San Quentin News

WRITTEN BY THE INCARCERATED – ADVANCING SOCIAL JUSTICE VOL. 2021 NO. 3 February 2021 Edition 133 SAN QUENTIN, CALIFORNIA 94964 www.sanquentinnews.com POPULATION 2,561 Ella Baker: Civil and COVID vaccinations in CDCR By Vincent E. O’Bannon of administering the Moderna or visiting, programming and normal human rights activist Staff Writer Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to the ini- movement.” tial high-risk prisoners throughout San Quentin suffered a major Makeshift vaccination stations the institution. outbreak in June and by August were erected on San Quentin’s West “It is important for everyone to more than 2,000 incarcerated peo- Block yard in late January to pro- get the COVID-19 vaccine,” wrote ple had tested positive for the coro- vide those 65 and older and other Kathleen Allison, CDCR Secretary navirus and 29 had died, including vulnerable prisoners COVID-19 and J. Kelso, federal receiver, in a one correctional officer. The prison vaccination shots. Medical and cor- December joint memo to the incar- vaccine distribution and its short rectional staff were the first to re- cerated population. “Our goal is to supply loom large in the minds of ceive the vaccinations earlier that keep everyone safe, and to control some San Quentin prisoners. month. the spread so that we can safely Medical staff are in the process reopen our prisons to in-person See VACCINE on Page 5

Photo from Wikipedia Ella Baker Ella Baker was an African-Amer- Moses, whom she first mentored as ican civil rights and human rights leaders in the Student Nonviolent activist. She was a largely behind- Coordinating Committee (SNCC). the-scenes organizer whose career Baker criticized professional- spanned more than five decades. In ized, charismatic leadership; she New York City and the South, she promoted grassroots organizing, worked alongside some of the most radical democracy, and the ability noted civil rights leaders of the 20th of the oppressed to understand their century, including W. E. B. Du Bois, worlds and advocate for themselves. Photo from CDCR Thurgood Marshall, A. Philip Ran- She realized this vision most fully in Nurse administrating the COVID vaccine inside CDCR dolph, and Martin Luther King Jr. the 1960s as the primary advisor and She also mentored many emerging strategist of the SNCC. activists, such as Diane Nash, Stoke- ly Carmichael, Rosa Parks, and Bob See ELLA on Page 4 Q&A with Pulitzer Prize Black History month nominated Ear Hustle By Marcus Henderson News interviewed some on the Ear This is just me but I’m a fan of Editor in Chief Hustle staff, Earlonne Woods, Nigel the People’s Choice Award because celebrates artists Poor, Pat Mesiti-Miller and inside that’s the actual listener of people Once again Ear Hustle, San host Rahsaan Thomas. who support your stuff. We’ve been Quentin’s critically acclaimed pod- Q: How does it feel to have been nominated twice for the Peabody cast, has broken new ground. It was nominated for a Pulitzer? and Pulitzer. And stuff like that and legends nominated for the 2020 Pulitzer A: Earlonne Woods (EW): Right is cool… I don’t know how this is Prize for audio recording, It was one in the beginning of COVID dur- done. I think it’s a couple of people of the three finalists for the presti- ing shelter in place, I kept getting in a room. I don’t believe we sub- gious award. This American Life texted from people in journalism, mitted, we could’ve submitted. We with the Los Angeles Times and Vice Center for Investigative Reporting were I think us and two other peo- News won. But for a podcast pro- and Reveal. They were like “Con- ple were nominees and that’s how duced from prison to be acknowl- gratulations!” and I was like con- we found out. edged at that level is an extraor- gratulations for what? And they told dinary achievement. San Quentin me how to say it: pull-its-sir. See PULITZER on Page 5

Photo from Wikipedia Dr. Charles Drew Dr. Charles Drew (June 3, 1904 which continued the practice until -April 1950) was an American 1950. Drew attended medical school surgeon and medical researcher. at McGill University in Montreal, He researched in the field of Quebec, Canada. blood transfusions and improved He graduated second in his class techniques for blood storage. He and received a Doctor of Medicine developed large-scale blood banks and Master of Surgery degree. He in early World War II. This allowed was appointed faculty instructor medics to save thousands of lives at Howard University in pathology of the Allied forces, according to from 1935-36. Then he joined the Wikipedia. To protest the practice Freedman’s Hospital as an instruc- of racial segregation of donation of tor in surgery and assistant surgeon. blood, Drew resigned his position Photo by Eddie Herena with the American Red Cross, See DREW on Page 6 Nigel Poor, Earlonne Woods, Antwan Banks and Pat Mesiti-Miller Page 2 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com January 2021

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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY Graduate School of Journalism

