San Quentin News

WRITTEN BY THE INCARCERATED – ADVANCING SOCIAL JUSTICE VOL. 2020 NO. 3 March 2020 Edition 126 SAN QUENTIN, CALIFORNIA 94964 www.sanquentinnews.com POPULATION 4058 CDCR leader and others seek prison reform answers in Norway

Photo courtesy of CCWP Participants gather after the event for a photo Advocates in Oakland push to end LWOP By Marcus Henderson packed audience. Editor-in-Chief The Oakland event marked the first time the women were able to Photos by Michele Casadei, UC San Francisco California has an estimated 5,000 participate in a town hall meet- people serving life without parole ing similar to one that first created CDCR Secretary Ralph Diaz (back row, 5th from right) and formerly incarcerated Adnan Khan (in center) (LWOP), and their plight is almost public awareness of their situation. never discussed—especially the Then Gov. Jerry Brown commuted Story by Ike Dodson CDCR’s Secretary and Division of everyone involved. way the sentence affects female the women’s sentences. Office of Public and Employee Adult Institutions (DAI) Director, The trip, funded by philanthropic prisoners. Their stories and those of others Communications bonded with senior staff from programs and organized by A campaign to drop California’s still imprisoned are described in an the governor’s office, formerly an ambitious visionary at the use of LWOP received a public audio storytelling project titled “A As they covered 5,000 miles and incarcerated people, peace officer University of California, San airing late last year. Kelly Savage, Living Chance,” released through an ocean on an international flight union representatives and criminal Francisco (UCSF), made significant Tammy Cooper-Garvin, Brandi the California Coalition for Women on Sept. 14, CDCR Secretary, Ralph justice advocates in a life-changing impact on CDCR leadership. “The Taliano and Susan Bustamante Prisoners (CCWP). Diaz and Connie Gipson had plenty environment across the globe. world shrunk,” Diaz explained. shared their pain and the trauma of of time to consider their doubts. Over six days, Diaz and Gipson “I saw staff and inmates engaging serving a LWOP sentence with a See LWOP on page 7 “It won’t work here.” toured Norwegian prisons, training in a very positive way, as if the “California is too big, too violent facilities and reentry programs, environment belonged to all of and plagued by prison gangs.” witnessing famed humanistic them, not just inmates or staff. Those thoughts soon gave way practices that deliver wellness, Peace movement grows See CDCR on page 4 in all 36 California prisons to excited optimism, as the pair, safety and empowerment to By Anthony Manuel Caravalho The event aims to support non- Storytellers polish their craft through the Staff Writer violent living and spiritual unity through an all-faith dialogue. California’s top prison official, Warden (A) R. Broomfield greet- San Quentin News Journalism Guild Ralph Diaz, says as a society our ed participants before delivering The second annual San Quentin Executive Editor and winner of Prisoners across the country can differences are a good thing, and no Diaz’s message inside the prison’s News Journalism Guild Graduation the Arnulfo T. Garcia Leadership thank Richardson’s curiosity and matter what a person’s social back- Protestant Chapel. took place in the Garden Chapel Award, spoke about the impor- intellect when he looked the word ground is, “They bring value to the “I feel blessed to be at San Quen- on Jan. 17. Twelve graduates from tance of the guild. up and realized his own talent with world simply by being here.” tin; it’s a fresh breath of air. I came November’s class combined with Having worked every position words. Diaz is secretary of the California from a violent prison,” Broomfield this current class of 11 to celebrate from print to layout to Editor-in- “Words mean a lot; we Department of Corrections and Re- said. “This is an amazing prison, and finishing the six-month course. Chief, Richardson reflected how communicate with each other; habilitation (CDCR). His statement I want you all to embrace that. We The event honored the gradu- words began to change his life. we all have the ability to grow. was delivered to San Quentin on the need to elevate the desire for peace.” ates, recognized advisors and “At my last prison, a guy called Our newspaper allows people to Day of Peace and Reconciliation ob- brought attention to the impact me pessimistic, and I wanted to grow—and will continue to do so,” served in 35 prisons on Jan. 29. See Day of Peace on page 10 of programs like the guild on beat him up—even though I really said Richardson. rehabilitation. didn’t know what the word meant,” Richard Richardson, SQ News’ said Richardson. See Guild on page 11

Photo by Javier Jimenez, SQN Imam Fasi, Rabbi Paul Shleffar and Chaplain Hector Frank Heredia of Native Services Inside Edition #126

Restorative Justice at Donovan Musicambia Composition Workshop Page 12 Page 24 Photo by Javier Jimenez, SQN Monica Campbell with the Spanish graduating class of 2020 Page 2 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com March 2020

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Thank you UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY for your support! Graduate School of Journalism Marin's Chief Probation Officer focuses on restorative justice By Kevin D. Sawyer careful not to re-victimize…” Assembly Bill 109, Public between the ages 18 and 25. Associate Editor Citing some of the failures Safety Realignment, and im- “We all have our points of mass incarceration has pro- plemented it to manage the change,” said Daly. “What Mike Daly, the chief proba- duced over the last 30 years, state’s unprecedented growth I’m trying to develop [in tion officer in Marin County, Daly said a change in the in its prison population. them] is intrinsic motiva- believes in restorative justice, culture of corrections needs Other significant reforms tion. Sometimes guys don’t something he’s put into prac- to take place as well. He ac- followed in California’s care about themselves so it’s tice instead of talking about it. knowledged the increase in criminal justice landscape. hard to make those changes. During an interview with California’s prison popula- Changes in the law such as When you make that move SQ News in January, Daly tion didn’t happen overnight Proposition 57 are changing intrinsically you have a much discussed pro-social thinking but said the legislature was the situation, he said, while higher likelihood of being and how to “rewire” people asleep at the wheel for two admitting it’s not perfect, “but successful.” to be the best they can be af- decades. it’s a start.” “I’ve seen guys who’ve ter becoming involved in the Between 1990 and 2005, Daly said he’s worked with turned the corner,” said Daly, criminal justice system. a new prison opened in the Ralph Diaz, secretary of the adding “Extrinsic motivation “I want people to know that United States every 10 days,” California Department of doesn’t work on guys from restorative justice does work, wrote Bryan Stevenson, at- Corrections and Rehabilita- the hood. You have much and there’s data to prove it,” torney and founder of the tion. They’ve established a more success when you de- said Daly. “It should be part Equal Justice Initiative, in Skype program that allows Photo by Javier Jimenez, SQN velop intrinsic motivation.” of a forward thinking criminal his book Just Mercy. “Pris- inmates headed for post-re- Marin County Chief Probation Officer Mike Daly Daly said statewide, 8% justice system.” on growth and the resulting lease community supervision of those on PRCS violate To successfully undertake ‘prison-industrial complex’ (PRCS) to communicate with happy that Marin has adjusted the Independent Journal re- their probation and return to restorative justice as a model, – the business interests that their probation officer before to Realignment very well.” ported. Daly stressed that prison, but in Marin County he said, there has to be in- capitalize on prison construc- leaving state prison. He said all of its criminal defendants who participate in the number is 2%. “We’re put from district attorneys, tion – made imprisonment so Daly was president of the justice leaders who voted this program are less likely to considered a high performing victims, offenders and other profitable that millions of dol- Chief Probation Officers of to allocate funding feel that reoffend. county,” he said. stakeholders. lars were spent lobbying state California in 2014. Accord- strong rehabilitative programs Daly was appointed as In 1990, Daly received his In Marin County, “Cases legislators…” ing to the Marin County Pro- are the best for public safety. Chief Probation Officer in bachelor’s degree from Cal are referred to the probation “We didn’t examine or bation Department website, Assembly Bill 109 pro- 2009 by the Board of Supervi- Poly in Social Science with department for restorative make adjustments,” Daly said “(former) Governor Brown vides funding for many of sors, but confessed he wasn’t a concentration in criminal justice only after being of the years California’s re- had placed a tremendous Marin County’s support sys- ready to deal with the politics justice—the same year he cleared by the Marin County cidivism rate was at 70%. amount of responsibility on tems such as finding shelter that came with the job. Since started his career with Marin District Attorney’s Office He said it was there for a the shoulders of probation for those on probation. Realignment, the manage- Probation. In 1999 he earned and the Marin County Public long time, and every year the departments across the state. “We will pay for that free, ment of lower-level prison- a master’s degree in public Defender’s Office,” the state budget kept going up. You don’t do that unless you for the first six months,” said ers was shifted from the state administration from Golden Marin Independent Journal Eventually a federal three- have trust and confidence in Daly. prison and parole system to Gate University. reported. judge panel stepped in. your partners.” Daly noted that Senate Bill the county jail and probation “I’m super proud about For three years, Daly’s When that happened, the Daly said he felt that trust. 678 also provides funding for system. (restorative justice) and I’m office has been innovative courts instructed California to “We will work with Gov- programs that offset prison. To promote justice, Daly looking to expand,” said Daly. in its approach to criminal reduce and maintain its state ernor Newsom and hopefully “This bill was introduced said “We’re proposing that “I’d like people to know that justice. prison population at a cap of create the same trusting bond around 2008, and it’s still ac- the age of jurisdiction for ju- we are the first department in “I think I’m the first in 137.5% of design capacity that we had with Governor tive today,” he said. veniles be 18 to 19,” citing the California solely to conduct Marin to hire someone to do in order to deliver adequate Brown,” the probation depart- The Edward Byrne Memo- science behind brain develop- restorative justice for offender restorative justice,” he said. medical care to all inmates. ment website states. rial Justice Assistance Grant ment and the foundational and victim. I’m pretty proud “We offer that if the victim is Shortly thereafter, in 2011, “We’re not a ‘lock ‘em Program also funds Daly’s reasoning that the brain is of the footprint we have in okay with it. We want to be California lawmakers passed up county,’” said Daly. “I’m restorative justice service, still in a stage of development Marin.” Newsom proposes reducing probation and boosting rehabilitation programs By Dillon Kim spending “an unprecedented police chiefs are opposed. tail on probation would frankly are determinative.” He said “Longer duration of super- Journalism Guild Writer amount of money” -- $210 mil- Longer probation terms al- lessen that accountability.” the change was prompted by a vision not only costs money,” lion over four years – in reha- low officers to search offend- Support is voiced by the major increase in car burglaries he said, “For small petty things Gov. Gavin Newsom is pro- bilitation programs early in the ers, their homes and vehicles Chief Probation Officers of following passage of a proposi- you throw people back in the posing major changes in Cali- probation period, where they to find drugs, weapons, stolen California. The group agrees tion that reclassified some felo- system and that cycle of vio- fornia’s criminal justice system are believed most effective, items or other evidence, said that focusing on rehabilitative nies as misdemeanors. lence perpetuates itself.” by reducing probation to two The Associated Press reported Ron Lawrence, president of the services is the best way to help “This goes directly to the car The reform group Califor- years and boosting rehabilita- Jan. 11. California Police Chiefs Asso- change behavior and reduce break-ins; this goes to the petty nians for Safety and Justice tion programs for offenders. The plan sets probation at a ciation. According to him, this re-offense. crime issue, this should be cel- points out that 10 times as Newsom said the change is maximum of two years, down tends to reduce crimes. “The data and the evidence ebrated by the law enforcement many offenders are sentenced aimed at cutting costs and re- from five for felonies and three Lawrence said his group op- and the science bears out,” community because of the in- to probation than to prison, but ducing recidivism. for misdemeanors. Probation poses changes that would lessen Newsom said. “You front load tensity of services we want to probation receives only a frac- He said he proposes officers support the change but accountability. “Lessening the services – those first 18 months provide,” Newsom said. tion of the funding. March 2020 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 3 Pelican Bay’s new podcast ‘UNLOCKED’ By Vincent E. O’Bannon podcast aims to bring to- Journalism Guild Writer gether the men on the inside and to communicate with the Creators of a new Pelican residents of Del Norte and Bay podcast look to build Crescent City. community and prisoner re- “They’re Del Norte too, lationships—one story at a and they’re very interested in time, reported the Lost Coast hearing from the community. Outpost. They want interaction. They “These guys just want to want to humanize them- better themselves and create selves,” said Critz. a stronger, more resilient, Dubbed as the single most community,” said Paul Critz, important project in his ca- a journalist who teaches in- reer, Critz uses a portable mate students the tools they recorder, laptop and a hand- need to record their personal held microphone to show his stories. students how to put together a narrative. While given much room for choosing content, Pelican “We have to Bay’s Public Information Officer John Silviera ad- figure out what vised Critz not to “bash the institution.” that means “There’s a lot of gray area because at all around that phrase,” Critz told the Outpost. “We have what point does to figure out what that means Photo courtesy of CDCR bashing your because at what point does bashing your reality become Pelican Bay's UNLOCKED staff meets reality become bashing the institution that’s responsible for your reality?” prison. hope,” said Critz. “They’re radio station. He was tapped out the most,” he told the bashing the Critz credits what he calls Critz’ students chose “The able to think about a future, to head Pelican Bay’s UN- Outpost, was from the daugh- institution...” “The Awakening” as the piv- Awakening” as the subject maybe getting out – certainly LOCKED by Stephanie ter of one of his students. otal moment in Pelican Bay’s of their first podcast. “They even with people who’ll nev- Wenning, former executive “I love listening to this history that led to launching wanted to talk about… the er get out.” director of the Del Norte podcast. It makes me happy the podcast. changes that have been hap- Critz, experienced in free- Association for Cultural to know my dad is doing Inspired by San Quentin’s “The Awakening” refers pening at Pelican Bay and lance journalism and radio, is Awareness. something positive with Ear Hustle, Pelican Bay Pris- to the 2015 Supreme Court other prisons as a result. best known as the operator of Of all the reviews Critz re- his life. I can’t wait to hear on’s UNLOCKED became decision that shut down Peli- “The real awakening is Crescent City’s community ceived, “The one that stands more,” she said. the first of its kind at a secu- can Bay’s Security Housing rity level IV institution. Units in 2013, following a Created by Critz and about widespread series of hun- 30 incarcerated men, the ger strikes that began at the Nearly 15,000 meals per day served at San Quentin with a special touch San Quentin News breakfast, lunch and dinner be a people person. You have San Quentin News Staff Staff Administrative Review got better. Lunches got them to have a sense of humor and granola bars in them and fresh Richard Richardson, Executive Editor Lt. S. Robinson, Warden’s Office be a little quirky. Just because Marcus Henderson, Editor-in-Chief Sgt. R. Gardea, Warden’s Office veggies and the food is good at you’re here (in prison) don’t Juan Haines, Senior Editor Joe Orlando, CDCR least three times a week now. mean that you have to be Kevin D. Sawyer, Associate Editor Information Officer I I miss the real catfish for din- down.” Anthony Faulk, Managing Editor Krissi Khokhobashvili, ner; I cannot wait to have that She added, “I learned that Joe Garcia, Journalism Guild Deputy Chief CDCR Office again. The only thing I can it’s important to respect peo- Chairperson of External Affairs say that I wish would happen ple and incarcerated men have Aaron Taylor, Sports Editor Linda Xiques, Adviser is that it be more consistent.” always showed me respect.” David Ditto, Staff Writer William Drummond, Adviser Reed has been at San Quen- Garcia gets along with peo- Michael Johnson, Staff Writer Jan Perry, Adviser tin for almost eight years now ple she works with—free staff Anthony Caravalho, Staff Writer Joan Lisetor, Adviser and he said he definitely has and men in blue alike. Charles Crowe, Staff Writer Stuart Wagner, Adviser seen the food change for the “I never had a problem with Heriberto Arredondo, Staff Writer Steve McNamara, Adviser better. her, and she is always easy to Jesse Blue, Staff Writer John C. Eagan, Adviser Garcia added new meals communicate with,” said two- Kerry Rudd, Staff Writer Jon Spurlock, Adviser and a variety of foods, such year incarcerated worker Jose Timothy Hicks, Staff Writer Susanne Karch, Adviser as fresh yogurts, puddings, Ledesma. “She never gives Javier Jimenez, Photographer Nikki Meredith, Adviser tangerines and chocolate milk. us problems, and she is just a Juan Espinosa, Layout Designer Monica Campbell, Adviser The lunches are bagged good food manager. She’s the Jonathan Chiu, Layout Designer Lourdes Cárdenas, Editora with treats such as granola Richard Lindsey, Researcher Lisa Adams, Development Manager same every day.” bars and BBQ potato chips. The men in blue receive Current and past stories of the San Quentin News are posted online at: Dinner meals on Fridays fresh whole veggies and fruit (www.sanquentinnews.com) are not the usual processed daily. Garcia credits the pre- Follow us on Twitter @SanQuentinNews Photo by Javier Jimenez, SQN breaded fish. The men in blue Permission is granted to reprint articles appearing in the San Quentin vious food manager for that. Correctional Food Manager II. (CFM). Martha Garcia News provided credit is given to the author and this publication, now dine on real fried catfish However, she smiles while except for articles reprinted herein from other publications. and potato wedges, (fish and she takes the credit for adding By Timothy Hicks Her first job in a prison was chips). One recent Friday all of the “crazy ones,” like Staff writer at Salinas Valley State Prison, meal was chicken covered red bell peppers and squash. We Want To Hear From You! Level IV. pizza. Not everyone likes all of The San Quentin News encourages inmates, free staff, custody San Quentin’s newest food She rose through the ranks Although Garcia loves Garcia’s changes. staff, volunteers and others outside the institution to submit articles. manager says in a predomi- over the years as a cook in cooking for the men-in-blue, “Only complaint I re- All submissions become property of the San Quentin News. nately-male prison, it takes several other prisons, Te- her other main concern is ceived so far is that I put too Please use the following criteria when submitting: a woman’s touch to balance hachapi State Prison, Old the staff. At the sound of an much spice in the food or too • Limit your articles to no more than 350 words. out the population, especially Folsom Prison and California alarm, she is quick to make many onions or something of • Know that articles will be edited for content and length. when it comes to food. State Prison,(CSP) Sacramen- sure her staff is okay. that nature,” Garcia smiles • The newspaper is not a medium to file grievances. “I worked with men and to just to name a few. It was at She oversees day-to-day modestly. (For that, use the prison appeals process.) We encourage around men my entire career,” CSP that she wanted to make operations from her office. The gratitude from the San submitting articles that are newsworthy and encompass said Martha Garcia, Cor- a difference in the diet for the However, that is not where Quentin residents have not issues that will have an impact on the prison populace. rectional Food Manager II. older incarcerated men. you’d find her most of the gone unnoticed. • Please do not use offensive language in your submissions. (CFM). “So it’s no big deal “I always loved food,” Gar- time. She is usually helping “I really appreciate the ad- • Poems and artwork (cartoons and drawings) are welcomed. to be a woman in charge of a cia said compassionately, “I her, “overly strained and over dition of the yogurt,” said San • Letters to the editor should be short and to the point. situation like this. This is not always want to put the best worked,” staffers with their Quentin resident Stu Ross. my first rodeo,” she adds with food forward. I saw a lot of duties. San Quentin gets about Send Submissions to: a big smile. older men getting sicker, and I “She is doing an excep- $5.4 million annually accord- San Quentin News Known as the “Big Boss” wanted to change the medical tional job,” said five-year vet- ing to Garcia, which is spent 1 Main Street by her nine staff members, condition.” eran Supervisor Correctional quarterly to provide food for San Quentin, CA 94964 Garcia and her crew are re- Garcia came to San Quen- Cook, (SCC) I. Sapao. the prison. Prison officials in For inmates that want to receive a copy of the San Quentin News sponsible for feeding nearly tin over a year ago because Sapao is usually the morn- Sacramento create diet meals in the mail, send $1.61 worth of stamps for postage to 5,000 men at San Quentin she liked its historic relevan- ing supervisor but is working and issue the budget that Gar- the above address. The process can be repeated every Prison three times a day, 365 cy. When she arrived, she es- the night shift due to a staff cia has to follow. She stays month if you want to receive the latest newspaper. days a year. timates the kitchen was under shortage. within budget by searching Behind the Scenes Garcia says her love of staffed by at least 50 %. Since “I have never seen a man- the internet for the bargains. cooking began at home but she became Food Manager, ager who helps out, but she “I'm a foodie,” said Garcia, evolved into a passion to cook the food and services have helps,” she said. “I don’t believe that you need for the public. Her first gig improved. From unloading the trucks all that expensive stuff to have was teaching young adults “When she came here the on the dock, to the preparation a good meal. I work toward how to cook in a state funded breakfast eggs changed for the of the food, Garcia is involved the goal of having a palatable program. She has worked in better,” said part time incar- in it all. meal. Plus, I look for deals The San Quentin News is printed by restaurants and participated cerated kitchen worker Mau- “I remember my humble that will provide opportunity Marin Sun Printing, San Rafael. in cooking clubs. She also has rice Reed. “Yeah the eggs are beginnings,” Garcia said, “To to save money plus provide a experience in catering. cooked better now. In fact, deal with people you have to good meal.” Page 4 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com March 2020 What role does society play in the development of felons? using violence in the name of EDITORIAL stopping violence. Have we been raised to be intolerant against any and By Marcus Henderson everyone who is not like us Editor-in-Chief (on both sides)? Has violence been shown as a way to solve Be it California or Missis- our problems? Is this learned sippi, when news of suicides, behavior? murders or riots reaches any We witnessed our President prison population the feeling is say that he could shoot some- always the same: “damn”—if one on Fifth Avenue in broad it’s spoken or not. Especially if daylight and not get charged. you’ve been through it or wit- Damn! That’s a criminal threat, nessed these things. or what we incarcerated call a Society might think “there “terrorist threat,” and people goes those violent monsters in here are doing three to five acting up again.” What is years, if not a life sentence, for rarely discussed is that we are a statement such as that. a product of the society. Most During President Trump’s of us incarcerated are Ameri- House impeachment trial cans, and America is filled with started by the Democrats— double standards (we’ll get to more separation—Trump was that later) and most of the time alleged to have attempted to breeds intolerance. strong arm, bribe or lever- File Photo Black people and others are age—or whatever a good word Entrance to Pasrchman State Penitentiary in Mississippi still suffering under racism, choice would be (quid pro and we don’t have to go back quo)—to get the Ukrainian whistle blower. Trump’s sup- plus years, what is expected? mentality, drug addiction and comfortable. Change is chal- to slavery to see this. Black president to investigate his porters came just short of call- They have officially written low wages. The only thing they lenging. So my heart goes people can’t BBQ, sell water or rival, excuse me, his possible ing the confidential informant a their lives off and wonder what get right is housing. Even that out to the people incarcerated loose cigarettes without the po- political opponent, for his own “snitch.” they have to live for or if they has gotten tricky with Cali- in Mississippi’s prisons and lice being called. A Black man advantage. When the smoke cleared will ever see the streets again. fornia’s prisons system with across our state. was even arrested for eating a Once again, there are hun- Trump was impeached in Add to that, they are incarcer- non-designated yards—what- Also, I commend CDCR sandwich at a San Francisco dreds of thousands of people the House (by his rivals) on ated in harsh and questionable ever that means. (Officially, headquarters. They have made BART transit station platform. serving long sentences for at- “Abuse of Power” and “Ob- conditions. it’s an experimental mixture of efforts to change the prison We can’t even sit in our own tempting to do a crime. But struction of Justice.” True, unquestionable harm multiple classifications of in- landscape with rehabilitative homes without being shot and what really was most interest- But, he was acquitted by the has been done and crimes have carcerated people in the same programs, some of which have killed. ing to those incarcerated was majority Republican Senate. been committed against unde- facility.) been successful and some not. Have we ever talked about how the Republicans, Trump’s Imagine that! a jury of one’s serving people and communi- But I have come to learn Much more needs to be done: collective trauma? It’s not just “homies” (supporters), kept peers. I think most people in- ties destroyed. So there must while doing time that some the prison population is getting individuals who suffer. touting that all the evidence carcerated would have loved be a cost. But, is redemption people really want to change younger and older at the same It’s whole communities. Our against him was just hearsay. to have their friends, support- ever possible for the human their lives and not be part of— time. Just like in society, there immigrant community is being Wait, wait, wait—how many ers or homies on their juries. It being? guess what—the “prison poli- is no more middle class. detained, and kids are/have people are sitting in U.S. pris- wouldn’t be hard to guess the The prison system is the tics.” You see the terminology We might not want to say been separated from their par- ons and jails convicted on hear- outcome. microcosm of the society; we use. it, but the violence, divisions ents—OK, more trauma. Our say evidence? And I haven’t Now let’s talk about prison our country is divided, so are But some people, just like and mental health issues in President even ordered the as- yet mentioned the venomous violence and reform. When the people inside. There are in society, would like to stick prison are just a reflection of sassination of a Iranian general call to reveal the name of the people are sentenced to 800 struggles with racism, gang with the status quo—it’s more our society. CDCR leader wants to ‘make these necessary reforms’

