el nύmero 21 al minuto marcador final 8 a 2. gracias”. Judges overwhelmed with immigration case backlogs makes it difficult for them to work The Trump administra- to the 35 day-government court’s ability to ensure immigrants with serious immigration judges. Immi- Tabaddor, president of the tion’s controversial strategy shutdown in December and due process,” according criminal records and de- gration judges are not inde- National Association of Im- to reduce the growing back- January, the Feb. 21 story to the American Immigra- fend immigrants known as pendent, in contrast to the migration Judges, log of immigration cases said. That resulted in the tion Lawyers Association, a Dreamers who were brought regular court judges. The The Trump administra- has failed, according to a cancellation of roughly group made up of more than to the U.S. as children. immigration judges are part tion increased the number university study. The aver- 60,000 hearings because 15,000 lawyers and profes- Another argument re- of the Justice Department, of immigration judges by age wait for an immigration around 400 immigration sors. garding the aggravated situ- which means that the attor- 74 percent to 414 by the end hearing is now more than judges were absent or fur- The group said the ad- ation was brought up by Ste- ney general is both the chief of 2018. House Democrats two years, The San Diego loughed. Thousands of cas- ministration has failed by phen Legomsky, Homeland prosecutor in immigration requested an investigation Union Tribune reported . es were rescheduled, thus pressuring judges to rule Security’s chief counsel for cases and the boss of the by the Justice Department The plan to reduce the extending the already long “at a breakneck pace” on immigration. judges, who are classified as Inspector General’s office backlog of immigration cas- wait times. whether an immigrant “Immediately upon tak- government attorneys, The based on the suspicion that es by forcing judges to take The plan was described should be deported. ing office, President Trump Union-Tribune reported. hiring was politically moti- more cases was implement- as a “comprehensive strat- In defense, the Trump ad- essentially advised Border The National Association vated. ed in October 2017. Since egy for significantly reduc- ministration stated, “Policy Patrol agents and ICE of- of Immigration Judges has The Immigration Law- then, the number of pend- ing the caseload by 2020.” changes in recent years have ficers that they were to be- called for Congress to end yers Association wrote, ing cases has grown from It was intended to reverse slowed down the adjudica- gin removal proceedings the built-in conflict of inter- “The current administra- 655,932 to 830,000, accord- the growth of the caseload tion of existing cases and against anyone they encoun- est and to create an immi- tion has taken advantage of ing to Syracuse University’s and reduce it, according to incentivized further illegal ter that they suspected of gration court apart from the the court structural laws by Transactional Access Re- the Executive Office of Im- immigration that led to new being undocumented, with- Justice Department. introducing numerous poli- cords Clearinghouse, which migration Review (EOIR), cases.” out sufficiently increasing “As long as we continue cies… that dramatically re- tracks data from immigra- which administers immi- Trump administration resources for immigration to allow the court to be used shape federal immigration tion courts. gration courts officials said illegal border judges,” Legomsky said. as a law enforcement tool, law and undermine due pro- The backlog is likely The plan “has not only crossing were encouraged Another aspect of the im- you are going to get these cess in immigration court worse than figures provided failed to reduce the back- by former President Barack migration equation is the kinds of backlogs and in- proceedings.” by Syracuse University due log, but has eroded the Obama’s attempt to deport need for autonomy of the efficiencies,” said Ashley —Carlos Drouaillet Page 16 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com June 2019 Applying for a Governor’s pardon in California Two distinct processes available to California prisoners

From theGovernor's Office Governor of California cannot a Certificate of Rehabilitation a Certificate of Rehabilitation • the impact of a pardon grant documents unless requested to grant a pardon for a conviction and a Direct Pardon. from the superior court in the on the applicant’s family and do so by the Governor’s Office People who have been con- from another state or a federal Pardon Application by Cer- county where the applicant community, including whether or the Board of Parole Hear- victed of a crime in California proceeding. tificate of Rehabilitation: One lives. Once a court grants a the grant is consistent with pub- ings. may apply for a gubernato- There are two ways to ap- way to apply for a pardon is petition for Certificate of Reha- lic safety and in the interests of PARDON – NEW rial (Governor’s) pardon. The ply for a pardon in California: to first petition for and obtain bilitation, the court is required justice and, if relevant, any ex- APPLICATION to send the order to the Gover- traordinary circumstances that Applicants who are eligible nor’s Office, where it becomes justify restoration of firearm for a Certificate of Rehabilita- an automatic application for a rights or a pardon in a sex of- tion are encouraged to use that pardon. The applicant does not fense case; path to file a pardon applica- need to take any further action • the age and circumstances tion. Contact the Public De- People who have been convicted of a unless contacted by the Gov- of the offense and the age of the fender’s Office in your county ernor’s Office or the Board of applicant at the time; of residence for additional in- crime may apply for a commutation Parole Hearings. • the applicant’s self-devel- formation. Pardon Application by Di- opment and conduct since the To apply for a direct pardon rect Request to the Governor: offense, including whether for the first time or for the first From the Governor's Office rections and Rehabilitation, mitigated by release from The second path to apply for a the applicant has made use of time in three years, you must investigates commutation prison or reduction of sen- pardon is to submit an applica- available rehabilitative pro- take the following two steps: People who have been applications. The investiga- tence. tion directly to the Governor’s grams and has identified and • Submit a completed Pardon convicted of a crime and tion will include a review COMMUTATION – NEW Office. addressed treatment needs; and Application to the Governor’s are currently serving their of the applicant’s criminal APPLICATION In both cases, the applicant • the applicant’s need for a Office. You may but are not sentence in California may history records, court and To apply for a must notify the district attorney pardon. required to submit additional apply for a commutation (re- police records, and records commutation for the first in the county of a conviction for Pardon applicants will be information or copies of rel- duction of sentence). and information about the time or for the first time in which a pardon application has notified when the Governor evant documents in support In deciding whether to applicant’s period of incar- three years: been submitted. takes