Ameelio aims to provide free communication for incarcerated families

By Vincent E. O’Bannon started to consolidate the are actually offering not just Staff Writer industry. They have eight software, but the hardware percent of the market shares and broadband installation. Billion dollar companies and are in 39 states. We are Our team is very technically are making millions on the focusing our attention on sound and we would offer prison communication in- 11 states because it’s much 24-7 customer service.” dustry, primarily off of low- easier for us to get them The Colorado and Iowa income families who wish to to sign on because they departments of correctional stay in touch with an incar- wouldn’t be taking a revenue systems are on the list that cerated loved one. hit.” Orchingwa has been in Ameelio, a web-based Prisons and county jails discussion with. They are communication nonprofit, get revenue cuts from the hoping to see connections in launched an app giving fami- larger companies, so they California as well. lies free online communica- are incentivized to keep Ameelio is also meeting tion services to keep families costs high, said Orchingwa. with different colleges to and their loved ones con- As Ameelio grows, they present education programs nected. are learning how to navigate on their communications “There are billion dollar the many different national platforms. This will help companies that are profiting correctional systems to pro- build a virtual and a techno- off of vulnerable and justice vide their services. logical bridge to their pro- impacted people,” said co- “In Texas, postcards are grams for the incarcerated, founder Uzoma Orchingwa Photo courtesy of Ameelio Photo courtesy of Ameelio completely banned, so us- said Orchingwa. to SQ News. “So we founded ers can only send letters,” Uzoma Orchingwa Gabriel Saruhashi “Our vision is to build the nonprofit to usher in more said Orchingwa. “Differ- free technologies to help innovation to help families ent prisons have their own incarcerated people to re- that are impacted and are be- them have interactive games free service.” sentencing reduction or ad- arbitrary reasons for reject- connect with society,” said ing exploited.” on the back that incarcerated Orchingwa studied mass dressing the power of pros- ing content, so our customer Orchingwa. “Also, pushing The web-based app pro- people can pass the time with. incarceration and U.S. penal ecutors. I stumbled onto the success is really helpful.” more states to transition into vides letter writing, pictures “We were reading a lot of policy at the University of prison communication is- Ameelio is seeking to embracing free communica- and pre-made postcard ser- news about prisoners being Cambridge and is currently sue,” he added. launch a free prison vid- tions,” vices. Users can type letters on lockdown (due to COVID) on leave from Yale Law Orchingwa connected eo-conferencing platform Twitter and Square CEO on the website or the app. The and the lack of families be- School. Ameelio is his way to with formerly incarcerated which would be the first in Jack Dorsey, Google CEO text is then sent to a third ser- ing able to reach their loved contribute to criminal justice people on Facebook and has the country. Eric Schmidt, the Rob- vice that prints and sends the ones,” said Orchingwa. “So reform. used them as advisers to get “It’s about logistics. A lot in Hood Foundation, the letters, pictures or postcard we felt the need that our tool feedback on how to improve of facilities were not built Mozilla Foundation and the to the incarcerated friend or (platform) was going to be es- the app. with accessing Wi-Fi in mind tech nonprofit Fast Forward family member. sential during this time.” “One of our advisers, a and are difficult to connect have been donors to the The postcards are funny “Ameelio” comes from the “I’m really formerly incarcerated wom- to,” said Orchingwa. “So we startup. and inspirational. Some of word “ameliorate,” mean- passionate about an who served time in fed- ing “to make things better,” eral prison, told us that one said Gabriel Saruhashi, co- this issue. A of the major challenges for founder of the company with incarcerated women is hav- Orchingwa, to the Yale Daily number of my ing to parent their kids from News. friends were afar,” said Orchingwa. “So Ameelio is made up of she kind of implored us to Yale, Harvard, and MIT col- incarcerated,” include parental resources lege students who engineer in the mobile app.” and develop the technology. The Ameelio team under- The company services have “A number of my friends stands the challenges it faces helped more than 50,000 peo- were incarcerated,” said in competing with com- ple connect with their impris- Orchingwa to SQ News. panies such as JPay, Cor- oned loved ones throughout “That really drove me to bet- rlink, Securus Technology, the United States. ter understand this problem and Global Tel Link (GTL) “This is a good thing to and try and figure out how Corporation on prison com- offer people with loved ones we can solve it on a political munications throughout the locked away,” wrote Gene, a level. I’m really passionate nation. user on the website, accord- about this issue.” “You have American ing to the Yale News. “I’m 75 “I realized that the policy Securities, different private and have palsy in my hands... solution would take a long equity funds behind so writing is very hard for me time to come to fruition. I GTL and Securus,” said but even harder for my son to figure I can have more im- Orchingwa to SQ News. Photo courtesy of Ameelio decipher. My thanks to the pact in the immediate term. “They ended up buying Photo courtesy of Ameelio Ameelio phone app good folks who provide this While folks are working on smaller phone providers and Prototype of video visiting app on a laptop January 2021 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 3 Families bear the cost of burying loves ones lost to COVID-19 By Amir Shabazz if the body is considered un- get the money.” Another widow, Tracy Hen- The Chronicle obtained partment spokeswoman Dana Journalism Guild Writer claimed; then the individual Garcia’s burial cost more son, received a $900 crema- an itemized bill for $1,807.57 Simas told the Chronicle. “We will be cremated. than $16,000 to be buried at tion bill informing her of the from another grieving fam- offer families the ability to After losing a loved one to Most of the grieving fami- the family plot. The family had cost if she wanted to claim her ily member, who also lost a provide the burial and funeral COVID-19, families of the lies feel that they are the ones to rely on a GoFundMe page husband Melford Henson’s re- brother at CIM due to CO- arrangements according to incarcerated throughout the being punished for the CO- to raise the money, said the ar- mains. VID-19. The bill was sent their own values and tradi- California prison system must VID-19 outbreaks and deaths ticle. García died July 24. Var- Melford was housed in the from a funeral home in San tions.” bear the cost of burying their inside California’s prisons. gas expressed her frustration California Institution for Men Diego. The bill listed: $695 The department is not re- loved ones, according to the The families have to come up with CDCR and the hospital. in Chino. He died in May, for Transfer of Remains to quired to reimburse the fam- San Francisco Chronicle. “It’s with the money to get their She and her relatives called but was scheduled to parole the Funeral Home, $195 for ily for any expenses, but the a pretty disgusting policy,” loved ones’ remains released the hospital repeatedly, but all at the end of this year, said Cremation Fee, $295 for Re- law does allow them to seize said attorney Michael Bien, to them. They are billed for the their calls went to voicemail. the August Chronicle article. frigeration, $140 Charge for any funds that were on the de- who represents many Califor- shipment of the body to a local She said she only heard from Melford contracted the coro- Direct Cremation, and another ceased person’s institutional nia prisoners about their fami- mortuary and the burial site, the prison at the initial phone navirus in April. He was hos- $195 for Mailing of Cremated accounts for payment towards lies having to foot the bill to which all adds-up, said Bien. call about her brother. She pitalized and was placed on Remains. burial or cremation, said the bury them. “Nobody has money in our said the prison didn’t give her a ventilator; he died shortly “I just want to be at peace,” article. The families are not the family,” said Beverly Vargas, any information on his condi- thereafter. said the family member, who Arkansas is the only state ones that committed the whose brother Steve García tion or how to visit him while Tracy Henson was in- didn’t want to be named to the that offers assistance to fami- crimes, Bien added, according died of the virus while serving he was hospitalized. Garcia’s formed that if she didn’t Chronicle. lies who cannot pay for their to the article. his sentence in Avenal State other family members trav- want her husband’s remains, All Caring Cremations, a loved ones’ remains. The Ar- Under current policy of Prison. “Everybody’s been eled to the hospital from Ari- her husband would be con- firm in Van Nuys, has a con- kansas Department of Correc- the California Department of up all night, trying to figure zona to gain answers. sidered “unclaimed” and the tract with the CIM prison. tions cremates the body and Corrections and Rehabilita- out where to get the money to “You’re fighting tooth and state would pay, but his ashes The company just picks up the ships the remains for free to tion, all burial services and bury him. ...I mean, we’ll do nail to get anybody to answer would be scattered at sea, said bodies and temporarily stores the family, said Cindy Mur- costs are the family’s respon- whatever it takes—a car wash you,” Vargas told the Chroni- the article. them. They don’t perform phy, a department spokes- sibility. The state pays only or whatever we have to do to cle. “I cried my eyes out,” said burial services, chief opera- woman to the Chronicle. Henson. “I don’t have that tions officer Alex Matthews Families, advocates and kind of money sitting around,” told the Chronicle. attorney Bien vow to start Henson paid some of the CDCR said it tries to help litigation on the issue to the bill with her stimulus check the families of the deceased as Legislature and the gover- Denver Broncos pledge $250,000 and Melford’s sister agreed to much as possible. nor’s office. They say the pol- pay the rest, said the article. “It is our highest priority icy is cruel and discriminates “I wanted the ashes at my to respect the traditional and against those who do not have to social justice programs home,” said Henson, about her religious beliefs of the loved the money for sudden bills, By Timothy Hicks and Breonna Taylor, the Bron- added two other programs, husband. “And I have them ones of the incarcerated per- said the article. Sports Editor cos administration reaffirmed “We Stand For” and “Broncos now. They’re right next to my son who have passed away “This is basic human de- its stance. “We are committed Inspire Change.” bed.” while in CDCR custody,” de- cency here,” said Bien. The Denver Broncos are to following through for [the The team has weekly so- committed to social justice team] and keeping it going as cial justice Power Hour meet- and reform and they are taking we move forward,” said Bron- ings where they invite outside measures to provide resources cos President and CEO Joe El- help and speakers to help them LAPD sued for mislabeling Back to their cause and others. lis in an article on the team’s broaden their perspective The Broncos organization website. with new ideas to formulate has a program called the Social The team takes reform se- constructive ways for advo- and Latinx people as gang members Justice Fund, in which team riously and they even meet cacy. The executive director members participate in build- regularly for discussions about of community development, By Vincent E. O’Bannon “We’re talking about the are doing is wrong. …They ing wealth to be distributed to how they can choose deserv- Allie Engelken announced, Staff Writer criminalization of people are trying to take away what many organizations across the ing organizations to donate to “We [The Denver Broncos] who are living in a certain we’re trying to build,” he told country. After last year’s pro- and ways to improve the sys- were excited and honored to The Justice X Law Group neighborhood. What they reporters at a news confer- tests in honor of George Floyd tem. The Broncos have since announce a $250,000 com- is suing the Los Angeles Po- (police) are saying is just ence. mitment towards player-desig- lice Department, alleging because you hang around “This lawsuit is huge,” nated social justice programs Black and Latinx men and certain people, you’re a gang said civil rights attorney throughout Colorado, as well women are being mislabeled associate,” said attorney Austin R. Dove. “It is one of San Quentin News as local initiatives and indi- as gang members. Christian Contreras. the biggest lawsuits that we San Quentin News Staff Administrative Review vidual players’ communities.” The Black and Brown “If you instill fear on some- ever landed in the city of Los Richard Richardson, Executive Editor Lt. S. Robinson, Warden’s Office They have narrowed their plaintiffs claim they are be- one, there can be no equality Angeles, and it speaks to the Marcus Henderson, Editor-in-Chief Sgt. R. Gardea, Warden’s Office commitments to focus on ing criminalized under un- in justice with fear. We fear heart of the corruption that Juan Haines, Senior Editor Joe Orlando, CDCR Information Officer I three areas that they are most written and written policies the criminal justice system; has destroyed and devastated Kevin D. Sawyer, Associate Editor Krissi Khokhobashvili, Joe Garcia, Deputy Chief CDCR Office passionate about: education by the city’s police depart- we fear the police and they so many Black (and Brown) Journalism Guild Chairperson of External Affairs and youth, bail and criminal ment, the Los Angeles Senti- know it,” said Stephen King, men and women. It’s more Anthony Faulk, Managing Editor Linda Xiques, Adviser justice reform, and commu- nel reported. co-founder of the Justice X widespread than people David Ditto, Staff Writer William Drummond, Adviser Anthony Caravalho, Staff Writer Jan Perry, Adviser nity mental health resources. “At the age of 18, I was Law Group. “They are taking think.” Joan Lisetor, Adviser Charles Crowe, Staff Writer So far the team has distributed thrown into a situation away our abilities to earn a The Justice X Law Group Stuart Wagner, Adviser Heriberto Arredondo, Staff Writer Steve McNamara, Adviser $40,000 dollars each to five where police took me from living for (our) families.” is committed to helping Jessie Blue, Staff Writer John C. Eagan, Adviser Colorado programs, said the my house,” said Branden Thousands of Black and change a system it believes is Vincent O’Bannon, Staff Writer Jon Spurlock, Adviser Timothy Hicks, Staff Writer Susanne Karch, Adviser article. Costas. “I was facing a life Latinx people may have been failing minorities, the article Richard Lindsey, Researcher Nikki Meredith, Adviser “It is something our players sentence for something I affected by this misclassifi- reported. Monica Campbell, Adviser Lourdes Cárdenas, Editora have done a great job with,” didn’t see happen.” cation, noted the law group. “They think they are Lisa Adams, Development Manager said coach (Vic) Fangio, taking For “individuals who have “There are over 20 police of- above everybody and they pride in his team. “...I think our been misidentified as gang ficers under investigation and can mistreat everybody else San Quentin News Contributing Staff players — different than many members—the financial and 57 charges,” according to the because they have a badge,” Wayne Boatwright, SQ News Alumnus Aly Tamboura, SQ News Alumnus people — sustained it through- economic disadvantage is article. said attorney Humberto Gui- Kenny Brydon, SQ News Alumnus Jesse Vasquez, SQ News Alumnus Eddie Herena, SQ News Alumnus Javier Jimenez, SQ News Alumnus out the season and have done a incalculable,” said the Aug. “These cops will pay,” said zar about some of the men- David Lé, SQ News Alumnus Jonathan Chiu, SQ News Alumnus great job with this.” 6 article. King. “They know what they tality within the department. Miguel Quezada, SQ News Alumnus