The Jacob and Valeria Lange- CDCR loth Foundation and the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Continued from Page 1 Foundation. In Norway, the only human “At that moment I saw as- right an incarcerated person pects of this that can be done.” loses is liberty. The system, in- Diaz and Gipson were cluding architecture and habitat, joined by California Men’s is designed to mimic the com- Colony Warden Josie Gas- munity those citizens will return telo and Salinas Valley State to. Interactions with staff are Prison Warden Matthew Atch- specifically structured to cham- ley and Captain Edward Brown. pion wellness and safety. Governor Newsom [sent] repre- “I believe we have segments sentatives Daniel Seeman, Dep- of what is happening in Norway uty Cabinet Secretary, and Kelli going on in our institutions,” Evans, Deputy Legal Affairs Diaz said. “We have to line it Secretary for Criminal Justice up, put it on paper and give em- in the Office of the Governor. ployees the permission to care Other attendees included about the inmate population and formerly incarcerated advo- remind them that rehabilitation cates Adnan Khan (Co-Founder has been a part of their job since of Re:Store Justice) and Sam the day they signed up.” Lewis (Executive Director of There are clear benefits to the the Anti-Recidivism Coalition), normalcy of the environment Photos by Michele Casadei, UC San Francisco or representatives from the for staff as well as inmates. Wil- CDCR and CCPOA leaders at Norwegian prison California Correctional Peace liams said initial reports from Officers Association. Norway show health and life thriving at a reported recidivism officer in the role of an offender way,” Diaz said. “We are a historic policies and ask our- “I think it was the right expectancy metric for correc- rate of 20%, wasn’t built over- and experiencing different cus- unique, diverse populace with selves about each one: Why? people in the room, and what tional staff mirror the outcomes night. Advocates point to de- todial tactics. cultures within cultures, but Is it humane?” Diaz said. “As was so fascinating was that of other citizens. She pointed mands by the Norwegian Par- “I always look at experi- that doesn’t mean we can’t policy makers it is our job to we all came to our discoveries to research in California that liament that authorized a shift ences, trainings with an open make necessary changes.” change policies and explain throughout the week,” Gipson has highlighted a public health to rehabilitation and humanistic mind, but I admit, I was pretty “We just have to make it the why, because in the end we said. “It was really beneficial to crisis among correctional em- practices in the late 1990s. apprehensive about this,” Gip- California way. That doesn’t have to create a more humane have so many different perspec- ployees, who are more prone to Over time, accompanied by son said. “Early on I felt like mean saying no to security but prison system.” tives going through the same depression, suicide and poor life changes in sentencing laws, this was too good to be true, but yes to a different way of do- The insight inspires action. experience.” expectancy. massive changes to all aspects the more I started to listen to ing business that improves the “My first step is getting a “We chose Norway because Khan, whose work at of the correctional system be- their concepts and principles of workplace and makes a better workgroup together to look at they have a very public health Re:Store Justice brings vic- gan to take hold. normality, humanity, the more life for people returning to our what policies and procedures approach to corrections. They tims and offenders together for Those changes go far be- I bought in. Everything clicked, communities,” he added. we have in play that escalate say that people go to court to dialogue and forgiveness, said, yond the supportive housing and I was just blown away. I Diaz said he looks forward vs. de-escalate,” Gipson said. “I get punished and go to prison to “My advocacy has always been units with private restrooms, came back excited because I to collaborating with other also want to look at our training become better neighbors,” said about crime survivors, bringing couches, stocked kitchen units feel there are a lot of possibili- states that strive for similar and talk about giving staff the Williams. “Every single policy/ them in to prison, and currently/ or even small forests in rec- ties for us.” innovation and emphasized comfort to manage situations procedure and contact with a formerly incarcerated people, reational yards that keep of- A theme understood by trip- the importance of supporting within their authority without program is seen as an oppor- but when Brie talked about fenders connected to the world goers and emphasized by Nor- an environment that both ac- fear of making a mistake.” tunity to bring health and well- suicides and life expectancy of around them. wegian officials is the practical- knowledges the suffering of “My big takeaway is a sense being to people who are incar- staff — that bothered me. I had Officers interact warmly and ity of change. crime victims and delivers on a of urgency to make these nec- cerated, and simultaneously this to reevaluate my advocacy. Am respectfully on a first-name ba- Norway didn’t evolve into a promise to create fewer victims essary reforms because we gives staff and correctional of- I choosing to be the leader of a sis with incarcerated people and better form of correctional care in the future. have witnessed positive impact ficers the opportunity to change specific demographic of justice are trained much longer—two immediately, and uprooting He joined Gipson in a pre- for all those involved in a cor- people’s lives for the better.” reform or an advocate for public years versus CDCR’s 13-week the same system and dropping sentation to CDCR wardens rectional setting and for those To make the trip happen, health and humanity? Human Basic Correctional Officer it into a vastly different popu- across the state on Nov. 6, returned to communities,” Diaz Amend partnered with the rights and public health advo- Academy. They are schooled lation is not the solution for highlighting the most impact- said. “I know what can be done. community-based nonprofit cacy has to include correctional on psychology, criminology, California. ful concepts and practices that I know the department’s abili- organization Smart Justice to officers that are suffering and in human rights and ethics. The “We are not trying to make simultaneously promote well- ties and the ability of staff to get raise philanthropic funds. The pain.” process includes a lot of per- it the Norway way or the Eu- ness, safety and rehabilitation. things done.” biggest contributors included Norway’s prison model, spective shifts, like placing an ropean way but the California “We have to look at our That’s the California way. March 2020 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 5 Trump creates committee to address equality in law enforcement By Amir Shabazz adding more people of col- law enforcement requests.” communities, handling of Chiefs of Police. committees the concern Journalism Guild Writer or and females to the po- The U.S. attorney gen- the homeless issue, the Cunningham said that is that certain elements lice force, and using 21st eral will have the authority needs of the mentally ill, working groups have to of the bill will be phased- Pres. Donald Trump used century techniques to fight to determine the compo- and mass incarceration. find a bipartisan way in out. Across the aisle par- another one of his execu- crime. sition and the procedures Finding a way to make Congress to implement all ticipation has been hard to tive orders to create a com- “The thrust of the order,” for the functioning of the this happen presents a of these things. “We’ll have achieve when working to mittee dealing with how to said Nina J. Ginsberb, a commission. challenge not just for law their report, but how do you iron-out delicate issues. enforce the law equally and Virginia-based lawyer who The measure was signed enforcement, but other get it funded?” This bill, however, affects without bias, according to is president of the Defense in October 2019, and those government agencies, said The story reported find- the whole country. Law en- Tom Jackman of the Wash- Lawyers’ Association, “begs in charge have less than 10 Terry Cunningham, deputy ing funds requires a bipar- forcement, along with the ington Post. the question as to how in- months to complete their executive director for the tisan panel and when the Justice Department, will try With endorsements from terested this commission work. A similar bill is International Association of bill goes before the various to get their way. organizations like the Lead- will be in solving the deep pending in Congress, the ership Conference on Civil and structural problems in Dec. 23, 2019 story noted. and Human Rights, and America’s criminal justice According to the ar- others, the order would system, as opposed to sim- ticle, the bill calls for re- Rural prison locations deal with equal protection, ply delivering on certain view of policing in poor make visiting more difficult Families visiting incar- anything to keep their com- see loved ones and encoun- Occupational licenses out cerated loved ones through- munities from collapsing, or ter rejection or humiliation out the country have to go it was easier to overcome before you see them is ex- through numerous challenges opposition in a small place, tremely frustrating for most of reach for most felons just to see a prisoner, accord- with fewer people and fewer families. This is why only By Harry C. Goodall Jr. person save a life.” as a “peer recovery coach,” ing to the Marshall Project. connections to power.” a small percentage of those Journalism Guild Writer Previously Lincoln re- earning $25,000 a year and Those without transporta- One parent, who goes to incarcerated receive regular lapsed after completing the receives advanced training. tion, as well as those who see her son as often as she visits. People who have served 90-day training program. “Licensing legitimizes drive, have difficulty getting can, stated that visiting him It can be particularly dis- time in prison are likely to As a result, he was convict- us as somebody,” says Lin- to the prison sites because requires a 10-hour trip. The couraging for Blacks and find many occupational li- ed of assault, heroin pos- coln. “It’s recognition.” It of where the prisons are lo- son is in prison in another Latinos visiting their incar- censes unavailable to them session, and stealing drugs isn’t all about recognition, cated, usually in remote ar- state, so she has to change cerated relatives, the report – licenses that are necessary and sent back to prison. however. It’s about earning eas, the Dec. 18, 2019 report her work schedule, drive said. There is the ordeal of to earn a living. He received a three-year a living. In Rhode Island, noted. three hours to an airport, traveling to remote locations, More than 10,000 regu- sentence. Lincoln’s home state, a li- In the 1980s the need catch a plane for a three-hour where they may be looked lations can prevent people “Instead of facing life on censed chemical dependen- for more prisons across the trip, then rent a car to drive upon with disdain by staff or with criminal records from its terms, I kind of folded cy technician earns $50,000 country became apparent to a hotel. The next day she White residents of the town. obtaining licenses, accord- like a lawn chair,” Lincoln a year but Lincoln’s drug with more people being sent drives an additional hour to This can weaken family ties, ing to an article on Indepen- said. convictions may make him to jail and more remote ar- the prison site. the report noted. dent.co.uk, ineligible. eas’ economies needing new Once at the prison, if not Most prisons do not have These restrictions make There’s another side to life. attired properly, she can be public transportation nearby, it difficult to enter or get the issue of public safety. “The rural prison boom in turned away without seeing so a lot of families try to ride- ahead in fast-growing in- “In many states, States with the strictest li- the United States really coin- her son. This happened on share. It is not uncommon for dustries such as health care, a criminal censing barriers tend to cided with the farm crisis and her first trip when she wore the incarcerated to be as far human services and some have higher rates of recidi- the loss of manufacturing in a dress with black and khaki as 500 miles or more from mechanical trades. The re- record is a stain vism, according to research rural America,” said Tracy stripes. One of the prohibited where they were sentenced. strictions often include the that you can’t by Stephen Slivinski. Huling, founder of the Pris- colors at that prison is khaki. The Marshal Project very jobs they’ve trained Rhode Island does not on Public Memory Project, “Most of these prisons are reported some advocacy for in prison or in re-entry wash off” officially bar people with which studies the history of out in the middle of nowhere, groups are working with programs. criminal histories from rural prison towns. so you can’t run out and get public agencies to create “In many states, a crimi- being licensed in HVAC “Siting prisons was an ap- a new outfit,” she told The low-cost transportation op- nal record is a stain that you While back in prison, he (heating, ventilation, and parent quick fix. The land Marshall Project reporters. tions so that more prisoners can’t wash off,” said Steven learned to read and write air conditioning) and other was cheaper, and people ei- “You learn really quick to fill can receive visits from their Slivinski, an economist at from another inmate. He mechanical trades but they ther wanted them because your trunk with clothing.” families and friends. the Center for the Study of read the Quran and em- might as well. they were so desperate for Having to travel so far to —Amir Shabazz Economic Liberty at Arizo- braced Islam. In this reli- Bill Okerholm, an HVAC na State University. “There gion he learned to forgive instructor in Rhode Is- is no amount of studying himself and others. He also land, said that the union of Biden reverses his past that can take away this participated in behavioral plumbers, pipe fitters and mark on your past if a li- therapy, attending a chemi- refrigeration technicians censing board wants to use cal dependency program. accepts people with records position on criminal justice it against you.” In this program he was in- as apprentices on a case- By Alfred King Under Carter the federal Biden told the New York The Sept. 14, 2019 story spired to become a counsel- by-case basis. But of the Journalism Guild Writer prison population actually Times. cites the case of Meko Lin- or as a career. Now, accord- 250 men he's trained at the fell by a quarter, though rising A Biden-Thurmond bill coln, who served time for ing to the article, he’s living prison in the past five years, Presidential candidate Joe at the state level. The federal would have increased penal- robbery, assault and vari- clean, sober and healthy. Okerholm can't recall a sin- Biden says his history of program, Law Enforcement ties for drugs, expanded civil ous drug crimes. He is in a “He has the life expe- gle person who has been li- tough-on-crime legislation Assistance Administration asset forfeiture, eliminated Rhode Island reentry pro- rience that would allow censed after release. that led to mass incarcera- (LEAA) provided resources parole at the federal level, gram where he is training somebody else to say, ‘Well California passed legisla- tions needs changes, The In- to states for policing and pris- and would have created a to be a drug and alcohol if Meko can do it, I can pos- tion in 2018 that required tercept reports. ons and was being dismantled drug czar position. Reagan counselor. He believes his sibly do it too,’” said Amos convictions to be “substan- With upward of one in ev- in the last days of the Carter vetoed the bill. past is not a liability but an House Chief Executive Ei- tially related” to an occu- ery two families suffering the administration, the article Biden supported the Anti- asset. “I lived it, I under- leen Hayes. pation in-order to deny a harms of mass incarceration, states. Drug Abuse Act of 1986 that stand it…I can help another In this program he works license. “Too many people are incar- “The American people be- lengthened sentences for cerated,” Biden is quoted as lieve we have waged war on many offenses such as 100:1 saying in the Sept. 17 article. crime and failed. Therefore, crack cocaine sentencing During his time as leading they concluded that nothing disparities. Hidden fees of incarceration Democrat in the U.S. Senate, can be done about it,” Biden These new laws led to an he led a number of legislative said at the time. explosion of federal prison- cost families billions actions to increase anti-crime Biden worked to shed his ers from 24,000 in 1980 to laws. party’s image of being soft on 216,000 in 2013, the article There is a huge hidden cost account this year is but one make sure he’s taken care He supported increased crime, reported The Intercept. said. of incarceration that is born of many “hidden” costs in- of,” she said. funding to states to build “As most old-line Demo- In 1994, Biden pushed by friends and families of curred by Hayes, according This trend took off during prisons and criticized then- crats view it, the only ways through a massive crime bill prisoners, the Marshall Proj- to the Marshall Project ar- the recession in 2008, when Pres. Jimmy Carter, a fel- we can deal with violence that authorized more than $30 ect reports. ticle. She’s also paid $3,586 state legislators looked for low Democrat, for not being will have a negative impact billion in funding to expand “The Bureau of Justice Sta- for collect calls and $419 for ways to cut down the cost of tough enough on the war on on civil rights and liberties… state prisons and local police tistic reckons that the United e-mails. incarceration, according to drugs, the story says. I think that’s malarkey,” forces, the story noted. States spends more than $80 “I think the biggest mis- Hadar Aviram, professor at billion each year to keep conception that people have the University of California roughly 2.3 million people about prison is that the state Hastings College of Law. behind bars,” the Dec. 17 pays for everything,” said “Public prisons are public Funding higher education in prison story said. Connie Martin, a Hazel Park, only by name,” she said. By Timothy Hicks percentage of incarcerated • No one receives a Second “Many experts say that fig- Mich., resident. “No one real- “These days, you pay for ev- Staff Writer college students. The num- Chance Pell grant if the ap- ure is a gross underestimate, izes that it’s the friends and erything in prison.” bers could be dropping even plicant has any government though, because it leaves out families of loved ones who The state approves vendors Incarcerated men and lower. loans in default or has not reg- myriad hidden costs that are pay.” that the incarcerated persons women seeking a college Some prisons prioritize istered for Selective Service. often borne by prisoners and Kae Boone, 52, spends can purchase items from or education face challenges due access to higher education • Funds are suspended if their loved ones,” the report $100 a month on her boy- have their families open up to funding restraints, a new based on the amount of time the incarcerated student is stated. friend, Charles Lee Isaac, 52, accounts. report finds. that person has left on his or convicted for the sale or use The Prison Policy Initiative serving time at Graceville The same items that use Funding for incarcerated her sentence. of illegal drugs. estimates families spend $2.9 Work Camp in Florida. to be sent in from home now college students stalled when Several barriers also hinder The report said prison edu- billion a year on commissary He failed a drug test, a must be purchased from these the Violent Crime Control efficient higher education: cation programs use a “carrot accounts and phone calls. violation of his parole. Boone vendors at inflated cost, the and Law Enforcement Act • Write ups, (Prison for good behavior,” an incen- The story lists several fam- said the money she sends story said. was enacted in 1994 and infractions) tive for those incarcerated ily cost examples: goes toward toiletries and Hayes said, “The price is eliminated federally funded • No GED or High school who “behave the best.” Telita Hayes sends $200 food. jacked up on everything.” Pell grants. Student enroll- diploma Despite push back from each month to the prison trust Sending the money has She estimated that over the ments dropped 44% in one • Age correctional officers, the re- account of her ex-husband forced her to make tradeoffs, last two years she has spent year, and 20 states reduced • Crime and conviction port found programs have William Reese, confined to struggling to pay her own $10,000 supporting her ex- college courses. • Tabe test awarded thousands of Associ- the Louisiana State Peniten- bills. “I had one of my cars husband who is serving a life The report, ITHAKA S+R • Length of incarceration ate, Bachelor’s and even Mas- tiary for the last 28 years. repossessed because I would sentence. (Unbarring Access) found • No U.S. citizen and no ter’s degrees across the nation The $2,161 placed in his prefer to send him money and —Alfred King that Pell grants cover a small social security number since 1972. Page 6 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com March 2020 California approves $6.4 million for tattoo removal By Jails to Jobs place at 21 prisons and the two existing programs At that point, the department of our how-to guide for es- Deuel Vocational Institution facilities. is done by a mobile tattoo may request additional fund- tablishing such a program to (Tracy), Folsom State Prison California is spending The new sites were chosen removal unit, the CDCR ing to continue the program any organization that plans (men’s), Kern Valley State $6.4 million to expand its based on location – to make has not yet determined how and expand tattoo removal to create a free or low-cost Prison (Delano), Mule Creek pre-release tattoo removal sure services are spread the procedures will be car- services to California’s re- community-based tattoo re- State Prison (Ione), North program from two locations throughout the state and be ried out in the additional maining adult institutions. moval program. Those in- Kern State Prison (Delano), to 21 prisons and facilities available to all genders and facilities. A decision will be Individuals who start their terested can contact us to Pleasant Valley State Prison across the state. The effort security levels. made once the vendors are tattoo removal process on the request a copy. (Coalinga), California State will take place over the next selected. inside but still requires addi- The locations where tat- Prison-Sacramento, Sub- four years. The competitive bidding tional treatments for comple- too removal procedures will stance Abuse Treatment The program began in process begins this month. tion once released may be soon take place: Avenal State Facility (Corcoran), Sierra 2018 at the Folsom Women’s “Highly The procedure is an invita- able to find a free or low-cost Prison, Central California Conservation Center (James- Facility and the Custody to tion for bid rather than a tattoo removal program by Women’s Facility (Chow- town), California State Community Transitional Re- visible tattoos request for proposal. In an checking out Jails to Jobs’ chilla), California Health Prison-Solano, San Quentin entry Program in Sacramento unfortunately RFP, which is usually for national directory of these Care Facility (Stockton), State Prison, Salinas Valley under a contract with the new services and programs, programs. California Men’s Colony State Prison (Soledad), Val- California Prison Industry present a bidders propose how they Jails to Jobs is happy to (San Luis Obispo), Califor- ley State Prison (Chowchil- Authority. The large demand significant will deliver their services and offer a complimentary copy nia State Prison-Corcoran, la) and Wasco State Prison. for tattoo removal led to the the price they will charge. An dramatic increase in fund- obstacle to IFB, on the other hand, gives ing and programs, which will information on the tattoo re- now be under the California employment” moval services and how they LA jails become costly Department of Corrections will be delivered. It then asks and Rehabilitation (CDCR). bidders to submit what it “Highly visible tattoos CDCR has proposed that would cost them to provide mental health facilities unfortunately present a sig- those eligible for the pro- those services. By Alfred King non-profit research agency to be on their own,” Espinoza nificant obstacle to employ- cedure have highly visible Those who are interested Journalism Guild Writer Rand Corp. said. ment, and their removal can tattoos. They must also be can find out more informa- The Rand report confirmed “And we are satisfied that also signify a new chapter in nearing release to the com- tion and submit a bid through Sixty percent of mentally an earlier study by the Office when they come to us, their someone’s life. We treated munity or have completed the CaleProcurewebsite. ill inmates in county jails of Diversion and Reentry, outcomes are greatly im- about 140 women at CCTRP gang debriefing (a formal, They can also contact the are eligible for diversion, but (OODAR) which attempted proved and their recidivist and FWF, with more request- multi-step gang disassocia- CDCR’s External Affairs there are not enough facilities to determine how much the behavior is greatly reduced,” ing services beyond what the tion process). Based on the Chief Khokhobashvili, . The to provide supportive care, re- county should scale up its he concluded. current contract is able to number of members of these actual tattoo removal servic- ported the Los Angeles Times. community based mental “This makes sense. The provide. Hence, the expan- two groups, the CDCR esti- es began January 2020. Thousands of prisoners health services. outcomes for people will be sion,” says Krissi Khokho- mates that as many as 3,032 CDCR will evaluate the could be removed from the Los Angeles County Board so much better,” said Coun- bashvili, chief, Office of Ex- people could receive treat- program during year three criminal justice system, end- of Supervisors created the Of- ty Supervisor Janice Hahn, ternal Affairs, CDCR. ment each fiscal year. of the four-year contract to ing the cycle of arrest, re- fice of Diversion (OODAR) while expressing frustration The program will take While tattoo removal at determine its effectiveness. lease, re-arrest, release and four years ago. Since then at how difficult it would be homelessness. 4,400 prisoners convicted of to win community approval Sending such inmates to a felonies or ruled mentally in- for new locations of such diversion facility would save competent to stand trial have facilities. No housing for returning Los Angeles County thou- been released, the L.A. Times Other supervisors praised sands of dollars a day in in- reported. the diversion program but ex- carceration costs. Individuals According to retired Judge pressed concerns about scal- citizens in California can be housed in a diversion Peter Espinoza, who now di- ing up to provide additional California released a record California is ground zero grow. According to Mother facility for $70 a day versus rects OODAR, getting such mental health facilities. numbers of prisoners without for this problem due to its Jones, 902 people were pa- $600 a day for incarceration, inmates out of jail benefits Supervisor Kathryn Barg- an appropriate place for them lack of affordable housing. In roled in 2014 and an estimated according to the article. both their clinical outcomes er, the board chair, still re- to go. Often, the formerly in- the midst of criminal justice 20,500 long term incarcerated Thirty percent of the and the public’s safety. mains committed to building carcerated are put in programs reform, California’s prison people will be up for a parole people in custody each day, “Often forgotten is that the community clinics. that offer no real help for the population has dropped by hearing in the next 10 years. about 6,000 prisoners, are vast majority of the people “It is all about access to problems they face. 25%. New reform laws imple- Faced with such a short- either mentally ill or receiv- we’re talking about, they’re outpatient care, until we do The parole board grants pa- mented are putting more peo- age, CDCR has contracted ing psychotropic medication, coming out of jail eventually that, diversion is going to role, but a prisoner must show ple back on the streets. with GEO Re-entry Inc., a for according to a study by the –either to us or they’re going fail,” she said. that he or she has a place to Between 2017 and 2018 profit private prison company, stay upon release; 80% of there was a 7% increase in to house parolees who have those released are placed in the number of lifers released, served long sentences. GEO’s Arrest rates fall for California state funded or philanthropi- 25% increase in 3-strikes re- reputation for poor conditions By Dillon Kim The most prominent change decline in arrest rates, with cally supported transitional leases, a 48% increase in re- and lax oversight, resulted in occurred within the youth, one-fifth reporting increases. housing, according to an ar- leases for people who were a ban on any for profit prisons Journalism Guild Writer falling by 87% for ages 10- However, all counties except ticle in Mother Jones. serving life without the pos- in California. However, the Arrest rates in California 14, 83% for ages 15-17, and Alpine reported declines in People are placed in drug sibility of parole, and 50% legislation does not apply to are at a record low, declining 79% for ages 18-19 from youth arrest rates. Further- programs when they don’t increase in releases for those reentry services. by an average of 48% from 1995 to 2018. more, “arrest declines are have drug problems and wind who were once sentenced to Now more private prison 1995 levels, a recent study In 2010, the youth ar- greatest in regions with low- up living in conditions that death, according to Mother companies are moving into reports. rest rates were 4,445 ar- er incarceration rates.” resemble those in prison, re- Jones. reentry housing. An Inter- “Overall arrest rates have rests per 100,000 population All age groups declined in ported Marissa Endicott. It is a crisis within a crisis: national Business Times in- fallen 26% since before the and 4,807 adult arrests per arrest rates except for those Terah Lawyer, after 15 the special housing needs of vestigation in 2017 revealed start of the justice reform 100,000. By 2018, the youth aged 30-39. They increased years in prison needed to people released from prison the GEO Group had doubled era in 2010,” according to arrest rate had declined to by 11% from 5,160 arrests show the parole board she had while an affordable housing its investment in re-entry the January fact sheet from a quarter of the adult rate per 100,000 in 2010 to 5,714 a place to stay upon release. crisis spreads across the state. housing. the Center on Juvenile and at 1,113 youth arrests per in 2018. She had already secured a Crystal Wheeler served “We need to have services Criminal Justice. Decrimi- 100,000 to 3,894 adult The author, Mike Males, job working for the Cali- 22 years, struggling with that match the needs of peo- nalization and legalization arrests. suggested that this increase fornia Coalition of Women trauma issues from the years ple. And if we’re not doing of marijuana accounted The figures were released correlates with drug over- Prisoners. spent in prison and the men- that, we’re undermining peo- for more than one-fifth of by the California Depart- dose deaths and homicides, Her reentry placement tal and physical abuse by her ple’s ability to succeed,” ob- the decline, approximately ment of Justice. perhaps warranting “a need turned out to be a drug treat- husband. served Shawn Roland of Our 66,000 out of 303,000 ar- By county, 45 of Cali- for services among Califor- ment facility with strict With no family, her parole Road Prison Project, which is rests. fornia’s 58 counties report nians in middle adulthood.” schedules and restrictions re- conditions mandated she stay designed to meet the needs of quiring her to attend treatment in a re-entry housing pro- lifers. classes that she did not need. gram, a six-month program in Most advocates agree that In fact, she had become a cer- Claremont, Calif., which spe- the best programs are small Facebook and CDCR join tified drug counselor while in cialized in drug and alcohol and staffed by peers, hav- prison. treatment. ing the feel of home, yet big She had to delay starting Despite her never having enough to have staff to help to stop criminal activity her new job for 90 days due a drug or alcohol problem, residents navigate obstacles. By Harry C. Goodall Jr. had sent mail to his 17-year- possess an account that was to the program’s restrictions.. Wheeler was forced to at- In July, California awarded Journalism Guild Writer old victim. This mail included created prior to their incar- “The whole process of tran- tend daily AA meetings at 6 $65 million in housing grants current sketches of the girl al- ceration. However, Facebook sitioning was hindered and a.m. “That time could have to community-based pro- Facebook has policies in though the offender had been user policy prohibits users stalled. It handicapped me in been better used for teaching grams with a slice going to place to thwart prisoners who in prison for seven years, ac- from sharing their password certain areas because I didn’t us things that our husbands those for former lifers. use their system to harass, cording to an article by CNET so that others can create posts have that immediate exposure never let us do,” she said. Doug Bond of Amity Foun- threaten or make unwanted News. on that account. I needed to see what life was The department of correc- dation made it clear to Mother sexual advances. “Details of the victim, such “If a state has decided like out there,” Lawyer told tions acknowledges short- Jones how important it is that “Access to social media as how she wore her hair and that prisoners have forfeited Endicott. comings in re-entry housing people released from long allows inmates to circum- the brand of clothes she wore their right to use the Inter- Thousands of parolees and has a policy to reduce prison sentences are helped to vent our monitoring process were accurate,” said CDCR. net, the most effective way are released each year, with the number of people without succeed. and continue to engage in CDCR’s investigation to prevent access is to ensure stable housing being critical drug problems ending up in “We have to make sure that criminal activity,” said for- found that the inmate had a prisons have the resources to to their future success. Prob- drug treatment centers. they’re getting the best ser- mer Secretary of Corrections cell phone that he had used to keep smart phones and other lems occur when home own- In 2016 the state allocated vice. The margin of error is Matthew Cate. “This new view the girl on Myspace and devices out,” said Facebook ers are reluctant to rent to $10 million for re-entry ser- zero for us. It has to be, be- cooperation between law en- Facebook web pages. The of- spokesman Andrew Noyes. them or allow placement of vices for people who had cause the one person that ends forcement and Facebook will fender then used this access to “We will disable accounts re- transitional housing in their served long sentences, start- up on the news can undo years help protect the community draw his pictures ported to us that are violating neighborhood. ing a six-month transitional of good work and thousands and potentially avoid future As a result of this crime, relevant U.S. laws or regula- Few appropriate reentry housing program the follow- of people returning back to victims.” Facebook’s security team is tions or inmate accounts that options exist for those who ing year. the community. Once people California Department of working with CDCR to pre- are updated by someone on have served long sentences, By 2018, CDCR’s long stop being released those Corrections and Rehabilita- vent inmates from using their the outside. We will also take increasing the chance of for- term transitional housing had doors close a lot easier than tion (CDCR), said that previ- “user accounts” to threaten or appropriate actions against mer prisoners soon becoming produced 257 facility beds. they open.” ously it was made aware that harass. anyone who misuses Face- homeless. But, the demand continues to –Alfred King a convicted child molester An inmate can have or book to threaten or harass.” March 2020 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 7 Investigation of LAPD falsifying documents uncovers a larger scandal By Alfred King son as a gang member. The for any individual who Times article reported. The from the field,” the story drivers complaining they Journalism Guild Writer resulting preliminary inves- would purposely falsify in- investigation began after a reported. were being racially profiled, tigation uncovered discrep- formation on a department San Fernando Valley mother An investigation by the the Times reported. The elite Metro Division ancies between video re- report.” received a written notice in Los Angeles Times pub- The union which rep- of the Los Angeles Police cording of police stops and Metro officers assigned 2019 that her son had been lished last year revealed resents officers released a Department is under inves- written reports. to patrol South Los Ange- identified as a gang member Metro officers stopped Af- statement saying that it was tigation for falsifying docu- “An officer’s integrity les are suspected of falsify- and added to the CalGang rican American drivers at a “aware of reports of discrep- ments that identify people as must be absolute,” Police ing data, after interviews criminal intelligence sys- rate five times their share of ancies contained on a limit- gang members, newspaper Chief Michael Moore ex- with people stopped in the tem, the LASentinel.net re- the city’s population. ed number of field interview stories report. plained to civic leaders from field, and inputting incor- ported Jan. 23. LAPD has historically tar- cards that the department is The probe was prompted South Los Angeles who de- rect information about those Believing her son mis- geted and criminalized men looking into.” The statement by a mother who said police manded changes. “There is questioned to bolster statis- identified she reported the of color; this has to stop, a also said that the union ex- improperly identified her no place in the department tics, a Jan. 6 Los Angeles mistake to someone in a group of community leaders pects Moore “will oversee supervisory capacity at the said during a meeting with a thorough and fair process Van Nuys Police station. Chief Moore, the LASenti- to determine the facts and to According to the LAPD, nel noted. also ensure that any impact- Oakland bans the box for housing that supervisor reviewed the Those assembled did not ed officer is accorded his or Oakland is the first city Housing Association ex- The Oakland ordinance circumstances, including mince words when they out- her due process rights,” the in the state to ban landlords pressed concern about the does not apply to single- the footage from the body lined their concerns, blam- Times article reported. from using criminal convic- new ordinance. family homes, duplexes, tri- camera along with other in- ing the LAPD and racist As a result of the statis- tions to reject renters ap- “As rental housing provid- plexes and in-law units if the formation, and found that cops as the problem, ask- tics, LAPD announced last plying for private or public ers, we have responsibility to owner is living on the prop- the officer’s report did not ing that all the officers in- fall that it will reduce the housing. provide a safe environment erty. Roommates seeking to match up with the facts, the volved be fired and that the number of random vehicle The City Council unani- to residents, and a huge part replace a roommate can use story said. gang data base CalGang be stops, Metro officers will mously passed the Fair of that is knowing the back- background checks to ex- The mother who first eradicated. instead track down suspects Chance Housing Ordinance ground of each applicant,” clude a potential tenant. brought this to the attention Moore said he was not in wanted in violent offenses that prohibits landlords ask- Rowland said in a written A landlord can still look of the department was noti- agreement with eliminating and use strategies other than ing about a previous criminal statement. up a prospective tenant on fied that her son was mis- the gang data base, which vehicle stops to address fla- conviction or denying an ap- San Francisco and Rich- the states sex-offender regis- identified as a gang member was created and is main- reups in crimes such as bur- plicant with such a record. mond have similar ordinanc- try, but only after providing and any documentation to tained by the State Attorney glaries and shootings, the “This is incredibly timely, es, but those measures apply a conditional offer to the po- that effect would be deleted. General’s Office. story notes. given our collective commit- only to subsidized housing. tential renter. These events led to an He does however want Attending the meet- ment and my personal com- Berkeley City Council is The new ordinance also internal investigation fo- changes to the CalGang ing were Michael Lawson, mitment to addressing home- poised to vote on a similar exempts owners of govern- cused on three officers, but protocols, such as changing president of L.A. Urban lessness and housing in our ordinance banning tenant ment subsidized afford- has since grown in the com- the way officers document League; Yvonne Wheeler, city,” said Councilwoman background checks, with able housing like Section 8 ing months to include as individuals as gang associ- labor leader; Khalid Shah, Nikki Fortunato Bas, a co- similar measure being pro- to continue to use criminal many as 20, LASentinel.net ates and eliminating officers executive director of Stop sponsor of the ordinance. posed for Emeryville and background checks to com- reported. and informants as reliable the Violence, Increase the It is routine for anyone ap- Alameda County, the story ply with federal law. At this The office of the LAPD sources, the LASentinel ar- Peace; Horace E. Frank, as- plying to rent an apartment reported. time, federal law requires Inspector General uncovered ticle reported. sistant police chief, director to have a background check A supporter of these type landlords to reject poten- additional false documenta- In 2015 the size of the LAPD Special Operations; conducted and often people ordinances, Margaretta Lin, tial tenants who have been tion by the same officers, as Metro unit was doubled to Charisse Bremond-Weaver, with criminal convictions executive director of Just convicted of manufacturing well as others, the story said. about 200 officers, to com- Brotherhood Crusade presi- are denied. This makes it dif- Cities, said landlords still methamphetamine or are All the officers involved bat a surge in violent crime dent; Abdul Malik Sayyid ficult if not impossible for a have access to credit reports, on a lifetime sex-offender were assigned to the Metro- throughout the city. Muhammad, representa- formerly incarcerated person references and employment registry. politan Division, “Given the Moore said Metro’s ve- tive for the Nation of Islam to find housing, the Bay Area information – all things Oakland can fine landlords serious nature of the alleged hicle stops had not proved Western Region; Danny News Group reported. needed to determine if an up to $1,000 for each viola- misconduct, all involved of- effective, netting about Bakewell, publisher of the Wayne Rowland, presi- applicant will make a good tion of the ordinance. ficers have been assigned one arrest for every 100 L.A. Sentinel and L.A. Watts dent of the East Bay Rental renter. —Alfred King to inactive duty or removed cars stopped, with innocent Times. LWOP event brings insight into the plight of incarcerated women “I was praying that I LWOP wasn’t going to get the death penalty,” shared Taliano. Continued from Page 1 “I was praying for LWOP, ironically—it seemed like the “The event was eye-open- lesser of the two. Then I go to ing; people really don’t know [prison]... and my counselor what LWOP is,” said Laverne says, ‘do you understand that Shoemaker, another panelist, you’re going to die in pris- whose sentence was commut- on?’ And it hit me. It literally ed. “Once I was in a group of hit me.” 23 San Francisco police of- Shoemaker said she was ficers, I had to explain and I distressed to discover that mean really break it down to many law enforcement offi- them what an LWOP sentence cer have no idea what LWOP is and what a life sentence is.” means, “I was frustrated In criminal cases involv- and couldn’t understand it, ing “special circumstances” because they really did not a person may be sentenced to know. I had to ask them are life without the possibility of you guys freaking kidding parole instead of condemned me? Am I being punked? to death in the penalty phase They were really, like, of a trial. The sentence is not shocked and flabbergasted. restricted only to the person “I could see the confu- Photo courtesy of CCWP who pulls the trigger, but also sion—they were perplexed Drop LWOP group addressing the audience about the struggles and problems they are facing to anyone else who was a par- and had mixed emotions that ticipant in the crime as well, they could potentially be a helping someone. time to work on myself, and CDCR had to offer,” added CCWP hosted the “Drop under California’s “felony part of giving someone ‘the “There are many layers to to show society that I was a Cooper-Garvin. the LWOP” event. Adrienne murder rule.” other death penalty,’” added my story and I get emotional changed woman who valued, With a second chance at Skye Roberts moderated The advocates are fighting Shoemaker. when I tell my story, because and respected others, and also life, the women are taking the affair and has work tire- to have LWOP eliminated “We also needed to bring I can still feel that little girl valued myself.” their stories and plight to Sac- lessly to bring the “A Living from the state’s penal code. awareness to intimate partner who wanted to be loved. Taliano and Cooper- ramento, lobbying for policy Chance” campaign to Califor- They argue that it is worse battering,” Tammy Cooper- “I don’t regret coming Garvin both joined the Long changes legislator by legis- nians and legislators through than the death penalty, be- Garvin, told SQ News. “When to prison,” added Cooper- Termer’s Organization while lator. With support of other the audio stories, portraits and cause it is really a living death I tell my story it makes me Garvin. “I needed to be in- incarcerated, a group of reform organizations such as postcards of the women who sentence. feel better and I pray that I am carcerated for that period of like-minded people serving CCWP, All of Us or None, are still serving the LWOP LWOP supporting each oth- Legal Services for Children sentence. er. They credit the program and many others, the women The newly released women for helping turn their lives are giving their time, energy thought they were supposed around. and resources to change the to die in prison. They felt “Prison taught me how to narrative for all incarcerated they were held in bondage be a better person, it showed and those finishing their sen- and captive to their shame me how to deal with life,” tences and returning home. and guilt, but have made that said Cooper-Garvin. “I went “We’re working on things transition for success. to many self-help groups. I like getting fair wages for “If I could achieve my wanted to know what was all the incarcerated,” said freedom anyone can,” said different from me and my Shoemaker. “We’re also try- Cooper-Garvin. “It was hard siblings. I knew I wanted to ing to get the gate money work for me and it will be change, so I surrounded my- raised to $1,000 (currently hard work for you also, but self around positive lifers. the funds upon release are the pay-off is truly worth it. “I also knew I was a limited to $200, unchanged “We may think people are LWOP and that I had to for decades). We’re fighting closed minded about giving make a life for myself. I for things that will make your us a chance and it is just the didn’t have a good life in conditions better in there and opposite— they welcome the world but with change I make your transition easier us with our past because Photo courtesy of CCWP could have a life in prison, so in the free world,” added many see the good in us,” she Adrienne Roberts examines portraits of female LWOPS I took full advantage of what Shoemaker. concluded. Page 8 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com March 2020 LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK: Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor I’ve been incarcerated for 30 years and have been housed at various Level 4 prisons for the entire 30 years of my incarceration. As I began to lose hope of ever being free, I (started to) delve deep into the violent and criminal activities of prison life. I’ve spent a significant number of years in and out of Ad-Seg and the security housing units (SHU). After I discovered how and why I became a thug and a criminal, I began the hard and challenging To San Quentin News, process of reconstructing a new and positive way of think- San Quentin News, Happy New Year! I hope 2020 is filled with many ing. I sought to change myself to become a better version I’m always looking for a reason to send a letter to the blessings for the entire news team and that you guys con- of ME! editor of San Quentin News. Thankfully I’ve now got a tinue to do an amazing job reporting the news we need. I’ve experienced a lot of both good and bad things in reason. Like many of us serving time I came to prison as I respect each and every last one of you for fighting the prison. The good things that I’ve experienced: engaging a teen, and because of this there are many things in life I good fight, making a difference, and constantly having in efforts to rehabilitate myself within the past 10 years never got to do or experience. So I came in lost and lonely patience with me when I was young & dumb at times, but and being a mentor to other prisoners, working to moti- with lack of love. I’m learning along the way and that’s what counts, right? vate, inspire and encourage them to engage in rehabili- As many of us do, I began to experiment and dabble in I’m just writing to wish you all the very best and to tative efforts to change. The other good things that I’ve the life of drugs. I quickly became a heroin addict without stay in touch because I can’t forget about y’all! I will al- witnessed is the hard work by members of the Anti-Recid- even realizing I had. The first time I ever used, I found ways cherish & appreciate the times we had. I wish we ivism Coalition, Initiate Justice, Restore Justice, and other warmth, comfort, purpose and love. As my tolerance built could make some new memories, but unfortunately, I organizations play an instrumental role to help reform the up to it, I would lose the feeling and daily for five years don’t think I’ll be making it back to SQ. I’m stuck up California criminal justice system. straight I chased the drugs, making my body dependent. here at Pelican Bay and, no lie, it sucks LOL. Good news I’ve witnessed and heard about a lot of prisoners who As time passed, the unbelievable finally happened. were serving life sentences being granted parole, which I have a few years till my release though! I still don’t re- Something I constantly told myself, “It won’t happen to was unheard of when I initially came to prison in 1989. ally know what I’m gonna do when I get out LOL. Well, me.” I overdosed in my cell. Thanks to the quick response They were granted parole because they did the hard work I send mines to all of you. There’s too many names to of my peers, the CO’s and nurses I was brought back list and I’m sure there are many new additions to the SQ that it took to rehabilitate themselves. They became suit- (something rare in the free world, “quick responses”). News team that I don’t wanna leave out either. able to be granted parole, while I engaged in prison-re- Upon returning from the hospital I sought help from the Keep up the good work and don’t be afraid to give me a lated criminal activities that kept me in the SHU, with a shout-out in the next issue of the SQ News! LOL For real classification score of 377 points. I’m now far removed medical staff and was offered it immediately. I was put though I miss y’all and I’m sending positive vibes y’all’s from engaging in criminal activities. I’ve been on the road into the MAT/SUD treatment program that set me on a re- way so keep ya antennas up! of rehabilitation for the past 10 years and I’m about to go covery plan. Not only do they provide medical help, such Sincerely, home in a few months, thanks to SB 1437. as suboxone, they offer mental health services, including D. Pariani San Quentin News also continues to play a vital role groups and counseling. Pelican Bay State Prison for prisoners by providing us with important information Thanks to God, my wife and this program, I have now and news relevant to our incarceration, rehabilitation and been sober and living a day to day life upon recovery. If From Editorial Board and Staff, legislative news. The San Quentin News has given me, you find yourself how I once was -- lost, depressed, ad- Pariani is a former SQ News staff member. He was the as well as other prisoners, hope for a better future. And I dicted and living a life in rock bottom -- don’t be embar- youngest of us. We know what it means to be young and want to thank all the staff there that provides us prisoners rassed to seek help. Addiction is a disease that we can’t finding yourself while navigating prison life. Some of us with content that you publish. fight and win on our own. CDCR sees the problem and is have done decades of this life. So for you youngsters - we For those of you serving a life sentence, DO NOT providing us the help. We are already prisoners. Why be a are called OGs for a reason – not all good, not all bad. But GIVE UP and DO NOT LOSE HOPE. Fight to get out prisoner and slave to this drug as well? Save yourself and it is for you to learn. The choice is yours. and stop fighting to stay in. seek the help if you need it. Pariani, we know your future is bright, but you must Respectfully, My warmest regards, prepare for success or you will find yourself doing more I. Tatum J.K. Avila of the same things. Calipatria State Prison Calipatria State Prison

