San Quentin News

WRITTEN BY THE INCARCERATED – ADVANCING SOCIAL JUSTICE VOL. 2021 NO. 1 January 2021 Edition 130 SAN QUENTIN, CALIFORNIA 94964 www.sanquentinnews.com POPULATION 2,648 Our honors list for criminal justice work San Quentin News Staff San Quentin alumni James continues to use his platform to get King, the state campaigner for our voices heard. He, along with San Quentin News would like the Ella Baker Center, and Adnan other formerly incarcerated alumni, to honor and recognize these Khan, executive director and co- sends in support videos to be played individuals for their work and founder of Re:Store Justice, who on the institution’s TV channel. contributions to social and criminal took to the airwaves, both radio Lisa Strawn, trans advocate justice reform. There is no given and television, as major voices of and alumna, has also taken to order to the list; they all have the #StopSanQuentinOutbreak the airwaves for the incarcerated selflessly and tirelessly worked for coalition. They have reached back, LGBTQ community and others progressive changes in our criminal helping the incarcerated with dealing with the prison COVID-19 justice system, be it through commutation petitions. outbreak. Strawn is fighting for donations, legislation or hard- Earlonne Woods, outside Ear their releases. nosed, on-the-streets, speaking- Hustle host, is working to repeal truth-to-power advocacy work. California’s Three Strikes Law. He See 2020 on Page 7

File Photo Members of Sistas’ With Voices Sistas’ With Voices rally calls to new head of CDCR

By Marcus Henderson virus,” they added. Editor in Chief Hosts and sponsors of the rally included the Stop San Quentin Out- Voices of concern, love and a call break Coalition, Ella Baker Center to action were raised by families, for Human Rights, and No Justice friends and prison reform advocacy Under Capitalism. groups to welcome a new change in “What’s frustrating is that CDCR File Photo Photo from Re:Store Justice Photo by Eddie Herena CDCR leadership. officials think they know better than James King Adnan Khan LA DA George Gascon Sistas’ With Voices (SWV), a re- we do,” said James King, Ella Bak- entry and prison reform and advo- er’s State Campaigner and former cacy group, led a rally on October SQ resident. “They think we are 1 at CDCR headquarters in Sacra- naive for saying that these people mento to welcome Kathleen Alli- could safely come home tomorrow. son, the new secretary of California What they are mistaking for naïveté Department of Corrections and Re- is actually love. We stand with our habilitation (CDCR), into her Sac- loved ones because we love them. ramento office. “We know what it feels like to sit “This event was put on to wel- outside of a state prison for hours come the new CDCR Secretary waiting to go in for a few precious Allison into her role and to let her moments or sit by the phone so that know that we as family members you don’t miss that 15-minute call. and concerned citizens were watch- There have been no state visits since ing her,” said Elsie Lee and Mia March and that’s unacceptable,” he Shells, founders of SWV, in a joint added. statement to San Quentin News. Major concerns for healthcare “We expected that she got to work workers who joined the rally were that day to bring change to CDCR. mental health and the possibility of Photo by Ear Hustle Photo from Wikipedia Photo by ca.gov She cannot sit by and watch our medical neglect inside prisons. Earlonne Woods Kim Kardashian Sen. Scott Wiener loved ones get infected and some pass away because of this horrible See SWV on Page 4 Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter New video visit from Birmingham jail program bridges My Dear Fellow Clergymen: While confined here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across the COVID gap your recent statement calling my present activities “unwise and By Vincent O’Bannon even though she says she doesn’t like untimely.“ Staff Writer it, there’s no doubt in my mind that I am cognizant of the she will be setting up another visit for interrelatedness of all communities Prisoners sit nervously at a next month.” and states. I cannot sit idly by in computer screen waiting to see San Quentin has 10 visiting Atlanta and not be concerned about a loved one or a family member stations, each equipped with a what happens in Birmingham. they have not seen since March. computer monitor within the prison’s Injustice anywhere is a threat to This is the scene as, in an effort visiting room. Each video visit can justice everywhere. Whatever affects to reestablish visiting, California last up to 30 minutes. one directly, affects all indirectly. prisons have instituted a new virtual “What first registered to me was You deplore the demonstrations visiting program. Now family and the fact that before entering the taking place in Birmingham. But friends can communicate with loved visiting room, we were being patted your statement, I am sorry to say, ones from the comfort of their home down and searched despite there fails to express a similar concern for or office. being no one in the visiting room the conditions that brought about the In these unprecedented times, except CDCR guards,” said Brooks. demonstrations. CDCR began a pilot program offering Officers maintained normal It is unfortunate that real-time video visits. Smiles and air visiting protocols and an IT person demonstrations are taking place in Photo courtesy of Wikipedia hugs were shared once the visiting was on site for any technical issues Birmingham, but it is even more connection was made. that could occur. Some minor unfortunate that the city’s white Martin Luther King Jr, leads a march “It was strange. Different. But technical issues did occur, such as a power structure left the Negro right now, anything is better than dropped video feed and/or buffering community with no alternative. Negroes have experienced grossly For years now I have heard the nothing,” said Edward Brooks, a San during several of the visits. However, There can be no gainsaying the unjust treatment in the courts. There word “Wait!“ It rings in the ear of Quentin resident who experienced the occurrences lasted no longer than fact that racial injustice engulfs this have been more unsolved bombings every Negro with piercing familiarity. the virtual visit on Thanksgiving a few seconds, while the audio feed community. Birmingham is probably of Negro homes and churches in This “Wait“ has almost always meant weekend. “My wife doesn’t like it. remained intact. the most thoroughly segregated Birmingham than in any other city in “Never.“ She, like others, wants that physical city in the United States. Its ugly the nation. These are the hard, brutal connection. I can deal with it. And See VISITS on Page 5 record of brutality is widely known. facts of the case. See LETTER on Page 9 Page 2 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com January 2021

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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY Graduate School of Journalism

Photo from 8 Degrees of Yes Truth Akins and the members of 8 Degrees of Yes 8 Degrees of Yes process starts a spiritual journey

By Amir Shabazz program, told San Quentin “This shows our dominion actually structured for in- due to COVID, we have to so many moving parts and is Journalism Guild Writer News. The goal is to “ see the over life and ability to person group participants work around it.” so complex.” truth and release victimhood manifest better outcomes in but due to the COVID-19 Akins has more than 11 The power of prayer is A spiritual program by forgiving and letting go, our life,” she added. pandemic Akins had years working in correctional one of those parts used for designed to help the then share their story,” she There are three sections in to restructure it for facilities in many different transformation inside the 8 incarcerated find hope and added. the program: a life satisfaction correspondence. “Culture positions, most recently as an Degrees of Yes lessons. There transform their lives. The program participants survey, a study book, and the Circles” were used for the Adult Basic Education teacher are 40 affirmative prayers, It is called the 8 Degrees can sign up for an eight- pillars/testimonial-makers story-sharing part of the at California Correctional five prayers for each of the of Yes, a therapeutic month or eight-week course. that helps the participants to program. Also, the group Institution (Tehachapi). eight life structures to be correspondence program Akins uses her own life forgive, let go and transform. would “Problematize,” where She founded the Center prayed on a daily basis. This provided through the Center experience as a Black woman “The first thing we have is they would deconstruct issues of Truth and Transformation is to aid the participants to of Truth and Transformation. and veteran who has faced a survey. We go through it and to determine the root causes to help empower people to pray on truth and not on the It uses prayer to aid many injustices as an example we reflect on our satisfactions for them and then design transform hopelessness to false constructs from others’ transformation and finding to help others in the program. (and) what our life structures solutions to address those communities of hope, where ideas of truth, she said. hope for healing in prison. “The first thing I have is look like presently,” issues. those incarcerated can build “We have to know life force “I created (this program) my story,” said Akins. “I said Akins. “Next, is the “We share(d)… in a space skills and healing and to energy for ourselves because to help others go through show how I have separated workbook. We go through it set with unconditional love reduce crime. that’s the truth. It is us. It’s and reflect on life and see the (the) eight life structures, and re-learn about all these and no judgment because “I have been able to pull within us,” she concluded. negative events, pull them and my desire to live (the 8 life events and lessons and we all have these challenges, all this into a program in out to find a blessing and/ Degrees of desire to live life) how we relate to each other in just in different forms,” said order to guide others,” said 8 Degrees of Yes Project or the lesson in the event,” in a structured way to reflect our stories.” Akins. “(This) is meant to be Akins, “(to) structure it, P.O. Box 2141 Truth Akins, founder of the on and overcome. The program is/was done with others, however, because transformation has Tehachapi, CA 93581-2141 January 2021 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 3 Number of Americans jailed or on probation falls over the past decade