action on an application. of your application, such as grant a commutation, the ceration from the applicant’s • Submit a completed Before the Governor can HOW TO APPLY letters of support or certifi- Governor’s Office will care- C-File and other sources. Commutation Application to grant a pardon application FOR A PARDON – cates of achievement. Explain fully review each commu- HOW TO APPLY FOR the Governor’s Office. You to someone who has two or REAPPLICATION extraordinary circumstances tation application and con- A COMMUTATION may, but are not required more felony convictions (in If you submitted a pardon that justify restoration of fire- sider: OF SENTENCE to, submit additional infor- different cases), a majority of application, either by a direct arm rights. Please do not send • the impact of a commu- COMMUTATION – mation or copies of relevant the California Supreme Court application or by a Certificate original documents because tation on the community, in- REAPPLICATION documents in support of must first recommend a grant of Rehabilitation to a prior gov- application materials cannot be cluding whether the grant is If you submitted a com- your application, such as let- of clemency. The Governor’s ernor and did not receive notice returned; and consistent with public safety mutation application to a ters of support or certificates Office will send the California of a pardon grant, your applica- • Submit a completed Notice and in the interests of jus- prior governor and did not of achievement. Please do Supreme Court the pardon ap- tion is deemed closed. If you of Intent to Apply for Clem- tice; receive notice of a commu- not send original documents plication and all related docu- submitted a pardon applica- ency to the district attorney(s) • the age and circumstanc- tation grant, your applica- because application materi- ments for their review. tion in the last three years and in the county or counties of the es of the offense and the sen- tion is deemed closed. If you als cannot be returned; and INVESTIGATION & would like Governor Newsom conviction(s) for the offense(s) tence imposed, and the age submitted a commutation • Submit a completed No- REVIEW to re-open and consider it, you for which you are requesting a of the applicant at the time; application in the last three tice of Intent to Apply for The Board of Parole Hear- may re-apply for a pardon. To pardon. • the applicant’s self- years and would like Gover- Clemency to the district at- ings investigates pardon ap- re-apply for a pardon you must If you would like to request development and conduct nor Newsom to re-open your torney in the county of the plications for the Governor’s take the following step: forms by mail, please send a since the offense, includ- prior application and consid- conviction for your commit- Office. In deciding whether to • Submit a completed letter to: Office of the Gover- ing whether the applicant er it, you may submit a Re- ment offense; and grant a pardon, the Governor’s Reapplication for Clemency nor, State Capitol, Attn: Legal has made use of available application for Clemency. To • Submit an authorization Office will carefully review Form. Do not re-submit your Affairs/Clemency, Sacramen- rehabilitative programs and re-apply for a commutation: for release of medical infor- each application and consider: original application or other to, CA 95814. has identified and addressed • Submit a completed Re- mation if you are applying treatment needs; application for Clemency for a commutation because • the applicant’s need for a Form. Do not re-submit your you are suffering from a commutation; and original application or other terminal illness or have a • the applicant’s plans documents unless requested severe and chronic disability upon release from custody. to do so by the Governor’s that would be substantially ÂN XÁ Applicants will be no- Office. mitigated by release from Những ai đã từng bị buộc tội xin ân xá cho Tòa Tối Cao của for Clemency Form) với đầy tified when the Governor • Submit an authorization prison or reduction of sen- tại tiểu bang California có thể California để được xét nghiệm. đủ tin tức vào đó. Không nên takes action on a commuta- for release of medical infor- tence. nạp đơn xin ân xá. Thống đốc ĐIỀU TRA VÀ XÉT nạp lại bản chánh hay bất cứ tion application. mation if you are applying If you would like to re- tiểu bang California không thể DUYỆT giấy tờ gì khác trừ khi được sự INVESTIGATION & for a commutation because quest forms by mail, please ân xá cho bất cứ ai bị buộc tội Hội Đồng Giám Thị Tù yêu cầu từ văn phòng Thống REVIEW you are suffering from a send a letter to: Office of ngoài tiểu bang hay liên bang. Nhân sẽ xét duyệt đơn xin ân Đốc hay là văn phòng Giám The Board of Parole Hear- terminal illness or have a the Governor, State Capitol, Có hai cách để nạp đơn xin xá cho văn phòng của Thống Thị Tù Nhân. ings, a division of the Cali- severe and chronic disability Attn: Legal Affairs/Clemen- ân xá tại California: Một là Đốc. Để quyết định cho hợp lý ĐƠN XIN ÂN XÁ MỚI fornia Department of Cor- that would be substantially cy, Sacramento, CA 95814. Giấy Chính Nhận Cải Huấn một sự ân xá nào, văn phòng Những người xin ân xá (Certificate of Rehabilitation) của Thống Đốc sẽ thận trọng mà thích hợp với Giấy Chính và thứ hai là xin Trực Tiếp Ân xem xét mỗi trường hợp. Nhận Cải Huấn thì được Xá (Direct Pardon). • Sự ảnh hưởng của sự ân xá khuyến khích chọn cách đó Đơn xin Ân Xá Qua Giấy đối với gia đình và cộng đồng để xin ân xá. Liên lạc với văn Chính Nhận Cải Huấn (Par- của người nạp đơn, bao gồm phòng Luật Sư Biện Hộ của ÂN XÁ GIẢM ÁN don Application by Certificate với sự an nguy của xã hội và nhà nước (Public Defender’s of Rehabilitation): Việc đầu hợp đáng với công lý, và nếu có Office) nơi bạn đã, cư ngụ để tiên cần làm để nạp đơn xin quan hệ, bất cứ trường hợp đặc biết thêm chi tiết. Từ Văn Phòng Thống Đốc xin. Cuộc điều tra sẽ bao gồm LÀM THẾ NÀO ĐỂ TÁI ân xá là yêu cầu Giấy Chính biệt nào chứng minh hồi phục Để nạp đơn xin ân xá từng Những ai đã bị kết tội hình việc duyệt sét lý lịch tiền án NỘP ĐƠN XIN ÂN XÁ Nhận Cải Huấn từ tòa án lại quyền sỡ hửu súng ống hay qua sự trực tiếp với Thống sự và đang thụ án tại Califor- của đơn sự, hồ sơ lưu giử từ GIẢM ÁN thượng phẩm trong quận mà là ban ân xá cho những trường Đốc lần đầu tiên hay là lần nia có thể nộp đơn xin thống tòa và cảnh sát, hồ sơ C-File, Nếu bạn đã nộp đơn xin người nạp đơn đã từng trú hợp phạm tội tình dục; đầu tiên trong vòng ba năm, đốc giảm án. Để đưa ra quyết và những dử liệu khác về đơn ân xá giảm án với cựu thống ngụ. Một khi tòa chấp thuận • Số tuổi thành niên và bạn cần phải theo hai bước định giảm án, Văn Phòng sự trong thời gian thụ án. đốc và đã không nhận được Giấy Chính Nhận Cải Huấn trường hợp lúc phạm tội, và này: Thống Đốc sẽ cẩn thận duyệt LÀM THẾ NÀO ĐỂ NỘP lệnh ân xá, hồ sơ của bạn của người nạp đơn, tòa tại tuổi tác khi nạp đơn xin ân xá; • Gởi một tờ đơn Xin Ân đơn theo những điều kiện ĐƠN XIN ÂN XÁ GIẢM kể như đã bị đóng. Nếu bạn quận này phải gởi tờ phát lệnh • Sự phát triễn và hạnh kiễm Xá (Pardon Application) với dưới đây: ÁN đã nộp đơn xin ân xá giảm đến cho văn phòng của Thống của người xin ân xá từ khi đầy đủ tin tức đến văn phòng • Tầm ảnh hưởng của lệnh Nếu bạn nộp đơn lần đầu án trong vòng 3 năm qua Đốc để xét duyệt cho được ân phạm tội, bao gồm những hoạt của Thống Đốc. Bạn có thể ân xá trên cộng đồng nếu đơn tiên hoặc lần đầu tiên trong và muốn Thống Đốc