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT By Rebecca Weiker, Re:Store FROM SAN QUENTIN’S Justice Program Director MEDICAL DEPARTMENT In November 2019 I traveled with over one hundred members of my How can I help protect myself? Jewish congregation to Montgom- The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to ery, Alabama on a pilgrimage to the virus that causes COVID-19. two remarkable institutions cre- There are simple everyday preventive actions to help prevent ated by the Equal Justice Initiative, the spread of respiratory viruses. These include a justice organization created by Bryan Stevenson over thirty years ago. (You might be familiar with Mr. • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stevenson as the attorney who argued history-making juvenile justice cases before the US Supreme Court, • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed including Miller vs. Alabama, which held that mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles are un- hands. constitutional). • Wash your hands often with soap and water for We went on this journey together because we understand that as Jews, as Americans, and as human a t least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based sanitizer beings, we must acknowledge and respond to a part of our history that has for too long been more hidden than t hat contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and visible in our public discourse. water are not available. The first stop on this journey was to the Legacy Museum, which is subtitled “From Enslavement • If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory to Mass Incarceration.” This museum is built on the site of a former slave warehouse, and gives visitors the illness to others, you should. opportunity to learn about and experience the impact and legacy of our country’s history of racial inequality • Stay home when you are sick. and the relationship of this history to present day issues, and specifically, mass incarceration. The museum • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then uses first person narratives, and original research to create exhibits that use video, audio, art and text to allow throw the tissue in the trash. visitors to begin to understand with their minds and heart, the terrible legacy of enslavement, racial terror and • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and racial segregation. surfaces. REMINDER: CHECK THE BULLETIN BOARDS IN THE As I first walked down the ramp into the museum, my attention was caught by the projected image HOUSING UNITS FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION. of two small children, a boy of about seven and his little sister. The boy’s was calling out for his mother, and the story while only narrated by this one word - “mama” was heart-breakingly clear: two children separated forever from their mother, and sent alone into a life of ongoing trauma and violence. For this family, this was a pivotal moment in what followed: decades and generations of trauma, and I as a museum visitor, and a human being, needed to bear witness. A fifteen minute walk from the Museum is a different, but equally powerful new institution: The National Peace and Justice Memorial, also known as the “Lynching Memorial.” This memorial grew out of EJI’s work to document the racial terror of the post-civil war period (up until the civil rights movement) that included thousands of public executions of black men and women. EJI wanted to document these murders, and also the terror and impact this violence had on entire communities. The memorial structure that forms the center of the site is constructed of over 800 steel rectangular monuments, each with the names of lynching victims from a specific county. In another part of the park, there are identical monuments - the memorial has invited every county to claim these as acknowledgement of the lives that were taken in their community, with the intention that “over time, the national memorial will serve as a report on which parts of the country have confronted the truth of this terror and which have not.” So why am I, the Program Director of Re:Store Justice writing about this visit? First, because trans- formative and restorative justice require that accountability for harm and for creating healing and safety in our communities is not only the responsibility of individuals. Our government and systems must also be ac- countable for past harms and current actions that create the conditions of inequality that can lead to violence, despair and trauma. Second, as someone who society has labeled a victim/survivor because I lost a loved one to homicide, I also need to think about my own accountability and living amends for living in a society that privileges me as a white woman. One of the most powerful things I have learned through my work with survivors and responsible parties is that none of us should be defined by what the worst thing we have done or what has happened to us. As Walt Whitman once wrote “I am large, I contain multitudes.” Each person is complex, and our lives con- tain many contradictions. AND, it is also true that we cannot heal if we don’t acknowledge the harm we have caused to others, intentional or not. And that is a lesson I first learned from the men and women I have sat in circle with inside California’s prison. With hope, because hopelessness is the enemy of justice With courage, because peace requires bravery With persistence, because justice is a constant struggle With faith, because we shall overcome. National Peace and Justice Memorial, EJI, Montgomery, Alabama March 2020 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 9 USC Law Professor fights to give lifers a second chance write her a letter apologizing confidence to start believing one-on-one visiting sessions, everything—and calls you on for getting caught with one.” in myself,” said Ammons. Rummel and her team en- it. Nothing slips past her.” Rummel holds workshops “Just having her tell me that courage the deep introspec- Rummel chuckled at what at prisons all over California she believed in me—that tion necessary to achieve full she called her “deep dark to help youth offenders who helped a lot.” accountability and honesty. secret.” never believed they’d be of- But when Ammon did face “Fully own your part and “I was a federal prosecu- fered any legitimate chance the BPH, they issued him a understand your crime,” she tor for the first half of my at freedom prepare for their three-year denial. said. “What was the impact? career,” she said. “And, I felt BPH. “Heidi was so angry when What was the harm? The good about my work as a dis- Because they thought she heard the decision,” he board already knows, more trict attorney. We prosecuted they’d be locked up for the said. “I think she was even or less, what you did. a lot of hate crimes and police rest of their lives, many of angrier than I was at the time. “They’re trying to figure misconduct.”Rummel spoke these youth offenders spent “That made it a whole lot out, ‘Are you going to do fondly of her time working much of their incarcera- easier for me to feel okay it again?’ There’s always with Eric Holder in the U.S. tion not caring at all about with what happened.” the assumption—right or Attorney’s Office. positive programming or wrong—that if you don’t “At the beginning under rehabilitation. know why you did it, you’ll [President] Clinton, we were “They never thought about most likely do it again.” taking over a very Republi- parole,” said Rummel. “At “Heidi’s Rummel says it’s ultimate- can office,” she said. “Holder the higher security prisons, ly about understanding the always told us, ‘If you don’t they simply had no access exceptional... choices one made and being think it’s just, go to the next or exposure to anything but She believes able to take responsibility for level. Go to me.’ violence, gang activity and those choices. “I’m not going to say I did substance abuse.” every child “What happened while it perfectly, of course. But, I Rummel mentioned one they were growing up?” she like to say we were fighting of her clients, Ruben Ruiz. who commits a continued. “Why did they for justice.” Involved in gang activity crime deserves have a gun, join a gang? Was Calvin and Russell re- Photo courtesy of Heidi Rummel from the age of 13, Ruiz en- there some underlying shame cently went to Sacramento to Law Professor Heidi Rummel tered the prison system with a second that led them to commit their voice their opinions at an As- LWOP for a murder commit- chance” crime?” sembly Public Safety Com- Quentin symposium in 2012. ted when he was 17. When Rummel sits down mittee hearing on Jan. 14. KidCAT Speaks! Original KidCAT member Despite his record of vio- with her clients to prepare Two proposed bills, AB Nou Phang Thao remembers lence and illegal behavior them for the board, she never 665 and AB 1641, aimed to By Joe Garcia the impact Rummel made. behind bars, Ruiz became Rummel wants all her cli- lets them skirt around these bring back LWOP sentencing Journalism Guild “Heidi’s an exceptional eligible for parole and earned ents—and, really, anyone go- issues. for juveniles and demolish Chairperson person,” he said. “I’ll never his release—with Rummel’s ing before the BPH—to have “She made me see my the Youth Offender Parole forget hearing her say she be- help—in 2017. a firm grasp on what they’ll crime, and really myself, process. Law professor Heidi Rum- lieves every child who com- And after 25 years of incar- be required to speak on. from a clearer perspective. “The committee voted mel fights to give thousands mits a crime—any crime— ceration, Ruiz became one of “There are three questions Now I understand why I did them down, so those bills are of men and women a second deserves a second chance. the men who returns to prison you need to answer—simple what I did,” said Ammons. “I dead,” said Rummel. “Last chance—many of them sen- “That meant so much with the PCJP workshops. questions with really difficult can connect all the pieces that year, it didn’t even reach a tenced decades ago to life- to me—to know there was “These guys need to share answers,” she said. “What contributed to my thought committee vote. terms for crimes committed someone out there who be- their experiences with each did you do? Why did you process at the time, my belief “But there’s a lot of inter- as youths. lieves in us, even before we other,” Rummel explained. do it? And how have you systems. est in Sacramento right now As co-director of the Uni- learn to believe in ourselves.” “We bring them together in changed?” “Having the eyes of an to roll back the gains we have versity of Southern Califor- Calvin and Rummel spent our workshops so they can In the workshops and ex-prosecutor, Heidi catches made.” nia’s Post-Conviction Jus- hours listening to the stories open up and see their own tice Project (PCJP), Rummel of youth offenders, who, at vulnerability.” teaches and leads a team of the time, faced little hope of Bringing formerly incar- certified law student interns. ever getting released. cerated LWOP and life-term They represent incarcerated Since then, PCJP has co- youth offenders face-to-face clients in courtrooms and sponsored or authored almost with their currently incarcer- parole boards throughout every juvenile justice reform ated peers might be the most California. bill in California. powerful component of the “I fell in love with the Thanks to Senate Bill 9, workshops. work,” said Rummel. “I first SB 260, SB 261 and SB 394, “It’s amazing when they started working with women youth offenders sentenced see someone who survived at CIW [California Institute to LWOP and life-term sen- the process and was able to for Women] back when no tences are now allowed the go home,” she said. “They one was going home. chance to appear before the can’t believe this is true until “We’d take these women Board of Parole Hearings they meet one in person.” to the parole board and hear (BPH) after serving 24 years. One incarcerated par- their stories, and I could see “These laws recognize that ticipant met Ruiz and called for myself that they were just young adults should be treat- him a “unicorn”—something amazing human beings—tru- ed differently,” said Rummel. people talk about and hear ly amazing people. When Rummel spoke to stories about, but never see. That’s when Rummel KidCAT about her experi- Rummel brings these uni- started to realize the systemic ence as a parole attorney for corns into prisons to show hurdles she was up against PCJP, the guys half-joked the real possibility of second statewide. The legal battles with her that she should rep- chances. weren’t simply case by resent their fellow member, “She’s one of those unsung case—there was fierce leg- Gary Scott, who was ap- heroes who does so many islative advocacy work that proaching his first BPH. things that impact so many needed to get done. “She took down his in- other people,” said Anthony “You can’t just keep de- formation and promised us Ammons, a KidCAT member nying people parole forev- she’d do it,” said Thao. With and one of Rummel’s PCJP er—based on their crime,” Rummel’s guidance and sup- clients at San Quentin. she said. “That’s essentially port, Scott was found suitable Sentenced to 102 years- LWOP [life without the pos- for parole later that year. to-life for crimes committed sibility of parole].” PCJP’s co-director Mi- when he was 16, Ammons Photo courtesy of Heidi Rummel Together with Elizabeth chael Brennan currently over- had his sentence commuted Rummel with Elizabeth Calvin and artist Ruben Ruiz Calvin of Human Rights sees students working to get by then Gov. Jerry Brown in Watch, Rummel commit- Thao successfully through 2018 and appeared before a ted herself to “heavy policy his own BPH difficulties. BPH panel in 2019. Any inmates interested in receiving the KidCAT curriculum must ask work.” “The best piece of ad- Rummel visited Ammons the Community Partnership Manager (CPM) at their facility to contact They came and sat side vice Heidi gave us was ‘Do several times to prepare him the CPM at San Quentin. As of February, 2019, KidCAT’s curriculum by side with KidCAT mem- not buy a cell phone,’” said for the board’s scrutiny. can only be distributed to prisoners through their CPM. bers for the first time at a San Thao. “Man, later I had to “She gave me the