Current and past stories of the San Quentin News are posted online at: (www.sanquentinnews.com) Follow us on Twitter @SanQuentinNews Permission is granted to reprint articles appearing in the San Quentin CA SB 203 extends Miranda Rights protection News provided credit is given to the author and this publication, except for articles reprinted herein from other publications. By Edwin E. Chavez cision, one that could cost 20 1989 case of the Central Park called “unnecessary” by We Want To Hear From You! Journalism Guild Writer years of his life,” said Jerome Five, where a group of Black some California sheriffs and San Quentin News encourages the incarcerated, free staff, custody Dixon, testifying by phone to and Latino teens were falsely district attorneys, who say staff, volunteers and others outside the institution to submit articles. All submissions become property of the San Quentin Being handcuffed and the State Senate, helping the imprisoned for the rape of a it could make certain cases News. Please use the following criteria when submitting: placed in the back of a squad bill pass. New York City jogger. The more difficult to prosecute. • Limit your articles to no more than 350 words. car or questioned by seasoned Dixon testified that at age 14-, 15- and 16-year-olds Boudin disputed this, say- • Know that articles will be edited for content and length. • The newspaper is not a medium to file grievances. detectives as a suspect can 17 he underwent a 25-hour endured harsh interroga- ing the San Francisco office’s (For that, use the prison appeals process.) We encourage overwhelm teens and young police interrogation without tions and falsely confessed ability to prosecute crime has submitting articles that are newsworthy and encompass children. Under these en- legal representation. He ul- to the crime. The story was issues that will have an impact on the prison populace. not been undermined by the • Please do not use offensive language in your submissions. counters, teens may not fully timately spent 21½ years in later told in the Netflix series new legal protections. Boudin • Poems and artwork (cartoons and drawings) are welcomed. understand their “rights” and prison, according to the ar- “When They See Us.” noted with security cameras, • Letters to the editor should be short and to the point. be pressured into a false con- ticle. “Young people must know increasing forensic evidence Send Submissions to: San Quentin News 1 Main Street fession, according to The Im- “Those of us who value the their rights, and they must not and electric data, prosecutors San Quentin, CA 94964 print-Youth and Family News. Constitution, rather than a be alone when they’re being rely on confessions “less and For incarcerated people that want to receive a copy of the San Quentin California Senate Bill 203 blind focus on securing con- interrogated,” Bradford told less,” according to the article. News in the mail, send $1.61 worth of stamps for postage to was signed into law by Gov. victions at all costs, are bound the Imprint News. California and Illinois were the above address. The process can be repeated every month if you want to receive the latest newspaper. Gavin Newsom in September. to support the type [of law] Suspects younger than the only states that required a Behind the Scenes The Bill extends the Miranda envisioned by SB 203,” said age 18 constituted 35% of all lawyer to explain to youth 15 rights protections (the consti- Chesa Boudin, San Francisco false confessions, according and younger what it means tutional “right against self- district attorney, at the hear- to a study cited by the North and the impact of giving up incrimination, and the right ing. Carolina Law Review. Teen- their Miranda rights. Other to remain silent”) to minors Now in San Francisco, be- agers do not always have the states are now working on 17 and younger. Minors be- fore minors are interrogated, mental capacity or maturity similar bills to address police ing detained now have the lawyers are required to ex- to understand Miranda rights interrogates with youth in right to consult a lawyer be- plain to them their Miranda or what giving up those rights their custody. fore being interrogated by law rights. means, found the American California’s prior law ex- enforcement either in person, State Sen. Steven Brad- Psychological Association in tended Miranda rights pro- by phone or video conference, ford, D-Gardena, authored their study, reported the Im- tection only to those aged 15 The San Quentin News is printed by according to the article. the bill because he was con- print-Youth and Family News or younger. It was scheduled Marin Sun Printing, San Rafael. “No young person should cerned about juvenile confes- article. to sunset in 2024, but SB 203 make an uninformed legal de- sions. He cited the infamous However, the bill was has now replaced it. Page 4 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com January 2021 Interview with Emily Harris of Ella Baker Center In her role, Emily oversees the governor, the administra- action suit. And how to navi- you know, just trying to be state and local campaigns, tion, our legislators and the gate the court, and what’s thoughtful in those ways. develops membership struc- community understand that happening in the hearing. Q: What’s your vision for tures, and builds and coordi- people love people in prison And we’ve been trying to do the Ella Baker Center? nates relationships with other and are ready to support their a communication strategy to A: We need to be investing state organizations, commu- integration back into the be responsive to the media in what we know works— nity leaders, allies and key community. I think there’s when they have questions that is not cops and prisons. local and state officials. always that fear of release. about what’s happening. And My department is the policy Q: How long have you You know, there’s like the making sure that legislators department. A viable solution been with the Ella Baker fear mongering has made it are informed. Also trying for harm in our world—is for Center (EBC) so that people get really wor- to make sure that people in- people to meet folks who are A: Five and a half years. ried about releasing people, side’s feedback and needs in prison. To meet the people Q: What has your work and we want to push back on and demands are being inte- I know, the people that I love, looked like over the past few that narrative. grated. that I care about, that I orga- months during the pandemic? Q: You mentioned your nize with. It’s about getting A: The Center has been involvement with the Stop those people free, so they can part of an effort with organi- San Quentin Outbreak Coali- speak for themselves and be zations across the state trying tion, and I was curious if you “We got a $500 out here in the world. Because to respond to COVID. The could talk a little bit more check from I think when a legislator only thing that is safe to do about what that looks like on meets James King, so much is to reduce the population in your end. Norco, which more becomes possible, than prison. EBC has been work- A: We as an organization if they meet me in terms of ing on commutations. We’ve have had a lot of relationships was from food what they believe is possible been continuing to push for with people who’ve done time sales. And I about people who are inside additional commutations. in San Quentin. We also have and why we need to change And working to push for the a lot of relationships with cried. I know what we’re doing. That’s one. releases of people who are families who have loved ones Two, I want to use and lever- Photo by Ella Baker Center medically vulnerable or el- in San Quentin. We knew if how much work age my power as a person Ella Baker Center’s Policy Manager Emily Harris derly. The administration COVID got into the prisons, went in that from who has a lot of educational said that they were planning it was going to be a night- privilege, has a lot of access, people. That cost money. say that fundraising from the to release folks, but ultimate- mare. And we knew that, if people inside and navigate the system. That’s money we chose to inside is the most important. ly, that process has resulted it got into San Quentin, shit I don’t think we can fix spend there and not on our But I just want to acknowl- in very few releases, which would hit the fan—knowing to financially prisons, I do think we can people, and not to take care of edge that those things are we’re really frustrated about. that place and how small the support our temporarily do some things them not to give health care. incredible. Ella Baker Center has a leg- cells are, and how bad the that are going to help keep As we reduce the number of We get so much mail— islative platform. We were ventilation is. People love work” people alive until we get people who are locked up, people can write to us. But able to help get elder parole being there because of the them out. Whether that’s like we move those resources. We actually, what I need people expanded so that people who programming, not because preventing more people from snatch our people back and inside to do is if we send are 50 and have served 20 the living conditions are sub- We had a group of people going in. We need health we snatch our money back. them something useful, share years are eligible now for an par. So we had a town hall who have loved ones on death care, housing, schools— Q: How can people inside it. Share it with the person elder parole hearing. And so meeting. We had some orga- row. Those are folks that are all of those have suffered support what you’re doing at in their cell, share it with that also feels kind of in re- nizing meetings, and then it very unlikely to have some- because our investment has the Ella Baker Center? the people in their dorm or sponse to COVID. became this broad coalition thing like a mass release ef- been in militarized policing, A: This amazing thing on their tier. I think our ap- We’ve been trying to do a of groups. We’ve been meet- fort impact their loved ones, surveillance, imprisonment. happened. We got a $500 proach is about wanting to lot of work within the Stop ing weekly ever since, trying but those people on death All of the money that we spent check from Norco, which was get people the information San Quentin Outbreak Coali- to be as responsive as we can row are the ones that are dy- is ridiculous during COVID. from food sales. And I cried. that they need to be able to tion to support people in reen- to the various strategies that ing the fastest. And so we We didn’t have enough PPE I know how much work went organize for themselves, try, trying to raise money for could make it possible to re- want to make sure that any for doctors. And yet we have in that from people inside to because we can’t do it for reentry organizations, trying duce the prison population. reduction in the prison popu- plenty of money for like, the financially support our work. everybody. And so part of it to really make sure that our We’ve been trying to help lation would also result in a zillions of armed cops in That is a big deal. That’s like is wanting to build a culture folks are coming home and people understand how they change of the conditions that the street to respond to the a million dollar grant from a in prisons, where people are have what they need, and help can become part of the class those folks are living in. So, protests of the cops killing foundation to me. I wouldn’t supporting each other. So when we work on making up handbooks or things that help people navigate the system, and people take that and then they’re like, ‘I wrote petitions for, you know, 50 other guys,’ —do that! Support each oth- er, help each other get free. The more people we get free, the more people we can get free. Sometimes there’s like a scarcity thing. Like, if he gets out, I won’t get out. And that’s actually not true. If he gets out, you’re more likely to get out. And so I think that’s part of it, not letting prison culture of scarcity get in our way of supporting each oth- er’s freedom and having the information that we need to get free. We want everyone to know what’s going on, what bills we’re working on. It’s really helpful if people inside are like, hey, they’re still charg- ing us copays, or, oh, that went into effect, here’s what we’re seeing. The realities, there’s one conversation hap- pening in Sacramento, and then there’s another conver- sation happening in every prison. And so I want to know what those are so that I can have concrete examples, I can use those to push the Photo by Ella Baker Center agenda forward. Members of Ella Baker Center

ELLA BAKER Ella Baker’s Legacy and Honors Continued from Page 1 • In 1984, Baker received a Candace Award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. • Her papers are held by the New York Public Library. Baker has been called “one of the most important Ameri- • In 1994, Baker was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. can leaders of the twentieth • In 1996, the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, a non-profit strategy and action center based in Oakland, California, was founded and named for her. century and perhaps the most • The Ella Baker School in the Julia Richman Education Complex in New York City (founded 1996) influential woman in the civil rights movement.” She is • In 2003, The Ella Jo Baker Intentional Community Cooperative, a 15-unit cohousing community, began living together in a renovated house in Washington, DC. known for her critiques not • Ella J. Baker House, a community center which supports at-risk youth in Dorchester, Boston, was created at some point before 2005. only of racism within Ameri- can culture, but also of sex- • In 2009, Baker was honored on a U.S. postage stamp. ism within the civil rights • In 2014, the University of California at Santa Barbara established a visiting professorship to honor Baker. movement. January 2021 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 5 Pulitzer nominated Ear Hustle recalls favorite memories