New- xá. Người nạp đơn không cần động tham gia vào các trương gởi nhưng không cần thiết bổ được chấp thuận có thích hợp vòng 3 năm qua, bạn cần som mở lại hồ sơ của bạn để phải làm thêm bất cứ gì trừ trình cải huấn và nhận biết xung thêm bất cứ dữ hay liệu với việc an ninh công cọng và làm những điều sau: duyệt sét, bạn có thể tái nộp khi được sự liên lạc từ văn được những yếu tố cần thiết để tài liệu thích đáng để trợ giúp công lý hay không. • Gởi mẫu đơn Com- đơn xin ân xá. Bạn cần làm phòng của Thống Đốc hay là thay đổi cuộc đời; cho hồ sơ của mình, chẳng • Thời điểm, hoàn cảnh, và mutation Application đến những điều sau: văn phòng của Hội Giám Thị • Và lý do của người nạp hạn như các lá thư ủng hộ và án phạt của sự phạm tội cũng với Văn Phòng Thống Đốc. • Gởi mẫu đơn Reappli- Tù Nhân (Board of Parole đơn ân xá. giấy chính nhận thành đạt. như tuổi tác của đơn sự lúc Văn Phòng không bắt buột, cation for Clemency Form. Hearings). Người xin ân xá sẽ được Giải thích rõ ràng cho trường phạm tội. nhưng bạn cũng có thể kèm Đừng gởi lại bản gốc trước Đơn Xin Ân Xá Qua Sự thông báo khi Thống Đốc xét hợp đặt biệt nào có thể hồi • Hạnh kiểm và sự tự cải theo những dử liệu hoặc giấy đây hay bất cứ tài liệu gì Trực Tiếp Với Thống Đốc duyệt hồ sơ. phục lại chủ quyền sở hữu huấn của đơn sự kể từ lúc tờ có liên quan đến việc ũng khác, chỉ khi nào Văn Phòng (Pardon Application by Di- CÁCH TÁI LẬP NẠP súng ống của mình. Làm ơn phạm pháp, xem ra đơn sự có hộ đơn xin, chẳn hạn như yêu cầu bạn mà thôi. rect Request to the Governor): ĐƠN XIN ÂN XÁ đừng gởi bản chánh của hồ sơ mượn cơ hội theo học những thư ũng hộ hoặc chứng chỉ • Gởi mẫu authorization Cách thứ hai để được xin ân (REAPPLICATION) bởi vì những giấy tờ này sẽ chương trình tự cải thiện có thành tụ. Xin vui lòng đừng for release of medical infor- xá là gởi đơn đến thẳng văn Nếu như bạn đã từng nạp không được trả lại; sẳn của nhà tù và đã biết nhận gởi bản chính vì văn phòng mation nếu bạn nộp đơn xin phòng của Thống Đốc. đơn xin ân xá qua Giấy Chính • Gởi một tờ đơn Thông diện khuyết điểm cũng như sẻ không gởi trả lại tài liệu. ân xá vì bị mắc bịnh hiểm Cả hai trường hợp này, Nhận Cải Huấn hay là qua Báo Xin Lệnh Khoan Hồng cố gắn học cách sửa đổi. • Gởi mẫu Notice of Intent nghèo hoặc bị bịnh nặng người nạp đơn phải thông báo trực tiếp với Thống Đốc của (Notice of Intent to Apply for • Đơn sự có nhu cầu cần to Apply for Clemency cho và tàn tật lâu năm mà chỉ cho công tố viên trong quận nhiệm kỳ vừa qua và không Clemency) tới văn phòng của được ân xá. văn phòng biện lý nơi quận có việc được thả hay giảm mà đã từng bị bị buộc tội là được thông báo ân xá, tức là công tố viên nơi bạn đã từng • Kế hoạch của đơn sự sau hạt mà bạn đã bị kết tội. án mới có thể làm thoa dịu bạn đã gởi đơn xin ân xá. đơn của bạn đã bị đống lại. bị buộc tội, và tội danh mà khi được thả. • Gởi mẫu authorization được. Trước khi Thống Đốc chấp Nếu bạn nạp đơn trong vòng bạn đang xin được ân xá. Đơn sự sẻ được thông báo for release of medical infor- Nếu bạn muốn yêu cầu thuận ban ân xá cho những ai ba năm trước và muốn được Nếu bạn muốn yêu cầu đơn nếu Thống Đốc ban lệnh ân mation nếu bạn nộp đơn xin đơn qua thư tín, xin vui lòng có từ hai tiền án trở lên (tùy Thống Đốc Newsom mở hồ sơ xin ân xá qu thư, làm ơn gửi xá. ân xá vì bị mắc bịnh hiểm gởi thư qua địa chỉ sau: Of- theo trường hợp), phần đông để xét duyệt, bạn có thể tái lập một lá thư đến: Văn phòng ĐIỀU TRA & DUYỆT SÉT nghèo hoặc bị bịnh nặng fice of the Governor, State của Tòa Tối Cao ở California nạp đơn xin ân xá lại. Để làm của Thống Đốc, Thủ Đô của Ban Hội Đồng (một đơn và tàn tật lâu năm mà chỉ Capital, Attn: Legal Affairs/ khuyến khích trước hết phải đơn xin ân xá lại, bạn phải làm Tiểu Bang, Attn: Legal Af- vị của bộ California Depart- có việc được thả hay giảm Clemency, Sacramento, CA xin ơn khoan hồng. Sau đó theo những thủ tục này: fairs/Clemency, Sacramento, ment of Corrections and Re- án mới có thể làm thoa dịu 95814 văn phòng của Thống Đốc sẽ • Nạp vào một tờ đơn Xin CA 95814. habilitation) sẽ điều tra đơn được. —Dịch giả: Danny Hồ gởi hồ sơ có liên quan đến đơn Khoan Hồng (Reapplication — Dịch giả: Tú Trần June 2019 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 17 Kevin D. Sawyer Honorary NEWS BRIEFS 1. Alabama—The Depart- ment of Justice issued a re- Award from PEN America port that showed how over- crowding, poor conditions, it is to be a team player — 44 to nothing, we’re taught inadequate staffing, and BOOK REVIEW because none of us are in to play hard the full game. deliberate indifference from this world alone, because Vince Lombardi once said, prison officials contributed we’re interdependent on “I never lost a football game, to a rise in violence, sexual By Juan Haines each other. I just ran out of time.” abuse, and extortion, The Senior Editor JH: Talk about the JH: Talk about three Appeal reports. The prob- patriarchal perspective of your writings that best lem became known after San Quentin News staffer, in that boys don’t cry — describe your style. prisoners held hunger strikes Kevin D. Sawyer received an specifically when you broke KDS: My writings pose and posted videos showing honorable mention by PEN your finger and you didn’t the classic “Man verses abuse on the internet. Assis- America. Out of thousands quit or tell anyone so that State” scenario, sort of tant Attorney General Eric of submission annually, it’s a you could stay on the field. Kafkaesque. I try to push S. Dreiband and three U.S. 4. Frackville, Pa—A jobs ligation, if the person who big deal in the prison literary KDS: It was part of people to think, generally attorneys wrote a letter to fair held inside a maximum- is owed agrees; or convert world. the thinking of that time, from a political perspective. Governor Kay Ivey that said, security prison allows in- the obligation to community JH: What does getting an and it’s probably still the In my creative writing “In particular we have rea- mates nearing their release service and complete those honorable mention by PEN thinking today. Boys are class, I’ve also written The sonable cause to believe that date a chance to talk face-to- hours. America mean to you? generally taught by men Award Winner’s Idiom and Alabama routinely violates face with potential employ- 6. Ohio—Gov. Mike DeWine KDS: PEN America’s to be tough. Tears were Power Distribution. Both the constitutional rights of ers, as well as representatives announced last May a number honorable mention raises my a sign of weakness was deal with men facing state- prisoners housed in Alabama from community colleges, of reforms to the state’s pa- creative writing profile to a the underlying message. sanctioned psychological prisons by failing to protect religious organizations and role board. For the first time, national level, in addition to But that was part of the and physical violence. My them from prisoner-on-pris- self-help groups, The Ed- offenders eligible for parole the same type of recognition psychology coaches used characters try to slow the oner violence and prisoner- wardsville Intelligencer re- will be allowed to take part I’ve received for writing to keep us focused on what state’s gradual march toward on-prisoner sexual abuse, ports. The event was part of in their hearings before the as a journalist through the was important, and that was totalitarianism. That’s what and by failing to provide safe a state Department of Cor- full board, and such meetings Society of Professional the