KidCAT and The Beat Within hold monthly writing workshops. The Beat Within conducts writing workshops in juvenile detention centers throughout the country. Kid CAT Speaks will publish one topic each month. Your writing should reflect a positive message that helps the youth make a better decision in life. Your stories will be read by the youth in detention centers. If published, you will receive a free copy of the publication. Your story can make a difference. Tell The Beat Within you read about them in Kid CAT Speaks! Parenting—What kind of parent will you be (are you)? What have your own parents done that you would like to carry on with your own children? What are the things you promise you will never do to your child(ren)? How will you make your experience with your child(ren) different from your experience with your parents/guardians? What makes a good parent? What memories, good or bad, do you have about your parenting or your parents and their parenting? The Beat Within P.O. Box 34310 San Francisco, CA 94134

KidCAT (Creating Awareness Together) is a group founded by men who committed their crimes in their teens and were sentenced as adults to life terms. The group’s mission is to inspire humanity through education, mentorship and restorative practices. KidCAT Speaks wants to hear from all offenders, educators, and policymakers concerning juvenile justice issues and rehabilitation. Contact us at San Quentin News, Attn: KidCAT Speaks, 1 Main St., San Quentin, CA 94964. Page 10 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com March 2020 SQ response to violent incident resonates system wide scheduled yard event. Several During intermission, No Peace colors from Grass Valley’s rejected punishment, revenge DAY OF PEACE volunteers were headed to the More Tears volunteer Eric Van • The road to peace did not ponds, and rivers. and retaliation — by keeping yard event when then-incarcer- Kleen noted, “This is a great happen. “We died for it.” Father George Williams love in spirit Continued from Page 1 ated Tong led them away from way to express spirituality to all • 150 original medicine peo- spoke about responsibility, ac- • Like Jesus, we must return the riot to safety. races, all walks of life.” ple; only two are left countability, forgiveness and to society whole and heartfelt Darryl “Champ” Hill em- Frustrated, incarcerated lead- Dr. Dianna Kronstadt added, • 1976 was the first sweat self-forgiveness. • See Matthew 25 — Jesus, ceed the event. He set the tone ers of all races came together “This is very special for all lodge in California prisons after “When Christians pray the on death row, still asked for for the day asking 150 staff, and went to the administration. communities. I was honored to the protest at Alcatraz Lord’s Prayer, we pray for jus- mercy and forgiveness for all at volunteers and incarcerated The request was to devote one be invited.” • He helped establish all tice and mercy. These are the the time of his execution persons to allow “this beautiful day out of the year to peace and Chaplain Hector Frank of sweat lodges in California’s ingredients for forgiveness,” Leaders from the Buddhist day to open minds, relax and the rehabilitative programs at Indian Services followed. The prisons said Father Williams, who has community followed. Incarcer- enjoy everything each denomi- San Quentin. nationally renowned spiritual “Honor each other’s differ- been serving San Quentin for ated person Ronell “Rauch” nation has to say.” “Now, all prisons in Califor- leader, who walked with Dr. ences, because we all pray — 17 years. Draper said, “If you love that Protestant Chaplain Mardi nia participate because of our Martin Luther King Jr. and Ju- we just use different languag- “We need justice for our of- person so much, even the per- Ralph Jackson gave the open- original committee,” Piscascio lio Cesar Chavez, talked about es,” said Chaplain Frank. fenders and victims, and yes we son that harmed you, I think we ing prayer. She reminded the said. a 1,000-year-old prophecy he Incarcerated keynote speak- need places for punishment and can take away from the trend of praying audience that Jesus The Rabbi Paul Shleffar said learned at age 14. (He is now er Michael Adams gave thanks for reconciliation/forgiveness; pain and suffering that we ex- glorifies everything in this the Day of Peace will help us 76). to Lt. Carlton for the opportu- yet, the hardest thing to do is perience every day. Be willing world. “grow together.” He then asked Chaplain Frank spoke about: nity to represent all incarcer- forgive ourselves,” said Father to love.” Chris Scull of the Inmate everyone to open their hearts • Prophets he sat with who ated around the state. The Williams. Reminding the in- Ceremonies ended with Advisory Council said, “Peace to create a world more “awake had known Crazy Horse and Catholic choirs’ singer quoted carcerated and volunteers how prayer from Father Williams. is more than a feeling. It’s ac- and aware.” He said children of Sitting Bull St. Francis of Assisi, “Let there blessed they are to be at San The ceremony continued in the tions of reconciliation.” He Israel should preserve the ‘righ- • Seven generations back be peace on earth, and let it be- Quentin, he asked, “Do all of Catholic Chapel with a harp re- continued, “Mediation is a teousness of charity.’ to a prayer that included the gin with me. Men and women you know how lucky we are?” cital by Christine Tullis. great tool to begin the process. “The way to live life is ser- heaven’s brightest star --- the in blue…make peace within so The father asked everyone to Tullis, who performed six For some it is God. When it vice. We must act with love. North Star, “was red because… the enemy does not win. Let pray with more introspection, solos, told the remaining audi- was me getting in trouble by Our community calls the He- the red road is a spiritual path peace on earth begin with us including: ence she has been playing for my parents, it was my grand- brew word for love, ‘al aba’ — to peace.” today.” • “Acknowledging San 30 years and the harp is “known mother,” he joked. which means ‘I give to you,’” • The seven original tribes The Strobe Ensemble per- Quentin is proof of rehabilita- to be a healing instrument since Chairman Steve Piscascio said Rabbi Shleffar. • The four original colors of formed a piece from Mozart tion because of education, spiri- ancient times.” and Sergeant at Arms Tommy San Quentin’s Muslim men—Red, Black, White and called, “The Oboe Quartet,” tual and volunteer mentors who This first CDCR sponsored Wickerd of the Committee for leader, Imam Fasih, reminded Yellow—depicting all races in honor of his 276th birthday. come as peacemakers” Day of Peace promoted heal- the Day of Peace then taught everyone, “God is our creator, • We are older than the Az- They then performed a song • “When we harm others, we ing throughout the world. Lt. the crowd the history of the (and) do not look up to others tecs, Mayans, Olmecs called “Water Colors.” The must be punished… we should Carlton hopes the inspirational event. who have more. “ • We are Temax -- People of song was designed to visualize not seek vengeance nor should message will spread outside of San Quentin created the first The Protestant our punishers…pun- San Quentin and that “the Day Day of Peace 13 years ago. Choir sang, followed ishment should have of Peace could resonate every- In 2006, a riot between the by the Catholic choir’s clear purpose” where.” Mexican and Black popula- Christmas rendition of • Jesus showed –Kerry Rudd contributed to tions occurred just before a “Hallelujah.” disappointment but this story

Photo by Javier Jimenez, SQN Photo by Javier Jimenez, SQN Chaplain Hector Frank talks about his history Harpist Christine Tullis pulling emotional strings

Photo by Javier Jimenez, SQN Photo by Javier Jimenez, SQN San Quentin's Protestant Chapel Choir sings church songs to everyone The Strobe Ensemble were the featured performers of the day March 2020 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 11 “Our newspaper allows people to grow...” “To see how far ahead the GUILD Spanish Edition of Wall City and the Spanish section of the Continued from Page 1 San Quentin newspaper are compared to the rest of the “Our graduates—know country’s media is amazing,” you were journalists before added Campbell. you picked up a pen. Espinosa assisted in de- Remember, if no one tells signing, editing and laying your story, who will?” out the nation’s first Hispanic Richardson said. “Please magazine dedicated to the use your voice; it’s the most incarcerated. powerful asset (weapon) you He told SQ News, “With have.” all the work necessary, I Lisa Adams, the newspa- could not have brought this per’s development manager to reality without Lourdes for two years, called her ca- Cardenas, or Wali (Hender- reer journey from state and son). Our whole community federal prison “empty, until owes her a lifetime’s debt of I found my niche helping gratitude.” others.” He added he was very ex- Adams is collaborating cited to expand the magazine with Wells Fargo Bank ex- and Spanish section of the ecutive Amanda Weitman to newspaper with the addition generate philanthropic dona- of more trained writers and tions for the news agency. with donations earmarked for “Inside and out, we give the the Spanish journalists. world access to the under- Current guild chairper- standing and awareness of Photo by Javier Jimenez, SQN son Joe Garcia thanked his social reform and its impact. Journalism Guild Instructor Monica Campbell with the 2019, 2020 graduating class partners in the class, Monica This news agency reduces Campbell, who has been recidivism by giving hope to teaching guild students since the incarcerated throughout female population in Cali- happening at San Quentin, group of Wall City advisers in of Lourdes Cardenas and 2018, and Andrew Beale. the nation,” said the philan- fornia. Mutchler gave praise and he needed to go in and attendance. Kate McQueen, Juan Espinosa, is “breaking Garcia highlighted the thropic executive. to Wall City’s third edition, see what was happening Sarah Horowitz, Doug Levy through barriers that eclipse event as he handed out cer- Today, San Quentin which featured incarcerated himself, if we are going to and Dan Fost represented the newspapers throughout both tificates of participation to News is a leading voice for females. change justice. magazine’s advisory board of countries,” said Campbell, 25 graduates “Celebrate the incarcerated people in the “The women featured on Gascon’s office then col- 12. who is a world leader in her completion of your education country. the back page of Wall City laborated with the late Ar- Forecasting the mission own right concerning the that will help us continue be- San Quentin News’ edi- were my [juvenile] clients nulfo Garcia to create the of the world-class magazine, reporting of immigration is- ing the voice of the 3 million tor-in-chief, Marcus “Wali” who co-wrote articles for the first symposium. It focused Levy said, “the more the com- sues. Special mention incarcerated persons through- Henderson, remarked upon edition. I am pleased to an- on San Francisco Community munity helps, the bigger this went to Juan Espinosa, who out our country,” said Garcia. the journalism program’s ca- nounce all of them have been Court prosecutors’ desire to magazine gets.” Levy’s fore- created the nation’s first The SQ newspaper falls pacity to build bridges. “(SQ released with jobs,” said the investigate what drives youth cast of the magazine’s growth magazine dedicated to the under the supervision of PIO News and Wall City) journal- counselor. to commit crimes. inspired the graduates. incarcerated Spanish popu- Lt. Sam Robinson. Robinson ists tell stories that people Henderson introduced for- The symposium was such Henderson thanked San lation. This population’s after the ceremonies talked are afraid to tell.” mer San Francisco prosecu- a success, today the forums Quentin’s Last Mile, which estimate is 45% of the total of the importance of the SQ Henderson, who used to tor Marisa Rodriguez after he are a core of the news outlet’s helps in the design and imple- population imprisoned in the News team. chair the Guild, then intro- spoke about the social reform brand. mentation of the news agen- United States. –Anthony M. Caravalho duced keynote speaker Tracy symposiums at San Quentin. Rodriguez said after Police cy’s web site. The editor-in- Brumfield. The latest forum with the Chief (Del Scott) brought in chief then recognized the SQ Brumfield has transformed San Francisco Police Depart- his team, it led to the creation News advisers. Collectively, from “a heroin addict in and ment was a “Blue on Blue of the nation’s first Formerly these advisors have more out of jail and then prison” to forum [which] improved Incarcerated Advisory Board. than 200 years of service and founder of a women’s news communication between law The board includes San Fran- devotion to make this news- agency called RISE. enforcement and incarcer- cisco prosecutors and for- paper happen monthly. She inspired the crowd, ated persons. It [forums] will merly incarcerated men and Henderson said, “They speaking about her addic- allow us to continue to build women, many of whom had make us better in all that we tions and battle with can- bridges that no one else can,” life sentences before being do, and we can never repay cer, “I’m beating its ass.” said Henderson. paroled. them for that.” For the graduates she said, In 2012, Rodriguez took a CDCR administrators Upon her acceptance of a “The power of words—sto- suggestion from her father to who ensure accuracy and prestigious plaque given to rytelling—includes talking visit San Quentin. analysis for SQ News in- the group, advisor Jan Perry about our journey. I found “Now, I can’t shake this cludes, Terri Thornton, said, “They make us better.” it extremely empowering place,” said the former D.A. Krissi Khokhobashvili, and Monica Campbell spoke to tell my journey…Write “It [the visit] was very, very Ike Dodson. They received in place of absent Spanish about what you know…your moving, and I didn’t expect plaques of recognition and Guild instructor Lourdes testimony!” that. I shared the experience said, “No matter what hap- Cardenas to the 13 Span- The Department of Ju- with my supervisor, San pened in your past, who you ish Guild graduates who re- venile Justice’s Ericka Francisco D.A. George Gas- are when you come out on the ceived certificates of comple- Mutchler celebrated the con.” She told Gascon there o t h e r s i d e i s w h a t m a t t e r s . ” tion. The Spanish Journalism Photo by Javier Jimenez SQN success of the incarcerated was something very special Henderson also praised the Guild, under the leadership Keynote speaker Traci Brumfield sharing valuable experiences

Photo by Javier Jimenez SQN Photo by Javier Jimenez SQN CDCR administrators Krissi Khokhobashvili, Ike Dodson and Terri Thornton SQ Alumnus David Le, Vietnamese Guild Graduates and Si Dang

Photo by Javier Jimenez SQN Photo by Javier Jimenez SQN Wall City Advisors Kate McQueen, Dan Fost, Doug Levy and Sarah Horowitz SQN Advisors Jan Perry, Tom Short, Linda Xiques, Steve McNamara and John Eagan Page 12 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com March 2020 Donovan Correctional Facility holds its first Restorative Justice Fair

Photo courtesy of R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility Sunday Morning Fellowship gathering together for healing

By Shawn Khalifa of Restorative Justice. D.A. am grateful to learn from that the signifying color for do- United States. remorse letters to women Contributing Writer Johnson-Williams walked experience.” mestic violence awareness). Raquel Funches, of South- who had suffered from abuse. around the entire circle shak- From a stage in the middle Under the canopies were western College, was avail- Then a purple friendship History was made and we ing hands and saying his of the yard, performers spoke 26 Arts-In-Corrections pro- able to assist, motivate and in- bracelet was placed on their were there. It was the first name. about “giving living amends” grams, peer-to-peer groups, teract with the facility’s large wrist. Restorative Justice Fair held He then joined the circle during their performances. Southwestern College, Men- college student population at “We all came together in inside an American prison. and passed around questions “My definition of living tal Health, The Brahman their booth. The booths were the spirit of Restorative Jus- The three-day August fair such as “What can another amends is not being willing Project, Eastlake Church, staffed with a combination tice, and remorse,” said Ryan opened inside the Facility-E person do to make you feel to compromise with any form and several other service of residents and service pro- Grider. “This was the most Gymnasium at R.J. Dono- valued?” Speaking beads and of criminal behavior due to a providers. viders. Funches’ support and powerful room I’ve been van Correctional Facility. a microphone were passed changed belief system,” said generous effort to instill “No in during my 17 years of One hundred chairs formed around so that all could Melvin Price, a participant Violence” into the culture at incarceration." the foundation of a connect- be heard. Fully participat- performer. this facility will never be for- “An overwhelming feel- ing circle. Brahmankyrie, a ing, D.A. Johnson-Williams Anon Jon Alexander “My definition of gotten. She is a driving force ing of remorse, and surrender Restorative Justice super- transformed from district at- added, “In sharing our tal- living amends is of Restorative Justice. filled my heart. For offenders supporter, gave her opening torney to a victim of crime. ents with fellow [prisoners], “It was an empowering and victims of crime to come salvo on her BOSE speaker He shared that four of his alongside free staff and visi- not being willing experience to witness,” said together to heal, it speaks system. close family members and tors, Echo Yard is opening a Funches. I’m fortunate to volumes of the real work “Welcome!,” she greeted a best friend had been tragi- portal of positive reinforce- to compromise have had the opportunity to it takes to restore justice. I the participants. The over- cally murdered. “How do you ment, which in turn expedites with criminal be included in the residents’ am so grateful that I had the stuffed gym, with tight se- honor those that you have rehabilitative reintegration rehabilitative efforts.” privilege to be part of this curity, had a long line of lost?,” was another question back to society.” behavior due Raquel shared her booth powerful process,” Grider residents hoping to enter but the DA passed around. Alexander performed to a changed with Tanya, another proud continued. they were turned away due Dr. Andrea Travers, of “Chrysalis” a song about advocate for Restorative Jus- The fair weekend ended as to overcrowding. All those VOEG (Victim Offenders metamorphosis. belief system” tice, and Patrice, the Director it began with Brahmankyrie within the connection circle Education Group), held a re- “Because from prisoner of Southwestern College’s in a jam-packed gymnasium were invited to a grounding morse-processing workshop to president, we all have the Restorative Justice Program. practicing a Satsang medita- exercise that involved deep in the prison visiting room. same 24 hours to be used con- District attorney Marissa Another strong voice in the tion of forgiveness. The can- breathing and placing feet “The event made such a structively,” said Alexander. Bejarano also came to the community was the head of opies came down for the last flat on the floor—each inhale strong impact on me because “When invested into such prison to talk with its resi- the Alternative to Violence time. The message of connec- bringing up positive energy it dealt with remorse, some- creative expression, it is also dents. She spoke about the Program (AVP), Shandreka, tion, love and healing rang and love from the planet that thing I have had a hard time less likely to get sucked into effects of sex trafficking on who kindly postponed the throughout the event. sustains us, while exhaling dealing with,” said partici- negative politics or tribalism/ the victims. It is rare, if not AVP class to allow herself, “These three days of the negative energy into the core pant Aurelio Martin Sepulve- violence.” unheard of, for a district at- facilitators and students to get fair were the best days of my of the earth. “Did you feel da. “The manner in which the On Booth Day, thirteen torney to visit the prison to the most out of the weekend. life,” said Ruben Radillo, E- it?,” asked the leader process was explained was canopies were arranged in share but Facility-E received The biggest impact was yard resident. District Attorney Khe- very insightful. I was able a “U” formation facing the two. A moment of silence felt off-stage in the facil- This article was edited for mal Johnson-Williams came to relate to everybody pres- stage. Purple decorations was also held for the victims ity’s Multi-Faith Room. One length and according to the into the prison in the name ent in one way or another. I were on display (purple being of shootings throughout the by one, residents read their AP style

Photo courtesy of R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility Photo courtesy of R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility Photo courtesy of R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility Brahmankyrie enjoying the day inside prison Devaki sending prayers and blessings to everyone Starlight Peace Project-- #NoViolence March 2020 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 13 Donovan Correctional Facility holds its first Restorative Justice Fair

Photo Courtesy of R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility Photo Courtesy of R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility Raquel Funches (center) with Southwestern students: Fernando Millsap, Shawn Khalifa, Cedric Parker and Jason Imbach Facility-E Captain Benyard lookin’ fresh

Photo courtesy of R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility Photo Courtesy of R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility Project Paint enjoying the day Public Defenders rep. and Andrew Grander

Photo courtesy of R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility Photo courtesy of R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility Photo courtesy of R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility Don of Prison Fellowship (center) with Struggling Youth Turnaround’s Alex Mendoza and Here & Now’s David Chehovich Eastlake Church Volunteer Flor Deputy District Attorney Marissa Bejarano Page 14 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com March 2020 AROUND THE WORLD