By Juan Haines people in prison or forcement) has steadily de- several criminal justice re- good behavior, took away Despite initial concerns that Senior Editor jail fell 17% . creased and is currently at form measures, including prosecutors’ ability to charge reform would erode public • The incarceration rate its lowest levels since 1969 California’s Public Safety juveniles as adults, and gave safety, most communities The number of Americans for adults in prison or when the state began keeping Realignment (PSR), signed the charging authority to Su- were safer in 2019 than at the jailed or on probation fell jail declined every statewide crime statistics, into law in 2011 by then-Gov. perior Court judges. start of the decade. 21% from its peak in 2007, year since 2008, with reports Mike Males, Center Edmond E. Brown Jr. Meanwhile, Everyday The variation that exists federal statistics show. 2018 being the lowest on Juvenile and Criminal Under PSR, offenders con- Injustice, an online across California’s coun- The figures show between since 1996 Justice. victed of crimes classified as newsletter, reports that ties and cities indicates that 2017 and 2018 slightly more • The percentage of The historically low crime nonviolent, non-serious or since the reform measures recent crime trends likely than 6.4 million people were adults on probation rates remained in spite of nonsexual served their sen- began and continue to be reflect local practices and under correctional control or parole was lower the state enacting signifi- tences in county jails instead in effect, 30 percent of conditions far more than (2.1 million people incarcer- in 2018 than any time cant criminal justice reform of state prison. California counties showed state policies, the report con- ated in U.S. prisons and jails, since 1992 . measures that resulted in Males also looked at Prop- an increase in crime rates, cludes. Rape was excluded in addition to 4.3 million In 2018, 500,000 Califor- the release of thousands of osition 47, passed in 2014, including Alameda, Contra from total and violent offense people on probation or parole nians were under correc- California prisoners from which changed felony drug Costa, Sacramento and Santa rates because the definition supervision). In 2007, 7.4 tional control with 200,000 state prisons, other offenders possession and theft of $900 Clara; however, 20 percent of was broadened in 2014, hin- million people were under people in state prisons or diverted from prison or jail, or less to misdemeanors. counties showed a decline, dering comparisons across correctional control. county jails. and others serving lower in- He also examined Propo- including Fresno, Los this period, Males explained. Key findings: Violent and property carceration periods. sition 57, passed in 2016, Angeles, Orange, Riverside, The national figures in • From 2008 to 2018, crime (reported to law en- Males’s report examined which changed the California San Bernardino and San this article are found in Cor- Constitution to allow parole Diego counties. rectional Populations in the consideration for prisoners “California’s record-low United States, 2017-2018, classified as nonviolent, gave 2019 crime rates cap a period published August 2020 by Kap’s kneeling legacy prison officials the authority of a substantial change in the U.S. Department of Jus- to award prisoners greater the criminal justice system,” tice, Bureau of Justice Sta- continues in the NFL time reduction credits for Males wrote on the website. tistics. “No justice, no peace!” is voiced New app would simplify by those still protesting against the social unrest in the world. justice system assistance By Timothy Hicks Caleb Carroll sang his ren- for the huge mistake of push- By Vincent O’Bannon pamphlets, and information ensure clients have access to Sports Editor dition of the Anthem while ing Kaepernick out of the Staff Writer materials,” Budwani said. resources,” said Tracy Mac- playing a baby grand piano. NFL, he has not urged his re- Having access to mental uga, Santa Barbara County Protests for social justice There were relatively few fans hiring. A mobile app is being health, substance abuse, and public defender. continue in the NFL. Play- in attendance but that didn’t Kaepernick led the 49ers to developed to help connect other critical resources can The app’s design and its ers still take a knee to show stop the players from repre- several winning seasons and criminal defendants and oth- improve the quality of life for implementation will be de- solidarity in the fight against senting their rights in an Ex- a couple of championships. er justice-impacted people to those reentering society, as veloped over a nine-month police brutality and racial in- San Francisco 49ers quarter- He took notice of the injus- services and resources other- well as reduce recidivism, period, said the article. equality. back fashion by taking a knee tices that were permeating wise hard to access. said the Oct. 27 article “Our fellows work with During the Thanksgiving during the Anthem. society across the nation and In an action that will pro- local government to create traditional football game be- Colin Kaepernick’s legacy used his platform to shed light vide mental health and sub- systems interventions where tween the Detroit Lions and continues, even though he is on the situation in a unique stance abuse services among inequity lies at the root,” said the Houston Texans, several no longer on the football field. way. Other players joined his other valuable information “Clients would Hasim Mteuzi, associate di- players from both teams knelt Although the head of the foot- protest but were not punished to incarcerated clients, the have a one-stop rector for the fellowship pro- during the singing of the Na- ball league, Roger Goodell, the way Kaepernick was. But creation of a mobile app is gram. “In this way, we bring tional Anthem. has since publicly apologized as the leader that he was and being developed by Code for shop of available the margin to the center.” still is, Kaepernick continues America’s fellowship pro- The online service would to press on for change. gram in partnership with the resources to make it easy for individuals San Quentin News “No justice, no peace!” is Santa Barbara County Public to navigate the complicated voiced by those still protest- navigate the San Quentin News Staff Administrative Review Defender’s Office, reported process of accessing the ex- ing against the social unrest in Gina DePinto, communica- criminal justice isting services and provide Richard Richardson, Executive Editor Lt. S. Robinson, Warden’s Office the world. Large crowds still tions manager for Santa Bar- information on where to re- Marcus Henderson, Editor-in-Chief Sgt. R. Gardea, Warden’s Office Juan Haines, Senior Editor Joe Orlando, CDCR gather abroad and speak their bara County, to noozhawk. system, resource ceive them. Information Officer I Kevin D. Sawyer, Associate Editor Krissi Khokhobashvili, minds loudly. However, those com. “Additionally, services Joe Garcia, Deputy Chief CDCR Office in the sports world found their “Access to services can pamphlets, and available to clients in the Journalism Guild Chairperson of External Affairs silent unique way that speaks be transformed by utilizing community would seamless- Anthony Faulk, Managing Editor Linda Xiques, Adviser information David Ditto, Staff Writer William Drummond, Adviser volumes. technology,” said Deepak ly be accessible and would Michael Johnson, Staff Writer Jan Perry, Adviser Broadcast companies such Joan Lisetor, Adviser Budwani, Santa Barbara materials” even list the availability of Anthony Caravalho, Staff Writer Stuart Wagner, Adviser as CBS capture these silent County Public Defender’s services at those locations,” Charles Crowe, Staff Writer Steve McNamara, Adviser protests for the world to see, chief financial and adminis- said Budwani. Heriberto Arredondo, Staff Writer John C. Eagan, Adviser Jessie Blue, Staff Writer Jon Spurlock, Adviser including those who sit in trative officer, reported the “We need to build and “If people are given the Vincent O’Bannon, Staff Writer Susanne Karch, Adviser prison watching. They take article. develop sustainable partner- chance to address their indi- Timothy Hicks, Staff Writer Nikki Meredith, Adviser notice of those out in the world “Clients would have a vidual challenges, they may Richard Lindsey, Researcher Monica Campbell, Adviser ships with all potential com- Lourdes Cárdenas, Editora who are kneeling down yet one-stop shop of available re- munity stakeholders to better find themselves not entan- Lisa Adams, Development Manager standing up for a cause that sources to navigate the crimi- address the complex needs of gled in the criminal justice San Quentin News Contributing Staff most in prison can relate to. nal justice system, resource our indigent population and system,” said Macuga. Wayne Boatwright, SQ News Alumnus Aly Tamboura, SQ News Alumnus Kenny Brydon, SQ News Alumnus Jesse Vasquez, SQ News Alumnus Eddie Herena, SQ News Alumnus Javier Jimenez, SQ News Alumnus David Lé, SQ News Alumnus Keung Vanh, SQ News Alumnus Miguel Quezada, SQ News Alumnus Jonathan Chiu, SQ News Alumnus Implicit bias is said to infect justice system Current and past stories of the San Quentin News are posted online at: By William Earl Tolbert rick Johnson, program di- he said. tions. Also, the marijuana (www.sanquentinnews.com) Journalism Guild Writer diversion program dismisses Follow us on Twitter @SanQuentinNews rector for Save Our Street Johnson acknowledged Permission is granted to reprint articles appearing in the San Quentin organization; Oneida Coun- that there are good people criminal charges upon com- News provided credit is given to the author and this publication, There are subtle racial ty (N.Y.) District Attorney working within the legal sys- pletion of an online course except for articles reprinted herein from other publications. prejudices within the proce- Scott McNamara; Tichenor; tem, but that implicit bias, no and community service. He We Want To Hear From You! dural fabric of the criminal and Hamilton professor Mi- matter one’s status or posi- noted that these measures San Quentin News encourages the incarcerated, free staff, custody justice system, reported Evan chael “Doc” Woods. tion, affects everyone. have helped locally, accord- staff, volunteers and others outside the institution to submit articles. All submissions become property of the San Quentin Robinson in a Hamilton Col- Johnson added that the ing to the article. News. Please use the following criteria when submitting: lege news article. majority of U.S. courthouses McNamara also discussed • Limit your articles to no more than 350 words. In a recent webinar spon- are overwhelmingly run by the necessity for being aware • Know that articles will be edited for content and length. “...Black people • The newspaper is not a medium to file grievances. sored by Hamilton’s Levitt whites. This lack of diversity that victims and defendants (For that, use the prison appeals process.) We encourage Center Law and Justice Lab, and people of can become a factor in the may have different aspira- submitting articles that are newsworthy and encompass advocates for racial justice criminal justice process. tions for the legal outcome of issues that will have an impact on the prison populace. • Please do not use offensive language in your submissions. reform discussed criminal color do not hold “(This) could send the their cases. This awareness • Poems and artwork (cartoons and drawings) are welcomed. justice initiatives that could message—a very loud mes- can apply to any legal case, • Letters to the editor should be short and to the point. begin to heal traumatic ef- the same value sage—that in this institution, he said. Send Submissions to: fects such as: identifying im- Black people and people of “They all want justice, but San Quentin News 1 Main Street as their White San Quentin, CA 94964 plicit biases, lack of diversity color do not hold the same obviously from your vantage For incarcerated people that want to receive a copy of the San Quentin in the courthouse, and the ef- counterparts” value as their White counter- point, you see it differently,” News in the mail, send $1.61 worth of stamps for postage to fects of diversion programs. parts,” said Johnson. McNamara said. “Although the above address. The process can be repeated every month if you want to receive the latest newspaper. The webinar was the last McNamara, who has 14 many people would argue one in a series of discussions Implicit biases and the lack years’ tenure as a district at- that we can make changes, covering topics that relate to of diversity in courthouses torney, provided discussions those changes sometimes racial justice reform. “Divid- around the nation was cov- on traffic and marijuana di- come at the cost of some- ing these topics is really an ered by Johnson. He outlined version programs and how one with a different vantage artificial exercise,” said Pro- how Blacks and other people other reform initiative mea- point.” fessor Ronni Tichenor of the of color view their experienc- sures could be used to poten- Woods, a professor of mu- SUNY Polytechnic Institute. es within the criminal justice tially soothe the damaging sic at Hamilton, discussed “When you start to pull at system. effects on poor people’s lives. jazz and how the Black expe- any one thread, there are all “Many, many Black people McNamara added that the rience is articulated in it and these other problems that are and people of color have had traffic diversion program al- other forms of African Amer- connected to it ... it just shows less than positive experiences lows people to apply for the ican music. As an example, The San Quentin News is printed by the importance of this initia- with people in law enforce- program without first hiring he said that he hears a “cry” Marin Sun Printing, San Rafael. tive.” ment—intimidation, bully- an attorney when they are in John Coltrane’s playing of The webinar featured Pat- ing, if not outright racism,” charged with traffic viola- “Giant Steps.” Page 4 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com January 2021 Holiday songs for the cells: another COVID-19 victim By Vincent O’Bannon spiritual uplifting will not be Giving freely of their time Charles “Pookie” Sylvester. praise and honor with loud church and the whole evan- Staff Writer heard within the walls of the and voices on a night when “They have been volunteer- handclaps, shouts of “Thank gelistic experience of God’s prison units because of the people are home preparing ing to come in for years. you!” and “Merry Christ- community coming together “We Wish You a Merry COVID-19 lockdown. The festive feasts honoring the They must believe that we mas!” cheers. to celebrate Jesus Christ to Christmas” is one of many popular Christmas banquet birth of Christ, SQ’s extend- are not the monsters that so- The group would sing in all in San Quentin,” said An- songs the incarcerated popu- has also been cancelled. ed family could be found ciety depicts us as.” the main cell blocks, and thony Waldrip, SQ church lation at San Quentin will “What I’ll miss the most dedicating their evening to When the men would hear sometimes in dorm build- member. not hear carolers singing this by not being able to carol the men of San Quentin, that the carolers had entered ings. Rarely they were al- “Keep your head up and year due to the coronavirus this year is the tremendous bringing light into the dark the building, they would line lowed into Death Row. keep knowing that Christ pandemic. sense of love, fellowship, walls of prison life. the tiers, many joining in When not allowed, the car- has everything under con- For many years, volun- compassion and care the “It is easy to lose sight singing their favorite Christ- olers sang in the atrium just trol…(PUSH) pray until teers from multiple outside singers from outside bring,” while in prison of being mas songs. outside Death Row where the something happens,” said churches, accompanied by a said Robert Barnes. redeemable,” said Barnes. Selections would include men could hear the music. Andress Yancy, SQ church group of incarcerated mem- Grace Cathedral, the “The carolers coming from “O Little Town of Bethle- “I will be keeping the member. bers of the SQ Garden Cha- Wings of Love, Tiburon outside are reminders—mes- hem,” “Go Tell It on the happiness, health, and well- Waldrip added, paraphras- pel, spent a chilly December Baptist, and the Hillside sengers of God’s love.” Mountain,” and “We Wish being of all the carolers in ing Deuteronomy 4:31, “Be evening singing Christmas Covenant are some of the “The humanity the sing- You a Merry Christmas.” my prayers and heart,” said strong and courageous. Do carols in the cell blocks. churches that made it their ers bring inside is a testi- The residents’ favorite was Barnes. “I’m looking for- not fear or be in dread (of During this joyous sea- mission to bring holiday joy mony to how a person should usually “The Little Drum- ward to when we’ll meet COVID-19), for the Lord our son of the year, songs that and ministry to the people in not be defined by the crime mer Boy.” again.” God goes with us. He will bring love, joy, hope, and the prison. he or she committed,” said The singers would receive “I sincerely miss the not leave or forsake us.” Father George Williams gets his release date from San Quentin