team and the game. It’s all the movements are about conditions.” rections effort to get inmates will soon be live streamed Journalists and receiving why I tried to push through today. If someone doesn’t 2. Louisiana—The Louisi- ready to return to their com- online to the public cleve- The James Aronson Award practice with a shattered come away with something ana House Criminal Justice munities. More than 90% of land.com reports. In addition, for Social Justice Journalism. finger. But as a man more profound to think about Committee voted 9-6 last the estimated 46,000 people all parole board members It’s always encouraging than 40 years removed from my characters’ point May to permit people once in state correctional facilities will be required to undergo to receive recognition. It from that experience, it’s of view, what’s the point in convicted of felonies to be return home after serving training on legal updates, in- means I’m probably doing easier to understand why it writing? included in jury pools, Nola. their sentences. The job fairs, terviewing skills, and effec- something right. was necessary to condition JH: Do you know what com reports. Under the cur- which began last year, and tive communication. Before JH: What inspired Triple young men to operate that story you’re going to submit rent law, the only way those are held annually at each of an inmate’s parole hearing, Sessions? way. But it wasn’t about to PEN this year? with felony convictions can the state’s 24 prisons. Nation- board members will have to KDS: The start of football weakness or the game, KDS: I’m thinking of serve on a jury if the gover- wide, nearly 600,000 people meet with prison agency staff season always makes me none of that. It was about submitting a memoir-based nor pardons them. The bill are released from state and for “first-hand feedback” on look back at the years I life. That’s what we were story my sister encouraged would allow convicted felons federal prisons each year, ac- the inmate’s conduct and re- played high school football. preparing for. me to write about the to be called for jury duty once cording to the Bureau of Jus- habilitation progress. The pa- I was reading a couple books JH: Talk about violence struggle of two African- they have been off parole or tice Statistics. Around 19,000 role board will also do more about football a few years being part of the game. Americans earning their probation for five years. people are release annually to weigh the seriousness of ago and they made me recall KDS: People tend to put college degree. That’s a 3. New York City—Under from the state’s prisons. any infractions a potential the science behind the game. violence in one bucket, like recurring theme in our a new law jail detainees no 5. Florida—After voters parolee has on their prison re- It made me think about the it’s all negative. Sometimes community, but it’s an longer have to pay to make approved last year a consti- cord. Another reform simpli- days in the summer when we fail to look at violence as important subject when you calls from the City Jail, the tutional amendment restor- fies the parole process where we practiced three times a part of American football, consider our history in this New York Post reports. The ing formerly incarcerated there are no objections to an day. It was like boot camp, wrestling, MMA, basketball country. move will cost taxpayers $8 felons' voting rights, Repub- inmate’s release. Inmates but there was so much more being a contact sport, even million a year, according to licans in both chambers have recommended for parole by involved. Only a boy who’s soccer or rugby, but that city officials. All detainees passed a provision requiring the board will no longer auto- played multiple seasons of doesn’t necessarily make it receive 21 minutes of free they pay any outstanding matically head to a full board high school football can a bad thing, as long as it’s phone privileges every three court fees and fines before hearing, though a full hearing understand what it was to controlled. When you can hours. Individual calls can they can vote, according to will still take place if request- have been a member on control your violence like last up to 15 minutes each. an American Civil Liberties ed by the victim, the victim’s a football team and all it in sports, that’s the ultimate The free calls can be made Union (ACLU) of Florida re- family, victims’ services staff took to be a part of that self-control. Somewhere “during all lock-out periods” port. The amendment, which or the board chair. The Ohio team. It’s like solider who in the story, I wrote that — when inmates are allowed excludes those convicted of Department of Rehabilitation goes through basic training violence in football has to out of their cells — and during murder and felony sexual as- and Correction will create a and combat, you’ll always be tempered with discipline. an established “emergency” sault, would give up to 1.5 program to offer volunteer remember that—hopefully In a way, it makes sense basis if a Department of million people with felony “navigators” to help guide more good than bad. But, in because we’re all animals, Correction captain approves. convictions the ability to inmates through their parole the end, it was never about but as men we have the The policy permits calls to vote. The bill approved by hearing process. The DRC the sport, it was about the ability to think at a higher anywhere in the US and its the Statehouse gives felons will also set up a new reentry life lesson of teamwork. level. Because of that, we territories, including Puerto who owe three options: pay program to offer parolees ap- JH: How does the can change our behavior. A Rico, the US Virgin Island in full; obtain a court’s dis- propriate life skills, based on inspiration for the story fit lot of people don’t learn that, and American Samoa. missal of the financial ob- the age of the inmate. into how you see yourself but that’s what a good coach today as opposed to then? teaches. They also teach us KDS: I realize even to not quit. Never. No matter Photo by Peter Merts more today how important what. Even if the score is Kevin D. Sawyer Some New York state prisoners The uplifting experience of given free electronic tablets By Leonard F. Brown grievances and make phone JPay is expected to make Journalism Guild Writer calls. nearly $9 million dollars off Good Friday at San Quentin The tablets don’t have Wi- all content purchases by in- Some New York state Fi capabilities, and all content mates and their families and Watson Allison, who spent “I have a lot of support make the best decision of your prisoners have been issued access by inmates, must be friends in its first five years of more than 30 years on San from people checking-in life by accepting Jesus.” computers that give them pre-approved by state author- the program. Quentin’s Death Row, was one with me,” he said. “People He emphasized that Jesus limited access to a variety ities, the story reported The company has been of many in awe of sunset ser- come over to me just to see Christ was not murdered--he of features including music, “This month we will acti- criticized for what prisoner vices for Good Friday — the how I’m doing. That’s en- sacrificed his life to save us. movies and emails. vate secure messaging, which advocates call exploitative day Jesus Christ was crucified. riching to the soul.” Vadim Zakharchenko, 32, “This program will better are