tell the world what is really going on and what their ex- PULITZER perience is. Continued from Page 1 RT: It’s important for me to tell the stories of system Nigel Poor (NP): It was in- impacted people so that credible. First of all it was a the public gets a complete huge surprise, so getting the picture of us. That’s impor- news was an utter delight. tant to me because I wasted When you receive a nomina- years fighting against my tion like this and it is for a real neighbors when the real is- collaborative project it just sues were redlining, gun makes you so proud, not proud control, policing policies of yourself but proud of the en- rooted in White Supremacy, tire team and it reminds you of etc. the deep love and gratitude you Similarly, I hope that tell- have for the people you work ing our stories shows the with. A nomination for us is re- public that in most cases, ally an acknowledgment of all the issue isn’t evil. It’s trau- the grea work that is happening ma, addiction, racial dis- inside prisons. crimination, poverty, gun Rahsaan Thomas (RT): Be- control, redlining, and of Photo by Eddie Herena ing nominated for a Pulitzer course poor choices made Behind the scenes of Ted Koppel interviewing Earlonne Woods and Nigel Poor for CBS Prize makes me feel proud within these parameters. I and purposeful. It especially pray a better understanding and giving love in prison so it a real gift that we do not take who took the time to send me pora, helped restore voting feels good to be honored for continues leading to better surprised people - and Rauch for granted. I love when I run a birthday card in response to rights, co-produced a few such a prestigious prize while solutions. was the main character, who into someone on the street and Earlonne’s post. episodes of Ear Hustle along in prison during a pandemic. Q: What is your favorite wouldn’t love that? they want to tell me why they Q: What advice can you with cameos, read twenty Mostly I feel blessed that Nigel story and why? RT: My favorite story is love Ear Hustle - it makes give to those still incarcer- books, gave four interviews and Earlonne added me to the NP: I could say my fa- “Tell Christy I Love Her” the world feel smaller and it ated? and I’m mentoring a hard team just in time for the very vorite story is always the because the former police of- makes me think together we RT: The advice I would headed youngster on the tier. first Pulitzer Prize Podcasting. current one I am working ficer Tom is so honest. (And I are going to be able to make give to those still incarcer- I’d rather have Mike Hamp- Q: Why is it important to on but if I have to name just love Christy). Tom helped me a difference when it comes to ated (like me) is a modifica- ton (RIP to Covid) and my tell these stories? one my heart always goes realized that we don’t aim to criminal justice reform. tion of what I heard Chad- victim back but at 1east em- Pat Mesiti-Miller (PMM): back to Looking Out. It was stop crime before it happens, PMM: I would like to thank wick Boseman (RIP) say. We bracing this time has given it There is a whole lot of misin- one of our earliest stories we aim to solve crime with everyone that listened and were all born with a purpose all purpose. In sum, embrac- formation around incarcerated and it showed exactly the more violence, after some- shared the stories, and to ev- and that the struggle prepares ing your struggle is embrac- people and incarceration in kind of story we wanted to one is already hurt, which eryone who contributed and you for your purpose. I heard ing your purpose. I hope to general and having a show pro- tell. It highlighted the rela- can lead to more cycles of who talked with us to share this while fighting depression hear you up at 5 AM. duced from inside a prison is a tionship Earlonne and I have violence. Tell Christy I Love their experience. It’s really brought on by the Corona- PMM: I think there’s a great way to dispel the myths as co-hosts, it had beautiful Her got me to imaging better great that the show has reached virus outbreak and men go- lot of advice that I’m not re- and uncover the reality of how sound design by Antwan solutions. so many people, please keep ing man down around me. I ally qualified to give, but in this system has been designed Williams, which signal to Q: What do you want to sharing! And if you are on found myself sleeping and regards to storytelling, my and how it impacts people. A the listener that sounds was say to your fans? the outside and in a position watching TV too much until advice would be to document lot of what’s out there regard- going to be a solid character NP: Wow I think I can to uplift the voices of those I heard Chadwick’s words. your experience in any way ing incarceration is done by in our stories, and it had a speak for everyone on the incarcerated, do that! Support Now I’m up at 5 AM working you can. There is power in people who haven’t lived that great range of emotion, you team when I say we have incarcerated journalists! out and reading and writing truth and your story is impor- experience, and that kind of found yourself laughing, buckets of gratitude for our RT: I don’t have “fans.” I by 7 AM , seizing everyday. tant, you are important, you journalism misses a crucial crying, surprised, delight- listeners. Knowing that there have people who support Ear During this pandemic, I’ve are impactful, you are power- perspective. I think we need ed, outraged- all those in are so many people out there Hustle and I thank them for been nominated for a Pulitzer ful. more stories from people on one episode. Also it is really who care about these voices listening despite my` past. Prize, curated an art exhibit Ear Hustle also won the the inside looking around to a story about finding love and stories is amazing—it is I especially thank everyone on Museum African Dias- 2021 duPont-Columbia award.

cilities where several states since March 2020, accord- The Central California The number of positive wash their hands often, ac- had major outbreaks and ing to CDCR data and other Women’s Facility in Chow- cases has dropped, but the cording to its memo. VACCINE deaths. They argue that not news sources. chilla (CCWF) and Califor- California Coalition for After the initial vaccine Continued from Page 1 vaccinating prisoners could “I’m 79-years-old,” said nia Medical Facility at Va- Women Prisoners (CCWP) shots for the correctional prolong the pandemic. Alex Lopez, SQ resident. “If caville, are also scheduled organization is still planning employees and high-risk “Getting the vaccine to Prison medical facilities the vaccine is here, I want to for vaccination for their em- to hold rallies for the people prisoners, the second dose us prisoners is moving too are receiving supplies of take it. I have my reserva- ployees and high-risk pris- inside CCWF. would be administered in slow,” said Calvin Rogers, San the Moderna and the Pfiz- tions about taking it, but I oners. California State Prison in the coming weeks. Overall. Quentin resident. “We should er-BioNTech vaccines, and had the virus. I don’t want to CCWF is undergoing its Lancaster also has a high the nation is facing a vac- be getting it right away along as of February 4, 21,780 catch it again.” own outbreak, according caseload of infections with cine shortage. Gov. Gavin with them (staff and medical incarcerated residents and Vaccinations also took to Pam Fadem, Fire Inside more than 1500 prisoners Newsom expects additional workers), not when they have 23,365 staff have been vac- place at the California Health news editor, to SQ News. At and 590 staff testing positive vaccines for the state, but no determined who’s the most cinated, according to the Care Facility in Stockton in least 771 women have test- for the virus, according to information has been given vulnerable. We are all vulner- COVID-19 Information late December. At least 65 ed positive for COVID-19 the LA Times. for what would be allotted to able. Every incarcerated man page on the CDCR’s web- prisoners and employees vol- among the 2,000 incarcer- Correctional officers at the prison system, reported and woman.” site. unteered to receive the vac- ated there. the prison are at risk because the Times. Vaccinating the incarcer- There are roughly 90,000 cine, reported the LA Times. “What a mess. It’s just they are required to guard As the pandemic reaches ated has sparked nationwide prisoners currently incar- The Stockton facility like it was at San Quentin,” prisoners’ rooms that have its one year mark, rates of debate. Some opponents argue cerated in CDCR. As of houses approximately 2400 said Fadem. “CDCR was to- been hospitalized, said Rob- COVID-19 infections and that prisoners should not have February 4, 200 prisoners prisoners, mostly with spe- tally unprepared and not fol- ert Davis, correctional union deaths in prisons and jails priority over those who have have died from what appear cial needs. As of February lowing its own policies and leader to the Times. continue to rise. But just like not committed any crimes. to be COVID-19 symptoms 11, 636 of them tested posi- regulations. It’s a miracle no CDCR still requires ev- in society, people in prison Advocates argue that pris- and more than 35,000 have tive for COVID-19, accord- one has died, but people have eryone to wear their mask, are also skeptical about get- ons are high-risk living fa- tested positive for the virus ing to the CDCR website. been and still are sick.” practice distancing, and to ting the vaccine.

Letter To The Editor

To My San Quentin Community: This has been one hell of a year. Under the easiest of times, prisons are a hard place to live. This year it became one hundred times harder. COVID-19 has stolen our loved ones, harmed the health of thousands of people at San Quentin, and made the lives of people who are incarcerated much worse than before. There is no one more affected by the pandemic than people who are in prison. One of the hardest hit areas in all of California has been people on death row. As some of you know, I was released from San Quentin in December, 2019. Since then I’ve been working with lots of amazing organizers, community members, and advocates to end our state’s reliance upon prisons for public safety. Starting last March up until today, there has been an outbreak at every state prison in California. Incarcerated people and staff are both affected. People in prison are 4 times more likely to catch COVID-19, and 2.5 times more likely to die from it. At the same time, the CDCR has not done everything within their power to protect people. They have not released people who are most vulnerable, especially if they were lifers. CDCR chose who to release based upon how long a person’s sentence was, instead of upon their medical needs. That is only one of the things that make them hard to trust when it comes to distributing the vaccine. Your lives and your health are important. I’m surprised, but also excited that California is one of only a few states that is offering the vaccine to people in prison. They are doing so, partially because of the advocacy work many people throughout the state have put in, to say that those who are most medically vulnerable should be given the vaccine first, regardless of their incarceration status. We are thrilled that our state is following the advice of medical experts on this, and we also believe strongly that vaccines should not be the end goal. We who are outside of the prison walls understand that there are far too many people in prison, and we will not stop pushing for more releases. I’m not a doctor, so I can’t give you medical advice. I can tell you however, that I plan on taking the vaccine as soon as I can. I’ve realized this year just how important good health is. When I was locked up, I knew that I wanted to still be in good health if I was released. CDCR has proven they are not going to do everything they can to protect your health, so it’s up to you to make the best decision regarding your own safety. Public health experts are already saying that, even if a person gets the vaccine, they still need to be able to physically distance themselves from other people and they still need to wear masks. So prisons will still not be safe, as long as our prisons are overcrowded. We will keep pushing for fewer people to be in prison. And I encourage you to do what you can to protect your health.

Sending love to you all, James King State Campaigner Ella Baker Center for Human Rights Page 6 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com January 2021 1995’s The Million Man March in Washington, D.C.

Photo by Wikipedia The Million Man March in Washington, D.C. in October 1995

On October 16, 1995 more ing addressed mass incarcer- complex relationships of fam- than a million Black men ation and called for “Stop the ilies and ideas on the journey gather at the nation’s Capitol Killing” and gang violence. to Washington DC. The Mil- Hill and Mall in Washington There were young and old lion Man March was deemed DC for “A Day of Atone- Black men standing shoulder a success by the Black com- ment.” This past October to shoulder in the crowd. munity, even though some in marked the 25th anniversary There were a sea of Black the mainstream denounced of The Million Man March. men and no violence was Farrakhan. The gathering was led by recorded, according the Fi- “So today, whether you like controversial Nation of Islam nal Call newspaper. There it or not, God brought the idea leader Minister Louis Far- were speeches by Civil Right through me,” said Farrakhan rakhan. The call for Atone- leaders and politicians. Even in his October 16, speech. ment, Reconciliation and though the call was made for “He didn’t bring it through Responsibility was the theme men only, prominent Black me because my heart was for Black men to accept their women were on the stage in dark with hatred and Anti- roles as leaders of their fami- support of the march. Dr. Semitism, He didn’t bring it lies and communities. Betty Shabazz, Malcolm through me because my heart Christians, Muslims, Black X’s wife, Maya Angelou and was dark and I’m filled with Nationalists along with those Rosa Parks along with many hatred for White people and with no religious or organi- others. for the human family of the zational affiliation were in After the historical day planet. If my heart were that attendance. It was billed as a many Black men returned dark, how is the message so March for justice in response home and joined social re- bright, the message so clear, to the spiritual, political and form organizations or started the response magnificent.” economic warfare that tar- businesses. “Get on the Bus”, The event sparked the Mil- geted Black people and Black the Spike Lee movie, captures lion Women March and the Photo by Wikipedia men in particular. The gather- the event—the love and the Million Family March. March attendees

Photo by Wikipedia Illustration of Drew by Charles Alston in the collection of Photo by Wikipedia the National Archives Minnie Lenore Robbins with NIH Director, Donald Frederickson, unveiling of bust and exhibit of her husband, 1981