By Anthony Manuel Father Williams, San and Christian classes are The continued leader- well. Caravalho Quentin’s Jesuit priest for the just examples of how Father ship of Father Manny il- “As our congregation Staff Writer past 10 years, considered his William impacted our lives,” lustrates the importance welcomes Father Manny, we tenure here “the best and hap- added Jesuit Choir member of San Quentin’s church in are blessed that we will not Members of the San Quen- piest years of my life.” His John Krueger. relation to the advocacy of be losing Father Williams’ tin community hope to get all-inclusive services made San Francisco’s Archbishop advice,” said choir leader their dates to leave. Father him a leading supporter of Salvatore Cordileone, who Michael Adams. George Williams received the Death Row and LGBTQ presides over the Archdio- Williams announced his his unexpected release day in communities. “Without Father cese. He is currently advo- plan to return to San Quen- July of this year. “Without Father Williams, Williams, a cating for the attendance tin around once a month. COVID’s quarantine dis- a transgender week would rights of the general public, “I am also hoping to bring mantled spiritual practices not have had the impact it transgender asking Gov. Newsom and parishioners from Parish St. for all denominations. The did,” said Christopher “Max” S.F. Mayor London Breed to Agnes to the ministry here,” services, which define a large Hickson. Hickson is the part- week would not reinstate services that have he said. part of San Quentin’s legacy, ner of Lisa Strawn, who cho- have had the been discontinued due to Father Williams, a Mas- were suspended on March 12, reographed the historic LG- the pandemic. ter’s graduate in Social Jus- 2020. When church services BTQ event in 2019. impact it did” Father Williams said the tice, added, “You will have a return, the leadership of the “It’s ironic. No, it’s a sign Archbishop approved his parish and priest who knows Photo by Eddie Herena Jesuit/Catholic faith will not from God that father George new position outside the you, to welcome [you] to Father Williams at mass be the same. and I are leaving at the same Jesuit services are tenta- walls. “Archbishop Cordil- church if you get out and in 2016 In a good-bye letter to his time,” said Christian Dwight tively set to be led by Pas- eone made it perfectly clear stay in the Bay Area. God congregation, Father George Krizman. Krizman spent the tor Manuel Chavira. Pastor that the community here helps us all, even in these with his promise to return announced his transfer to the last 30 days of his sentence Manny was a student of Fa- at San Quentin will have a difficult times.” Williams to San Quentin as a volun- Jesuit Parish in the Haight- in SQ’s Badger, one of the ther Williams and has filled Catholic chaplain and that spoke to all Christians when teer, once they are allowed Ashbury district of San Fran- prison’s four housing blocks. in numerous times during service will continue with- he said that Jesus says we back in. The congregation cisco. The transfer took effect “Restorative Justice, Bible recent absences of the de- out interruption,” Father are here and he is with us. rests in the comfort he will on July 31. Studies, Spirituality Group parting Father. Williams wrote in his fare- His farewell letter closed be back.

to CDCR neglect,” said Os- Senate Bill 1437 (a felony citizen and then you are pun- tionally terrified,” stated one frontlines of the health care olof. “Now we are here today murder re-sentencing bill). ished for it. And then, not all letter. “I suffer from Valley issues throughout my ca- SWV in the midst of another pan- “It was a long, long fight. of the time is the punishment Fever and COVID has proven reer, and my top priority is Continued from Page 1 demic with COVID-19 and It’s so unfortunate for women matching the crime. to be a menacing deadly virus. to respond to this pandemic, CDCR continues to mirror its that do not have the support “So when I finally got out We lost 29 lives in San Quen- protect our just over 92,000 “We’ve seen this happen past errors.” or the means to be able to al- I said OK, I’m going to fig- tin. We would like to take a inmates, and ensure we com- before with the Valley Fe- In recognition of October’s low their voices to count and ure this out. I put together moment of silence for the 67 municate with supporters like ver disease within the state Domestic Violence Aware- be acknowledged. They are this program where I can go lives lost within CDCR,” the you,” she added. prison system,” said Dr. MK ness Month, formerly incar- sitting in there doing a death back and help those women. letter writer added. Sistas’ With Voices and Osolof, from the Decarcer- cerated women gave insight- sentence. They’re fighting Because there are women that Secretary Allison was un- the reform coalition vowed to ate Sacramento organization. ful speeches in support of the COVID and being exposed to I was in there with still do- able to meet with the rally keep fighting for releases to “CDCR eventually enacted women still incarcerated. all the inhumane dangers the ing life sentences…This pan- participants, so her respond- save their incarcerated loved policies to transfer those sus- “When I was a teenager, I prisons impose on their lives demic is exposing the social ing letter to their request was ones’ lives. They are planning ceptible to Valley Fever to fa- was found guilty by associa- behind those walls. I am here inequalities because of mass read to the audience. more rallies and to strengthen cilities outside of the Central tion,” said Tara Williams. “I to support my community, incarceration and mistreat- “I do want to impress upon their reentry programs. Valley. Their actions came was given a life without the my loved ones and my family ment in the jails’ health care you and your loved ones, as “We tell all our brothers far too late and nearly 3,500 possibility of parole sentence. in prison.” system. This is not new, but well as every family member and sisters that are locked people incarcerated were di- Because I was a victim of my Cherell Howze, founder the news is now on it, which and supporter of our incar- behind the walls to hold on; agnosed with the disease and own social-economical, dis- of Our Daughter’s Destiny, is great, but now is the time to cerated population in CDCR, your sisters are out here fight- at least 53 people died at that enfranchised environment. I a reentry program in Sacra- really fight,” she added. that I understand and care ing for you,” said SWV’s Lee time. became a victim of our judi- mento, added, “We grow up Letters from incarcerated deeply about the issues out- and Shells. “We have not left “Despite a lawsuit against ciary system. I was railroad- in these environments where loved ones were also read to lined in your letter,” said Al- you and we are not done until the state, individuals have ed into a system that violated you’re not taught how to get the crowd, expressing their lison, in her statement. CDCR opens the gates. We never been compensated for my rights on every level. I out and find a job. You’re not fears. “As a licensed Registered will leave no man [or woman] the harms they endured due was recently released under taught how to really be a good “I am mentally and emo- Nurse, I have been on the behind.”