messages sent via a secure fees, reported Bronx Justice Allison stood inside the Nine long, fresh palm gave a tearful sermon that prepare incarcerated indi- connection network through News. Protestant Chapel as light fil- branches sat on the chapel brought attending men-in-blue viduals to return to a society a kiosk in each facility and Tablets are expected to tered through its blue-tinted stage. They shared the stage to their feet. Zakharchenko dominated by technology only to members of the pub- be given to the 50,000-plus windows, dusk approached with the cross at the center. said that, in the past, he came while also increasing social lic who have pre-registered to prisoners within Department and men-in-blue mingled. The palms stretched, nearly to church only semi-commit- interactions with family and receive messages from spe- of Corrections and Commu- Listening to Raul Higgins touching the chapel ceiling. A ted to Jesus Christ. He became friends,” a prison spokesper- cific incarcerated individuals nity Supervision by Septem- slapped the congas, Albert lone branch lay sideways on tired of living that way, and son told Bronx Justice News. at the pilot facilities,” a cor- ber, corrections officials said. Flagg’s fingers danced on the the stage’s steps. after a conversation with his The computers are provid- rections spokesperson told piano while Greg Dixon rang Chaplin Mardi Ralph Jack- mother, he became fully com- ed free by JPay, but inmates the newspaper. The Sentencing Project out his piping organ. Dixon son stood at the rear of the mitted to Jesus Christ. pay for content and services. Some content is free, but reported that Blacks are switched to a Fender guitar, chapel as 34-year-old Car- George E. Moss, 49, shared The devices were pro- most comes at a price. The incarcerated at 5.1 times the adding a new dynamic to the rington Russelle took the stage his experience in administra- vided initially to general cost of a single email mes- rate of white people. While drumming of Sincere Carter to share his addition to the tive segregation in isolation population inmates at three sage on a JPay tablet is 35 the racial composition of over Leonard “Funky Len” sermon. after catching the flu. The ex- female facilities and two cents, with bundle discounts the general population is 62 Walker’s bass guitar. “She spends more time with perience restored his faith, and youth facilities as part of a available, officials told Bronx percent White, 13 percent Edward Dewayne Brooks us than she does with her fam- helped him understand God’s new pilot program, the April Justice News. In some fa- Black, and 17 percent stood stage left, clapping and ily,” Russelle said about Chap- wisdom. 6 story reported cilities elsewhere computer Hispanic, the overall state rocking in conversation with lin Jackson. He encouraged Armando R. Gonzalez’s The tablets can access a games like solitaire cost up prisoner population is 35 fellow ushers, choir members the men-in-blue to take advan- sermon grappled with where variety of e-books, music, to $7.9 and movie rentals and percent White, 38 percent and the Worship Team. tage of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. true power comes from and movies, videos, computer purchases can run from $2 to Black, and 21 percent As he listened, Allison said “We made some poor choic- why Jesus Christ sacrificed games, educational materi- $25. New York officials said Hispanic, according to the that he felt like he’s on the es to get into this blue attire,” himself. als and news stories. They they have negotiated lower Bureau of Justice Statistics right path. Russelle said. “Now you can —Juan Haines also allow prisoners to file costs for their program. in 2014. Page 18 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com June 2019 Physical Education teachers meet at The Q to hear about rehabilitation through sports By Anthony Faulk Hoffman was referring to Coach Wippel asked the to activities involving outside team come into my prison solid intermural leagues, Staff Writer the Q’s sports facilities that panel members how sports teams. and play a game against then begin to do outreach to included the well-kept base- has changed their lives? “We’ve had to sit some of and with the inmates, and it their communities. Physical Education (Recre- ball, football and soccer “I was attached to my for- our star players from very was the best thing that hap- At the end of the discus- ational Coordinator) instruc- fields, where minor and farm mer self and that person was big games because they’ve pened for both sides. We sion, Coach Gambill of CCI- tors from various CDCR insti- league players are hosted and selfish… until I became in- received 115’s for various need more help to get more Tehachapi said, “Thank you tutions visited San Quentin on the basketball court with its volved with sports inside of reasons,” said Evans. “We’re people inside (of prisons) to to all inmates who shared March 12 to check out The Q’s fiberglass backboards and prison, specifically here at about building character and connect community to the their experiences and insight recreational program and see breakaway rims, that hosted San Quentin. Then the ra- protecting the program, it’s convicted.” about SQ and the programs if any of it can be replicated at members of professional cial and social barriers began not all about winning. We When asked about his that are provided.” He said their institution. sports organizations such as to fall, and I could become want to win, but we want to thoughts on the power of re- he thought the SQAA was The group of 10 coaches, as the Golden State Warriors. who I was meant to be. This win the right way.” habilitation in sports, Aaron “very professional, well- the instructors are referred to The visiting group included is part of how sports helps to “We want to win with hu- Taylor, the SQNews Sports spoken and sincere in their by many incarcerated people, 10 coaches including Coach rehabilitate a person,” replied mility and lose with honor,” Editor and SQAA board stories of how athletics have toured the prison and par- Padilla, PBSP; Principal Rob Polizen, coach of the SQ said Coach Williams of the member --talked about his contributed to their rehabili- ticipated in a panel discussion Hoffman , Kern Valley Adult Hardtimers Softball team. SQ Athletics. coaching and sports orga- tative process, stress relief, with their SQ counterpart, K. School; Coach Gambill, CCI- Anthony Evans added, “What can we do at nization experience starting and in providing participants Bhatt, members of the San Tehachapi; and Coach Wippel, “I’m a runner with the 1000 (CDCR) headquarters to help at Centinela State Prison, an opportunity to give back.” Quentin Athletic Association CSP-Corcoran. Also present Mile Club as well as the SQ facilitate this move towards where he arranged coopera- “The heartfelt conviction and Media Broadcasting that was Alicia Legarda, M.Ed., Warriors head coach. Sports incorporating sports as part of tion between ethnic groups from the SQ panel members are made up of incarcerated the Student Support Services has helped me to connect to the rehabilitation?” asked Ali- to start a basketball league confirmed that fitness and persons. Administrator from the Office others in ways I hadn’t be- cia Legarda. that contributed to 38 sports in the prison system is “For years I’ve heard about of Correctional Education. fore because I had to become Williams and