Doctor of Science in Medi- for distribution in the United handle blood plasma to avoid director. He was in charge and Howard University as cine, but he was not allowed Kingdom. contamination. The Blood of the blood used by the U.S. a surgeon. He died in a fa- DREW to join the American Medical He was the medical di- Transfusion Betterment Army and Navy; he disagreed tal car crash on his way to Continued from Page 1 Association. He died never rector of the United States’ Association applauded his with the exclusion of Afri- Tuskegee, Alabama with being accepted as a mem- Blood for Britain project work. In 1941, he was select- can Americans blood in the three other Black doctors to He continued his studies ber, according to Wikipedia. during World War II. He ed the first African American plasma-supply networks. The annual free clinic work at and earned a Doctor in Sci- Drew develop the program started bloodmobiles, trucks to serve as examiner on the armed forces ruled the blood John A. Andrew Memorial ence in Surgery at Columbia for blood storage and pres- that transported refrigerated American Board of Surgery. of Black soldiers would be ac- Hospital. University, in New York. ervation, which collected, stored blood. He established That same year his was cepted but stored separately. Charles Drew has mul- In 1940, he became the first tested and transported large central location for blood appointed the first Ameri- Drew resigned. He returned tiple parks, schools and a African American to earn a quantities of blood plasma collection, testing and how to can Red Cross Blood Bank to the Freedman’s Hospital Navy ship named after him. January 2021 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 7 bell hooks - professor, feminist, and social activist bell hooks (Sept. portrayal and the devaluation critically, helps to develop it’s a major realm of power 1952-Present) born Gloria of Black womanhood, and healthy relationships and for any system of domina- Jean Watkins, is an author, the education system. What communities plagued by the tion. We keep coming back professor, feminist and so- is feminism? hooks answers many inequalities. to the question of represen- cial activist. Her pen name “(it’s) rooted in neither fear In her book, “Teaching to tation because identity is al- bell hooks comes from her or fantasy…. ‘Feminism is Transgress: Education as the ways about representation,” maternal great grandmother. a movement to end sexism, Practice of Freedom” chal- according to Wikipedia. hooks chose the name be- sexist exploitation and op- lenges educators to teach hooks stresses the impor- cause of her grandmother’s pression,” according to Wiki- students to “transgress” tance of Black female film- bold and snappy tongue. pedia. She lays out her point against racial, sexual and makers because Hollywood’s hooks has published more in her book “Feminist Theo- class boundaries to achieve conventional representation than 30 books that tackles ry: From Margin to Center” freedom. hooks argues that of Black women amounts to race, capitalism and gender. (1984). She argues how can teachers use power and con- the objectification of Black She gained widespread rec- feminism seek to make wom- trol within an approach of women and their experi- ognition with her book “Ain’t en equal to men in Western assembly-line learning that ences. I a Woman?”, influenced Society when all men are not dulls the students’ enthusi- hooks received her BA by feminist and abolition- equal. She also argued men asm and teaches obedience from Stanford University in ist Sojourner Truth’s famous must do their part for change to authority. She advocates English (1973), her MA from speech of the same name. to occur. She addresses some collaborative learning and the University of Wisconsin, Her work made her a of those topics in “We Real offers a space for change and Madison (1976) and her Ph.D postmodern cultural critic Cool: Black Men and Mascu- invention. from the University of Cali- and political thinker. Her linity” (2004). hooks also addresses the fornia, Santa Cruz, (1983). writings touch on feminist As a college professor she role of movies and media in In 2014, she founded the thought and the impact of stresses that communication her book “Reel to Reel”. She bell hooks Institute at Berea Photo by Wikipedia sexism and racism on Black and literacy, the ability states, “Representation is the College in her home state of bell hooks in October 2014 women, the media’s role and to read, write and think ‘hot’ issue right now because Kentucky. Geto Boys in a league of their own in the hip hop genre By Marcus Henderson paranoia and the hidden trau- Editor-in-Chief mas of witnessing the bodies of murder victims lying in the “This year Halloween fell street. “Mind Playing Tricks on a weekend / Me and Geto on Me” hit Number 23 on the Boys are trick-or-treating,” Billboard Hot 100 in 1992. sang the lrap group Geto The song is on the group’s Boys on their hit single 1991 album, We Can’t Be “Mind Playing Tricks on Stopped. Bushwick Bill is be- Me.” ing carted through a hospital The late ‘80s and early by Scarface and Willie D on ‘90s rappers hailed from the album cover, an incident Houston, Texas. The group recreated after Bushwick Bill consisted of Bushwick Bill, lost an eye in a high profile Scarface and Willie D. While shooting. New York and California Mental health issues were were dominating the rap rarely discussed in the Black scene at the time, the Geto community, but the group put Boys kicked the door in for it front and center with their rappers from the South. song “Mind of a Lunatic” on- Their blend of gangsta rap, their 1989 album, Grip It! On gore and psychotic lyrics put That Other Level. The song them in a lane of their own. has been covered by many Where gangsta rap has other artists, including Mari- Photo from Wikipedia Photo by Wikipedia been pigeon-holed as glori- lyn Manson in 2003. Geto Boys’ Scarface Geto Boys’ Bushwick Bill fying guns and drugs, it also Geto Boys’ music also ad- addresses social issues of dresses social politics with protest the Iraq War. returned for the 1996 “The epidemic and social unrest DJ Ready Red, 53, died from drug addiction, poverty and “Crooked Officer,” about The group’s vivid sto- Resurrection” and 1998’s in the South. The group an apparent heart attack. the family dynamic suffering police brutality that was rytelling skills painted the “Da Good, Da Bad & the was ranked Number 10 on Bushwick Bill, 52, died from under both issues. The Geto happening in the ‘90s. “The graphic realities of street Da Ugly.” Both albums were About.com’s the 25 Best Rap pancreatic cancer in 2019. Boys’ music went deeper into World Is a Ghetto,” “Geto life. But, like most groups, critically acclaimed. Groups of All-Time. Scarface is still going strong the psychology of the Black Fantasy” and “Six Feet the team broke up. Willie D Bushwick Bill returned The video game Grand as a solo artist and business- youth growing up during the Deep” are songs that address left and Rapper Big Mike for the group’s final album Theft Auto V and the Netflix man. crack cocaine epidemic. the impact of street violence filled-in on the 1993 album, “The Foundation,” released series Maniac feature their The Geto Boys might be The group touched on ta- on the community. “Til Death Do Us Part.” Big in 2008. The Geto Boys song “Mind Playing Tricks one of the most underrated boo issues such as suicidal “F*&k a War” was the Mike and Bushwick next gave the East and West on Me.” but most influential groups thoughts and tendencies, group’s antiwar song to left the group, but Willie D coasts a look into the drug In 2018, founding member of all-time. Nina Simone: legendary singer, songwriter and civil rights activist