File Photo File Photo File Photo Elsie Lee Mia Shells Attendees watching the slide show of incarcerated loved ones. January 2021 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 5 Adding up the good and the bad for 2020 Boseman; “RBG”—U.S. Ahmaud Arbery was killed ones! Go figure. Congress, had this to say in a Supreme court justice Ruth by White vigilantes for jog- To process so much pain Democracy Now interview: EDITORIAL Bader Ginsburg; singer/ ging in the wrong neighbor- and trauma one must stop and “’No honeymoon.’ What do entertainer Little Richard; hood. Young Kyle Rittenhouse breathe, be still and search we mean by that? We mean By Marcus Henderson congressman John Lewis; traveled across state lines to for the good. My word for that we the people hold the Editor in Chief actor Sean Connery, OG- protect some property and al- this New Year is “Steadfast- power, that we must continue James Bond; Jeopardy’s legedly killed two people at a ness” – be firm in belief and to fight for what is just, right Welcome 2021. Alex Trebek, Kobe Bryant Black Lives Matter protest. determination. One thing and good, and fight against It’s hard for me to wish you and his daughter Gigi; and So are our Black lives 2020 has surely taught us is what is not just, right and all a Happy New Year with Tom “Tiny” Lister Jr. who equal? Just look at the mil- that the world is changing, be good. We mean that we must many of us still processing the played “Deebo,” the lovable lions of dollars killers easily it climate change or political have solidarity and commit- events of 2020—the seismic bully from the Friday mov- raise with their Go Fund Me unrest throughout the world. ment, one to another. We who shift of what we would call ies (“What you got on my 40, accounts. Yeah! “Law and Or- There is no more business believe in freedom cannot normalcy. We were rocked by homie?”) Plus many other der” for whom? as usual. With Joe Biden as rest. What do we mean by the coronavirus just as we were legends. Former President Trump President, we have overcome that? That as long as there are shook up by the many police More than 300,000 told the Proud Boys, an anti- a lot. Some prison reform has injustices, we will continue killings and the revival of White Americans died from Co- government group, to “Stand taken place around the coun- to fight. What do we mean by nationalism. Even our political vid-19, and more than one back and Stand by.” What?! try. Progressive district attor- that? We know that when ev- foundation shows cracks with million people worldwide. Are you kidding me?! Let neys have been elected, police eryday people put a little extra Trump calling our national elec- They were mothers, fathers, any other American say oversight committees have on their ordinary, extraordi- tion a fraud and his supporters sisters, brothers, sons and something like that and they Photo by Javier Jimenez been established and much nary things happen. We need following him down that road. daughters. For eight minutes could be charged with incit- Marcus Henderson more. not just bold voices, but peo- I am a Black man in prison and 46 seconds we literally ing a riot. If nothing else, I have watched many of my ple who will take action and and I’m from the “Hood”— watched George Floyd take they would be under inves- was even a plot to kidnap and friends parole, go home and will be fearless when it comes where we really don’t do politics his last breath of life as for- tigation. White nationalist kill the Michigan governor. turn immediately to advo- to standing up for what is just, like that. So I was like … what? mer police officer Derek groups stormed state capital As vote counters around cacy work. I find my strength for what is right and for what Some people really think that Chauvin sat nonchalantly buildings with guns after the nation had their lives in these exceptional men and is good.” it’s a good thing to undermine with his knee on George’s Trump tweeted, “LIBERATE threatened, we (the incarcer- women who have not forgot- I wish you all the best in our belief in democracy. We en- neck. Breonna Taylor was MICHIGAN!”,“LIBERATE ated) watched these events ten us. your endeavors, and remem- dure so much death and loss in shot and killed in a police VIRGINIA!”, “LIBERATE unfold from prison cells, serv- Nina Turner, former Ohio ber that love for each other can our lives we lost icons such as raid prompted by something MINNESOTA!” To protest ing decades of time. And we state senator who is now run- conquer all. Black Panther star Chadwick she was not involved in. coronavirus lockdowns there are considered the dangerous ning for a newly vacant seat in Have a good year. NC law students focus to help the incarcerated As COVID-19 forces many The Prison Letter Project ies. This makes the Prison The research program al- To protect law students law school,” said Willard. “It schools and universities to face provides research for legal Letter Project a much-needed lows the incarcerated to re- against the coronavirus, the is an opportunity for them to closure, the students at Wake information requests from resource for North Carolina’s ceive up to 40 pages (20 pages project’s virtual model helps step back from the law school Forest University, through its North Carolina’s incarcer- incarcerated to get current le- front and back) of requested process the incoming request. environment, apply what they Prison Letter Project, had to ated population. gal information. legal research. The most com- “Whenever we receive a have learned in the classroom refocus how to provide research With the coronavirus “We are here to help as mon requests include: letter, we scan it and send it and put their research skills services to those incarcerated in causing major outbreaks in much as we can,” said Wil- • Case law (opinions to a student to complete the into practice.” their state. most of the nation’s prison lard. “However, Prison Let- from cases), request,” said Williard. “They The program is rewarding “We’ve transitioned to a vir- systems, many prisons have ter Project cannot give legal • Statutory text on return their letters, which are for those who help with the tual model,” said Ashley Wil- shut down such prison op- advice or provide representa- criminal charges or reviewed to make sure that work, said Willard. The whole lard, about the pro bono project. erations as visiting, self-help tion to anyone.” This means sentencing guidelines, the research is complete and Prison Letter team enjoys get- “Many of our law students are groups, access to recreation, that the project can provide • Information about mo- accurate, and we print off the ting the word out about this working from home now.” and regular and law librar- research on any legal topic re- tions for appropriate research and mail everything experience. quested, but cannot apply that relief. back (to those that have re- “Our wait-list is always research to the facts of any “The more specific the re- quested the information),” she full of students eager to give particular case, she added. quest, the better we will be explained. their time and help however Willard recognizes that able to help,” said Willard. “If The project’s continued they can,” she said. “We love some incarcerated people you know the citation of a cer- legal and criminal justice in- to spread the word about our may have those needs, but tain case or a statute, that’s es- novation is not only helping program so more students get their program only provides pecially helpful. If a request is the incarcerated but providing the chance to be involved.” research. vague, we still try our best to the next generation of lawyers North Carolina incarcer- “Fortunately, there are gather research. But we have a with the hands-on training ated can write the project at: many other organizations, better chance of gathering the they will need for a profession WFU Law Prison Letters including Wake Forest Inno- information that individuals that includes judges, prosecu- Professional Center Library cence and Justice Clinic, that need if the requests are clear tors and defense attorneys. P.O. Box 7206 are set up to provide those ser- and specific as possible,” she “This is their first opportu- Winston-Salem, NC 27109 vices,” she said. added. nity to help someone during —Marcus Henderson

month due to COVID-19’s experience for me.” impact on the lack of family The VPass scheduling Prospective visitors must submit visiting requests directly to the institution where their loved one is VISITS interactions. CDCR has yet process will no longer be used housed, using the designated email addresses for each institution. Reservations will be taken weekly, Continued from Page 1 to mention if the free calls to schedule visits. Approved beginning each Saturday at 8 a.m. through Monday at 8 a.m. for visits the following weekend. will continue to be offered. visitors will now be required “Because my family lives Even without the physical to submit visiting requests to • Avenal State Prison: [email protected] out of state, and many of them visiting, some of the each institution’s designated • California City Correctional Facility: [email protected] are too old to make the trip incarcerated population email address (see box). • Calipatria State Prison: [email protected] out here, it is a blessing for look forward to having Video visiting pilots • California Correctional Center: [email protected] me to have that interaction by that connection with their took place at the following • California Correctional Institution: [email protected] whatever means necessary,” families to help deal with institutions the weekend of • Central California Women’s Facility: [email protected] said Leonard F. Brown, a San their mental health. Some Dec. 5 and 6: San Quentin • Centinela State Prison: [email protected] Quentin resident, about his people have lost loved ones State Prison, Valley State • California Health Care Facility, Stockton: [email protected] visit. “Something had to be and had to process that loss Prison, Central California • California Institution for Men: [email protected] done to give us access to our without knowing what was Women’s Facility, California • California Institution for Women: [email protected] loved ones, and if it has to be in going on at home. Institute for Men, and Mule • California Men’s Colony: [email protected] an empty visiting room and on “For the guys whose Creek State Prison. • California Medical Facility: [email protected] a computer monitor, then I’m mothers have passed away, On Dec. 12 and Dec. 13, • California State Prison, Corcoran: [email protected] blessed for that privilege.” if they could have talked the following institutions • California Rehabilitation Center: [email protected] The video-visiting to her, or even seen her on conducted video visiting: • Correctional Training Facility: [email protected] program first rolled out in five video, (that) would have California City Correctional • Chuckawalla Valley State Prison: [email protected] institutions: San Quentin State been a blessing,” said Patrick Facility; California Institution • Deuel Vocational Institution: [email protected] Prison, California Institution Baylis, a San Quentin for Women; California State • Folsom State Prison: [email protected] for Men, Mule Creek State resident.” So people should Prison, Corcoran; California • High Desert State Prison: [email protected] Prison, Valley State Prison, and take advantage of the video Rehabilitation Center; Kern • Ironwood State Prison: [email protected] Central California Women’s visiting because not only is Valley State Prison; North • Kern Valley State Prison: [email protected] Facility, but has since expanded it a blessing to us, it’s also a Kern State Prison; Pleasant • California State Prison, Los Angeles County: [email protected] to all the institutions. blessing to our families.” Valley State Prison; Sierra • Mule Creek State Prison: [email protected] Families are allowed to CDCR was working Conservation Center; Salinas • North Kern State Prison: [email protected] schedule a visit every 30 days. toward reopening in-person Valley State Prison; Avenal • Pelican Bay State Prison: [email protected] The video calls are on a secure visits with limitations, but State Prison; Centinela • Pleasant Valley State Prison: [email protected] and encrypted Webex computer with California COVID State Prison; California • Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility: [email protected] system. According to the cases across the state on Correctional Institution; • California State Prison, Sacramento: [email protected] CDCR, visits may be canceled the rise, prisoners and California Men’s Colony; • Substance Abuse Treatment Facility: [email protected] at any time for health and safety staff safety trumped its Chuckawalla Valley State • Sierra Conservation Center: [email protected] reasons. occurrence, according to Prison; Folsom State Prison; • California State Prison Solano: [email protected] “For what’s going on right CDCR website. But video Substance Abuse Treatment • San Quentin State Prison: [email protected] now, (with COVID) it’s good, visits will be used at this Facility and California State • Salinas Valley State Prison: [email protected] and I applaud CDCR for its time. Prison Solano. • Valley State Prison: [email protected] effort,” said San Quentin “After our visit, we On Dec. 19 and Dec. • Wasco State Prison: [email protected] resident Anthony Waldrip. were made to go through 20 the following sites Prior to the video visiting the metal detectors,” said conducted video visits: Care Facility; California County; Pelican Bay State Correctional Center; Deuel program, CDCR and Global Brooks. “I don’t understand California State Prison, Medical Facility; Ironwood Prison; Richard J. Donovan Vocational Institution; High Tel Link had joined together to the philosophy of that, but Sacramento; Calipatria State State Prison; California Correctional Facility; Wasco Desert State Prison and offer two free phone calls per the visit itself was not a bad Prison; California Health State Prison, Los Angeles State Prison; California Correctional Training Facility Page 6 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com January 2021 Online publishing community puts incarcerated voices front and center