Evans both months without any racial key to rehabilitation,” Coach the amazing recreational op- After a brief introduction mentor to others.” responded by addressing the incidents. Wippel said. portunities available to the and presentation by the San When talking about par- need for CDCR to invest the “When people have some- Taylor said it was good to inmate population at San Quentin Athletic Association ticipation, visiting coaches time and resources to make thing to do, they will choose meet with the visiting coach- Quentin,” said Principal Hoff- made up of the incarcerated were visibly impressed when connections with local profes- positive behavior,” Taylor es and have the opportunity man, Kern Valley State Prison coaches of the San Quentin’s the panel members stated that sional, collegiate, junior col- said. “When they feel hu- to present the value of the Adult School principal. “See- intermural teams, the panel it was they themselves who leges and adult leagues near man they start to take ac- SQAA, adding “If you in- ing them for the first time is was opened up for discussion upheld accountability stan- institutions. countability because they vest in sports as a way to re- impressive! … The Q is the about how sports can sup- dards that have to be met to Coach Hollyand from Va- want more of the action.” habilitate and figure out way standard that the other 34 pris- port the rehabilitative goals of be involved in the sports pro- caville echoed these views, Taylor said that each in- to get people and you’ll be ons in California are chasing.” CDCR. grams, especially as it relates “I had a Christian Softball stitution should first build amazed at the results.” SQ Kings Round Up SQ Warriors Round Up Shocking 3-0 victory for Slyvester hits game winning free throws Jordan scores 27 points to the Earthquakes in Kings victory beat the Warriors By Tare Beltranchuc of the visiting team. The strat- Journalism Guild Writer egy paid off immediately. By Aaron Taylor “The Destroyer” Wohl, who Jorge Lopez-Meza, Earth- Sports Editor scored 30pts. The Quakes scored their quakes striker, scored in At the end of regulation, first victory of the season, minute 33. The goal created SAN QUENTIN the score was tied 69-69 as crushing the Outsiders 3-0. an eruption by the fans, who KINGS Allan “PTSB” McIntosh tied On April 30, the Outsid- shouted “Gooool!!!.” SQ Kings records: 1-3 .250 the game with a layup, leaving ers walked into the SQ field In the second half, the Out- 4/22/2019: only a :04 on the game clock. with a squad of 16 players for siders attacked, looking to cut In the fourth game of the However, late in the over- their second match of the sea- down the lead. However, their season, the SQ Kings loss to time period, the Warriors son. After being warmly wel- effort was overshadowed by The Bittermen 60-54. The Bit- were up by four points with comed, each team stretched a goal from Carlos Ramirez, termen were lead once again 1:27 left in the game, and as the coaches prepared their who scored the second goal for by Ryan “The Rifleman” missed several shots, which line-ups. the Quakes in the 50th minute. Steer, who dropped 20pts, and led to the Green Team victory. Angel “Pinocho” Villa- In minute 85, Rolando Tut, the Kings were led by Joshua The SQ Warriors were led fan said to the new players a striker for the Earthquakes, “JB3” Burton with 13pts. by the dynamic duo of McIn- of the visiting team, “Don’t broke away in a fast break, 5/4/2019: tosh and Anthony ‘1/2 Man be scared of us. We are just but the goalie blocked his first With :05 remaining on the ½ Amazing’ Ammons, both teddy bears with tattoos“, attempt to score. Luckily, the clock, and the score 65-63 in with 15pts. which caused everyone to ball bounced off the goalie’s favor of the Kings, Charles 5/4/2019: The Green Team laugh. body, giving Rolando another “Pookie” Slyvester secured a Photo by Eddie Herena, SQN returned with Jordan Mick- In the first 20 minutes, the chance. He then softly kicked Kings win by hitting two free SQ Warrior on tip-off game ens, who scored 27 points in Outsiders were hustling and it in to seal the victory for the throws, making the final score a 93-85 victory over the War- began to play collaboratively, Earthquakes 3-0. 67-63. 18 points, while the visiting As of 5/4/2019, the Warriors riors. with quick passes back and Seeing how the soccer pro- “I didn’t score a bucket all Trailblazers were led by Geof- are 1-2 on the season. “It’s been a while since I’ve forth to each other. They were gram transforms the players’ game,” Slyvester said with a frey “Free” with 17 points. 4/22/2019In the second been here,” said Jordan. “I had breaking down the left side of lives, Andrew Crawford, a laugh. “Feels good to step to As of 5/4/2019, The SQ game of the season, the SQ long hair the last time I was the defense with one-touch soccer sponsor for SQ, de- the line and knock down some Kings are 2-3 on the season. Warriors fell to Bill Epling’s here, now I’m back... yeah, I passes, creating countless op- scribed his vision of estab- big shots. We needed that “Green Team,” in an exciting channeled Air Jordan today.” portunities that could have lishing a soccer program in win.” The Kings were led by SAN QUENTIN overtime game 82-78. The The Warriors were led by ended up as goals. the Prison of Folsom. Coach Derrick “Outloud” Gray with WARRIORS Green team was led by Dan Allan Mcintosh with 18 pts. Refugio, “El Tuca” Juarez Robinson said, “Tell those and Garvin Robinson, Coach- guys that if we could play es of the SQ Earthquakes, with them, we would demol- made some substitutions on ish them.” Jack ‘Big Body Benz’ Benford the defense to stop the attack The Quakes are 1-1-1. Student Athlete of the Month Throwback Pic from the Q Jack ‘Big Body Benz’ Benford played football off gotten older, but can still Violent Communication), Kit June 1980 Handball Benford has been a sports and on over the next 8 years, move; the Big Man game is CAT, and others. staple at The Q since his ar- but also took time to keep perfect for us because we still —Aaron Taylor rival from CTF-Soledad in statistics for the various bas- love the game, Champions November 2011. ketball leagues here at The Q: just a little hard- He began his sports ca- Kings, Warriors, Intramural er to run after reer at The Q with the All- and the CBL. these younger Madden team. “All Madden “Well, there was a need to athletes,” Ben- Flag Football was kind of have accurate stats being kept ford said with soft here,” Benford stated. for the games, and basketball a smile. “And? “They played a more tech- – like most sports – is about I still love my nical style due to them keeping numbers, and what a Meat & Potatoes playing teams from out- players tendencies are based too.” side. However, at Soledad, on the numbers. Just like in Benford is we played hard hitting flag fantasy football, numbers are close to earning football. Football, even important,” Benford stated his Associate with flags, still has the hit- during the interview. Arts degree ting element, and All Mad- Also in basketball, Benford through Prison den wasn’t really ready for has played in the “Meat & Po- U n i v e r s i t y what was coming from oth- tatoes Basketball Game,” an Project, as well er institutions.” annual event for guys at The taking part Benford first played Cen- Q that must meet a minimum in Self Help ter for the West Block War- of 225lbs. groups such as locks, the first team formed “I love the ‘Meat & Pota- CGA (Criminals to play against SQ All Mad- toes’ game. Some of us have and Gangsters den within the prison. The gotten bigger over the years, Anonymous), Photo by Eddie Herena, SQN Photo from San Quentin News Archives Warlocks won both games. but we’re still athletes. We’ve NVC (Non Jack Benford Ronnie Acosta and Juan Gomez June 2019 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 19 “The Facets of Markelle: Past, Present and Future”