Jane Courant in Cascais, Portugal Christine Remillard in Taiwan

Ear Hustle’s Earlonne Woods and Nigel Poor Brian Howey in Thailand at the Teatro Comunale, Italy March 2020 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 15 Recibe segunda oportunidad tras 29 años en la cárcel

Por Daniel mamá y papá: tenía coraje En la cárcel estuvo rela- encerrado, nunca recibió salgas? ‘No sé’ le dije”. de Reentry. Me están prepa- López con ellos por el abandono, cionado con las pandillas y visitas, ni ayuda económi- González dice que después rando para la transición. Me me sentí extraño y solo pasé terminó validado, (señalado ca. “Murió mi abuelita, mi de varias horas de preguntas van a dar ropa, hospedaje, Periodista un año con mi madre”, dijo como un miembro activo de mamá, papá y mi hermana y respuestas finalmente lo y me van a ayudar a buscar González. pandillas) en el SHU, (Uni- el año pasado. Cada año pu- encontraron elegible para trabajo. Al salir se me antoja La vida González abandonó el dad de Alojamiento Especia- edes agarrar un paquete pero salir en libertad condicional. comerme un siete mares”, fue difícil para él. Juan hogar donde vivía con su les, o Special Housing Unit si no tienes quien te mande “Estoy yendo al programa dijo González. González, de 58 años, cre- madre y se unió a las pandil- en inglés) en la prisión de pues no agarras nada”, dijo ció sin unos padres que lo las que él consideraba como Pelican Bay. González. guiaran, se metió en las pan- su propia familia. Su rutina diaria en el SHU Finalmente en 2008, dillas y terminó en la cárcel En la calle comenzó a se volvió muy monótona: González salió de SHU. cumpliendo una sentencia experimentar con drogas, despertaba a las 4 de la ma- “Me sentí otra persona” dijo. de cadena perpetua. Después que pronto se volvieron una ñana, salía a la yarda una “Me sentí libre dentro de la de 29 años en prisión recibe adicción. “Fumaba mari- hora y media cada tres días población carcelaria. Poder una segunda oportunidad. huana, PCP, a los 16 años ya mientras que el resto del trabajar, asistir a la escuela, González será hombre libre. me inyectaba heroína”, dijo tiempo se la pasaba a en la socializar con otros prisione- “A los seis meses fui González. celda. Hacía ejercicio, desa- ros” añadió González. puesto en adopción, pero mi El consumir drogas le tra- yunaba, leía, cenaba, veía la Para solventar los gastos abuelita me sacó del orfana- jo otro problema más grave. televisión y repetía lo mismo de sus artículos de higiene torio”, dijo González. A los 19 años entró a la cár- todos los días por 11 años. aprendió a arreglar aparatos González cuenta que du- cel por primera vez y en ese “Me estaba volviendo loco” electrónicos y afortunada- rante el tiempo que vivió tiempo contrajo hepatitis por dijo González. mente su deseo por las dro- con su abuela fue maltratado compartir jeringas con otros “Mi hermana me mandó gas desapareció. “No sentía y que tal vez eso sucedió presos adictos. una biblia. La empecé a leer, ningún deseo de entrar en porque ella también pasó por “A los 30, fui sentenciado me puse de rodillas y dije ‘si el infierno de las drogas. Sé la misma experiencia. a 32 años a cadena perpet- hay un Dios ayúdame’. Solo que Dios me cambió”, dijo Durante su infancia, ua por un homicidio” dijo en la celda me convertí en González. González no tuvo relación González. Su vínculo con las cristiano” dijo González. A finales del 2019, con sus padres biológicos. pandillas en la calle lo siguió González dice que des- González se presentó ante el “A los 12 años conocí a mi hasta la prisión. de entonces ha estado comité de libertades condi- cionales (Board of Prison Hearings como se le conoce en inglés). ¿Conduce mejor cuando toma? González dice que mu- chas de las preguntas que le hicieron no tenían respues- No es un mito, es un peligro tas concretas como cuando el comisionado le preguntó Photo por Juan Espinosa, SQN Por Tare mejor cuando bebía”. legal de alcohol en la sangre “¿qué vas a hacer cuando Jesus Gonzalez Beltranchuc La National Drunk Driv- (BAC) para conducir de una ing Facts and Statistics men- manera segura es 0.08%, Periodista ciona además que el alcohol según The Zebra Drunk El estado de California libera a varios reduce las habilidades sico- Driving Statistics. Algunos con- motoras. La coordinación en Figueroa dijo, “antes del ductores están convencidos las manos, los pies y la vista accidente, me arrestaron prisioneros, pero se olvida de que manejan mejor bajo la es afectada después de con- dos veces por manejar ebrio influencia del alcohol, hasta sumir bebidas alcohólicas. pero solo me llevaban a la muchos otros que ocasionan una tragedia. “Cuando intenté frenar, cárcel del condado y al otro By Timothy Hicks “Era una experiencia es- audiencias de libertad condi- Tranquilino Figueroa de me equivoqué y pisé el acel- día me soltaban”. Staff Writer calofriante,” dijo Mendoza en cional le negó esa opor- 57 años y José Rodríguez, erador y choqué con otro ve- Rodríguez fue detenido el artículo publicado por San tunidad pero puede volver a de 44, son residentes de hículo, quitándole la vida a dos veces por manejar bajo El estado de California ha Francisco Chronicle. “Cami- tener otra audiencia en tres la prisión de San Quentin tres personas”, dijo Figueroa la influencia del alcohol. estado liberando a muchos nar por el patio de la prisión años. y pensaban que conducían con lágrimas en los ojos. “La primera vez me depor- prisioneros, pero está olvi- te hace sentir como si estas Con el paso de la mejor bajo la influencia Hoy Figueroa entiende taron y la segunda vez no me dando de algunos. caminado sobre un campo de Proposición 57 en 2016, los del alcohol por distintas que la razón por la que lle- presenté a corte. La tercera Las personas que son olvi- batalla. Mi mayor prioridad jueces, en lugar de los fis- razones. gaba sano y salvo a casa no vez fue cuando choqué y le dadas cometieron crímenes fue la supervivencia. No pen- cales, deciden quienes serán “Estaba convencido que era por conducir mejor bajo quité la vida a una persona y a los 14 y 15 años y fueron saba en la rehabilitación’. transferidos a las cortes de conducía mejor después la influencia del alcohol, dejé inválida a otra”. juzgados como adultos y Mendoza pasó dos déca- adultos. Y además el año de tomarme unas cervezas. “era fácil pensar que estaba “Reconozco que el tomar enviados a prisiones para das tras las rejas antes de ser pasado se pasó la SB1391 Sentía que era más precav- conduciendo normalmente y manejar es un acto de ir- adultos. En este momento, liberado. Ahora se dedica a la que prohíbe que ningún ido y prestaba más atención cuando realmente no lo responsabilidad que pone en las prisiones de California legislación de justicia crimi- menor de 16 años sea juzga- a las señales de tráfico”, dijo estaba”. riesgo la vida de los demás sobrepasan su capacidad y nal con la organización ARC do en las cortes para adultos. Figueroa, quien actualmente Figueroa tomaba y mane- conductores, los peatones los oficiales hacen todo lo (Anti-Recidivism-Coalition). El fiscal del condado de cumple una condena de 18 jaba desde los 18 años. Cre- y mi propia vida”, dijo posible para remediarlo, ex- La ley AB560 implemen- Santa Clara Jeff Rosen se años. ció en una pequeña comu- Rodríguez. cepto liberar a estos jóvenes tada en 1994, permitió que opuso a la constituciona- Rodríguez, cuya condena nidad de Colima, México, Figueroa dijo, “ahora en- perjudicados. los adolescentes fueran sen- lidad de SB1391. Según equivale a 11 años, dijo “me donde las personas con- tiendo que el alcohol altera En octubre, el periódico tenciados en las cortes de el artículo, Rosen está de tomaba unas 12 cervezas ducían bajo la influencia del mi capacidad de conducir y San Francisco Chronicle adultos. Después en 2001 acuerdo que algunos casos diarias y así manejaba. Pen- alcohol sin consecuencias definitivamente no manejo publicó un reporte especial la Prop. 21 dio el poder a de adolescentes amerita la saba que manejar despacio legales. “Para mí era nor- mejor, sino todo lo con- sobre los jóvenes que fuer- los fiscales de juzgar a los autoridad de las cortes ju- significaba que conducía mal. No creía que tomar y trario. Así que eviten tomar on juzgados y sentenciados adolescentes juveniles en las veniles. Sin embargo, él mejor”. manejar fuera un delito. Yo y manejar”. como adultos y que fueron cortes de adultos. cree que las nuevas leyes no De acuerdo a un estudio creía que delitos eran robar De acuerdo a National después enviados a prisión y Mendoza fue unos de están siendo justas para los por National Drunk Driving o vender drogas” Highway Traffic Safety ‘tratados como adultos’. los pocos que fue liberado que cometieron crímenes Facts and Statistics en 2019, De otro lado, Rodríguez Administration (NHTSA), Según San Francisco después que estas leyes fuer- cuando eran adolescentes. el alcohol disminuye la ca- añadió, “después de beber de los 37,133 personas que Chronicle, entre 2003 y an implementadas. Rosen argumenta que lib- pacidad del cerebro para en las fiestas, mis amigos murieron en accidentes au- 2018, casi 12,000 adolescen- Kelly cometió un cri- erar infractores juveniles, pensar, razonar y coordinar y familiares siempre mane- tomovilísticos en el 2017, en tes fueron trasladados a cor- men como adolescente y que cometieron crímenes los movimientos. Estas son jaban y yo hacía lo mismo. 10, 874 casos, un conductor tes para adultos. sigue hoy tras las rejas en extremadamente violentos funciones vitales para con- Pensaba que no le hacía manejaba ebrio o bajo la in- Michael Mendoza y el sistema de prisiones en es una bofetada en la cara ducir un vehículo de una daño a nadie”. fluencia del alcohol. Philippe Kelly son dos de California. a las víctimas departe del manera segura. Al llegar a Estados Uni- De acuerdo a Figueroa, esos jóvenes que formaron En la prisión de San sistema. Figueroa no entendía el dos ambos descubrieron que la solución de este prob- parte de ese proceso. Quentin, Kelly toma parte de Según el San Francisco peligro de tomar y mane- conducir en estado de ebrie- lema no se limita a las au- Mendoza fue internado en múltiples programas de au- Chronicle, otros fiscales en jar. “Siempre había llegado dad (DWI) o bajo la influen- toridades, sino a la determi- una prisión de adultos con toayuda para jóvenes como California han tratado de a casa sano y salvo, lo cual cia del alcohol (DUI), es un nación de cada persona por una sentencia de cadena per- Squires y KidKat. derribar la ley que protege reforzó la idea que conducía delito en este país. El límite no tomar y manejar. petua por un asesinato a otro Kelly de niño fue a todos los adolescentes de pandillero cuando él tenía 17 considerado muy talentoso ser juzgados en las cortes de años. Mendoza ingresó a una pero tuvo una vida muy adultos y el tema puede lle- prisión en Wasco, California. difícil. Él se metió en gar hasta la Corte Suprema Por su parte, Kelly cuando pandillas cuando era de California. tenía 15 años fue enviado a adolescente. Kelly describe Pero exitosos adolescen- prisión por un asesinato de sus programas como una tes como Mendoza ven las segundo grado por el cual re- manera de servicio. cosas diferentes. “Yo pienso cibió una sentencia de cadena “Para que ellos no se que nuestra generación de perpetua. encuentren en nuestra situ- jóvenes que caimos en el Esa era una época cuando ación”, dijo Kelly. modelo de castigo de adul- el pánico público provocó Mientras que Kelly tos deja una marca negra en “ser más rígido contra el cri- cumple su condena, el ex la historia de California, la men” especialmente en con- gobernador Jerry Brown le cual siempre tendremos que tra de los adolescentes que concedió una reducción de sanar”, dijo Mendoza. cometían crímenes violentos. su sentencia de 40 años a “Hay muchas personas Los políticos y legisladores cadena perpetua a 20 años que eran muy jóvenes (cu- describían a los jóvenes con cadena perpetua. ando fueron a prisión) que como “extremadamente Con el paso de la ley todavía están sufriendo, y violentos” y “criminales sin SB260, Kelly fue elegible que tal vez remordimiento”. Se acti- para una “audiencia de in- nunca podrán varon nuevas leyes que los fractores adolescentes” para recuperarse”. jueces aplicaron para senten- aquellos que fueron conde- Traducción: Photo por Javier Jiminez, SQN Photo por Javier Jiminez, SQN ciar más severamente a los nados cuando eran jóvenes. Heriberto Tranquilino Figueroa José Rodríguez adolescentes. En agosto el comité de Arredondo Page 16 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com March 2020

ESPAÑOL Qué es el coronavirus y cómo prevenirlo Por Juan Espinosa algunos de los cuales cau- persona puede ser continuo. coronavirus y cómo se con- epicentro de contagio en un • Lavarse las manos a Diseñador gráfico y san enfermedades en las Algunos virus son altamente tagia. Dos otros coronavi- periodo de semanas a tem- menudo con agua y jabón por Periodista personas y otros única- contagiosos, como la viruela rus que han surgido previa- peraturas ambientes. lo menos por 20 segundos. mente circulan en animales por ejemplo, mientras que mente han causado severas Se piensa que el coronavi- • Usar un esterilizador que El virus COVID-19, con- como camellos, gatos y otros son menos contagio- enfermedades en personas rus se contagia a menudo de contenga por lo menos 60% ocido también como corona- murciélagos. sos. Por ahora no está claro como MERS y SARS. El fluidos respiratorios. Por el alcohol si no tiene acceso al virus, ha causado la muerte Los análisis genéticos de que tan fácil las personas COVID-19 está más re- momento no hay evidencia agua y jabón. a más de dos mil personas y la raíz de este virus están puedan contagiarse entre sí. lacionado al SARS que al que apoye la transmisión de • Evitar tocarse los ojos, contagia a un número cada dirigidos a una fuente en Los análisis genéticos sugie- MERS, pero los dos son beta contagio en caso de COV- nariz, y boca sin lavarse las vez mayor en el mundo. específico. SARS, otro coro- ren que el virus provino de coronavirus con orígenes de ID-19 asociado con enseres manos. El Centro para el Control navirus que surgió e infectó virus relacionados al SARS. murciélagos. Mientras que importados de lugares donde • Evitar contacto con per- y Prevención de Enferme- a muchas personas provino Por el momento hay varias no se sabe por seguro que hay casos de coronavirus en sonas que estén afectadas dades (CDC, por sus siglas de la secreciones de gatos, investigaciones en proceso este virus se comporte de la Estados Unidos. por el virus. en inglés) publicó una gace- mientras que MERS, otro para aprender más al respec- misma manera que SARS o Por ahora no hay una va- • Quedarse en casa si está ta que responde a unas pre- tipo de coronavirus también to. Esta es una situación que el MERS, podemos usar la cuna para prevenir la infec- enfermo. guntas simples que son de infectó a muchas personas y se desarrolla rápidamente y información de estos dos vi- ción del COVID-19 . La • Cuando tosa o estornude, interés para la comunidad. provino de los camellos. la información debe de ser rus como preparación. Hay mejor manera de prevenir use un pañuelo y después ¿Dónde se origina el ¿Cómo se propaga el actualizada en cuanto esté una posibilidad muy baja de el contagio es evitar expon- tírelo a la basura. Coronavirus? coronavirus? accesible. que el coronavirus se conta- erse al virus. En ese sen- • Limpiar frecuentemente El coronavirus viene de Es importante notar que Hay mucho que no sabe- gie de productos o paquetes tido, CDC recomienda las con desinfectante los objetos una larga familia de virus, el contagio de persona a mos acerca del nuevo que son enviados desde el siguientes acciones: y superficies que toque.

VIETNAMESE Hủy bỏ luật tăng án không công hiệu Tác Giả: ASHLEY sách của tiểu bang dành cho bố của những người đề xướng cảm và tài chánh mà những mẹ bị giam tạo nên chấn diện là một phần của nổ lực CHAMBERS việc cải tạo trong 15 năm luật SB136. người đang bị giam và người thương nghiêm trọng cho con lịch có sử này và biết rằng Hội Đoàn Tác Giả Nhà Báo qua. Các chính sách về án "Chuyện này là hướng thân của họ phải gánh chịu. họ. Trẻ em có cha mẹ ngồi tù các bà mẹ bị giam sẽ trở về phạt, chẳng hạn như tăng án về việc thêm công bằng cho Căn cứ theo California thì có thể bị bệnh sầu não, âu với con họ sớm hơn," Ralston Vào ngày 8 tháng 10, liên cho những lần kết án trước, là những người đang bị giam Department of Corrections lo, kém học lực, nghỉ hoặc tường trình. hiệp Repeal Ineffective Sen- then chốt làm đầy 33 tù trong và gia đình của họ và sửa sai and Rehabilitation (CDCR), bỏ học, nghèo đói, vô gia cư Việc tăng án thêm một năm tence Enhancements (RISE) tiểu bang Cali, làm uổng phí những luật tuyên án phạt làm có hơn 15,000 vụ tăng án và kém thể lực. Chúng tôi rất được sửa đổi bởi luật SB136 ca tụng việc Thống Đốc Gavin tài nguyên và xé nát nhiều gia ảnh hưởng những cộng đồng và cộng thêm một năm vào hãnh diện có được sự ủng hộ là một trong vô số luật tăng Newsom thông qua đạo luật đình," tường trình từ Amber- da đen và da nâu," tường trình án căn bản của những người của Thống Đốc Newsom cho án dưới hiến pháp của Cali. SB136: The RISE Act. Pháp Rose Howard, Statewide từ Emily Harris, Policy Man- đang bị giam tính đến tháng luật SB136, nó là việc tước bỏ Luật mới này sẽ không thay chế, được tạo ra bởi Thượng Coordinator at Californians ager of the Ella Baker Center 12 năm 2018. Đây là một ước sự trừng phạt," tường trình từ đổi án căn bản cho những ai Nghị Sĩ Scott Wiener (Đảng United for a Responsible for Human Rights." Chúng lượng bảo thủ, vì sự danh giá Romailyn Ralston, Policy Di- hiện tại đang phạm trọng tội Dân Chủ từ San Francisco), Budget. tôi biết rằng tăng án thêm của CDCR không cân nhắc về rector with the California Co- hoặc thay đổi những việc tăng phá hủy việc tăng án bằng Đi chung với sự chênh lệch một năm không làm cho cộng những người phạm trọng tội alition for Women Prisoners. án dài hơn tạo ra để trừng phạt cách cộng thêm một năm cho tại mỗi giai đoạn của hệ thống đồng chúng ta an toàn hơn đang bị cầm tù tại trại giam "Phần đông phụ nử đang tái can phạm. mỗi lần vào tù vì phạm trọng công lý, cá nhân, cộng đồng hoặc là ngăn cản việc phạm địa phương. Hiện tại Cali tốn bị giam có con dưới 18 tuổi. Bộ luật SB136 được áp án. và gia đình của người da màu pháp, mà làm tan nát nhiều hơn $80,000 mỗi năm để giam Mỗi năm mà người mẹ phải dụng vào ngày 1 tháng Giêng "Liên hiệp của chúng tôi phải gánh chịu vì việc tăng án gia đình. Thu lại việc tăng giữ một người. xa cách đứa con thì có nhiều năm 2020. đang làm việc để giảm ngân thêm một năm, theo lời công án phạt này sẽ giúp giảm xúc "Mỗi năm người cha hay tầng lớp tai hại. Tôi rất hãnh —Dịch giả-Hiếu Thái Buổi Lễ Trao Chi Phiếu San Quentin CARES 2019 Tác Giả: Juan Haines bộ và một khi gặp được các và được ông ta chấp thuận — vỗ tay từ khán giả. "Chúng ta Bailey nói với khán giả trải nghiệm đó," Bailey nói Hội Đoàn Tác Giả Nhà Báo bạn tôi cảm nhận được sự cho đến nay chúng tôi đã gây có sứ mệnh đánh bại bệnh này về việc mang mẹ cô đến một chuyện đó thúc đẩy cô tham quan tâm từ các bạn ngay lập quỷ hơn $70,000. — xin gởi đến tất cả những trong những cuộc đi bộ của gia với SQ CARES. Hàng trăm cư dân tại San tức." Kim Bailey, người đã ở đó người thân quá cố, chúng tôi SQ CARES, nhưng mẹ cô chỉ Buổi lễ kết thúc với lời mời Quentin đóng góp mỗi người Rousse nói rằng ông nhận từ lúc đầu, nói Elena Tootell, xin làm lễ kỷ niệm trong ngày có thể ngồi trên xe lăng. Vài đến những khán giả nào muốn $5.00, thêm vào những nghệ tất cả các loại nghệ thuật, một trưởng y viện thời gian này." tù nhân ngồi trò chuyện với lên sân khấu chia sẽ những kinh thuật do tù nhân làm ra đem tranh vẽ hoặc bài viết, "những đó, "rất hoan nghênh ý tưởng Mẹ và chị của Kim Bailey mẹ cô. nghiệm cá nhân với bệnh ung lại hơn $8,000 cho một trung người bên ngoài rất là háo hức gây quỷ và hai ngày đi bộ đã qua đời vì căn bệnh này "Tất cả những gì mẹ cô thư. tâm phụ nữ địa phương. Sự và muốn nghe từ các bạn." trong San Quentin." cách nhau vài tháng. nói đến hết cuộc đời là sự —Dịch giả-Dũng Trần gây quỷ này là một phần của Triển lãm nghệ thuật vừa rồi Feld và một cư dân tại San Quentin CARES (SQ đem lại hơn $1,000, và tất cả San Quen- CARES) năm thứ 11: “Walk những số tiền đó chuyển đến tin Edmond for a Cure” — Đi bộ cho sự Oakland Women's Resource Richardson chữa trị (ung thư vú) trong Center. Tình nguyện viên làm chủ buổi ngày 11 và 12 tháng 11. của hội SQ CARES Samatha lễ trao chi "Tôi rất là vinh hạnh và tri Feld nói, "Tôi bị tràn ngập bởi phiếu. ân các bạn đã chọn Oakland những câu chuyện và sự tận Buổi lễ bắt Woman's Resource Center," lực của các bạn để ủng hộ một đầu với một chủ tịch Penni Hudis phát cộng đồng rộng hơn. Sự cam màn biểu diễn biểu tại buổi lễ trao chi phiếu kết của tôi được sâu hơn trong nhạc ráp do tại nhà thờ Tin Lành của San 2015 khi mẹ tôi mất do bệnh James Met- Quentin. "Trung tâm này là ung thư vú. Đây là một cách ters, Michael một chỗ đặc biệt và đã trải qua đặc biệt để vinh danh mẹ tôi Kirk Patrick, 33 năm phục vụ tất cả cư dân và nối kết với những người Derry Brown, của quận hạt Alameda và Con- khác để chia sẽ những sự mất và Raiveon tra Costa." mát và đau thương." "Ray-Ray" Quản thủ B. Rousse của Cái ý tưởng đầu tiên cho Wooden trình Cords Gallery điều hành buổi sự đi bộ và gây quỷ trong San diễn. triển lãm nghệ thuật. Quentin xảy ra vào năm 2009 "Chúng ta "Để tôi vẽ một bức tranh," sau khi một tù nhân xem Avon có thể thắng ông Rousse nói, "Rất nhiều Walk chống lại ung thư vú năm nay — người đến thăm Cords Gal- trên TV. chiến thắng lery và khi họ biết rằng những "Tôi nêu lên ý kiến này đến đang ở đây — nghệ thuật này do tù nhân tạo Laura Bowman," ông Stephen San Quen- ra để ủng hộ ung thư vú thì Pascasio nói, người đã từng tin đã có kế người ta rất cảm động. Nó là làm quản lý hợp tác cộng đồng hoạch," đó là một phương tiện cho phép các ở thời điểm đó. "Chúng tôi những lời nói File Photo bạn đóng góp. Tôi đến đây đi viết lá thư đến trưởng trại tù đem lại tiếng Những tù nhân đăng ký để tham gia cuộc đi bộ ủng hộ ung thư Tuân Theo Sự Cải Cách Của Tòa Án Tác Giả: Alfred King Đây là lần báo cáo lần thứ đạt được bằng cấp trung học, nhiệm về an toàn cho xã hội 6. Phương pháp ứng dụng và đoàn tụ gia đình. Hội Đoàn Tác Giả Nhà Báo 68 từ một quan tòa ra lệnh và tham gia đủ 52 tiếng đồng trước phương pháp lựa chọn cho án treo dành cho tù nhân Trại quản giáo trở về, Cus- giảm bớt số lượng tù nhân hồ vào những chương trình sẽ không được ứng dụng. Tất bệnh tật, chương trình án treo tody to Community Tran- Tiểu bang Cali đang có xuống 137.5%. cải huấn. Luật này có hiệu cả được thừa hưởng bất kể án cũng dành cho tù nhân 60 sitional Reentry Programs một sửa đổi quan trọng là CDCR đang tuân theo lệnh lực bắt đầu từ ngày 9 tháng tù đã xác định hay chưa xác tuổi trở lên, và đã thụ án 25 (CCTRP) hiện tại đang ở tuân theo lời của tòa trong tòa và giảm bớt tù nhân trong Giêng. định, hai nhóm này sẽ được năm trong tù. các quận như San Diego, việc giảm đi tệ nạn đông dân vòng bốn năm nay, dựa theo 3. Văn phòng tư pháp chấp đưa qua hội đồng xét sử án 7. Các hợp đồng hiện nay Santa Fe Spring, Bakersfield, số trong nhà tù và cải thiện lời báo cáo đưa ra vào ngày thuận khẩn cấp điều luật cho treo để họ quyết định, bất đang ở quận San Diego, Los Stockton và Sacramento, trong mặt y tế cho tù nhân 16 tháng 12. tù nhân không bạo lực một chấp đến hạnh kiểm của tù Angeles,, Butte, và Kern để được tường trình. trong 35 nhà tù của tiểu bang, Thay đổi gồm có: phương pháp để phân biệt nhân khi đang ở tù. giữ những tù nhân có điều Kể từ ngày 13 tháng 11, một báo cáo mới đưa ra. 1. Theo nghị luật 57 (Prop. giữa những tù nhân với án 5. CDCR tiếp tục thi hành kiện vào chương trình trở về. có 340 nữ tù nhân hiện đang Sự thay đổi về nghị luật và 57), được bình chọn vào tù được xác định và những điều luật khác để duy trì và 8. Tiểu bang Cali hiện tham gia vào chương trình luật lệ có được một kết quả tháng 11 năm 2016, mở rộng án chưa xác định của tù nhân phục tùng, giao kèo trong đang mở rộng thêm chương CCTRP. Ngân sách của năm đo lường trong vấn đề quân và tạo nhiều cơ hội cho việc không dính tới bạo lực. Nó đã tiểu bang với mức tối đa giam trình khác cho nữ tù nhân để 2019 và 2020 đã cung cấp số của tù nhân có ước lượng nhận được điểm tốt từ tù trở thành khế ước vào ngày 1 giử tù nhân tại trại giam trong cung cấp cho họ với một tầm $7.5 triệu cho chương trình là 138.8%, theo báo cáo của nhân. tháng Giêng năm 2019. quận hạt, trại giam của cộng rộng hơn để cải huấn và giúp này và sẽ tài trợ thêm cho hai văn phòng quản giáo cải huấn 2. Cơ hội để nhận được 4. Một tòa quyết định vào đồng, trại giam tư nhân và đỡ họ cai nghiện rượu và ma trại ở quận Los Angeles cho tù nhân của tiểu bang Cali hạnh kiểm tốt cũng được mở ngày 9 tháng 7 thay đổi chính loại trừ đi trại giam ở ngoài túy, tìm việt làm và nhờ sự 60 nữ tù nhân. (CDCR). rộng ra cho những tù nhân sách của CDCR cho các ủy tiểu bang. trợ giúp của xã hội, giáo dục —Dịch giả-Tú Trần March 2020 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 17 SQ Hosts 13th Annual Brothers in Pen Public Reading