Photo by Wikipedia Photo by Wikipedia Simone at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in Photo by Wikipedia Nina Simone in 1969 Amsterdam, Netherlands in March 1969 Simone in 1955 Born Nina Simone Cath- civil rights leader Medgar accompanied her protest and performed at civil rights Point” on her “Silk and Soul” be Young, Gifted and Black” erine Waymon, Nina was a Evers and the bombing of the music. “Old Jim Crow” was meetings. She was also a album. A year later, she sang into a Civil Rights song. singer, songwriter and a civil 16th Street Baptist Church, another song on the same friend and supported Mal- “Why (The King of Love is Simone credited Hansberry rights activist. She recorded where four young black girls album titled “Nina Simone colm X. She sang, “Blacklash Dead)” a song she dedicated for cultivating her social and more than 40 albums between were killed. “(It’s) like throw- in Concert (1964)”. The song Blues” written by Langston to Martin Luther King, Jr. political consciousness. After 1947 and 1958. ing 10 bullets back at them,” challenged race relations— Hughes, her friend of and after he was assassinated. enduring discrimination from Many of her songs ad- said Simone, about her protest “me and my people are just leader of the Harlem Renais- The song is on the album music schools, an abusive dress the racial inequality in song, according to Wikipedia. about due,” said Simone. sance. ‘Nuff Said!”. On her album husband, and not benefiting the United States. Her song Simone was a classical Her songs were protested In 1967, she recorded “I BLack Gold (1970), Simone financially from her album “Mississippi goddamn” was pianist with a low jazz- in the South and her albums Wish I Knew How It Would and Weldon Irvine turned the sales. Nina Simone is still the in response to the killing of like singing voice that were smashed. She spoke Feel to be Free” and “Turning Lorraine Hansberry play “To icon of protest music. Page 8 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com January 2021 Pope Francis seeks end to capital punishment By A.J. Hardy onment to the end of a cen- man being and to accept that reporter that people living did not oppose it. The origi- In 1995, Pope John Paul Journalism Guild Writer turies-long evolution, calling he or she has a place in this under life sentences without nal Roman catechism, writ- II challenged traditional for their total abolition in universe,” he added. hope of ever getting out is ten in the 1500’s, endorsed Church teaching on the death Vatican City — Pope Fran- his new encyclical, “Fratelli An encyclical is a papal crueler than outright execu- capital punishment on two penalty, saying crimes war- cis has brought the Catholic Tutti,” according to America letter of ultimate authority tion. grounds: ranting capital punishment Church’s stance on capital Magazine. issued to instruct and clarify Pope Francis also called “…lawful slaying belongs were “very rare, if not prac- punishment and life impris- “Let us keep in mind that official Church teaching. life sentences the “secret to the civil authorities... [to] tically non-existent,” accord- ‘not even a murderer With more than one billion death penalty,” and con- punish the guilty and protect ing to the article. Then in loses his personal Catholics across the globe, demned its use. the innocent,” said the Ro- 1999, he revised this position dignity, and God Pope Francis’s new encyclical “Fear and resentment can man catechism. and sought to eliminate the himself pledges to could influence social teach- easily lead to viewing pun- Historically, however, death penalty altogether — a guarantee this,’” said ing on mercy and reconcilia- ishment in a vindictive and there has always been oppo- stance reiterated in 2011 by Pope Francis, cit- tion everywhere. even cruel way, rather than sition to the taking of a per- his successor, Pope Benedict ing St. John Paul II’s San Quentin’s former Cath- as part of a process of heal- son’s life as a means of pun- XVI. “Evangelium Vitae” olic chaplain, Father George ing and reintegration into ishment. In “Fratelli Tutti,” Pope (The Gospel of Life). Williams, S.J., praised the society,” Pope Francis said “From the earliest centu- Francis said “There can be no “The firm rejection Pope’s stance. San Quentin in “Fratelli Tutti,” urging the ries of the church, some were stepping back from this posi- of the death penalty is home to California’s death removal of revenge from the clearly opposed to capital tion. “Today we say clearly shows to what extent row, where Father Williams criminal justice equation. punishment,” Pope Francis that ‘the death penalty is in- it is possible to recog- saw the damage done to the For hundreds of years, the wrote, referring to St. Au- admissible’ and the church is Photo from Wikipedia nize the inalienable human spirit first-hand. He church officially supported gustine’s plea for mercy on firmly committed to calling Pope Francis dignity of every hu- told the America Magazine the death penalty, or at least behalf of two assassins. for its abolition worldwide.” The case of Von Staich with incarcerated people at SQ By Alfred King your hands,” the declaration to think it will not experience writ, the court did not order to ensure that prisoners fit- COVID outbreak. He spent Journalism Guild Writer stated. It claimed “protect- a second or third spike, as it his release or any other pris- ting the specifications of the weeks in ICU and 30 days ing oneself from infection of did during the Spanish Flu oners at San Quentin. State Elderly Parole Program re- hooked up to machines at Se- A California appeals court COVID-19 in this open cell outbreak in 1918, according officials at San Quentin were ceive “special consideration” ton Hospital in Daly City. He has ordered San Quentin to is impossible” because “there to an article by the resident ordered to remove Ivan Von for release prescribed by that said he does not hold much significantly reduce the pris- is no opportunity to engage prison physician at the time, Staich from San Quentin “by program. hope for things to change. on’s population and take steps in social distancing,” court Dr. L.L. Stanley: “Influenza transfer to a CDCR facil- Four San Quentin prison- 4. Jose “Big Boy” Godi- to protect the incarcerated documents revealed. at San Quentin State Prison”, ity that is able to provide the ers agreed to be interviewed nezi, sentenced in San Mateo and staff from the COVID-19 Amanda Klonsky wrote (May 9, 1918). necessary physical distancing for this article. All were glad County to 15 years, at San pandemic. in The New York Times on Dr. Chris Breyer, an epide- and other measures to pro- for the court’s ruling, but ex- Quentin for nine years, was The ruling came in a law- March 16, 2020, that “prisons miologist at Johns Hopkins tect against COVID-19, or to pressed concern for the fu- glad to hear about the court suit by Ivan Von Staich, who and jails have been long asso- Bloomberg School of Public another placement meeting ture, and what would happen ruling, but expressed con- maintained the warden and ciated with inordinately high Health, stated that ... “it was these criteria.”” next. cern over those responsible California Department of transmission probabilities of self-evident from the 75% Officials were also told to 1. Anthony Williams, “not being held accountable.” Corrections and Rehabilita- infectious disease. Early on, infection rate and the rates “immediately commence a committed from Riverside He added, “There are a lot tion officials acted with “de- physicians, public health offi- of morbidity at San Quentin design and implementation County to a term of 16 Years of people who should get re- liberate indifference” and that cials, and the national Centers that its response to the out- of a plan to expedite release To Life, here at San Quentin leased.” relief was warranted, accord- for Disease Control sounded break there has been a failure or transfer of the number of for five years said... “deliber- In a footnote to the Von ing to the Oct. 20 decision. the alarm that prisons and to protect the lives of the in- prisoners necessary to reduce ate indifference” is exactly Staich decision, on Octo- Petitioner Von Staich, jails could become the epi- mates and staff,” according to the population to 50% of its how the CDCR operates, and ber 10, 2020, the appellate 64, suffers from respiratory centers of the (COVID-19) court documents. June 2020 population,” court as soon as no one is watch- court wrote that rather than problems, the result of bullet pandemic.” The appellate court deci- documents show. ing will return to business as transferring the petitioner to fragments lodged in his left The remedy sought by the sion said “it is doubtful any In order to achieve this re- usual.” another facility, the adminis- lung. His sworn declaration petitioner was placement in a correctional agency in the duction, state officials were 2. Walter Ridley, 59, a non- tration had moved Von Staich to the court said ... “he and residential facility supervised United States is more familiar ordered to revise and rethink violent third striker sentenced into a single cell in a quar- his 65-year-old cellmate, both by CDCR where he had al- with the adverse consequenc- their expedited release plans in Los Angeles County, here antined area of San Quentin. of whom had tested positive ready been accepted, subject es of mass incarceration on to include prisoners over the for 19 years said, “Of course The court noted that “This for COVID-19 (although pe- to a brief period of quaran- inmate medical care, and age of 60, who have served I would like to go home,” but solution, however, does noth- titioner was asymptomatic), tine, said court documents. the need to prevent them, as at least 25 years of their sen- he believes he will be trans- ing to advance the population were placed on the fourth tier By all accounts, the CO- CDCR is or should be, given tences and are eligible for ferred to another prison as a reduction necessary to pro- of West Block in a cell which VID-19 outbreak at San its litigation of the issues in parole and second and third result of the ruling. tect the inmate population at was like others in that facil- Quentin has been the worst the Plata and Coleman cases strike prisoners, even if they 3. Ron Jeffrion, 55, sen- San Quentin.” ity.” epidemiological disaster in since the turn of the century,” are serving time for violent tenced in Los Angeles The case has since been The cell “was so small that California correctional his- court documents show. offenses. County, at San Quentin for sent back to the lower courts you can touch the walls with tory, and there is no reason In granting petitioner’s State officials were ordered 15 years, was hit hard by the for an evidentiary hearing.

In February we acknowledge National Gun Violence Survivor week. I would guess that many of you, like me, are survivors of Gun Violence. It’s a club no one wants to be part of, but we have no choice in that. 40 years ago, my 27-year-old brother David was shot and injured and it changed our lives forever. At the time I was a care- free college student who adored my older brother who called me Ducky. I thought David the lucky one because he could do anything, he put his mind to and he charmed everyone. David was handsome, a skier, woodworker, master in martial arts, who played guitar, and loved music and fast cars. He had lots of friends, was happily married, owned his home and worked in a hospital as a Respiratory Therapist. Everything changed one rainy evening when I answered the call from my sister-in-law, a nurse. David had been shot by an angry driver through a crack in the window when he was pulled over on the side of the road to let him pass. The bullet entered the left side of David’s neck and traveled down through his spinal cord, severing it. David survived because his friend who was in the passenger seat, pulled his bloodied body across the arm rest to drive him to the emergency room. David was in intensive care, and would never walk again. Stunned, I managed to take down the details to tell my family before completely breaking down. Sometime later we found out that they had caught the shooter, a 19-year-old who had thrown away the gun he shot David with. When they tracked him down, he had another gun, an unlicensed gun. How easy it was for him to find another gun, it’s shameful really, the easy access. How different the outcome might have been if he had not had a gun. After almost a year in hospitals, David was discharged. His wife had divorced him so our parents dropped their lives to take care of their adult son who was paralyzed from the chest down. Can you imagine the impact? a healthy, independent man suddenly confined to a wheelchair. Can you imagine the humiliation of having a home health aide changing your diaper, your catheter, bathing you, dressing you because you couldn’t do it yourself? Your mother, cutting your meat for you? And the constant pain was unbearable. It wasn’t much of a life for David, or our parents, and there was little joy in that home. After 16 years of pain and frustration David sick of it all, killed himself with stored up pain medications. It was heartbreaking. While that that bullet didn’t kill David immediately in 1980, it did kill his spirit and tore a hole in the lives of every member of our family. From that day forward I would never look at marriage, relationships, or family in the same way and that is only a fraction of the impact of that bullet. For so many years I was alone in my experience but sadly that is no longer the case, Gun Violence is commonplace and that is unacceptable. A few years ago, I joined a group called Moms Demand Action and was introduced to the Everytown Survivor Network. These groups, including Gun Violence survivors work tirelessly to end gun violence. Finally, someplace to offer me a voice and actions to take to end gun violence and begin the true healing process. Until the day that Gun Violence becomes a rarity, I ask you to use your voice and actions to honor David and the 100’s of lives impacted by gun violence daily, and work to prevent other families from enduring a preventable tragedy. January 2021 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 9 San Quentin college students defend Ethics Bowl championship against UC Santa Cruz (before COVID)

Photo by FirstWatch Photo by FirstWatch SQ Debate team- Randy Akins, Charles Crowe, Jesse Rose, George Calvin, Alex Ross Ethics Bowl coach Kathy Richards and Kyle Robertson