By Joe Garcia incarcerated persons to con- Journalism Guild tribute their insight and ex- Chairperson perience to the historic nar- rative of mass incarceration Fueled by the growing in- for its publishing platform terest in real-life reporting prisonjournalismproject.org. from behind bars, the Prison It accepts articles, essays, Journalism Project (PJP) op-eds, poetry, art and pho- launched itself in April 2020 tographs. as a national nonprofit plat- “Most media that report form for incarcerated writ- on incarceration use easier ers and artists. sources, the easier access Executive Directors Yu- of relying on the prosecu- kari Kane and Shaheen Pa- tor’s and law enforcement’s sha originally co-founded side of the story,” noted Mc- PJP to create a textbook and Queen, adding that writers Photo from PJP Photo from PJP curriculum to expand jour- behind the wall can help pro- Christopher Etienne Yukari Kane nalism education inside the vide “a fuller, more rounded walls. But with COVID-19 picture.” shutting down regular in- Formerly incarcerated side programming across the multimedia journalist Chris- country, PJP shifted gears topher Etienne also recently into online publishing. joined the organization as a “We realized this was a director to explore new ways historic moment — in terms of telling stories by combin- of prisoners not being ad- ing dispatches from inside equately prepared for this with photos, video and mu- health crisis — not being sic. given masks, not being able “Yukari and Shaheen are to social distance, etc.,” said both really smart, talented Kane, who is also an adviser workaholics,” said Mc- for San Quentin News. Queen, whose main focus PJP had initially intended lies in the history and prac- to focus on stories about CO- tice of journalism. “The fact Photo from PJP Photo from PJP VID-19, but they broadened that the three of us are at Kate McQueen Shaheen Pasha the scope because writers three different universities had so much to say about across the country, we’ve ly published Q&A featured women, LGBTQ community George Floyd, mental health, been able to combine our former Death Row Records members and people held parenting from behind the knowledge, our interests and CEO Suge Knight, who gave in immigration detention bars and other issues. our individual networks.” the interview to an incarcer- centers or prisons on Native “The men and women In addition to its own ated reporter serving time American reservations. inside needed an outlet for publication, PJP helps put with him at the Donovan It also wants to hear from their voice,” said Pasha. its writers’ work in front Prison near San Diego. the incarceration-impacted By propelling the voice of experienced editors at “I want to see writers people — that includes fami- of the incarcerated commu- outside publications. Using learn new ways to be cre- ly, friends, corrections staff, nity into mainstream media, their strong contact base, ative,” said McQueen. “And prison volunteers and educa- PJP hopes to provide writ- PJP has already helped learn to write with style — tors, medical personnel and ers and artists a route into place stories by incarcerated in order to tell a true story.” legal advocates — anyone the national conversation on writers onto the pages of Using social media to en- who has something to say. criminal and social justice the San Francisco Public gage conversation, PJP is Kane said she hoped to reform. Press, Street Spirit and the drawing as much attention eventually bring together a “People need to know Washington Post. as possible to their writers’ number of incarcerated re- that journalism is absolutely “The power of any com- product. porters from inside different necessary behind bars,” ex- munity comes down to the “I just got a tweet from facilities for one big collab- plained Pasha. “Think about power of its numbers — so a lady in Australia,” said orative story project. PJP is it. The number of incarcer- the more prison writers tell an excited Pasha. “That re- also looking for incarcerated ated persons in America their stories, the more clear sponse, that acceptance, with artists who can mix imagery — that’s the equivalent of a and complete that story will which people are embracing and words into a compelling small country. How can you be,” said Kane. “We don’t these stories about things story. “We want to keep this thing To send stuff and or/ask have a whole country with- want to tell you what to they have no prior experi- Kane, McQueen and Pa- sustainable,” said Pasha. questions: out journalism?” write. We have ideas, but ence with in their lives… it sha all juggle the demands For now, PJP prompts writ- PJP, 2093 Philadelphia As veteran reporters nobody can tell stories about shows that our writers’ work of their academic careers ers and artists to express their Pike #1054, themselves, journalism pro- what’s inside better than the has value.” with their PJP commitments. vision for 2021 and beyond. Claymont, DE 19703 fessors Kane and Pasha use incarcerated community.” PJP welcomes and looks In addition to recruiting an Optimism? Fear? Outrage? PJP also accepts sub- their experience to support So far to date, PJP sub- for stories from all sectors army of volunteers and as- Transformation? What mo- missions by outside email: prison writers willing to pro- missions total more than 250 of incarceration. It wants sistants, they are explor- tivates you throughout your [email protected] duce content. Together with stories from over 100 writers to make a particular effort ing funding through grants, own incarcerated experience? and through JPay: prison- Director Kate McQueen, inside correctional facilities to publish work by under- awards and their nonprofit How did you spend your New [email protected] (for facili- the PJP team encourages all across 26 states. One recent- represented voices such as donor base. Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day? ties with access) Q Ball nominated for Emmy Awards in 2020

By Timothy Hicks Aaron “Showtime” Taylor that anybody can be a part of Sports Editor and Anthony Ammons were if they have enough love and some of the stars featured in tolerance in their heart. San Quentin–filmed Q the film and who were stoked The self-proclaimed Ball was nominated for a about the nomination. “Voice of SQ Sports,” Aar- Sports Emmy Award for Q: How does it feel to be on “Showtime” Taylor, has Outstanding Long Sports in a documentary that was since paroled and is now liv- Documentary, making it the nominated for an Emmy? ing in the free world. Before first Sports Emmy-nominat- A: (Anthony Ammons) he left, he was asked: ed prison documentary film I’m amazed of what God can Q: How does it feel to be a in California’s prison his- do in here that allows people part of a Sports Emmy-nom- tory. “They didn’t see our to see us: I’m in awe. God al- inated film and to win the clothes or our incarceration,” lowed light to shine in a dark Seattle International Film said San Quentin resident situation that maybe kids can Festival? Anthony Ammons, who was see and don’t make the same A: (Aaron “Showtime” one of the stars in the film. decisions I did. I’m thank- Taylor) Being the voice of Speaking of those who nom- ful that I can be in a place of sports at The Q was some- inated the film, Ammon add- vulnerability. thing I took great pride in. ed, “They saw a good story Q: What do you want Being nominated is hope- Photo by Eddie Herena and good human beings— people to take from the film, fully the beginning for me Filming of Q Ball inside San Quentin’s gym they saw that we made some both inside and out? in having a great career in bad decisions, but we are not A: (Rafael Cuevas) I broadcasting. Rebekah (Fergusson) that only incarcerated represent- American Experience the bad decisions we made.” would prefer if the spotlight Q: What did you get from we’d be nominated because ing on the film; and all the Films, ESPN’s 30 for30, In addition to its Sports was on the incredible ges- the experience with Q Ball? our film was real and raw. I viewers. I hope they see our Playing for the Mob, Bad Emmy nomination, Q Ball- ture of love that our volun- A: (Showtime) Valuable was right about that part. humanity and our struggle on Boys and Once Brothers. won the Documentary Com- teers show when they com- experience and exposure. Q: Anything you want to our road towards redemption. Andrew DeWitt worked petition in the Seattle In- mit to participating in the I got to see the other guys add? In addition to Q Ball’s on several docs including ternational Film Festival in programs. These men and open themselves up to a de- A: (Cuevas) Yeah, I want Sports Emmy nomination for Obit: Life on Deadline and 2019. women sacrifice so much to gree and be vulnerable in to give a shot to the produc- Long Sports Documentary, American Winter. There were a number of bring us hope, support, and ways that I’m not used to tion team, the ones who re- its composer Joel Goodman The Seattle International people who worked on the give a sense of community. seeing them be. ally deserve the accolades. and music production Film Festival’s jury award- film and were very instru- …Everybody should be im- Q: Anything else you Mike, Jordan, and Rebekah, manager Andrew Dewitt were ed its Grand Jury Prize to mental in its creation. San pacted. want to say? for her seeing a story in our nominated for Outstanding Q Ball “for its refreshing Quentin News captured Q: Do you think more sto- A: (Showtime) Yeah, I program; Kevin Durant for Music Direction/Composition/ positivity and skillful por- some of the guys’ reactions ries like this need to be told? told (producers) Mike (To- believing in us; Cutty and Lyrics. Goodman has worked trayal of vivid characters in a Q&A. Rafael Cuevas, A: (Cuevas) This is a story lajian), Jordan (deBree), and Maserati E, who were the on Independent Lens, and honest camaraderie.” January 2021 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 7 San Quentin News’ people of 2020 from politicians to athletes to celebrities

Photo by CCWP Photo by Lisa Strawn Photo from Initiate Justice Photo from Hudson Link Kelly Savage Lisa Strawn Taina Angeli Vargas Sean Pica Photo by Wikipedia TRUST and Project LA and Health & Wellness programs volunteers

Photo from Instagram Photo by Wikipedia Photo from Brendon Woods Photo by Wikipedia Photo by Wikipedia Van Jones, Bryan Stevenson, Michael B. Jordan, Phil Ting Brendon Woods Barbara Lee Gavin Newsom Niija Kuykendall and Scott Budnick

Photo by Wikipedia Photo by Wikipedia Photo by Wikipedia Photo by Wikipedia Photo by Wikipedia Photo by Wikipedia Photo by Eddie Herena Michael Jordan LeBron James Colin Kaepernick Jay-Z Robert Kraft Meek Mill Common

Photo by Wikipedia Photo from the Marshall Project Photo from FRCC Photo by Wikipedia Photo by Justice Collaborative Photo by Wikipedia Photo from alcoda.org John Legend Lawrence Bartley Desmond Meade Nancy Skinner Kate Chatfield Michael Bloomberg Nancy O’Malley