Photo courtesy of Zoe Mullery Micheal Cooke, Joe Krauter, Lawrence “Udukobraye” Pela, Emile DeWeaver, Jimmy Carlin, Zoe Mullery, J.B. Wells and Troy Williams By Timothy Hicks clothes. what 13 bars meant to prison- prison. “You Were Thinking.” The Paul Stauffer read “Jeffrey Staff writer “I’m so happy that all this ers, as told by the character, Stu Ross read “Going Bald second person narrative is Wolsey,” a strange story that is happening,” said Mullery. Omar. The crowd was en- Doesn’t Make You Less At- about a person on parole who contains futuristic science re- Zoe Mullery has listened “It takes details to pull this lightened and chuckled hear- tractive.” The title speaks for returns to society trying to ad- lated to mind and body. to thousands of stories inside off and get everyone in the ing things like, There are 13 itself. just to society. The parolee is Osbun Walton read “I San Quentin since 1999. She room together. I’ve seen some bars on a cell door, and there Anonymous read “Judg- indifferent to it all. Wasn’t Ready.” It’s a com- facilitates a weekly creative beautiful reunions.” are 13 steps between the tiers. ment Day.” The story cen- Juan Haines read “Tread- passionate story about the writing class for about two Pela told the men in blue, Tim Bottomley gave a brief ters on how prisoners present ing Habits.” The story is loss of his brother Timothy. dozen men. “People are jealous of what description of his crime and themselves before the parole about how a person deals with Rahsaan “New York” Mullery’s small frame is we have. They want our look achievements before reading, board and the information the fact that he’s dying. Thomas read “Change in a big presence on the prison and our life, our look of free- “Cross my Heart.” that parole commissioners use Kevin Flanagan read “Now Places.” It is a memoir about compound as she’s watched dom. So guys, hurry up and Elton Kelly read “Market to decide a prisoner’s fate. What?” His story started like accepting accountability for several men from her writing do what you have to do to Street,” which was about the George Coles read “Mesro- an exotic, erotic love story, the crime that landed him in class make parole and con- make it out.” perspective of a rich person to piece Theatre.” It depicted a but it ended up becoming a prison. tinue writing. More than 70 outside the homeless population. mysterious fantasy filled with story of a man and woman Troy Williams left the pris- “I do it because I love the guests, many their first time Charles Daron read “A Par- fictitious characters. just simply in love. on population with words of power of stories. I think sto- inside a prison, mingled with adoxical Situation.” The story Michael Jace read “Unfor- Michael Zell read “Go encouragement. “It’s always rytelling is what people are the men in blue. was about his experience in tunate Statistic,” which de- Niners!” After a moment of strange to walk back up in made of, their creation,” “I met some interesting the Los Angeles County Jail scribes a gruesome discovery silence for Kobe Bryant, Zell here and see the people that said Mullery as members of people,” said Lily Rachles. and an encounter with a depu- of an African American who told the story of an experience you know like family. Then I Brothers in Pen held their “I’m excited to be welcomed ty who abused prisoners with has been murdered and how at a Niner Super Bowl. leave, and it hurts,” he paused 13th Annual Public Reading, into this community, and “Flash Therapy Sessions.” He he deals with being Black, a Michael Calvin Holmes then added, “We need y’all on Feb.1. I look forward to coming said, “I was 8 years old when police officer and how that af- read “Waking Up Dead,” home so we can transform Mullery has been volun- back.” I started stealing, which I fects his family relations. which was an odd story about our community into what we teering at San Quentin for 21 Rachles attended the event now regret because I can see Kevin D. Sawyer read death. want it to be.” years and says she’ll continue with her stepmother, science clearly I was wrong. I now working with the program’s book writer Mary Roach. write urban novels as a form sponsor, The William James Rachles said “A Paradoxical of therapy because I can relate Association. She said that Situation,” written by Charles to the characters.” it satisfies her to see people Daron, was inspirational. Clark Gerhartsreiter read a leave and live better lives. The editor of Prison Fo- tale of a paranoid conspiracy “It’s like a happy ending but cus Magazine and News Pa- theorist, “The Tyranny of not so much an ending,” she per, Kim Pollak, was also in Small Decisions.” said. the prison for the first time. Richard Dean Morris re- Beaming proudly while She knows Mullery, and she cently paroled and Stu Ross standing in the prison’s Cath- asked, “Why aren’t these read his story, “Dolly Caul- olic Chapel, Mullery opened types of programs in every der.” The story is about a the show with a warm poem prison, and why are people woman who was brain dead titled, “Let These Words.” with so much beautiful talent and in a coma. Her spirit Then she introduced the in prison in the first place? guide, Stanley, gave her the writers who had paroled and The raw truth what they share ins and outs of purgatory. returned: Emile DeWeaver, is phenomenal. It’s so unique Gary Lee Roberson read Troy Williams, Micheal (Ya- and come from a different “Just Win More Than You hya) Cooke, Jimmy Carlin, place.” Lose.” It’s about going to Lawrence “Udukobraye” Pela Emcee George “Mes- court for serious charges and and Joe Krauter, who read ro” Coles introduced each winning his freedom. what he’d written while still performer: Joseph Krauter read incarcerated: “Glasses.” Charles Talib Brooks read “Glasses,” which is the last All of the returning writers “13 Bars.” The audience re- chapter of a novel he is writ- Photo courtesy of Zoe Mullery were adorned in their street mained quiet as he read about ing since his release from Emily Harris, Emile DeWeaver, invited guest with Lawrence Pela Prison bans on literature becoming more commonplace nationwide By Salvador Solorio -- New York, Maryland of a blow-up doll. was “the only freedom” he it receives thousands from $150 and titles that can be Journalism Guild Writer and the Federal Bureau of Mother Jones magazine had. The head librarian of around the country. PLP vol- downloaded for free outside Prisons have implemented reported as early as the late Maryland prisons, Glennor unteers in Berkeley receive of prison costs as much as Prison officials throughout similar policies. Washing- 1700s prisoners received Shirley, found that prisoners requests for everything from $24.99. In West Virginia the country are restricting ton state banned most used religious texts to encour- with access to good library Harry Potter series, Marvel prisoners receive the tablets reading materials in prison books from its prisons but age their rehabilitation. In services were less likely to Comics, Stephen King and for free but are charged three libraries. The state of Florida backtracked due to public the 1940s, California prison file lawsuits about prison dictionaries. cents a minute to read them, has banned 20,000 titles, and outrage. librarian Herman Spector conditions. But, many books never even though the books would Texas has banned 10,000 A report by PEN America pushed the theory of bib- Shirley resigned in 2011 reach their intended recipi- be free online. titles, claiming that the pro- protested restrictions around liotherapy, which held that because of funding cuts. Dur- ents. Security rules in most According to Mother hibited reading material the country, declaring the prisoners could be reformed ing the recession the budget prisons prohibit hardcover Jones skimping on reading could stir up disorder. situation so arbitrary and through reading. Dr. C.V. was reduced from $200,000 books because they can does not make sense if the Officials say there has sweeping as to effectively Morrison recommended a year to almost nothing. To- conceal contraband. Books goal is to help people stay been an uptick of drug smug- be the nation’s largest book book prescriptions for pris- day another prison librarian, about sex, racism, violence out of trouble later. In 1991 gling via books, whose pages ban. Texas prisons have pro- oners. Parole officials at San who asked not to be named, and gambling are often off Massachusetts launched a can be soaked with synthetic hibited Where’s Waldo and a Quentin Prison took library said large facilities get about limits. Prison Legal News program that diverted of- marijuana of other potential- collection of Shakespeare’s records into account when $1,000 a year for recreation- magazine has to go to the fenders from prison if they ly dangerous liquids. Dozens sonnets because of racy il- deciding parole eligibility. al books. Illinois spent $276 courts to overturn bans by completed a reading and of prison staffers have been lustrations. California offi- According to a 2014 study on non-legal books for its 28 California and Florida. discussion course. An early sent to the emergency room cials have banned issues of by psychologists, biblio- facilities in 2017 compared Some departments encour- study of the program, which with tingling skin, headaches the New Yorker, Atlantic and therapy in jails and prisons to $750,000 annually in the age prisoners to read on tab- expanded to parts of Texas, and dizziness after handling Rolling Stone magazines, cit- helped to reduce prisoner’s early 2000s. lets to avoid the problems of New York and other states, inmates belongings. ing nudity in cartoons and art depression and psychologi- The Prison Literature Proj- paper. Pennsylvania prison- found just 18% of partici- In September 2018 Penn- work. Prison officials banned cal distress. A former prison- ect (PLP) received about five ers can choose from more pants were convicted of an- sylvania banned all book one issue of Rolling Stone er of Maryland, Vince Greco, to 10 letters a month when it than 8,500 e-books through other crime, compared with donations for prison libraries because it had a photograph said time spent in the library started in the 1980s. Today vendor GTL. Tablets cost 45% of a control group. Page 18 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com March 2020

CROSSWORD Edited by Jan Perry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Theme: 2N1 Across Down Snippets 17 18 19 nventor Alexander 1. Prison group 1. Split 20 21 22 Graham Bell in- 6. Jessica of Fantastic Four 2. Invention I 3. Keyboard button 10. Savory paste vented the telephone on 4. Jet’s accessories 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 March 10, 1876 with 14. Passage 5. Grass up 31 32 33 34 the first telephone mes- 15. 1900s Fr. Physicist Louis (Eugene Felix) 6. Murray or Warhol 16. Prayer leader 7. Tolstoy, Fender, or Esaki sage recorded in history, 35 36 37 17. Come to think of it 8. Go away! being, "Mr. Watson, 9. Little Women author Louisa May 18. Pet accessories 38 39 40 41 come here, I want you." 10. Precedes pusher, bug or box 20. Precedes barb, cross, or finch 11. Hospital personnel org. (Abbr.) 22. Military personnel (Abbr.) 42 43 44 45 46 47 omulus & Remus, 12. Precedes boy, pit or seal 23. Mother of Constantine the Great 13. Rescue personnel (Abbr.) 48 49 50 51 Rthe twins who 26. Attraction 19. Classic poem 21. Strong containers founded Rome were said 31. Large primates 52 53 54 55 23. Producer Prince or actor Holbrook to have been fathered by 32. Type of steak 24. Pollution monitoring org. (Abbr.) 56 57 the Roman god of war, 34. Gen-X org. 25. Testator 35. Fall behind Mars, who the month of 26. US state that gain statehood on Dec. 3, 1818 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 March was named after. 36. Sci-fi warrior 27. Type of gem 37. A sharp edge formed by 28. Lobe adorner 67 68 69 two curved surfaces 29. ___ Lanka des of March, the 30. Prison cell necessity (Abbr.) 38. Actress who plays Maggie on 70 71 72 fifteenth of the month 33. Big day announcement I A Million Little Things is the anniversary of 36. Chinese dynasty 42. Lucifer 37. ____ McBeal By Jonathan Chiu JOHNREMBOTTSpencer the assassination of 44. Greasy 39. Andes camel CLEATIDAVIDEO Julius Caesar who was 45. Tina’s ex 40. Taiwanese dialect stabbed in 44 B.C. by 48. Unit of a chemical element 41. Having to do with the small intestines VIPERSETIRONY 42. Smith, Browne or Hill government officials. 49. Twinkle 43. One step __ _ time DOSABETAVERNS 51. 13, 14, 15 and 16 of 26 46. Type of carp ACURARIM outh Bend, Indi- 52. Member of the former Hindu kingdom 47. Athletic substance (Abbr.) STACYSMAKEENDS Sana, is home to the in c. India 49. Follows money or salt 54. In slow tempo 50. Flattop, e.g. WISEMALINART University of Notre 51. Chinese sorghum liquor 56. Grief (Ind.) Jennifer Leigh Dame. Their mascot 53. Charlemagne ___ God AAHJASONMOE 57. Remnant is the Fighting Irish. 55. Capital of Bangladesh MREGORSEMENA 58. Jazz singer who is married to Elvis Costello 57. Daytime host PARMALEEIJSSEL ash, corned beef 63. Essential oil 58. Court workers (Abbr.) 67. Pituitary gland hormone (Abbr.) 59. Govt. agency ARIROMAN and cabbage is the H 68. Actress Falco 60. Swallowed 61. Knights’ org. TRAINERTAMSSI most prominent holiday 69. Mecca shrine dish which is served 62. Building designer’s org. (Abbr.) HALLEEMTETHER 70. Prevent someone from seeing 64. Smidgen Last Issue’s AMBERSEESHEMA on Saint Patrick's Day. 71. Type of African antelope 65. Honest ___ Answer 72. Assisted 66. Cool TSARTARCAINDean

Last Issue’s Sudoku Solutions Sudoku Corner 3 8 2 9 6 4 7 1 5 2 5 7 3 1 8 9 4 6 7 1 6 2 8 5 9 4 3 6 9 3 4 2 7 5 8 1 9 4 5 3 7 1 2 8 6 8 4 1 6 5 9 7 2 3 2 9 8 5 4 6 1 3 7 7 1 8 2 3 6 4 9 5 3 8 6 4 1 5 5 6 1 7 9 3 4 2 8 4 3 6 9 8 5 1 7 2 7 1 4 4 7 3 1 2 8 6 5 9 5 2 9 7 4 1 3 6 8 1 5 9 6 3 2 8 7 4 3 6 5 8 9 4 2 1 7 8 3 7 4 1 9 5 6 2 9 8 2 1 7 3 6 5 4 9 3 6 6 2 4 8 5 7 3 9 1 1 7 4 5 6 2 8 3 9 2 5 4 Last month's Brain Teasers answers BRAIN TEASERS 9 TWO K'S TO THREE K'S CUTTING THE PIE 2 8 9 With one straight cut you can slice a pie into two 1 2 4 pieces. A second cut that 1 crosses the first one will 2 3 3 6 2 produce four pieces, and a third cut (see the illus- 5 tration) can produce as 6 2 8 5 9 1 many as seven pieces. 4 What is the largest num- 6 Easy Equation Answer ber of pieces that you 5 3 8 4 6 72=49. can get with six straight 7 The 6 has been turned over cuts ? 7 8 1 to a 9 and the 2 becomes a square Sum Total 8 7 Replace question marks with symbols ( +, -, x or / ) 1 2 3 5 VALENTINE CARD MAKERS 3 8 7 35 ? 7 ? 4 ? 4 = 3 5 4 1 6 Seven valentine card makers can make seven valentine cards in one hour and Logic Sequence 5 7 forty minutes, the theory of proportion- ality implies fourteen valentine card- 9 8 1 makers will take the same amount of time, therefore the answer is one hour 1 7 5 2 3 and forty minutes