By David Ditto duce a productive dialogue should have a corporate solu- Moderator Richards in- “There really is no autonomy. THE FINAL SCORES Staff Writer rather than just shoot each tion,” summarized UCSC’s troduced the second ethical There is no freedom because other down.” Andrew Genshaft. question for debate. “Student not having a degree is too dif- Judge Clifford: SQ 46, Student debate teams from “Of course, if any indi- loan debt is a $1.5 trillion ficult.” UCSC 42. Judge Fisher: SQ the College Program at San ROUND ONE vidual chooses not to have crisis, second in size only to Paramoure concluded the 52, UCSC 51. Judge Thom- Quentin and the University a child, that choice is cor- mortgage debt. Most presi- UCSC team’s rebuttal, say- as: SQ 53, UCSC 52. of California, Santa Cruz With five students from rect for them,” added Noah dential candidates have for- ing, “The debt is unfair be- The unanimous decision (UCSC) matched wits once each team seated at tables Thomas, before UCSC’s time giveness plans. cause the less affluent have to granted the win to the SQ again on the prison chapel on opposite sides and three ran out. “Do you think government borrow more.” team. The students of Mount stage in front of a live audi- judges seated center stage, The San Quentin team then should forgive student loan The SQ team responded by Tamalpais College, all new ence on February 14, 2020. moderator and SQ ethics had one minute to prepare debt?” rejecting UCSC’s argument to the debate team except The Collegiate Ethics Bowl bowl coach Kathy Richards their five minute rebuttal. It was San Quentin’s turn that because college educa- for Akins, kept the tradi- Match was the culminating introduced the first issue for They began their response by to present their views first. tion ‘should have been free’ to tion of success. The College competition for the incarcer- debate. summarizing UCSC’s stated Their position: It is not ethi- begin with, loan debt should program at San Quentin re- ated team’s intensive semes- “In this era of climate views. Next, Alex Ross and cal to forgive the students’ be forgiven. “College is not a mains undefeated through ter-long debate workshop. change, having more children Randy Akins asked ques- debt. panacea. For example, many three years of the annual They researched, practiced, exacerbates the problem and tions about what corporations Charles Crowe led the people are overeducated.” Collegiate Ethics Bowl and held weekly workshops the children themselves will should do and why. presentation. He asked, “Do Jessie Rose followed up, Match against UCSC. with coaches throughout the suffer,” said Richards. Nicholas Paramoure re- students have a moral ob- “There are many jobs that SQ Ethics Bowl coach semester-long extracurricular “In light of the added pres- sponded for UCSC, explain- ligation to repay?” and an- don’t require a college degree Connie Krosney and team program. sure on our ecosystem from ing that it is immoral to ask swered “Yes.” Then he asked, – McDonald’s, for example, members Andrew Wad- The prison match capped increasing world population, those without power to give “Should the debt be paid by or correctional officers. Val- sworth (for SQ) and Andres the UCSC team’s annual is it still OK to have more up their right to have children taxpayers?” and answered ue comes from experience as Ortuno (for UCSC) also at- competition in the national children?” when the powerful cause “No.” much as from education.” tended and supported their Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl Moderator Richards more global warming in the Crowe further supported “The California public teams. (IEB). started the two-minute stop- first place. the team’s position: “Autono- chose to limit taxes for edu- This year’s team also won “Welcome to the third an- watch and the UCSC students Then it was the judges’ my and reciprocity are pres- cation, thus requiring higher a unanimous decision in a nual Ethics Bowl hosted by quickly huddled around their turn to engage the UCSC ent in most cases. It is a just tuition decades ago with scrimmage against Stan- the College Program at San table and prepared their an- team. James Clifford, re- moral contract that benefits Proposition 13,” said George ford University’s IEB team Quentin,” said Executive swer. The team had 10 min- tired UCSC professor, asked the less affluent. Unscrupu- Calvin. in December 2019, and lost Director Jody Lewen, PhD. utes to present their views. the debaters, “Is there ever a lous lending is a red herring.” Then the judges began a split decision to San Jose “This is our first event as the Marian Avila-Breach point where this ethical ques- Akins added, “Some may their dialogue with the SQ State University’s IEB team new independent college, opened, confidently stating tion should be considered?” say tax the rich. But the rich team. “Debt forgiveness is in January 2020. Mount Tamalpais College.” UCSC’s position. “It is OK Zeng and Genshaft respond- wiggle out. Shifting the debt the public deciding later and The Intercollegiate Ethics The hundred or so incar- to continue to have children ed that there is room for the burden to the general public is different from welching,” Bowl, founded in 1996, is cerated and outside guests in despite climate change.” She question. is immoral.” said judge Rahsaan Thomas an annual national competi- the audience applauded the emphasized the importance Jennifer Fisher, teacher at Zeng began UCSC’s rebut- to his fellow incarcerated tion between more than 200 occasion and then listened to of the right of all individu- the University of San Fran- tal to the incarcerated team’s students. “And by the way, universities. The Collegiate an introduction by Kyle Rob- als to choose for themselves cisco and Mount Tamalpais position, stating, “We agree who is paying for your edu- Ethics Bowl Match inside ertson, lecturer of philosophy whether to have children. College, asked, “Could there with some of your views, but cation?” The Q is hosted by the Col- at UCSC and coach for both Leqi Zeng explained that ever be a point when more disagree with some. College Smiles filled the chapel as lege Program at San Quen- teams. other measures such as in- draconian measures would education should be paid by Rose graciously acknowl- tin and the Center for Pub- “The Ethics Bowl is very creasing recycling or reduc- be ethical?” “No,” responded taxes because education ben- edged that the SQ college pro- lic Philosophy at UC Santa different from a traditional ing pollution make more Avila-Breach. efits the public, not just indi- gram is only possible because Cruz. debate,” said Robertson. sense, particularly since cli- “It is always immoral for vidual students.” of generous supporters, some The annual match brings “The two teams argue only mate change negatively af- someone to tell another to not Thomas continued, argu- of who were in the audience. thinkers from diverse back- what they really believe, and fects the poor disproportion- have a child,” said Zeng. “It’s ing, “College benefits all, Time ran out. The debate was grounds and circumstances they may even agree with ately and is caused mostly by a matter of human rights.” and should be free in the first over. The audience buzzed, together to engage in civic each other. The Ethics Bowl corporations. place.” excitedly awaiting the deci- dialogue about today’s chal- allows participants to pro- “A corporate problem ROUND TWO Avila-Breach added, sion of the three-judge panel. lenging social issues.

Photo by FirstWatch UC Santa Cruz Ethics Bowl Team members - Noah Thomas, Photo by FirstWatch Marian Avila-Breach, Leqi Zeng, Nicholas Paramoure, Andrew Genshaft SQ Debate team with team member Andrew Wadsworth Page 10 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com January 2021

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Crossword Edited by Jan Perry 11 12 13 14 Across Down 15 16 17

Snippets 1. Now 1. Type of appeal 18 19 20 5. Jackson 5 song 2. Type of detergent symbol isn’t officially 8. Michelle Wie star 3. Singer Blacc 21 22 called hashtag or # 11. Goes after Blue or White 4. Extreme fear 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 pound. Its technical 12. Actress Lathan 5. Actresses Gasteyer and de Armas name is octothorpe. The 14. ‘00s rock band 6. UK street artist 31 32 33 34 “octo-” means “eight” 15. Scent 7. G-Shock maker to refer to its points, 16. Actors Rickman and Cumming 8. Type of tax 35 36 37 38 though reports disagree 17. Some types of phones 9. Fox TV show on where “-thorpe” came 18. Fun (Brit.) 10. Portable life saving machines (Abbr.) 39 40 41 from. Some claim it was 21. Spanish cheer 12. Sound minded named after Olympian 42 43 44 45 Jim Thorpe, while others 22. Apple from the service tree 13. Political abbr in Chicago argue it was just a 23. Some laptops 14. Type of coffee 46 47 48 nonsense suffix. 26. Onerepublic song 19. Lou Gehrig’s disease (Abbr.) 28. Comic book type of man 20. _____ + True 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 cow-bison hybrid is 31. Berry drink ___ Wonderful 23. Notices (Abbr.) Acalled a “beefalo”. You 32. Abbr. of popular US congressperson 24. 90s Canadian software company 57 58 59 can even buy its meat in 33. Jaded people have __ __ all 25. Type of board at least 21 states. 35. Shares some chow 26. Type of story 60 61 62 39. Balkan country 27. Land parcels ery interesting fact: 40. Type of music 29. Layered vegetable 63 64 65 VGlitter was made on 41. Earth material 30. Booster a ranch. A cattle rancher 42. French city famed for its food 32. Actor Butterfield in New Jersey is credited E S P M M M M M S M S 43. ___ Rubika 33. Singer Cooke By Jonathan Chiu for inventing glitter, 44. Tom Hardy movie 34. Us vs ____ S T O T A A A A H E P A and it was by accident. 46. Japanese noodle 36. Generic webpage Last issue’s answer Henry Ruschmann from T O N I R R R R R O M A N 48. STD 37. Types Bernardsville, New 49. Is tender 38. CA job dept. A P Y R R H I C V I C T O R Y Jersey was a machinist A D I A O A T who crushed plastic 57. Actor Bridges 43. Inborn while trying to find a way 58. A destructive mudflow on 44. Energy K A S D A N H S N C P A the slopes of a volcano 45. Calls up to dispose of it and thus E C T O O S H A I S L E S made glitter in 1934. 59. Precedes action, bend, or boot 47. Former Houston athlete 60. Money given to poor people 48. ___ and now S H O R T S H A R P S T O C K ogs normally start 61. Short musical composition 49. College degrees H A S S E O W E R E S A I Dsniffing with their right 62. Round Dutch cheese 50. Long fishes A S S M S W A R P E N T nostril, then keep it there 63. Dir from San Francisco 51. Dull if the smell could signal to Monterey, CA 52. Town in Switzerland I P O I N D O danger, but they’ll shift to 64. ___ & Stimpy 53. Possessed D A Y S O F R E C K O N I N G the left side for something 65. Not all 54. Ctrl-z E R A S T A M E S I D E A pleasant, like food or a 55. Group mating partner. 56. Substance to carry oxygen in blood A C L U E R I E T O L L S E E N E T S L L L Last Issue’s Brain Teasers Sudoku Sudoku Answers Solutions The blind beggar was the sister of her brother, who died.

1 7 4 2 8 5 3 9 6 Room-Turn on the first two switches. Leave them on for five minutes. Once Corner 2 5 8 3 6 9 4 7 1 five minutes has passed, turn off the second switch, leaving one switch on. 3 6 9 1 4 7 2 5 8 4 1 7 5 2 8 6 3 9 Now go through the door. The light that is still on is connected to the first 5 8 2 6 9 3 7 1 4 switch. Whichever of the other two is warm to the touch is connected to the 6 9 3 4 7 1 5 8 2 second switch. The bulb that is cold is connected to the switch that was never 3 8 1 7 4 1 8 5 2 9 6 3 turned on. Thought this brain teaser was hard? 8 2 5 9 3 6 1 4 7 Campsite-White. The only place you can hike 3 miles south, then east for 3 7 4 1 5 9 3 6 7 1 4 8 2 5 miles, then north for 3 miles and end up back at your starting point is the North 9 5 2 Pole. Polar bears are the only bears that live at the North Pole, and they are 9 5 7 6 1 3 2 8 4 white. 4 8 3 2 5 7 1 9 6 2 5 1 6 1 2 8 4 9 5 3 7 Photograph-His son 1 7 8 3 6 4 9 5 2 3 2 1 5 5 2 4 9 7 1 3 6 8 Job-There are pronounced differently when the first letter is capitalized. 3 6 8 5 2 8 7 4 1 5 9 6 2 8 4 5 7 9 2 6 1 3 This issue 2 9 1 4 3 6 8 7 5 7 3 6 1 8 5 4 2 9 6 5 2 What makes this number unique: 9 6 2 7 8,549,176,320? A man stands on one side of a river, his 8 6 5 dog on the other. The man calls his dog, who immediately crosses the river without What five-letter word becomes shorter getting wet and without using a bridge or a when you add two letters to it? boat. How did the dog do it?