Photo from ARC Photo from CCWP Photo from shakasenghor.com Photo by Wikipedia Photo by Wikipedia Photo form David Jassy Sam Lewis Laverne Shoemaker Shaka Senghor Reggie Jones-Sawyer Marc Levine David Jassy

and Death Row incarcerated, all the incarcerated workers, relationship with and know signing the First Step Act still hundreds of kids who and getting people released the porters and kitchen their work. and releasing Alice Johnson. have not been reunited with 2020 from prison. She visited San workers. President Donald Trump But he also reinstituted the their families. Continued from Page 1 Quentin and helped with If we missed anyone on was probably the only person federal Death Penalty, which So these actions may have the release of our colleague the list, it was not intention- we had for the list that caused has killed at least eight people negated the positive — you We thank Kim David Jassy. We thank al; it’s simply because we debate, not for political to date. And he established be the judge, but this list is Kardashian for helping get and honor the many social have limited resources. Most reasons but for strictly policies to detain and separate for the forward moving. legislation passed, fighting justice organizations — we people who made our list we criminal justice reform children from their parents at We thank you all again for incarcerated juveniles appreciate you all. We thank have a continuing working reasons. We recognize his detention centers. There are and keep up the good fight. Page 8 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com January 2021

In October, students at Miami Youth Academy and men at San Quentin State Prison in California started a letter exchange facilitated by the Prison Journalism Project. The men were asked to initiate by writing about what they would do differently if they knew as a teenager what they know now. The following is a letter from Heriberto, followed by the students’ responses. The Miami Youth Academy houses up to 28 boys from 14 to 18 years old, who are sent there by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

The following are responses from the students: Dear MYA Students, Dear Heriberto, If I were a teenager now, what would I do differently, given what I’ve learned through my experiences? Damn man, I relate to everything you said. Hence the reason why I’m incarcerated right now. I skipped school, trying to I would not solve my problems through violence. I would not fight to prove how fit in to act cool. I started affiliating with a gang by age 14 and dropped out in 8th grade. tough I was or to earn respect. The momentary relief I always felt after a fight I Now look at me. My best friend graduated high school, even though he was skipping school with me. I was so influenced could have gotten from working out. I would walk away from aggression, or try to by negative vibes I turned into someone who I was not. I even took a possession charge for him two years ago, not knowing talk my problems out if I could. If not, I would avoid that person or situation. If the he wasn’t a true friend that wanted me to succeed. problems continued, I would talk to my parents, another adult, or teacher about I’m sitting in a program and all my friends are out living their life. I finally learned who I really am and that only family will what I was going through. I would even call the cops if I had to. always be there and will forever be solid. Keep your head up big dawg. I know I’m a little too late to say that, but I hope this brightens your day and you will keep I know now that the best way to solve a problem that I can’t solve on my own is on pushing to be the best person you can. to ask for help. There are people who care and want to help, even though at times it may seem like they don’t. I would trust others — especially those in positions of Sincerely, authority. If they happened to let me down, I wouldn’t let that stop me from trust- N. H. ing those that hadn’t. There are so many good people in the world; one just has to look. Dear Heriberto,

Patience is so important. As a teenager, I wanted to have money to buy every- I was very excited to hear from you. Thank you for giving me some wisdom and motivation to become greater than what thing I wanted, and I didn’t want to wait for it. I wanted it immediately. Having to I am. work and save took too much time. Stealing things and selling drugs gave me what I wish you could have an opportunity to be a productive citizen with a bright future. I wish that you could get out and I wanted faster, but I know now that the cost was too high. become the greatest you could be and also become anyone you want to be. Thank you for being able to write this letter to me and my peers. Sometimes,I feel like life is messed up, but now I see I should have realized that causing pain, then justifying my actions isn’t worth my life could be much worse. You seem like a very cool person. I pray that you get another chance. I sometimes wonder if any amount of money, especially considering the consequences. I wish I had good things are real, but I see that some miracles can happen. thought about those consequences realistically, and considered how my actions If you didn’t know that you have someone that really appreciates you and hopes that you thrive, it is me. Love will free could affect my victims, my family, myself. I should have imagined myself in their you. shoes and thought about how I would feel if it happened to me or one of my loved ones. You can’t take back the pain you put someone through — they carry that. Sincerely, D. K. Then, there’s the punishment that comes — your consequences. Who likes jail? This is no place to live. You can’t get the time back. Dear Heriberto,

I would never have joined a gang. I was willing to live or die for my old gang. I am now 18 years old. I’ve been locked up for a while now and have two more months left until I step into the real world What were they willing to do for me when I got arrested? Nothing. Not even write with another chance. I appreciate you for writing this letter. It shows that you really care for us and care about our lives. me a letter. They forgot about me. They turned their backs on me when I gave up everything. True friendship is when someone puts their hand out to lift you up, I am thankful for the program, because I could have had worse consequences because I was moving real fast without not to hand you drugs or a weapon. A true friend will say, “Let’s go to school,” not even thinking. I let my impulsive behavior choose my decision. The program taught me to choose the right decision. It’s convince you to ditch class. They’ll tell you, “Don’t get high” — they won’t want you hard to stay up in here, so I try to think about the positive things, so I can keep going with my time and get out of here on to get in trouble. They will want you to succeed, not to be into things that would time. bring you down. Sincerely, I wouldn’t have blamed my circumstances for my position in life; I should have stopped thinking I didn’t have a choice. Good or bad, there is always a choice. I A.W. should have weighed the pros and cons of my decisions. Sometimes life is tough and there are things we can’t change, but sometimes we can. Be willing to accept Dear Heriberto, that, keep working towards your goals, and don’t get discouraged — don’t ever give up on yourself. I can relate to your letter because I was telling myself the same thing. When I was doing the thing I was out there doing, I would have loved myself. I would have believed that no matter what, I have I told myself that one day I will turn my life around. I would never want to be in jail longer than one second, so I know for value. I am a human being who isn’t perfect — but there is no one else like me in sure what you are going through right now is very hard. the entire world. I am only in this program for one year, but it feels like I am in here for a longer period of my life. One day I hope to God I can be with you and your family, and He can give you a blessing so you can go home to your family and live your life. Sincerely, All the best, Heriberto Arredondo N. C. Rebuilding his life after 44 years of incarceration from 1170d By Ruby Wilks an environment “designed to solitary confinement. of Vacaville.” of medical condi- Davis Vanguard maximize sensory depriva- He later became a plaintiff Harris said Redd’s release tions as a result of tion, designed to basically in a prisoner-led class action was possible because of a the shabby medi- At age 63 and during a pan- maximize mental suffering, lawsuit, Ashker v Newsom 2018 law that gave prosecu- cal program that demic, Paul Redd begins to pain, and anguish, and for in- (2015), that, among other re- tors power to recommend re- existed because build his life outside of prison dividuals to mentally decom- forms, ended indeterminate sentences, and the election of CDCR doesn’t after 44 years of incarcera- pensate as a consequence,” solitary confinement and the DA Boudin. want to spend the tion despite serious health commented Carbone. practice of “gang validations” After Redd’s release, Har- money to send problems. Prison officials claimed in California prisons. ris helped him connect with you to see the In 1975, a San Francisco they placed Rudd in the SHU Despite serious weakness- the Five Keys Re-Entry Pro- necessary spe- jury found then the 19-year- because, despite a lack of any es in the case against him, his gram in Oakland. The pro- cialists, to get the old Oakland resident guilty real evidence, they deemed impressive prison record and gram staff is helping Redd necessary tests of first-degree murder of a him a Black Guerilla Family resume, his serious health get his Social Security, Medi- done, etc.” local drug dealer; he was sen- affiliate. conditions, and his solid re- Cal, medication, and driver’s When he tenced to seven years to life This practice, termed entry plan, he was denied license. sought mental in prison. “gang validations,” gave parole more than 18 times be- Redd has a strong family health support at One of the two other men CDCR the legal license to fore he lost count. network and has developed CMF, he was told arrested for the same crime place people in solitary con- San Francisco Public De- meaningful personal and pro- that since he was pled guilty to a lesser charge finement for decades, not fender Danielle Harris came fessional relationships inside not on psych med- and testified at trial that Redd based on any criminal or un- to visit him and explained and outside of prison. ication—“what committed the murder. For lawful activity, but because that he was, instead, pursuing Redd accepted an offer they call triple this deal, he served no time in of a supposed gang associa- release through 1170(d). Redd from American Friends Ser- CMS,” he told jail or prison. tion. cried tears of joy. vice Committee (AFSC) in me—he wouldn’t This man’s testimony was Association could be as Harris assembled a pack- Oakland, a social justice and be provided with the only evidence against simple as “having artwork or age, strengthened by sup- activism organization. mental health as- Redd, who has always main- a book that supposedly had porting letters from nurses, In 2015, Redd found out he sistance. tained his innocence. gang connotations associ- psychologists, and others had a tumor on the top of his He hopes to Photo courtesy of Paul Redd Redd spent over 30 of his ated with it, talking in a law who worked with Redd in a right lung and was diagnosed help others find a Paul Redd 44 years of incarceration in library, (or) communicating prison hospice center. Harris with stage four lung cancer. way to freedom solitary confinement. He was through mail with people then submitted the package Battling cancer inspired through 1170(d) and to work He said he also wants file a kept alone in a concrete, win- who supposedly had gang to San Francisco District At- Redd to create a cancer sup- against the stigma and harm- class action lawsuit on behalf dowless, poorly ventilated connections, even if you’re torney Chesa Boudin, who port group in California ful stereotypes that surround of cancer patients that he be- cell for between 22 and 24 talking about the most in- recommended the court recall Medical Facility in Vacaville. those convicted of crimes. lieves developed cancer from hours a day nocuous, ordinary incident,” Redd’s sentence. Elaborating on the utterly “I want to see if I can put asbestos exposure in prison. “Paul lived in conditions pointed out Carbone. “I want people out now,” inadequate health services together a team to work with This article is reprinted that were at the time the During his time in Pelican said Harris. in prison, Paul said, “there is me to file a class action law- with the permission of the worst prison conditions in Bay’s Secured Housing Unit, By mid-May 2020, Redd no regard for the human life suit for money damages for Davis Vanguard. The origi- the United States,” stated at- Redd participated in the 2011 said, “The judge vacated my of prisoners inside these pris- all those decades they kept nal version of this article ap- torney Charles Carbone, who and 2013 hunger strikes that murder conviction, gave me ons.” us in solitary confinement, peard on the DavisVanguard. represented Redd and other united prisoners of many manslaughter credit for time “That’s why a lot of these like they did. It contributed org website on July 8,2020. inmates in a class action law- races, making national news served, and ordered I be re- people have a lot of these ail- to a lot of our health problems The version printed here has suit. and demanding attention to leased immediately. Within ments: they’re elderly, they’re today—the sleep apnea, the been edited for length by a Rudd was forced to live in the inhumane conditions of four or five days, I walked out at high risk, with a number cancer, etc.” San Quentin News advisor January 2021 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 9 Four new California DAs pushing for social justice By Elton Kelley alliance plans to educate and Journalism Guild Writer lobby Sacramento lawmakers against measures that may be New voices are growing harmful to criminal justice in California’s District reform. Attorneys’ offices with the Like this year’s Proposition goal to bring modern and 20—the measure was diverse approaches to public bought and supported by safety, according to a KQED law enforcement agencies article. to repeal Proposition 47 A small group of DAs has and other reforms that aim formed a progressive law to reduce the overcrowded enforcement association, also prison population in the state. known as the Prosecutors The measure failed to pass on Alliance of California. the November ballot. “What is clear is that the “I find that very insulting. Photo from Wikipedia Photo from Contracostaca.gov Photo from sjgov.gov Photo from cristinedeberry.com criminal justice system we I am a voter and I take my DA Chesa Boudin DA Diana Becton DA Tori Salazar Cristine DeBerry, have had in this country voting responsibility very Executive Director no longer serves our best seriously,” said Salazar to which shows how the power issues. different perspectives on Prosecutors Alliance of interests,” said Cristine Soto KQED, noting 60% of people of local prosecutors has “The problem that I criminal justice issues. California DeBerry, executive director voted for reforms such as increased mass incarceration. struggled with was that there San Francisco is not like of the initiative, told KQED. Proposition 47 prior to the “So, if you have district wasn’t space for other voices Riverside, said Vern Pierson, Salazar. “I didn’t start my “And arguably never did serve repeal attempt. “So, are you attorneys united in saying to be heard. There wasn’t a head of the California District career thinking I’m going our best interest.” really saying 60% to 65% of that sentencing reform is a space for growth and change,” Attorneys Association to be sitting next to these The alliance consists of our community is uneducated bad idea, or it’s not safe—that said Salazar, on why she joined (CDAA) and DA of El Dorado guys (the alliance). I had Diana Becton of Contra Costa and ignorant and didn’t know sends a really strong message. the alliance. “Every time that County to KQED. The CDAA to have that very difficult County; Tori Verber Salazar, what they were voting for?” (But) If you have some DAs there was an opportunity represents 57 DAs and 4,000 conversation with myself as San Joaquin County; Chesa To restore people’s trust on the other side, even if it’s to look at criminal justice non-elected prosecutors in the to what was my ethical and Boudin of San Francisco; and confidence in the system, the minority, saying “Wait, differently and to have that state, according to the article. moral responsibility and what and George Gascon, recently the progressive DAs see the wait, wait, we don’t need these really difficult conversation “I don’t have a problem was my fiscal responsibility to elected Los Angeles County need to provide real debates heavy sentences to do our and really look at our role in with the new organization,” my community. And how do DA. around reforms with their jobs ... that really changes the all of this... instead of saying, said Pierson. “It represents a I start healing it by building As some law enforcement counterparts and the state conversation.” ‘This is an opportunity,’ small segment of that.” trust and transparency.” agencies seek to undo criminal Legislature. Changing that conversation they immediately went to He notes that the two “It certainly sounds justice reform gains, the group “It changes who’s speaking can be frustrating for the opposition and opposed all parties can partner on some good,” said Shawn Barth, and its advocacy members are for law enforcement, right?” progressive DAs when they criminal justice or most issues. San Quentin resident to San set to be an alternative voice said journalist Emily Bazelon, speak to other hardliner DAs criminal justice reforms.” “I will definitely get Quentin News. “It’s been a in those discussions. The new author of the book “Charged,” about different approaches to Different counties have backlash for this,” said DA long time coming.