The dice above have been rearranged. Can you work out the If you would like to submit a photograph to be placed in SQ News just because, please send it with name(s) and a brief message to go with your photo. Please understand, we new sequence from the clues? An even number is immediately will not be able to return your photo so send a copy and address the letter to: to the left of the number 1. Number 2 dice is to the right of an San Quentin News, 1 Main Street, San Quentin, CA 94964 odd number. The two far left dice add up to ten. March 2020 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 19 America stagnated by “compounding moral debts” “Here is what I would like for his eyes on a slave woman that see them, and thus see yourself. necessary.” BOOK REVIEW you to know: In America, it is his White uncle owns. The following passage The Water Dancer is the traditional to destroy the black Coates uses his scholarly points to Hiram’s acceptance product of Coates’ thinking in By Juan Haines body—it is heritage.” The knowledge about the Under- of the conditions that created all of his works—that African Senior Editor father cites his own life and ground Railroad, fugitive slave his stark reality as well as his Americans are integrated to all compelling evidence to say that laws and the abolitionists as detachment from humanity: of US history, not just segre- Two essays that appeared in African-Americans live under fodder to set up various dra- Slavery is everyday longing, gated segments that seem irrel- The Atlantic magazine set up a deliberately inflicted state of mas that his characters must is being born into a world of evant today. Ta-Nehisi Coates as a voice for violence. navigate. In doing so, Coates forbidden victuals and tanta- The story is a remarkably African-Americans. He wrote Since the publication of created a world different from lizing untouchables—the land poignant exploration of op- The Case for Reparations in those works, there has been reality, while at the same time around you, the clothes you pression that has happened and 2014 and in 2015, he produced little movement to push for the a believable world based on hem, the biscuits you bake. can’t be changed. In The Wa- Letter to My Son. US to consider its “moral debt” American history. Coates is able to capture ter Dancer, Coates explores In The Case for Reparations to the descendants of slaves. The following narration de- Hiram’s docility and hope- the possibility of what can be Coates cites, “Two hundred Since 2015, police have killed scribes the feelings involved in lessness that comes with slav- changed by using historical fic- fifty years of slavery. Ninety hundreds of African-Americans Hiram’s enslavement. He fo- ery, which also is a condition tion and magical realism as a years of Jim Crow. Sixty years either wrongly or mistakenly, cuses most acutely on the sepa- shared with the incarcerated guide. of separate but equal. Thirty- yet no laws were broken in do- ration from his family, another and rehabilitated: So many of five years of racist housing ing so. parallel to incarceration. us who went, went with dignity San Quentin’s community college, Prison University Project, policy.” Coates’ latest focus on Afri- To sell a child right from un- and respect. And it occurred to put together a book club to read and discuss The Water Dancer. Coates argues, “Until we can-Americans combines all of der his mother, you must know me how absurd it was to cling About 25 incarcerated men and selected folks from the outside reckon with our compound- his historical knowledge in, The that mother only in the thinnest to morality when surrounded met on a Thursday afternoon for the review. ing moral debts, America will Water Dancer (2019), a novel way possible. To strip a man by people who had none. Most of the people from the outside, despite of being never be whole.” In the ar- full of magical realism. down, condemn him to be beat- Coates uses Hiram’s memo- “woke,” were not familiar with what it means to live the in- ticle, Coates uses the in-depth The historical fiction is set en, flayed alive, then anointed ry to recall events in great de- carcerated life. Still, the discussion focused on speculation as history of Clyde Ross, a real during the oppressive time of with salt water, you cannot feel tail as a literary device to drive to who Coates is trying to reach and there was considerable person, to support the case for US slavery. The protagonist, him the way you feel your own. the novel’s plot, which trans- interest in the dehumanizing elements in common between reparations. Hiram, struggles against what You cannot see yourself in lates to “freedom by any means prisons and slavery. In Letter to My Son, ex- it means to have a father and him, lest your hand be stayed, cerpted before publication of brother who are white, yet his and your hand must never be Between the World and Me, darkened skin enslaves him. In stayed, because the moment it Coates tells his 15-year-old, the midst of subjugation, he has is, the Tasked will see that you New San Francisco District Attorney’s reform plans By Vincent E. O’Bannon arguing that he will stand up tough-on-crime sentencing Journalism Guild Writer for crime victims,” the SF enhancements, immigration Examiner reported. prosecutions, and “illegal Recently sworn in as San We have a shared un- searches” after minor traffic Francisco’s new District derstanding that “there is a violations as problematic. Attorney, Chesa Boudin balance between justice and During his inaugural has bold plans to reform fairness,” said San Francisco speech, Boudin told a crowd the city’s criminal justice Mayor London Breed. “I ap- of public defenders, former system. preciate that Chesa Boudin mayors, and police brass, “Our criminal justice sys- understands that balance. We “These failures (of our crimi- tem is failing all of us. It is can hold people accountable, nal justice system) have led not keeping us safe,” said and we can make sure there us, as a community, as a Boudin in a recent SF Ex- is fairness in our criminal nation, to accept the unac- aminer article. “It is contrib- justice system. I am looking ceptable. Join me. Join this uting to a vicious cycle of forward over the next four movement. Join us in reject- he said was in honor of Mar- also is a geographic dispar- crime and punishment.” years of working with him to ing the notion that to be free, NEWS BRIEFS tin Luther King’s legacy, ity: since 2001, only eight of As the head of San Fran- do just that.” we must cage others.” Gov. Phil Murphy on Jan. the state's 95 counties have cisco’s investigative divi- Opposed by the San Fran- Boudin is the son of radi- 20 signed a trio of bills into imposed sustained death sion, Boudin said he will cisco police union, Boudin cals who were convicted for a 1.SA U — Last year, the law to further criminal jus- sentences. Almost half of form a Conviction Integrity has been labeled a “radical” robbery that led to the deaths state of Texas carried out the tice reform, NJ.com reports. the men on Death Row are Unit of special advisers to for his extremely progressive of two police officers and a most executions in the US State officials say one new from Shelby County, which address wrongful conviction plans. security guard. In his speech, with nine. Alabama, Geor- law could streamline the pa- includes Memphis and is allegations and excessive “Radical simply means he described visiting his par- gia and Tennessee followed role process and reduce the Tennessee's largest county sentencing. grasping things at the root,” ents in prison as a child. Al- with three each. Florida had state’s prison population. but it includes less than 14% Boudin, a Rhodes Schol- Boudin said, quoting one of though his mother was there two, and South Dakota and The other measures change of the state population, ac- ar and Yale graduate, ran his supporters, activist An- to hear his speech, his father Missouri had one. Pending the rules on when authori- cording to a court filing ask- for district attorney on a gela Davis. “For far too long, is still incarcerated. death warrants for 2020 as ties can seize valuables and ing the executions to be put platform of reducing mass criminal justice policy has Speaking of his father, of Jan. 17 show that Ohio money in the state and al- on hold. incarceration. been shaking the trees, when Boudin said, “He taught me is leading the nation with locates taxpayer dollars to 10. Vacaville, CA — “There have been debates the plant itself has rooted that we are all more than our nine, followed by Texas with fund programs to reduce The Jewish News Weekly of about how sympathetic out. The solution lies be- worst mistakes.” And in a seven, Tennessee with three violence, NJ.com reports. Northern California reports Boudin will be to victims of neath the surface.” spoken aside to his father, and Georgia with one, the 6. Florida —The state’s that James A. “Sneaky” crime, with some question- Boudin views the crimi- said, “Thank you for teach- Death Penalty Information Supreme Court issued an White Jr., a Jewish prisoner ing if his policies will be em- nal justice system as fail- ing me about forgiveness and Center reports. advisory opinion Jan. 16 that convicted of murder and im- pathetic to them, and others ing and points to current redemption.” 2. USA — Narrative of the felons must first pay certain prisoned for nearly four de- Life of Frederick Douglass, fines and fees before gaining cades, stepped out of prison The Souls of Black Folk access to the polls, Mother on Jan. 21. While incarcer- by W.E.B. DuBois, Just Jones reports. The decision ated, he began community Vermont detention center closing Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, is not legally binding but outreach programs, includ- By Kerry Rudd session a proposal that would in his ruling about a video Dreams Of My Father by could influence future rul- ing a Vietnam veterans’ Staff Writer have replaced the facility at a he reviewed that shows the Barack Obama, The Bluest ings by federal judges and group while in San Quentin, cost of $23.3 million, but no restraint of a teenage girl at Eye by Toni Morrison, She’s put the re-enfranchisement one of several prisons where Vermont’s only juvenile action has been taken yet. Woodside who is naked and Come Undone by Wally of potentially 1.4 million he spent time. At Ironwood, detention facility no longer Emmons said that before streaked with feces. The Lamb, Kindred by Octavia Floridians at risk. he convinced a warden to has children confined behind the Legislature invests mon- judge used the words “hor- Butler, and Mosby’s Medical 7. Georgia — Jimmy help him start the college its walls, after being targeted ey into construction, the state rific” and “entirely inappro- Dictionary are among thou- Fletcher Meders was grant- program. At the time there by lawsuits in recent years needs to figure out its policy. priate” to describe what he sands of books banned by ed clemency hours before was only one other program for its restraint practices. Sen. Dick Sears, D-Ben- saw. The judge further stated state and federal prisons in his scheduled execution Jan. like it in the state, at San “It’s the first time the nington, and chair of the Sen- in his order that the video America, The Birmingham 16, in part because jurors Quentin; now nearly every Woodside Juvenile Reha- ate Judiciary Committee, said “demonstrates in the space Times reports. wanted him to be sentenced prison in California has ad- bilitation Center in Essex has he would rely on the adminis- of a few minutes Woodside’s 3. Washington, DC — to life without the possibil- opted the format. White also been empty since it opened tration to offer recommenda- limited ability to care for a Federal courts have cleared ity of parole, CNN reports. created a culture of charity more than 30 years ago,” said tions on Woodside’s future. child who is experiencing the way for more than 2,400 Four years after his trial, in prison, convincing fel- the Nov. 21 VTDigger article. Sears said the general fund symptoms of serious mental federal prisoners to have the state added life without low inmates and guards to The center has a design ca- budget for Woodside totals illness.” their sentences reduced parole as a possible punish- donate to local organiza- pacity of 30 beds for youths about $5.5 million. He ex- The separate lawsuit in while compassionate re- ment. tions. Over the years, he ages 10 to 18. The institution pects the next legislative ses- state court was dismissed by leases have been approved 8. Huntsville, Texas — helped raise several hundred is overseen by the Vermont sion to include discussion on Judge Mary Miles Teachout for another 124 seriously ill John Gardner was the first thousand dollars for every- Department for Children and the facility’s future. as “moot” after the teen al- prisoners, the U.S. Justice person executed in the U.S. thing from seeing-eye dogs Families. “I still think you have a leging the dangerous use of Department reported last this year, The Texas Tribune for veterans to a local girls’ With the facility’s popula- certain number of kids who restraints at the facility was January. reports. Gardner was ex- softball team, all through tion at zero, some Vermont are going to need to be dealt released. 4. Washington, DC—In- ecuted with a lethal dose of in-prison fundraisers like politicians are question- with, whether that number Although there’s uncer- carcerated people doing pentobarbital at 6:20 p.m. on walkathons and pizza sales. ing whether the compound is three, four or 10,” Sears tainty regarding the facility’s time in a jail are publishing Jan. 15. 11. Kentucky—Less should be used to incarcerate stated. “There’s still a need practices and future, there are a six-page newsletter, called 9. Nashville, Tenn.— than a month after Gover- youths. for detention for difficult to some who find Woodside’s Inside Scoop, The Washing- State Attorney General nor Andy Beshear signed “The question is to use the place kids.” lack of residency to be a step ton Post reports. The 8½ by Herbert Slatery is pursu- an executive order restoring building for juveniles or not,” Lawsuits against the facil- in the right direction. 11 publication usually has ing execution dates for nine the right to vote to roughly said Rep. Alice Emmons, ity’s practices were brought “This is quite extraordi- from 10 to 16 articles. There death row inmates, all men, 140,000 people with felony D-Springfield, chair of the by the Vermont Defender nary,” said Vermont Defend- are articles about criminal The New York Times report. convictions who have com- House Committee on Correc- General’s Office in state er General Matthew Valerio. justice reform and jail pro- Four of the nine are Black. pleted their sentence, state tions and Institutions. “And court and another filed by “This really is evidence of a grams as well as poems and Statistics show Blacks make Republicans introduced a then if you don’t use it for Disability Rights Vermont in shift in both demographics as advice columns, including up 17% of the state's popu- bill that would make it hard- juveniles, what are you going federal court. well as attitudes as to how we one about finances. lation but about half of its er for those people to vote, to use it for?” In the federal suit, Judge deal with kids to get the best 5. New Jersey —In a move Death Row prisoners. There Truthout reports. Lawmakers discussed in Geoffrey Crawford wrote results for them.” Page 20 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com March 2020 Grammy-winning rapper Common performs in prison By Alfred King the air, symbolizing beach was Bobby Gonzales, ambas- Chowchilla. the attorney who worked to Stevenson has visited San Journalism Guild Writer balls tossed around during sador for Represent Justice, Lewis is also involved in a free the wrongfully convict- Quentin as a guest of the baseball games, the River- who was recently released campaign to amend the Cali- ed man in the movie. Prison University Project to On a misty night in De- side Press-Enterprise report- from prison himself. fornia Constitution to allow Jamie Foxx portrays Wal- discuss the book the movie cember at Norco State Pris- ed on Dec. 6. Gonzales said, “Deep people on parole to vote. ter McMillian, wrongfully is based on as well as his ef- on, Grammy award winning Common toured the Cali- down everyone yearns for “We should believe in the convicted of murder and forts in bringing about crimi- rapper and actor Common fornia Rehabilitation Center the moment that we can let resiliency of humanity and sentenced to die for a murder nal justice reform. turned in a riveting perfor- in Norco, stopping to admire our guards down and receive provide hope to the popula- he did not commit. Foxx has He founded The Equal mance before thousands a painting of himself done by that loving energy. It’s a tion; prison historically has been presented the “Spotlight Justice Initiative, which of prisoners who stood Yusef Pierce, who presented dialogue with the audience been a hopeless place,” Lew- Award” for the role, Sentinel works to end mass incarcera- in the mud to witness the the portrait to him in appreci- that’s no different than a is said. News Service reported Jan. 2. tion, excessive punishment, performance. ation for the work he is doing therapy session, with the ice- Andre Williams, 34 from The chairman of the film and protect human rights. Interacting with the in- in the criminal justice arena. breaker of hip-hop. I would Fresno was thrilled that festival Harold Matzner said, This movie joins other carcerated, backed by a Pierce saying, “For him to describe it as soul shaking.” Common took the time to “This is an inspirational dra- movies recently released full band, Common had the be reaching out and showing Lewis, executive director perform in Norco. “It means ma that brings an important that focus attention on in the crowd swaying, shouting and that we matter to him is re- of Anti-Recidivism Coali- a whole lot that there are story about how our justice criminal justice system, such fist pumping. ally important.” tion and event organizer, people out there who have system can fail to the big as Clemency by writer direc- The atmosphere was Concert organizer Sam commented that this will not hope for us,” Williams said. screen.” tor Chinonye Chukwu. That typical of a concert on the Lewis in conjunction with be the last time Common The performance was The movie was shown to slow-paced movie describes streets, except there were no Common’s Imagine Justice performs in a prison. He has timed to draw attention to the California Gov. Gavin New- the grim realities of capi- cellphones being held in the initiative, and Represent Jus- already done shows at Fol- release of the movie “Just som, who was “really shaken tal punishment in America, air. tice worked tirelessly to put som, Calipatria, Valley State Mercy.” It was adapted from by the film,” notes the article. notes Entertainment Weekly. Prisoners bounced balls the show together. Prison and the Central Cali- the book of the same name made of plastic trash bags in Performing with Common, fornia Women’s Facility in written by Bryan Stevenson, Kobe mourned in Chapel concert By Kerry Rudd high-level riffs that SQ audi- Staff Writer ences here have become ac- customed to. Hours after the death of Between “After Midnight” Kobe Bryant, concert-goers and “Lowrider,” he began flooded San Quentin’s Cath- jamming the intro of “Barra- olic Chapel for a rendition cuda,” then suddenly stopped of hit songs. Four pro-level and said, “That’s all I know musicians took the stage be- of it” — drawing huge laughs hind the prison’s stone walls, from the crowd who know including one with a current the obvious familiarity he has No. 1 hit. with his band’s own song. “I’m feelin’ all right. I gotta Bartock spoke fondly of be good to myself,” Anthony the five times he’s been to San “Habib” Watkins said, quot- Quentin. When asked about ing the lyrics from the final his experience of performing song. “So coming to these here, he stated: “I really en- concerts that Bread & Roses joy it. Everyone here is really throws feels good. This will cool.” carry on all week.” Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple The crew consisted of San Haze” went down two songs Quentin’s guitar instructor, later, enthralling everyone Kurt Huget, who was on vo- in striking distance. Bar- cals and rhythm guitar, Tony tock’s guitar solo was well Saunders on bass, Julia H. on celebrated, inciting the audi- drums, and Craig Bartock of ence to shout and clap to its Heart, who played lead guitar. staccato beats. Saunders then Prisoners jammed to the chimed in for a solo as he vo- Photo courtesy of CDCR vibes of “Spill the Wine,” “ cally matched each note of Come Together,” “ Barefoo- the bass strings he rapidly hit. Common concert at Norco State Prison tin” and many others. Audi- The smooth unity he operated ence members danced, head with was like that of a well- bobbed, and sang along to the oiled robot. 13 songs performed. Next during “Spirit in the SQN staffer Johnson earns Masters Degree The healing power of mu- Sky,” Starbird made her way By Timothy Hicks 2016, there have been plenty I was like in what they call, sic has been brought to SQ for onstage and atop the musical Staff Writer of instances when inmates “slow learning classes,” said 50 years through the nonprofit platform she coordinated to have earned time off their Johnson. He was a late start- organization Bread & Roses, perform backup vocals which Striving for a good edu- sentences for achieving AA er and said that he actually according to event coordina- began with the lyrics: “You cation has its challenges for and BA degrees, but this is started learning after he got tor Lisa Starbird. got a friend in Jesus…” Join- anyone, but for incarcerated the first time under the San to high school. “It’s about creating a good ing ranks with her colleagues, students those trials and trib- Quentin rules of Prop.57 that “I was determined to learn, memory for people to come Starbird smiled as she moved ulations are greater. Howev- I’ve seen a Master’s earned.” though,” said Johnson. back to when times are hard,” in succession to the song’s er, one incarcerated man has Smiling while leaning Other SQ residents stopped said Starbird. beat. persevered and has become back in his chair and beam- by to congratulate Johnson In the song “After Mid- Huget dedicated the last the first student to earn a ing proudly, Wheeless even during this interview, night,” Saunders rapidly hit song of the night, “Feelin’ Master’s of Business Admin- continued, but he modestly accepts com- the strings of his guitar as he Alright,” to Kobe Bryant. The istration (MBA) degree at “I'm impressed with pliments on his achievements gyrated his body and head to legendary Lakers star died in San Quentin State Prison in Mr. Johnson’s educational from his peers. His wish is the beat — as if being elec- a tragic helicopter accident almost a decade. achievement, at having that he can encourage other trocuted. The quick, sharp earlier that day. The ripple ef- Michael Johnson, 37, earned an MBA degree while guys in prison to pursue their moves of Saunders sent the fect of Bryant’s passing was earned his MBA with an em- incarcerated. It means even dreams like he did. audience into a shocked up- evident by the audience’s phasis in “Leadership” from more to have earned it while Johnson understands the roar of smiles, “oohs” and earnest response to Huget’s Adams State University of in prison rather than being on challenges an incarcerated “aahhhs.” words. Colorado, where the motto the streets.” person can face while in Photo by Adamu Chan, First Watch As the four played Santa- Each musician exhibited a is “Great stories start here!” However, Johnson is mod- prison. During his humbling Michael Johnson na’s “Black Magic Woman,” solo during this final song as “He is the first guy to re- est about earning the MBA six-year prison experience, Huget suggestively sang “… the show wound its way to ceive that level of a degree during his prison stay. Al- Johnson was not always on Throughout his life, John- got me a Black magic woman a halt. And as the last chord since I started overseeing though he received his bach- the right path to education. It son has been familiar with …” inserting the word “me” was strummed, the audience the education department in elor’s degree while at an- was a life-altering experience loss in many other situations. in the lyrics — as if he’s got members jumped to their feet 2013,” said Michael Whee- other prison, the challenges with a family member that Due to alcoholism he lost his one at home. He simultane- for a standing ovation. less, the principal of San there were much greater to sparked his desire of higher wife and other assets. “Now ously smiled at Gary Harrell Saunders came to SQ after Quentin’s education depart- overcome. learning. I know how to appreciate the in the front row, getting huge rocketing to No. 1 on the mu- ment. Wheeless is in charge “I treated my prison time “My first year in prison my things that really matter in laughs from all areas of the sic charts with his wildly suc- of handling educational tasks as if I was away at college,” grandmother passed away,” life, like family and loved gallery. cessful “Rocksteady.” and the overall education re- Johnson said, “I did my time Johnson recalls, “Her name ones, not the material things, Julia H. hit the drums with When asked what he would sponsibilities, plus keeping and did not allow the time to was Mary Rita Moncrief. She the superficial things.” the high-energy and precision like his music to inspire, track of who receives AA de- do me.” was my inspiration to do bet- He credits his Aunt Eliza- she always brings to SQ. Dur- Saunders stated, “Hope.” grees and BA degrees. Johnson took such courses ter. She raised me and when beth for supporting him fi- ing the bridge of “La Bamba,” “I feel blessed and fortu- There are other outside as Managerial Accounting she passed, it pained me that nancially and helping him Julie H. got busy with a drum nate,” he said. “And, I’m not correspondence colleges ac- and Business Management I could not be there for the achieve his education goals. solo that had the audience going to say I did the right tive at San Quentin, as well along with a laundry list of funeral.” “Feels good to be the first spellbound. thing all the time. I just never as the Prison University Proj- other business classes-- and He somberly sank back one to achieve this milestone “She holds the bottom got caught.” ect that offers face-to-face emerged triumphant. in his seat at the memory. at San Quentin,” Johnson down!” Harrell said. With warm sincerity, classes and awards Associate He maintained a 3.86 So, in honor of her memory, said. “I encourage other guys Bartock knows all too well Saunders continued talking Degrees upon graduation. grade point average, earning Johnson wanted to do some- to go ahead and do it, too. what it’s like to perform at about the life he lived before “For an incarcerated per- “A’s” and “B’s,” grades that thing that would make his “If the government would SQ. The lead guitarist of he made it big in the music son to achieve any accom- he could not imagine earning grandmother proud of him. focus more on education in- Heart just left the prison in business. plishment in education is back in Woodland, California For Johnson, education was stead of just locking people December with the words “I was running the streets,” remarkable,” Wheeless said. where he was born. the best way to show his ap- up, I believe that would help “I’ll be back.” he said. “But that all ended “Since Proposition 57 was “When I was in the fourth preciation to his grandmother communities out there a lot Throughout the evening, May 23, 1983. Been straight implemented in November of grade I could not even read; for raising him. better.” Bartock contributed the since then.” March 2020 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 21 San Quentin Kings hold tryouts for the 2020 season By Aaron Taylor OG’s got game and I see I Thorpe has earned the After the teams were an- Nicholson – 6’1 ½ Power Point Guard Sports Editor still have something to learn nickname “Saw” for his hard- nounced, Jaryd “Deep Ball” Forward Charles “Pookie” Sylvester from them. I’m ready for the nosed defense and physical Newton – who played in the Jamal “Do It All” Harrison – 5’10 Shooting Guard The 40 and Over San challenge.” presence. 2019 season but didn’t make – 6’0 Guard/Forward Thomas “Mr.” Vaca – 6’2 Quentin Kings held their an- Reginald Thorpe, another When asked what the goals this seasons roster – spoke Gregory “G-Styles” Jones Power Forward/Center nual tryouts to pick their team new player to make the team, are for the SQ Kings in 2020, about press coverage. – 6’0 Shooting Guard Reginald “Saw” Thorpe – for the 2020 season. had been reading about the Coach Harris was blunt. “I only made the paper one Tare “Cancun” Beltran- 6’0 Forward After running drills and Kings while housed in maxi- “We’re looking to improve time last season. My name chuc – 5’8 Point Guard (Prison Sports Minis- scrimmages against pick up mum security facilities. “I on last season’s record of 20- was mentioned because I was Oris “The Human Theme tries, which is the sponsor teams made up of younger used to read the SQ News 11. We do that, we’ll be doing tied with somebody else with Song” Williams – 6’4 Point for the SQ Kings, Warriors, players who were watching when I was at New Folsom on great.” 15 points. I wasn’t even the Forward All Madden Flag Football, the tryouts, head coach Orlan- the level four yard, dreaming Harris said that since he lead scorer in that game, but Bryant “The Baker” Un- the Earthquakes soccer team do “Duck” Harris called the of getting to The Q and mak- was going to focus most of there was no other stats on derwood – 5’8 Guard and Hardtimers Softball, is men to center court and an- ing either the Warriors or the his time in training for Trans- me. It’s just not fair. I don’t Gary “The Knife” Brown a Christian based organiza- nounced this season’s roster. Kings.” It was a long odys- formative Justice Initiative – understand what I have to do – 5’11 Shooting Guard/Small tion seeking to fellowship and Bryant Underwood, at age sey to reach The Q, but now a group that trains people in to get my name in the paper.” Forward spread the word of Christ, 35, made the cut. Thorpe is fulfilling his aspira- the criminal justice reform The following is the San Rafael “Coach” Ceuvas – using sports as the vehicle “I thought because I was tions. “I’m on the Kings and field – he’s going to be turn- Quentin Kings 2020 Roster: 6’1 Point Guard to reach a broader audience younger than these guys, it getting into the self-help pro- ing over most of the coach- Thaddeus “Beast” Fleeton Derrick “Out Loud” Gray within The Q’s incarcer- would be easy to make this grams. I’m healing my mind, ing duties to Kings assistant – 6’0 Power Forward/Center – 6’0 Guard/ Small Forward ated community. Only player team but it wasn’t. These body and spirit.” coach, Ismael Freelon. DeSean “Silent Assassin” Joshua “JB3” Burton – 5’7 points are kept as a statistic.) SQ sports: 2020 and beyond It’s a new year, the start of up for sporting events at The members of SQ News Sports a new decade, and where is Q will go before the Board of Department, SQ-TV and First San Quentin sports going? Parole in order to go home. Watch. During the month of Feb- Many of the young people Why aren’t other institu- ruary, there were tryouts for with a determinate sentence tions in CDCR doing this at the San Quentin A’s, Kings get involved just to stay away their facilities? and Warriors. These are some from other activities on the What’s happening at The Q of the teams that represent the yard. shouldn’t be an aberration; it prison and, in doing so, help However, for the person should be the norm. Every in- to build public interest in the who waits two to five years stitution should have a sports CDCR from a recreational to get into some of the up- program that’s also partnered perspective. per echelon self-help groups, with a local college, semi-pro The 1000 Mile Track Club then take what they learn in or even a professional team. is starting the marathon sea- those groups and put it into These people should be in- son as well, and in mention- practice during a sporting vited inside of the facility to ing them, I’m thinking about event (which often involves help aid in the rehabilitative the numerous documentaries participation with outside vis- process, to be involved in the and movies that have been itors) this is putting conflict inner healing of incarcerated filmed about sports programs resolution skills immediately individuals. at The Q. into action. It’s definitely part When released, we are All this indicates that in of the rehabilitation process. coming back to neighbor- this new year, this new de- From creating season hoods and communities. We cade, we need to start tak- schedules, to team tryouts, to are coming back with a sense ing involvement in sporting dealing with the various per- of purpose and a need to rec- Photo courtesy of Wikipedia activities seriously as a part sonalities that make up team oncile and help heal those Willie Eldon O’Ree at Hall of Fame induction of the overall rehabilita- sports, let’s not overlook communities. Sports is one tion process. When a person the audio and visual record- healing path that reaches just Willie O’Ree: 1st Black NHL player goes before the Board of ing, the sports broadcast- about everyone, especially Parole Commissioners, vol- ing, the pre- and post-game the youth. Willie Eldon O’Ree, (born faced as the first man of Capitals drafted Mike Mar- untary participation in sports interviews, the coordinating In this new year, and at the Oct. 15, 1935) a former pro- color in a predominately son. Like O’Ree, Marson is needs to be considered as events to even the seating, start of this new decade, it’s fessional ice hockey player White sport. Before O’Ree, Canadian by birth. part of a person’s inner jour- everything that encompasses time that we start looking at from Canada, is called the Art Dorrington was the By the mid-2010s, there ney to healing during their putting on an event inside sports and rehabilitation in a “Jackie Robinson of Ice first Black player to sign an were 23 Black players in the incarceration. the walls of San Quentin whole new light. Hockey” for having broken NHL contract with the New NHL, including P. K. Sub- Not every person that suits is done by the incarcerated —Aaron Taylor the color barrier in the Na- York Rangers organization, ban, one of the league’s cur- tional Hockey League, or though Dorrington never rent most popular players. NHL. played beyond the minor The NHL requires its play- O’Ree, who played as a league level. ers to enroll in a preseason winger for the Boston Bru- “Racist remarks were diversity training seminar ins, has said he met Robinson much worse in the U.S. cit- and punishes racially based twice in his younger years. ies than in Toronto and Mon- verbal abuse with suspen- O’Ree was inducted into the treal,” O’Ree attested. “Fans sions and fines. Hockey Hall of Fame in No- would yell, ‘Go back to Since 1998, O’Ree has vember 2018. the South’ and ‘How come been the NHL’s Diversity That same year, accord- you’re not picking cotton?’ Ambassador. He travels ing to Wikipedia, the NHL Things like that. It didn’t across North America to instituted the annual Wil- bother me. I just wanted to schools and hockey pro- lie O’Ree Community Hero be a hockey player, and if grams to promote inclusion, Award in his honor, to they couldn’t accept that dedication and confidence. “recognize the individual fact, that was their problem, The NBA Championship who has worked to make a not mine.” and Stanley Cup Finals play positive impact on his or her O’Ree helped make it pos- during the same two-week community, culture or so- sible for more Black play- period. Many sports enthu- ciety to make people better ers to join the league. After siasts inside prison watch through hockey.” O’Ree’s stint in the NHL, both, exposing the incarcer- During his career, O’Ree there were no other Black ated population to the NHL Photo by Jonathan Chiu faced many of the same players in the NHL until and helping grow its appeal. All Madden Team celebrates closing prayer lead by volunteer Andre Jackson challenges that Robinson 1974, when the Washington —Aaron Taylor NFL players see urgent need to transform youth justice system “Youth of color are more likely to be targeted in the school-to-prison pipeline...” By Steve Brooks Davis is a defensive tackle Vera Institute of Justice, the locked up thousands of reducing youth incarceration record should be sealed or Journalism Guild Writer for the Jacksonville Jaguars. rise in the population was youth—mostly minorities. and closing youth prisons. expunged. They should be Boldin is a former wide re- largely due to Criminologist “Youth of color are more They should also encourage, provided educational and Criminal justice reform ceiver. As members of the John J. Dilulio’s 1995 pre- likely to be targeted in the gubernatorial candidates, employment opportunities, has becomes a key issue in player’s coalition, both men diction that there would be school-to-prison pipeline and assembly persons and city and youth voter registra- the 2020 presidential race, dedicate their time to work- an explosion of juvenile su- to be punished more severely councils to get involved. tion should be encouraged. but some National Football ing with youth and promot- per predators. than their White peers, de- Candidates should com- Young people and their fam- League players say the can- ing both social and racial This prediction caused spite having the same rates mit to removing young peo- ilies should have a seat at the didates are not addressing justice. wide spread panic and of delinquent behavior,” Da- ple from adult courts, jails table during policy decisions the urgent need to transform Davis and Boldin say the caught the attention of then vis and Bolden wrote in the and prisons which increase so they can use their personal the youth justice system. future of America requires First Lady Hillary Clinton, Register. the likelihood they will re- experience to help others. “Our work with young someone with the vision ushering in a wave of inten- Too many youth are of- offend. Federal authorities “In our work with children people has made it clear that and courage to transform the sified policing and harsher ten sent to adult court and should also hold states ac- and youth, we have seen youth justice reform is criti- youth justice system. sentencing. sentenced to prison where countable for using harm- firsthand just how much they cal to tackling mass incar- Today more than Over the past 20 years Di- they face abuse, solitary con- ful practices like solitary have to offer their families, ceration and advancing equi- 2,000,000 people are incar- lulio’s prediction has been finement, and over use of confinement, say Davis and their communities, and this ty,” Carl Davis and Anquan cerated in prison -- a stark largely debunked as a myth. restraints. Bolden. nation,” Davis and Boldin Boldin are quoted in the Des contrast to the less than He retracted much of what he Davis and Boldin are of They say young people are quoted. “It’s a win for all Moines Register in Decem- 200,000 in the 1970s. Ac- said, but a lot of damage was the opinion that presidential should be set up for suc- of us when we give them a ber of 2019. cording to a 2017 report by done. States like California candidates should commit to cess upon re-entry. Their real shot at success.” Page 22 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com March 2020

Dear Kobe, “...I wish I had the opportunity to do play by play for just one of your games...”