4 7 An Arab sheik is old and must leave his I am the beginning of sorrow and the fortune to one of his two sons. He makes a 9 2 3 end of sickness. You cannot express proposition: Both sons will ride their camels in a 9 4 1 happiness without me yet I am in the midst race, and whichever camel crosses the finish line of crosses. I am always in risk yet never in LAST will win the fortune for its owner. During 3 6 2 danger. You may find me in the sun, but I the race, the two brothers wander aimlessly for am never out of darkness. days, neither willing to cross the finish line. In 5 2 8 desperation, they ask a wise man for advice. He tells them something; then the brothers leap onto 7 5 8 3 the camels and charge toward the finish line. Your parents have six sons including What did the wise man say? 7 8 you and each son has one sister. How many people are in the family? 6 3 7 4 January 2021 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 11 Incarcerated Reentry Resource Directory

Time for Change Foundation (Women) Office of AIDS Administration: 1000 Broadway, Ste. 310, Open Door Legal 2164 N Mountain View Ave Oakland, CA 94607 4634 3rd St. San Bernardino, CA 92405 (510)-268-2497 acphd.org/project-new-start.aspx San Francisco, CA 94124 (909) 886-2994 [email protected] timefor- General Support: Prison Tattoo Removal (415) 735-4124 opendoorlegal.org changefoundation.org/services/psh/ Legal: Clean Slate, Job Discrimination, Child Support, Custody & Housing: Temporary Housing, Emergency Housing Asian Prisoner Support Committee Visitation, Eviction Defense, Estate Planning, Additional Locations in 416 8th St. Excelsior, Western Addition Episcopal Community Services - Rapid Rehousing Program Oakland CA 94607 asianprisonersupport.com Cricket Miller, Program Manager General Support: Case Management Legal Services of Northern California 1138 Howard St. 51 12th St. San Francisco, CA 94103 California Reentry Program (San Quentin) Sacramento, CA 95814 (415) 487-3300 x7012 esf-sf.org P.O. Box 483, (916) 551-2150 (707) 643-0054 lsnc.net Housing: Temporary Housing San Quentin, CA 94964 Legal: Criminal Record Remedies, Occupational Licensing, AB [email protected] https://www.ca-reentry.org/ 1008 Enforcement, Housing Kingdom Builders Christian Fellowship Dream Center General Support: Parole Planning, Pre-Release Assistance 20450 Royal Ave. California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. Hayward, CA 94541 Veterans Transition Center of Monterey County 1020 15th St., Ste. 20 (510) 326-2446 [email protected] 220 Twelfth St. Modesto, CA 95354 kingdombuilderscf.org/dream-center/ Marina, CA 93933 (209) 577-3811 (530) 742-5191 crla.org Housing: Temporary Housing (831) 883-8387 vtcmonterey.org Legal: Record Clearing, Occupational Licensing Issues, Housing, General Support: Veterans with No Registration Offenses Employment, Public Benefits, Education Forensic Housing Program John Paul Soto, Senior Program Manager Bonafide La Familia Women With Hope 191 Golden Gate Ave. General Support: Gate Pickups Linda Zavala, Senior Counselor/Outreach Coordinator San Francisco, CA 94102 Community Support 3315 International Boulevard (415) 581-0891 x105 [email protected] lssnorcal.org 415-659-8406 bonafidelife.org Oakland, CA 94601 Housing: Temporary Housing 510-634-8819 [email protected] lafamiliacounsel- Prison Reentry Network ing.org/recovery_wellness Volunteers of America prisonerreentrynetwork.org/resources/prn-produced Substance Use Treatment: Women, Outpatient Treatment, In- 24 14th St. Guide: Resource List, Technology, Directions, Banking, Job cludes Childcare On-Site, Additional Languages: Spanish Oakland, CA 94612 Search, Obtaining Identification (510) 419-0360 voa.org La Familia Latina Family Services Center Housing: Temporary Housing Root and Rebound Reentry Planning Toolkit Robert Archuleta, Outpatient Supervisor rootandrebound.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/RR-Reentry- 1319 Fruitvale Ave., Insight Garden Program Pla nning-Toolkit_CIPFIP-1.pdf Oakland, CA 94601 Amanda Berger, Program Director Guide: Resource Guide, Reentry Planning 510-300-3170 [email protected] lafamiliacoun- 2081 Center St. seling.org/recovery_wellness Berkeley, CA 94704 California Veteran Services Substance Use Treatment: Men, Outpatient Treatment, Drug (415) 854-0067 insightgardenprogram.org calvet.ca.gov/VetServices/Documents/Veteran_%20Re- Screening, Healthcare: HIV Testing, Additional Languages: Spanish Housing: Search source_%2 0Book.pdf Guide: Veteran Resources El Chante Recovery Home HealthRight 360 Aura Gonzalez, Lead Counselor Ivana Chavez, Program Manager UCSF - Older Adults Returning to the San Francisco Community 425 Vernon Street 1563 Mission St. tideswellucsf.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/SF-REENTRY-G Oakland, CA 94610 San Francisco, CA 94103 UIDE.pdf 510-465-4569 [email protected] lafamiliacoun- Office: (415) 746-1940 (415) 767-0481 x3588 healthright360.org Guide: Older Adults seling.org/recovery_wellness Housing: Temporary Housing, Substance Use: Treatment Substance Use Treatment: Men, Residential Treatment, Drug No New SF Jails Testing, Educational Activities, Job Placement, Social Support Refer- Options Recovery Services nonewsfjail.org/reentry-menu/ rals, Additional Languages: Spanish Pam Thomas, Housing Director Guide: Reentry Guide Corey Glassman, Admissions Manager Lifelong Project Pride 1835 Allston Way Getting Out and Staying Out Database 2545 San Pablo Ave. Berkeley, CA 94703 https://sfgov.org/sfreentry/sites/default/files/GOSO_18.19%20Edi Oakland, CA 94612 (510) 666-9552 [email protected] cglassman@op- tion_final.pdf General: (510) 446-6160 Admission: (510) 446-7150 lifelongmedi- tionsrecovery.org optionsrecoveryservices.org Guide: Resource Database cal.org/locations/our-locations/east-bay-community-r ecovery-proj- Housing: Temporary Housing, Substance Use: Treatment ect.html Legal Aid at Work Substance Use Treatment: Pregnant and Parenting Women, Resi- GEO Reentry Services (415) 864-8848 legalaidatwork.org dential Treatment, Training, Mental Health Support, Includes Child 111 Taylor St. Care with Education, Therapy, Developmental Assessments San Francisco, CA 94104 Legal Services of Northern California (Ukiah Regional Office) (415) 346-9769 georeentry.com Client Line: (707) 462-1471 Toll free: (877) 529-7700 lsnc.net Primavera Housing: Temporary Housing Substance Use: Treatment (Referral Melissa Mata, Lead Counselor Required) Prisoners with Children 3315 International Blvd., 4400 Market St. Oakland, CA 94601 Women’s Center Youth & Family Services Oakland, CA 94608 510-731-4558 [email protected] https://www.lafa- 620 N. San Joaquin St. (415) 255-7036 Fax: (415) 552-3150 prisonerswithchildren.org miliacounseling.org/recovery_wellness Stockton, CA 95202 Legal: Family Unity Project, Legal Resources, Legal Guides Substance Use Treatment: Youth, Treatment, Individual and Group (209) 941-2611 womenscenteryfs.org Counseling, Drug Testing, Social Activities Housing: Temporary Emergency Shelter for Domestic Violence Asian Law Caucus - Asian Americans Advancing Justice Youth, Additional Languages: Spanish Victims,Community Support: Peer Mentorship, Support Groups, Legal: Asian American Pacific Islanders Immigration General Support: Family and Children’s Services, Public Benefits, Aarti Kohli, Executive Director La Familia Alameda County Justice Restoration Project (ACJRP) Help with Applications, Case Management Services, Clothing, 55 Columbus Ave. Lara Maxey, Program Director (510) 300-3560 x1260 Helplines for Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault San Francisco, CA 94111 1319 Fruitvale Ave., (415) 896-1701 Fax:(415) 896-1702 advancingjustice-alc.org Oakland, CA 94601 Phatt Chance Community Services Inc. Legal: Asian American Community, Immigration, Deportation De- [email protected] lafamiliacounseling.org/diver- George Ray Turner, MA, Executive Director fense sion_re_entry_department 2443 Fillmore St. Wraparound Services: Individual, Family, Group Therapy, Inpatient #216 San Francisco, CA 94115 TGI Justice Project and Outpatient Substance Use Treatment SF: (415) 822-9922 Oakland: (510) 878-2360 phattchance.org 1349 Mission St. Housing: Temporary Housing, Healthcare: Emergency Psychiatric San Francisco, CA 94103 3rd Street Youth Clinic Care (415) 554-8491 [email protected] tgijp.org 1728 Bancroft Ave. Legal: Transgender Persons, Reentry Support Services San Francisco, CA 94124 Root & Rebound (415) 822-1707 Fax: (415) 822-1723 3rdstyouth.org 1730 Franklin St., Ste. 300 Bay Area Legal Aid Youth: Development, Education, Counseling Oakland, CA 94612 1735 Telegraph Ave. 510-279-4662 [email protected] rootandrebound.org Oakland, CA 94612 Focus Forward Housing: Transitional Housing Assistance, Legal: Reentry Legal (510) 663-4755 baylegal.org/what-we-do/ (559) 600-4961 focusforward.org Advice Hotline Legal: Housing, Public Benefits, Criminal Record Remedies, Em- Youth: Education, Mentorship, Case Management, Reentry Plan- ployment, Consumer ning The Young Women’s Freedom Center - Home Free Project Gloriana Darwin (415) 424-8249 Restoration Law Center Oakland Unite Luna Salamme (510) 621-3265 youngwomenfree.org PO Box 7965, Kentrell Killens, Program Officer [email protected] Housing Community Support: Peer Mentorship General Support: Van Nuys, CA 91406 Sara Serin-Christ, Family Violence Response sserin-christ@oak- Ride-Home Services from Custody, Life Coaching for Women (213) 835-0730 landca.gov [email protected] restorationlawcenter.com (510) 238-3121 oaklandunite.org Building Opportunities for Legal: Criminal Defense Youth: Diversion, Reentry, Intervention Self-Sufficiency (BOSS) Rental Assistance and Warm Hand Off Family Violence Support: Mental Health Services, Systems Navi- 9006 MacArthur Blvd. San Francisco Clean Slate Program gation, Family Support, Safety Needs, Legal Advocacy, Hotline, Tem- Oakland, CA 94605 Walk-In Clinic Locations Vary By Day of the Week sfpublicdefend- porary Safe Space for Survivors (510) 649-1930 [email protected] self-sufficiency.org/ er.org/services/clean-slate/ reentry-justice/ Legal: Record Cleaning This resource guide was provided by post- Housing: Temporary Housing, Rental Assistance, Financial Sup- conviction unit interns from UC Hastings and port for Move-In Costs, Family Reunification: Assistance and Referral Alameda Clean Slate Program (510) 268-7400 [email protected] co.alameda.ca.us/defend- the San Francisco Public’s Defenders Office. Project New Start er/services/cleanslate.htm Researched and compiled by Ayanna Gandhi, 1000 Broadway, Ste. 500 Legal: Record Cleaning Abigail Swallow, Amy Tao, Violeta Velazquez, Ruby Oakland, CA 94607 Wilks under the Supervision of Stephen Liebb. Page 12 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com January 2021 To those who we love and cherish but can’t be together at this difficult time, it will pass and we will be reunited once again Happy Valentine’s Day To the one woman I have Ever loved Starr Wadsworth The one woman through thick and thin, always tried her hardest to stand by me. Happy Valentine’s Day

Drew Family of Mr. and & Mrs. Lee Shane and Maria Starr Happy 6th Anniversary Thank You for a Wonderful 10 years

Hearts, Melodies, Forever Your Love is God’s love for me. My Valentine’s... Eternally Yours, XOXO Shi’Kem ♥ Maggie Robert and Erma