Photo by Eddie Herena, SQN Photo courtesy of Frank Rouna Markell running at SQ Markell Taylor getting at the finish line at the Boston's Marathon By Adamu Chan As fellow 1000 Mile Club Close friend and competi- By Rahsaan Thomas He ran for charity this year Club and all lifers in prisons in Journalism Guild Writer member, Rashaan Thomas tor Chris Scull explains it in Contributing Writer which put him in the fourth California. said, “His training spoke to this way, “What I got from heap. His results qualified him “You guys were with me in For the last several years, his focus. He broke records, him was a higher purpose Since leaving The Q, to run in the 1st wave next year. spirits.” Markelle Taylor has become then broke his own. He has of running – my victims, Markelle “The Gazelle” Taylor While running Markelle “He didn’t seem tired after synonymous with the San all of the significant (re- my community, not just my has ran in the Boston Mara- said he kept thinking about the race,” said film director Quentin 1000 Mile Running cords)”. health. He dedicated every thon. His training regimen has the 1000 Mile Club to keep his Christine Yoo. “He looked Club. Now that he has com- Markelle’s work ethic run to a cause. It could be changed a bit though: Taylor focus. like he could still go.” pleted the Boston Marathon, was second to none and fel- his victim, it could be his trains on Mt. Tam, as well “It was the 1000 Mile Club Coach Kevin Rumon went and is off to conquer the low runners would marvel daughter who had lupus.” as having a new diet to stay at San Quentin that prepared to the Boston marathon, world of competitive run- at the drive of a man who it Markelle’s legacy is a tes- healthy for races. me for it. I had to run around where he roomed with Taylor. ning, it seems like a good op- seemed running came easy tament to the power of pur- “I eat a whole lot healthier thousands of people. I was “Kevin was a great help, portunity to reflect back on to. “Markelle worked hard pose and hard work. As the now. I get to train better too,” in the fourth wave with over great support,” Taylor said. his legacy at San Quentin. and was big into doing speed men of San Quentin watch Taylor said. “I train on Mt. 32,000 people and only 300 “He’s a good coach . No one Markelle was San Quen- work”, says fellow club him from afar, ensconced Tam, but, Mt. Tam trails ain’t behind me.” can replace Frank though.” tin’s finest runner during his member Troy Dunmore, “he in the race of life in the free nothing because I had it harder Taylor, who picks a cause When asked about how time here, a prodigy who not would run 200 and 400 yard world, he still is an inspira- in prison. My next marathon to run for in his races, ran for he was adjusting overall to only shattered all of the exist- sprints weekly”. tion and pace setter. Thomas will be a whole lot faster.” the Urban League, a group his mew freedom, Taylor re- ing distance running records, Despite being the fastest sums it up in this way, “Be- His official time was 3:03 that helps people overcome sponded “Life is moving so but also set high standards and most visible member fore I could run 1 mile, he but his watch said 2:57:12. social and economic barriers fast out here, I’m still taking for the next generation of of the club, Markelle main- would lap me twice. It was 3:03 breaks his personal best and violence, like women who it all in.” runners who will grace the tained his humility and used like trying to keep up with record set at San Quentin this need housing. Unofficially, he —Aaron Taylor contributed Lower Yard at The Q. his skill to inspire others. a gazelle”. year. 3:10. (by 7 minutes) also represented the 1000 Mile to this story San Quentin A’s Season Opener By Aaron Taylor It also must be mentioned hind as well) and was also partment overall, as well as from players around Robin- The A’s have a full slate Sports Editor that she’s in her eighties. awarded an honorary SQ A’s the first SQAA baseball cap. son. of teams coming in this sea- Public Information Offi- jersey with his last name on “How many hats can one For the first five innings, son, from a military team to With 2 ceremonial pre- cer Lt. Sam Robinson threw the back. Then, he received man wear?” one of the play- Rob ‘Big Smooth’ Polizen DodgerTown from Los An- game pitches, one by an oc- the second pitch (from the his SQAA plaque and award ers asked that drew a laugh was on the mound, only giv- geles, as well as a returning togenarian, and a national mound, with some heat be- for service to the athletic de- ing up one run. He was fol- team from last season based anthem complete with the lowed by new pitching sen- in Seattle. presentation of the Stars and sation, Carrington ‘Suit & It’ll be good to see how Bars, the San Quentin Ath- Tie’ Russell. He also gave up the season turns out. letics opened their season one run in his debut. with a 16-3 thrashing of the Russell is unique because San Francisco Mission on his fastball is averaging 4/20/2019. around 77-79 mph, which is “It feels good to get back faster than many are used to to the game that we love,” seeing at The Q. said Branden Riddle-Terrell, “As I get my fundamentals veteran A’s player. “We’ve back into alignment, then been training and doing off velocity and speed will in- season work outs, it’s time crease,” said Russell. “I can for us to shine now.” easily get into the mid-eight- Coach Mike Kremer ies once I get my mechanics brought his grandmother – totally back together.” who also attended the first “It feels good to be back annual SQAA Awards – to here at The Q,” said starting the game, and she threw out Mission pitcher Big Aaron. the first of two ceremonial “We come in here and have pitches. She stood on home some really good games and Photo by Javier Jimenez, SQN plate and threw a twenty foot Photo by Javier Jimenez, SQN this team has improved dra- Coach Parratt on A's left handed strike. Lt. Sam Robinson receiving his Ahtletics’ jersey matically.” opening day game Page 20 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com June 2019 Cultural differences affect the way peoples’ sexual orientations are treated

Photo by Terry Thornton Photo by Terry Thornton ACT sponsor Billie Mizell ACT members in a class session