Dear Kobe, your competitors lower You don’t know me. I’m their gaze. a fan speaking for fans that The look that says, asked me to send this letter “Gimme the rock and watch to you from The Q. Here, what I do with it.” there are Laker fans that The look that says, “None love and miss you, along- of y’all can stop me, I’m side Warrior fans that re- destined for this.” spected you. We are going The look that says, “I to miss what you meant to dare you to try and stop me. the game of basketball. Step up and see if you can I’ve watched you since do it.” you came into the NBA in The look that says, “Noth- 1996. I wondered what type ing you do in this game of player you’d become, will stop me from achiev- coming straight from high ing what I am destined for: school. Greatness.” It didn’t take long for me The look that says, “The to see what you were capa- Champ is here!” ble of doing with the ball in I heard ex-NBA player your hands. Bruce Bowen, a legend for I was speechless. his defensive skills, say on I saw in you Michael Jor- the radio the day you left us, dan, who was an idol for “At first, I didn’t like Kobe. Photo from video posted on YouTube by The NBA Freak both of us. I thought he was arrogant, Kobe rising up well above the rim to slam it down I saw that deadly, killer entitled. But, I came to re- look in your eyes. I saw spect him. He brought out compare you and LeBron to be in any conversation has two jerseys hanging up Bryant. We’re going to miss that same look in Jordan’s the best defender in me and James. But LeBron didn’t with Kobe Bryant, just in the Staples Center. To what you did on the court. eyes when he stepped on the he still went a step higher.” see it that way. humbled. He’s a five-time pass him up on the scoring But we’re also going to miss court. The look that makes Pundits are trying to LeBron said, “I’m happy NBA champion. The man list? It’s surreal. To be com- what you were going to do pared to him? That’s huge. I with life after basketball. play in the house that Kobe Now, you and Gianna -- built. I’m blessed to be in the Mambacita -- can play The Q reacts to loss of Kobe Bryant that conversation.” ball together in the clouds. The death of Kobe Bryant Southern California offered away from the game, he was Mobley is a Bulls fan. LeBron said that on Sat- You can teach her your sig- and his 13 year old daughter his thoughts. “It’s a big loss huge in China. He is a glob- “Kobe’s untimely passing urday Jan. 25, 2020. The nature fall-away, while we Gianna – along with the oth- for his wife. She lost two al icon, on the level with felt like a close and personal night he passed you to be- watch for the next person to er seven people on that fatal persons that she loved. What Jordan, Magic and Barkley death that deeply moved my come the third highest scor- step up and fill your shoes. crash – has had an impact on makes it worse is the media when you think of it.” spiritual consciousness,” a er in NBA history. Players like you come the San Quentin community is still talking about the ac- Many of the men here at New Orleans Pelicans fan And we read the tweet around only once in a as a whole. cident. I send my prayers to The Q spoke about Kobe as stated. you sent him that night, generation. Many within the popula- the family of those who lost a father. Joshua Griffin stated congratulating him. Tell- You were the Black tion wanted to offer their their lives.” Vaughn Reid offered, “I “Baseball is my sport, but ing him to keep striving for Mamba, the deadliest assas- condolences and say a few Greg Eskridge, one of the believe that his demonstra- I definitely know the Black greatness. sin on the court. words about the man known founders of KALW 91.7 and tion of fatherhood was very Mamba.” After a pause, he The night before you During your playing as “The Black Mamba.” a former SQ Warriors power good. I recognize him to be offered an afterthought: left us all here, wondering, years, people called you “Kobe is the Jordan of forward, said “I’m a diehard completely involved in the “Legends never die.” “God, why him and Gigi? arrogant. my generation, someone I Lakers fan, and what Kobe development and nurture of Whether one was a Kobe Why Kobe and his daugh- After you stepped off the idolized growing up. After I did for the Lakers organiza- his girls.” fan, or a basketball fan, it’s ter? Why the other people court, they called you an- watched him on TV, I would tion and city of Los Ange- Golden State Warrior fans clear that the impact of the on that flight? Why them?” other name: mentor. go outside and emulate his les, for the NBA – at home at The Q had kind words and man that Magic Johnson has I do play-by-play here at I saw fans crying for you moves on my brothers,” and internationally – as well memories as well. deemed “The Greatest Lak- The Q for the annual Gold- and Gianna; fans all over the said Montrell McDuffie, an as being the type of family Wilson “Well Built Will” er Of All Time” has tran- en State Warriors versus SQ world chanting your name: All-Madden Flag Football man and a father? My heart Nguyen, guard for the SQ scended his sport and was Warriors games. I’ve called “KOBE! KOBE! KOBE!” player housed at The Q. is raw in its emotion for his Warriors, stated “He was revered as a global icon. a game with Bay Area sports You did it. You became James Metters stated, family and children. We lost one of the greatest. What’s Dennis Jefferson was guru Larry Biel and current The G.O.A.T. The Greatest “Kobe’s death is a wakeup some great role models in really sad for me is that his reflective in his thoughts. Laker Javelle McGee. Of All Time. call that death can happen that helicopter crash.” daughter won’t get a chance “Kobe said in an interview I’ve called thousands I just wish you didn’t to anybody, at any time, Trevor Byrd, a former to live a long life. That has that basketball is what he of games over the past 26 have to leave us to do it. poor or rich. That we should SQ Kings, Giants and A’s got to hurt.” does, not who he is. This af- years inside of CDCR. Thank you for being you. live everyday happy and player said, “I’m a post “The Black Mamba is in fected me because it made I wish I had the opportu- We are all going to miss healthy.” playing career Kobe fan. the top 5 of the NBA’s all- me realize that I’m bigger nity to do play-by-play for you. Salvador Clement from What he did for the league time greats, he was a bad than the crime I committed.” just one of your games. Peace, my brother. boy,” Wayne Tariq Mob- —By Contributing You allowed a middle- Aaron Showtime Taylor ley said enthusiastically. Writers aged, out of shape, former The Voice of SQ Sports athlete to dream bigger than #thankyouKobe #Black- myself. Mamba #8theGreat #deuc- That was what you efour #LakerGOAT #Mam- brought out in me. bacita #girldad Rise in Power, Kobe Bean —By Aaron Taylor

Photo credit: NBA Kobe draft photo 1996 with Jerry West

Photo courtesy of Instagram Photo courtesy of Keith Allison from Kinston, USA Photo courtesy of Instagram Kobe Memorial inside the Los Angeles Staples Center Kobe vs Washington Wizards in D.C., February 3, 2007. Kobe, the Black Mamba and Gianna, the Mambacita March 2020 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 23 League MVP listens to the incarcerated By Joe Garcia Evers and Lt. Gov. Mandela Gathering first in a pris- After sharing their per- Journalism Guild Barnes joined members of oner visiting room, everyone sonal stories, participants Chairperson the Bucks organization in- sat in a healing circle with formed teams to play a side the Racine Correctional incarcerated and formerly scrimmage game coached The Milwaukee Bucks and Institution Dec. 17. incarcerated individuals for a by Antetokounmpo and his league MVP Giannis Ante- “The whole point is to heartfelt discussion on crimi- Bucks teammates Sterling tokounmpo entered a Wis- humanize the people behind nal justice, prison life, reha- Brown, Pat Connaughton, consin prison facility with bars,” said Budnick, founder bilitation and hope. George Hill, Kyle Korver a lot more at stake than just of the Anti-Recidivism Co- “Just coming here, listen- and D. J. Wilson. basketball. They came to lis- alition (ARC) and producer ing to them, going through The NBA players got to ten to the voices and stories of Just Mercy. “That’s how what they have to say and turn the tables and draw up of the incarcerated. we get the voters and legisla- listening to the pain they plays for their own Head Organized by film pro- tors to change laws. have—it’s amazing,” said Coach Mike Budenholzer, ducer Scott Budnick and the “It was great to see the Antetokounmpo in a televi- who played on the all-inclu- NBA’s Play For Justice ini- governor suit up and play sion interview with WTMJ sive squads along with other tiative, Wisconsin Gov. Tony ball with the men in prison.” Milwaukee. Bucks coaching staff. “We care about you,” Budenholzer said to Racine’s incarcerated community. "We're waiting for you when you get out," reported the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Gov. Evers said the Play Photo courtesy of Play For Justice and Scott Budnick For Justice event “shines a Milwaukee Bucks guards at the Play For Justice Event light around issues of crimi- nal justice reform.” don’t know what the answer Folsom State Prison and One participant, Tommy is. We have to keep sharing where the Los Angeles Lak- Brown, was about to be re- our stories.” ers and LeBron James wel- leased from Racine three Hill, another NBA champ, comed youth offenders from days later, after spending al- told the circle about his the Ventura Correctional Fa- most 30 years behind bars for own rough childhood on the cility into their practice gym. an armed robbery conviction. streets of Indianapolis before Budnick said he has high “It will be strange, almost saying, “You’re not a mon- hopes to bring WNBA orga- like stepping out of a space- ster. You’re a human. You nizations and Play For Jus- ship to a new dimension,” he were going down the wrong tice to a women’s facility in said. path at the wrong time.” California. Another man, Donald Many of the participants One formerly incarcerated Jackson, entered the criminal talked about the aspects of individual, Jacob Brevard, system at age 12. “Today I’m outside life that their incar- participated in both the Fol- thankful,” he said to every- ceration deprived them of— som and Racine dialogues. one around him in the circle. missed holidays with their “This is a university,” he “I see a lot of idols here. families, graduations they said. “You can learn a lot Photo Provided by Play For Justice and Scott Budnick Man, it’s overpowering." couldn’t attend, children here.” NBA Great LeBron James shares a moment with Michael B. Jordan Antetokounmpo opened they couldn’t watch grow up. Budnick launched Play up about his own misdeeds John Casper shared how For Justice in partnership as a youth, things he admit- his son had asked him, with the Represent Justice ted he was not proud of. He “When are you coming Campaign and the film Just shared insight into his own home?” Mercy. The movie stars Ja- family history and memories “I don’t have an answer to mie Foxx in the true story of his late father. that,” said Casper. of a wrongfully convicted “Even when you’re still in “For me it has always been innocent man on Alabama’s here, you want to do better,” important to see the good in Death Row. said Antetokounmpo. people,” said guard Con- Michael B. Jordan and Wesley Griffin won’t be naughton. “I believe in sec- Brie Larson co-star as released for several more ond chances.” Bryan Stevenson and Eva years, but he felt moved by Bucks guard Brown de- Ainsley, the legal team that Antetokounmpo’s words. scribed the problems with worked to free Just Mercy’s “We’re human beings, and his arrest in January 2018 real-life protagonist, Walter everyone makes mistakes,” that resulted in his current McMillian. said Griffin. lawsuit against the city of “It’s going great right “Sitting down in a circle Milwaukee for excessive now,” said Budnick in late like this, you stop judging. use of force and civil rights January when Just Mercy You start seeing how it is,” violations. was in its third week of na- said NBA champion Korver, “A lot of work needs to be tional release. “It’s all about before speaking directly to done with the criminal jus- showing folks the injustice in one man, who revealed his tice system,” said Brown. “I the criminal justice system. own painful struggles with need to do my part.” “Governors, district at- incarceration. Photo Provided by Play For Justice and Scott Budnick Play For Justice also torneys—we’re making sure “I’m sorry, brother. I’m sponsored events where the all kinds of prosecutors and Giannis Antetokounmpo Coaches Play For Justice participants sorry,” Korver told him. “I Sacramento Kings entered stakeholders see this film.” Coalition for Social Justice graduates 17 participants By Timothy Hicks when talking about justice A graduate who shares the makes a soft ass,” Washing- is the best route. I want him said facilitator Aron Roy. Staff writer from the guys’ [perspective] same joy as Rose is Jamar ton said. “Well, my ass is cot- to be a better example for his The purpose of the group on the inside,” said Lovaas. Henry,40. ton right now.” little brothers and sisters.” is to learn more than law, Karen Lovaas, PhD, the Although, coming inside “I’m excited to be gradu- The intimate crowd burst When it was time for spon- said mentor Eric Crutcher,46. program coordinator of Co- prison has a joy to it for the ating, and I plan to take the into laughter. sor Nate Moore to speak, he “I’ve been a mentor for seven alition for Social Justice saw kids, said Lovaas, it also is knowledge I learned in this Other graduates Reese kept it direct and to the point. years, and I learned about 17 of her 21 participants a heartbreaking one for the class out on the streets with Rackley, 23, and Arthur “Keep doing what you do- many different justices,” said graduate from its sixth cy- kids having to leave the men me when I parole in eight Freeman, 39, are excited to ing and get free.” Crutcher. “I saw this class cle on Feb. 12, in the ARC behind. years,” said Henry. find out how the law really Moore has been volun- save so many lives. I also Building in San Quentin. “Amazing how characters He is incarcerated for great works and are enthusiastic to teering in the prison for seven helped a kid get off drugs, “The primary goal of the are missed from the outside bodily injury and said that the go back to their communities years. and to me that’s priceless.” group is to help develop com- world,” Lovaas said. “It’s class has helped him see life to help make them better. Mentors and facilitators Coalition for Social Jus- munity leaders who deal with magical how communities more clearly now. “I want my son Malik congratulated the men and tice provides reentry services criminal behavior from a per- form in different ways.” Third session volunteer Freeman, who is in prison at shared their sentiments for for returning citizens, and spective of social justice and I takes four months to Mary O’Sullivan has been Susanville, to see me gradu- the graduates. Lovaas recommends men transformation,” Lovaas said, graduate, and the men form coming to the prison for a ating,” said Freeman. “I want “The men grew into a co- who are returning to contact explaining the mission of the close bonds in that time. year and a half. She called him to know that education hesive crew of a community,” the organization Bonifide. group. “It’s beautiful how a the ceremony “sweet” and “I learn more in here about group of strangers can form said in response to Henry, Coalition for Social Justice Graduates: justice than I do on the out- a community like this,” said “The world needs people like side,” said Lovaas about her chairman and facilitator you who really know the sys- graduates. Royse Rose, 44, referencing tem to be out there and guide Graduates: Patrick Bellard, Jesse Blue, Matthew Brown Lll, Authur Lovaas teaches The Rheto- Lovaas’ statement. “How are the lawmakers to just laws.” Freeman, Jon Golberg, Mario Gomez, Harry Goodall , Angelo ric of Criminality and Pun- you gonna want justice if you ishments at San Francisco never say anything about the During the passing out of Green De, Jamar Henry, Dejon Joy, Christopher Miranda, Wayne State University. She has injustices you go through?” certificates it is customary for Mobley, Don Nicora, Reese Rackley, Vincent Rivera, Jasjit Singh, been involved in American Rose told the men. each graduate to speak. Ivan Staich, Jake Stebler, Curtis Thiessen, Clenard Wade and Chase studies for 16 years, and she Rose has been facilitat- loves to share the prison ex- ing the group since 2014, First time graduate Chase Washington perience with her students, and he said it is an honor to Washington, known as the Facilitators: Royce Rose, Phillippe Kelly, Bennett Alan, Aron Roy, she said. give back and see the light class joker, made light of the “When I bring my students of knowledge turning on for times when he spent many Adamu Chan, Authur Jackson from the outside in here to the men who get it. To give days in jail. Mentors: Ronald Carter, Eric Crutcher, Elton Kelly, John “Yahya” see the men in class, it has a back is his greatest pleasure, “My mama used to al- Parratt, Charles Ross profound effect on the kids he said. ways tell me that a hard head March 2020 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 24 SQ music and lyrics workshop attracts professionals

Photo by Jerry Welsh, SQTV Photo by Jerry Welsh, SQTV Photo by Jerry Welsh, SQTV Brad Balliett, Musicambia Song Writing Workshop members perform for the incarcerated in the Catholic Chapel Zoe Lee, SF Conservatory of Music By Kevin D. Sawyer where music gets created.” with authority. broken pieces of a past life. In took turns showcasing their Me,” written and played on Associate Editor Dwight Krizman said that, “It was great to see the four days, the men were able talent as they communicated the piano by this author, sung despite the restrictions of rough draft,” said Rachael S. to repair a small part of them- with each other in a language by Kerry Rudd, who wrote Twelve songs, featuring prison, the workshop was “a a composer on faculty with selves and discover the talent only musicians understand. the verses, received an earnest music and lyrics written and place where the musical com- the Conservatory. “We’ve lost or overlooked. Later, Adams and Beamon show of appreciation. performed by the men at San munity of San Quentin can done so much work in two Everyone was serious, but sang “I Can Feel Your Pain.” The crowd seemed moved Quentin turned the prison’s gather regardless of musical days, and there’s so much notes, chords, charts, writing Adams delivered a soulful during “A Christmas Hallelu- Catholic chapel into a concert background, skill level and performance as he expressed jah,” especially when Thomp- hall in January. talent to come together and “feeling all the world’s son soloed on his trumpet. Musicambia Composition create.” sorrow…” They applauded in the middle Workshop was an intensive In an environment where As the workshop moved of the song to show their four-day event facilitated by many men self-segregate into the night, some Con- gratitude. the New York-based nonprofit themselves, music is an equal- servatory students appeared On “Free My Dogs” Luke Musicambia, the San Fran- izer and bonding agent. At drained and exhausted, Chiang steered the song with cisco Conservatory of Music, the workshop it transcended but they hung on like his violin. Thanh Tran, 26, and the William James As- boundaries between musi- professionals. sang before the band punched sociation. It offered space for cians and non-musicians, By day three, an official in, like a track triggered from inmates to collaborate and young and old, rapper and set list of songs was created the mixer, as people in the compose original music. rocker, LGBTQ and straight, for a concert the following first three rows of pews stood, Students and faculty from Asians, Whites, Blacks, His- evening. bounced and applauded. the Conservatory worked non- panics and others. “There’s going to be a lot Derry ”Brotha D” Brown stop with Musicambia’s Brad Men from all walks of life of down time,” said Balliett. and the choir performed “Ev- Balliett to guide the artists worked together on the song By then they were preparing erybody Needs Love” to end through the process of creat- “On My Own.” The chorus for the show, but that didn’t the night and leave everyone ing music. told all their stories: “I am stop the men from perfecting in a serene and thoughtful “From the minute I walked never so alone, than surround- their songs. mood. into this room, I knew we ed by broken souls...” Balliett Rehearsal moved quickly “This was awesome,” said were going to have a great worked as musical director on and once it was determined Brown. “Hookin’ up with the week,” said Balliett, a bas- this tune and played the bas- a song was on track the sing- San Francisco Conservatory soonist, songwriter, composer soon as Worth sang lead. Mi- ers were stopped for the next of Music was an inspiration. I and teaching artist. chail Thompson, a Conserva- group to take the stage. never worked with my vocals, “I feel everyone benefits in tory student, added a poignant On day four, Balliett said, but meeting Matt (Worth) the end,” said Matthew Gam- sound with his trumpet. “My worst nightmare is that helped me exercise my vocals boa, a Conservatory student “I’m excited about what we get to 8 p.m. and we have so I could fluctuate my range. and electronic music produc- we have to offer together,” Photo by Jerry Welsh, SQTV three songs left.” He assured me I was on the er, who plays jazz guitar, bass Thompson had said on day Matthew Gomba, SF Conservatory of Music The show started with right track.” and piano. “It’s a learning ex- one. His skill playing classi- Thompson leading the charge “This is my first time perience that goes two ways.” cal jazz added an unanticipat- more to do.” and vocal exercises could not with his trumpet on “Pattie’s playing rock and jazz,” said On the first day, Jason ed but bright layer of sound to Rehearsals looked like contain the impulse of their Wish Dragon,” written by Lee. “Jukebox” Griffin, 42, com- the workshop’s music. scenes from American Idol creative nature. Following a Ronnell “Rauch” Draper. The “It’s a different genre for mented, “It would be cool to The guidance and encour- as groups of performers and break one afternoon, the men men sang a chorus that deliv- us,” said Chiang. “The energy write music and connect with agement from Musicambia, musicians gathered in the and the Conservatory stu- ered an emotional message in here was fantastic – not people.” the Conservatory and the pews and in various corners dents performed an impromp- with rap and speech as the your typical audience.” “I teach people how to talent displayed throughout of the chapel to collaborate. tu spiritual song. band accentuated the song. “We started talking about sing,” said Matthew Worth, the workshop revealed that A cacophony of music and Michael Adams led the “Believe it or not, on Mon- (doing) this in 2018,” said a faculty voice teacher at prisoners can perform at pro- singing could be heard from groove and encouraged each day morning that song did not Rachael S. “We didn’t know the Conservatory, who led fessional levels in music and all directions. musician to perform an im- exist,” said Balliett. where or what, but it’s been a the workshop with vocal beyond. Underneath the mens’ provised solo as he assumed Richie Morris took the long time coming.” exercises. “I’m really proud of every- hard work were the dreams, the role of conductor. Con- stage at San Quentin for the “I’ve been amazed at how “This is a song writing body,” said Worth. struggles, aspirations and servatory students Gamboa, last time. “After 34 years in Brad (Balliett) and the group project,” said Balliett. “Our He said by day two people disappointments of confined Thompson, Parsa Mirzaagha prison, the governor in his have been collaborating,” goal is to bring your ideas to stepped on the stage with men taking advantage of the (guitar), Gavin Harris wisdom decided I can go said Carol Newborg, life.” confidence and started to sing opportunity to reconstruct (drums), and Mark Kinney all home,” he said. Program Manager for Arts in He had the group begin by The song “Trying To Carry Corrections at San Quentin. writing songs in groups. By On” was a soulful piece writ- “It’s been really high quality the end of the first five-hour ten by Morris and performed and seemed to involve day everyone was writing previously. everyone.” “their” song. Balliett played piano on “I had so much fun tonight One song, “No More,” “Grace Of God,” a song writ- watching everyone perform,” emerged on day two. It ten by Kahlifah. Rachael S. said Rachael S. “I’m really packed the chapel with ener- sang a soft verse and Con- grateful people made time and gy. Griffin and Quincy Paige, servatory student Julio Cesar space for us.” 32, wrote and performed the Martinez used the warmth of “I couldn’t believe it,” said song together. The Conser- his deep baritone voice to sing Bill Harwood, 65. “Three vatory backed them to give the low end of the song. Gary days got us here, and it lifted the song weight that became Harrell played harmonica on the roof off this place.” heavier when Balliett came in the song, followed by Conser- “It was very inspiring,” on the keyboard. vatory students Zoe Jo-Yun said Larry Williams, 54. “I Paige said “No More” was Lee on cello and Luke Chiang loved it, and everybody did inspired by a phone conver- on violin. so good. My heart feels so sation that he overheard in On the song “My Life,” much better. I can sleep good prison. Paige engaged the crowd, and tonight.” “I can’t take it anymore,” they clapped to the beat as he “It’s my hope that the caller had said before rapped. The horn sounds were Musicambia will come back slamming down the phone. the most prevalent through- here,” said Balliett. “This is the only joyful out the chapel as the percus- The crowd cheered him on, experience I’ve had in over sion instruments held a steady applauding their endorsement three years,” said Anthony Photo by Jerry Welsh, SQTV beat. for him and the Conservatory Beamon, 38. “With this kind The music and chorus to to return to California’s oldest of collaboration — this is Jim Turner showing off his key board skills “When You Think About prison.