Photo by Wikipedia Photo by Wikipedia The Edmund Pettus Bridge where civil rights marchers were beaten in 1964 King inside a jail cell

closed to colored children, a moral responsibility to stop us, the opposition we now department. college students, and a host and see ominous clouds of disobey unjust laws. I would face will surely fail. We will It is true that the police of their elders, courageously LETTER inferiority beginning to form agree with St. Augustine that win our freedom because the have exercised a degree and nonviolently sitting in at Continued from Page 1 in her little mental sky, and “an unjust law is no law at sacred heritage of our nation of discipline in handling lunch counters and willingly see her beginning to distort all.“ and the eternal will of God the demonstrators. In going to jail for conscience’ We must come to see, with her personality by developing Where were their voices are embodied in our echoing this sense they have sake. One day the South one of our distinguished an unconscious bitterness when the lips of Governor demands. Before closing I feel conducted themselves rather will know that they were in jurists, that “justice too long toward white people; Barnett dripped with impelled to mention one other “nonviolently“ in public. reality standing up for what is delayed is justice denied.“ When you are harried by words of interposition and point in your statement that But for what purpose? To best in the American dream, We have waited for more day and haunted by night by nullification? Where were has troubled me profoundly. preserve the evil system of thereby bringing our nation than 340 years for our the fact that you are a Negro, they when Governor Wallace You warmly commended segregation. Perhaps Mr. back to those great wells constitutional and God given living constantly at tiptoe gave a clarion call for defiance the Birmingham police force Connor and his policemen of democracy which were rights. “Wait.“ But when you stance, never quite knowing and hatred? Where were for keeping “order“ and have been rather nonviolent in dug deep by the founding have seen vicious mobs lynch what to expect next, and are their voices of support when “preventing violence.“ I doubt public, as was Chief Pritchett fathers in their formulation your mothers and fathers at plagued with inner fears and bruised and weary Negro that you would have so warmly in Albany, Georgia, but they of the Constitution and the will and drown your sisters outer resentments; when men and women decided to commended the police force if have used the moral means Declaration of Independence. and brothers at whim; when you are forever fighting rise from the dark dungeons you had seen its dogs sinking of nonviolence to maintain “ you have seen hate filled a degenerating sense of of complacency to the bright their teeth into unarmed, the immoral end of racial I hope this letter finds you policemen curse, kick and “nobodiness“--then you will hills of creative protest?“ nonviolent Negroes. I doubt injustice. strong in the faith. Let us all even kill your black brothers understand why we find Yes, these questions are that you would so quickly I wish you had commended hope that the dark clouds of and sisters; when you see the it difficult to wait. There still in my mind. commend the policemen if the Negro sit inners racial prejudice will soon vast majority of your twenty comes a time when the cup I have no despair about the you were to observe their ugly and demonstrators of pass away and the deep fog million Negro brothers of endurance runs over, and future. I have no fear about and inhumane treatment of Birmingham for their sublime of misunderstanding will be smothering in an airtight cage men are no longer willing to the outcome of our struggle in Negroes here in the city jail; if courage, their willingness lifted from our fear drenched of poverty in the midst of an be plunged into the abyss of Birmingham. For more than you were to watch them push to suffer and their amazing communities, and in some affluent society; when you despair. I hope, sirs, you can two centuries our forebears and curse old Negro women discipline in the midst of not too distant tomorrow suddenly find your tongue understand our legitimate and labored in this country and young Negro girls; if great provocation. One day the radiant stars of love and twisted and your speech unavoidable impatience. without wages; they made you were to see them slap the South will recognize its brotherhood will shine over stammering as you seek to The answer lies in the cotton king; they built the and kick old Negro men and real heroes. They will be old, our great nation with all their explain to your six year old fact that there are two types homes of their masters while young boys; if you were to oppressed, battered Negro scintillating beauty. daughter why she can’t go to of laws: just and unjust. I suffering gross injustice and observe them, as they did on women, who rose up with a Yours for the cause of the public amusement park would be the first to advocate shameful humiliation -and yet two occasions, refuse to give sense of dignity and decided Peace and Brotherhood, that has just been advertised obeying just laws. One has out of a bottomless vitality us food because we wanted not to ride segregated buses, Martin Luther King, Jr. on television, and see tears not only a legal but a moral they continued to thrive and to sing our grace together. I “My feets is tired, but my Published in: welling up in her eyes when responsibility to obey just develop. If the inexpressible cannot join you in your praise soul is at rest.“ They will be King, Martin Luther Jr. she is told that Funtown is laws. Conversely, one has cruelties of slavery could not of the Birmingham police the young high school and Written on April 16, 1963 Page 10 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com January 2021

1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Edited by Jan Perry Crossword 11 12 13 14