By Juan Haines Mike Nelson. Before the “Gender,” the class break your bones, but words visiting form and I’m taking also manages special programs Senior Editor class started, Mizell said, “I responded. will break your spirits.” baby steps. It’s for me to including policies regarding remember asking LGBTQ “What about the ‘G?’” Eddie DeWeaver chimed figure out where we go from transgender inmates and the Acting with Compassion community what they Meza asked. in to say, “These words are here.” implementation of PREA. and Truth (ACT) is a first of wanted ACT to be about. “Sexual Orientation,” precursors to violence. They Mike Adams talked The PREA Statewide its kind of prison program I kept hearing that they several participants said. demean people and are used about a time while being coordinator Captain Shannon that explores how cultural want to educate the larger Meza asked where to to justify violence.” housed in North Block that Stark noted that everybody differences affect the way community about what place “girl” on the ginger Mizell added, “When he was afraid of people like had a choice where they sat people with diverse sexual it means to be a LGBTQ bread sketch. A participant many people hear these Bankston. in the classroom. She noted orientations are treated. member in order to reduce called out, “That’s biology.” words, knowing that they are “Hearing that Nephew is that in other prisons that The group consists of the violence, build empathy Another said, “That’s in your precursors to violence, fear striving to be a better person she’d visited blacks would LGBTQ people as well and to bring both LGBTQ head.” comes into play. We all want helps me heal,” Adams said. have sat with blacks, whites as heterosexual/cisgender and women’s issues into a He went through all the to live in a place where we Bankston responded, with whites and Mexicans people. man’s prison.” words to show how gender is feel safe.” “When Mike told me that he with Mexicans. Here, she California prison officials After some preliminary constructed by various terms. R. “Nephew” Bankston feared me. That sat with me for said there’s diversity. and a journalist came to San introductions, Mizell asked “Terminology is important raised his hand and told a a long time.” Bankston looked The class ended with Quentin, on April 10, to see the group to use a couple in the way we communicate,” story about getting a rules at Adams and said, “I’m going inmate Zakir “Egypt” Jones how ACT functions. words to describe their Meza said as he drew four violation about 10 years ago, to do my best to treat you performing an original rap/ A Hmong inmate, Lee feelings about inviting guests long lines on the board and because he refused to let a better.” hop-hop song, called I know. Xiong, told a compelling that day: excited/nervous; labeled the columns, 1-Racial LGBTQ inmate become his He added, “I didn’t know She was the inspiration for story about how his culture anxious/confused; curious/ Slurs, 2-Derogatory Terms cellie. the power of words.” the song came to her in a treats gay people. awkward; and older/wiser for Women, 3- Derogatory “I’m not living with a The federal Prison Rape dream and an epiphany to He said that if a father, were just a few. Terms for LGBTQ and homosexual,” Bankston said Elimination Act (PREA) where her life was going. traditional Hmong values, After the check in, Juan 4-Terms to disparage the about how he felt. “We don’t makes sexual harassment or The entire class, including learned that his child was Meza and Michael Adams Prisoner Masculinity. do that,” he added, referring assault in prison a serious CDCR officials, had their gay, “that child would be stood in front of a white The room sat in momentary to peer pressure. crime. Amy Miller, an heads bobbing and fingers taken out fishing or hunting board. silence after the participants Bankston said he came to Associate Director for CDCR, snapping. and he’d never come back.” Meza referred to a ginger filled in the columns with prison as a teenager in 2001. asked the class, if anyone ever In a later interview, Xiong then revealed that bread sketch with brains slurs and terms. (The He then lowered his head and accepted a derogatory term Bankston said that what he his youngest brother had drawn inside the head, a majority of the terms are not said, “I know what hate looks directed at them, or used a slur learned from the ACT class, recently come out as gay. To heart inside the chest area, appropriate for publication.) like. It was a long struggle against someone else just to be he could take to the rest of gain insight to his conflict, and symbols for male, female Meza then drew a line across for me, but now I know that I accepted. Nearly all the hands his community. he sought out and had a and male/female in the the column to demonstrate have to treat people different in the class went up. “This shows that it’s conversation with people genital area. the intersectionality of the from that. When I first came Miller has more than 23 possible. It’s a good thing in the San Quentin LGBTQ Meza pointed to the heart LGBTQ community with to this class, I came just years of experience in working to see. People need to hear community. He said coming and asked what it represents. ethnic groups as well as to get a chrono (laudatory in California corrections. She your struggles. Nephew to ACT opened his awareness “Romantic attraction,” incarcerated people. informational letter), but oversees CDCR’s Female shows that it’s real,” Stark about his brother. said one participant. “When we see the when my older brother told Offender Programs and said. “This class literally saved “Sexual orientation,” said intersectionality of these me to start calling him she, Services/Special Housing. “It is important to honor my brother’s life,” Xiong another. words, we can see how we she taught me all those things The office manages and the original pilot group who said. “Right,” said Meza. ourselves give these words in my past were wrong. Now, provides oversight to the state’s built ACT,” Mizell said. ACT’s outside sponsor, “What about this?” he asked power,” Meza said. “If I’m not here for the chrono. three female correctional In addition to Meza and Billie Mizell said, Xiong’s pointing at the brain. we didn’t use these words I need to understand my facilities, Folsom State Prison, Adams, they are Michael response to his younger “Gender identity,” shouted against women, other races sister.” California Medical Facility, “Yoshi” Nelson, Lady Jae brother serves as an several participants. and the LGBTQ community, “It’s going to be a struggle California Health Care Facility, Clark, Azrall “Big Az” Ford, inspiration, “for all those Also on the board, then they’d have no power to learn,” Bankston said. community correctional Todd “Silk” Williams, C.J. brave enough to join [ACT]. LGBTQIA was written. to be used against us as “The board didn’t tell me to facilities, and three Smith, Mark Hensley, John Mizell added, “Hopefully we Meza asked what the “T” incarcerated people.” He come to this class. I’m doing conservation camps that house Windham, Philip Melendez, can soon replicate ACT in referred to. added, “Sticks and stones will it for me. I sent my sister a women wildland firefighters. It and Ray Aldridge. other prisons. Lee revealed a deep love of family and community by showing up for this group and he has worked as hard as anyone I’ve ever seen to acquire the tools needed to be a good brother and good ally. I have seen the ripple effect go far beyond the walls to bring healing an relationship to family and friends on the outside.” Holly Stuckey, a transgender inmate, quietly sat across from Mizell, She listened to inmates talk about sexual identity issues. She said she stayed away from ACT for several months, because of shyness. “I want to start coming back regularly,” Stuckey said. “I’m a meek person. Billie does a good job and that keeps me motivated to come back.” Photo by Terry Thornton Photo by Terry Thornton ACT first began four years ACT participant (front middle) Nate Collins, (left) Jerry Seanphensiki, ago as an idea presented by Brian Alejandro, Lee Xiong, Lam Le and Jerome Watts Carlos Meza and Zakir “Egypt” Jones