Snippets 15 16 17 17 Across “Down ingernails and hair do not, 18 19 20 Fin fact, continue to grow 1. Bodily disorder (Abbr.) 1. Big hospital in the Bay Area after you die. To grow, these 4. Bit 2. Philippine volcano 21 22 must have a steady supply 7. Roman emperor 3. Peninsula of glucose, which is cut off 11. Singer Johnny 4. Type of order after the heart stops beating, 22 23 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 preventing any further 13. Fable 5. Language of Ethiopia growth. In fact, the skin 14. Type of tooth 6. Those who speak 22 Across 30 31 32 33 34 around the hair follicles and 15. Bargain 7. What back seat drivers are nails dehydrates after death 16. ____ breve 8. Inventor Musk 35 36 37 and partly retracts, which can 17. Major European river 9. South African monetary unit make them appear longer. 38 39 40 18. Credit cards 10. Rocks n the deepest levels of 21. “Good luck” in text speech 12. Math shape 41 42 43 44 Iour oceans are some of 22. Moving lang. (Abbr.) 13. A plain weave the least explored areas of 23. UK’s finding-a-new- 14. Medical tests the planet. Because of the 45 46 47 extreme pressure, cold, and home motto (Acronym) 19. Popular gifts for kids dark at these depths, only the 26. Mashed potato sound 20. Aviation tech 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 very strangest of creatures 30. A column you’ll never 23. Mushroom, clam, and minestrone can survive there. These see in Tic Tac Toe 23. Main vessel 57 58 59 include giant tube worms, 32. Golddigger’s requirement 24. Checks vampire squids, goblin 60 61 62 sharks, and viperfish with 34. Japanese wear 25. ____ of Dragonkind (D&D item) teeth so long that they can’t 35. Get yourself in trouble 27. Devil fruit 63 64 65 close their mouths. Perhaps 38. Pop band from the ‘90s 28. Follow the strangest, though, is the 39. Structures 29. Lake that served as a military base in WWII barreleye, a large fish with a 40. Township in Tibet 30. Woodwind instrument completely transparent head. By Jonathan Chiu 41. Actor Morales 31. Baseball count et” has the largest 43. Donkey 32. Signals Last issue’s answer O R C S P B S M A N N Snumber of meanings 44. Australian jazz-rock group 33. Kevin Costner golf movie L A N A R E T E S A S I A of any word in the English (1971–72) (Abbr.) 36. Scarlett _____ D R E W O H A R A T I N A language, with 430 different 45. Incarcerated point system 37. Myer’s or Gosling’s senses listed in the 1989 S E T Y O U R S I G H T S O N 47. “That’s disgusting” 42. He flew too close to the sun edition of Second Edition E T D V H E A R of the Oxford English 48. A good value 44. Formerly known as Aswan Dictionary. 57. Singer Styles 46. New York rock band A L F R E D S T A K E S 58. Type of horse 48. Motorcycle cops in the Bay Area M E A R A I L S M E S A otton candy was invented 59. Type of noodle 49. It got beat by a turtle Cby a dentist named F O R B I D D E N F R U I T S William Morrison. In 1897, he 60. Common Toyota car 50. US lake A N S I A N O R O R E S partnered with candy-maker 61. Actress Hathaway of 51. “It’s a ____” John C. Wharton to develop The Princess Diaries 52. Can precede 6 Down R A I D E D E L P A S O the cotton candy machine 62. Stereo alternative 53. Kotoko album R O T H E L I (which at the time was known 63. Chocolate company 54. Wedding words A N I N E D A Y S W O N D E R as “Fairy Floss”), and it’s been bringing kids cavities 64. What you can’t hold in 55. Disadvantages C O V E R A R E N A K E T O ever since. 65. Internet slang 56. Actress Mireille T R A M D O N O R I N T O

S I N O A B E E G A D

Last Issue’s Sudoku Brain Teasers Sudoku Answers Solutions Fishbowl- Did you see a fish of a different color in the bowl? You have just experienced an afterimage. In the retina of your eyes, there are three types of color receptors (cones) that are Corner 2 6 9 5 4 1 3 7 8 most sensitive to either red, blue or green. When you stare at a particular color for too long, these 5 8 1 3 7 6 4 2 9 receptors get “fatigued.” When you then look at a different background, the receptors that are tired do not work as well. Therefore, the information from all of the different color receptors is not in 4 7 3 8 9 2 5 6 1 balance. This will create the color “afterimages.” 4 8 5 9 6 1 3 5 2 6 7 9 8 4 Bezold effect-The smaller squares inside the blue and yellow squares are all the same color. They 9 4 6 1 8 3 2 5 7 seem different (magenta and orange) because a color is perceived differently depending on its 7 2 8 9 5 4 6 1 3 relation to adjacent colors (here blue or yellow depending on the outer square).. 5 6 9 6 9 4 7 1 5 8 3 2 Café Wall Illusion-The horizontal lines are straight, even though they do not seem straight. In this 8 1 2 6 3 9 7 4 5 illusion, the vertical zigzag patterns disrupt our horizontal perception. Illusory Motion-The circles do appear to be moving even though they are static. This is due to the 3 2 8 3 5 7 4 2 8 1 9 6 cognitive effects of interacting color contrasts and shape position. Elephant-Tricky, isn’t it?! This picture is an impossible picture that also contains some subjective 7 8 2 6 9 5 4 1 3 7 8 contours, such as the Kanizsa Triangle below: A white triangle (pointing down) can be seen in this 5 8 1 3 7 6 4 2 9 figure even though no triangle is actually drawn. This effect is known as a subjective or illusory 2 7 4 7 3 8 9 2 5 6 1 contour. The contour of the triangle is created by the shapes around it. 1 3 5 2 6 7 9 8 4 Triangle-3 9 4 6 1 8 3 2 5 7 People- 45 7 2 8 9 5 4 6 1 3 4 5 10 could not speak Spanish, 20 could not speak Italian, and 25 could not speak Mandarin. So 6 9 4 7 1 5 8 3 2 there could have been 10 people who spoke none of those languages. However, that would 7 1 3 8 1 2 6 3 9 7 4 5 maximize the number of people who could speak all three, and the problem asks at least how 3 5 7 4 2 8 1 9 6 many speak all three. Therefore, we must assume that these 10, 20, and 25 people are all separate people. Having identified 55 each of whom is missing one language, the remaining 45 9 3 4 speak all three.

LOCK — PIANO > KEY SHIP — CARD > Deck TREE — CAR > Trunk 9 3 7 1 8 SCHOOL — EYE > Pupil, Exam or Private PILLOW — COURT > Case RIVER — MONEY > Bank or Flow BED — PAPER > Sheet ARMY — WATER > Tank TENNIS — NOISE > Racket EGYPTIAN — MOTHER > Mummy SMOKER — PLUMBER > Pipe This issue 2 A blind beggar had a brother who died. What relation was the blind beggar to the brother who 8 7 9 died? “Brother” is not the answer.

6 2 5 You are in a room that has three switches and a closed door. The switches control three light bulbs on the other side of the door. Once you open the door, you may never touch the switches again. 7 6 How can you definitively tell which switch is connected to each of the light bulbs?

9 1 I left my campsite and hiked south for 3 miles. Then I turned east and hiked for 3 miles. I then 2 4 turned north and hiked for 3 miles, at which time I came upon a bear inside my tent eating my food! What color was the bear? 5 6 3 A man is looking at a photograph of someone. His friend asks who it is. The man replies, “Brothers 9 4 7 and sisters, I have none. But that man’s father is my father’s son.” Who was in the photograph? 6 What is special about these words: job, polish, herb? January 2021 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 11 Incarcerated Reentry Resource Directory Note: Some of the programs listed in previous issues had become inactive or have been discontinued. Our apologies to the program as the people writing them. We will do our best to provide updated information and resources to our readers and the incarcerated population. Buddhist Prison Ministry Employment: Job Readiness, Community Support: Peer P.O. Box 426 La Familia Re-Entry Employment Program (REP) Mentorship, General Support: Case Management, Connections to Orcas, CA 98280 Lara Maxey, Program Director Spiritual Support Penpals, Meditation Support, Solitary Top Level 2490 Grove Way, #15 Mary Magdalene Community Services Castro Valley, CA 94546 Clarence Henderson, Supervisor Jericho Vocational Services Center (510) 300-3560 x1260 [email protected] 440 N El Dorado St. 11705 Deputy Yamamoto Pl. Ste. A REP Referrals: [email protected] Stockton, CA 95202 Lynwood, CA 90262 lafamiliacounseling.org/diversion_re_entry_department#parent. (209) 888-4519 marymagdalenecs.com Tel: 323-242-5000, ext 3300 Employment: Job Readiness Training, Assistance with Resume, Employment: Job Readiness Community Support: Peer Mentorship shough@shieldsforfamilies Applications, Interviews, and Conduct-Guided Job Searches Finances: Financial Assistance, General Support: Public Benefits, [email protected] Help with Applications, Transportation within the Community, Clothing Hospitality House “Jericho Vocational Services Center (JVSC) utilizes a “one-stop” Bobby Jones, Employment Case Manager Anti-Recidivism Coalition model for providing supportive services, vocational and educational 181 6th St. 1414 K St., Ste. 150 Sacramento, CA 95814 training, case management and linkage services to enhance the San Francisco, CA 94102 (916) 942-9080 antirecidivism.org possibility of successful outcomes for returning citizens. Working with (415) 369-3050 (415) 749-2196 hospitalityhouse.org Employment: Job Readiness Community Support: Peer federal, state and local criminal justice partners to identify potential Employment: Employment Search, Employment Preparation Mentorship Healthcare: Mental Health Services, General Support: program participants, the overall goal of the program is to provide Finances: Tax Filing Assistance, Housing: Emergency Shelter Ride-Home Services from Custody a continuum of services that will assist individuals re-entering their community in securing and maintaining employment, establishing Sister Warriors Free LAST Ministry, Inc. above-average earnings, and avoiding recidivism.” 320 13th St. 6326 Main Ave., Ste. #22 Oakland, CA 94612 Orangevale, CA 95662 Reentry Organization [email protected] info@ (916) 587-4030 [email protected] lastministry.org sisterwarriorsfreedomcoalition.org sisterwarriorsfree.org Employment: Return to Work Training Housing: Housing Prison Reentry Network Employment: Job Readiness, Community Support: Peer Assistance, Substance Use Support Housing for Women General 1201 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, #200 Mentorship General Support: Ride-Home Services from Custody, Support: Clothing Oakland, CA 94612 Healthcare: Mental Health Services prisonerreentrynetwork.org Center for Employment Opportunity Provides: Advocacy, education and community support Powerhouse Ministries Lonnie Tuck, Alameda County Director 311 Market St. 464 7th St. Community Assessment Service Center (CASC) Folsom, CA 95630 Oakland, CA 94607 Steve Adami, Program Manager (916) 983-0658 [email protected] phmfolsom.org (510) 251-2240 [email protected] ceoworks.org 564 6th St., San Francisco, CA 94103 Employment: Job Readiness, Food, General Support: Family and Employment Opportunities (415) 489-7308 [email protected] Children’s Services, Hygiene Supplies, Worship, Emergency Needs, sfgov.org/adultprobation/casc-community-assessment-service- Homeless Liaison, Housing Legal Urban Alchemy center 72 6th St. Sister to Sister 2 (Serenity House) San Francisco CA 94103 Building Opportunities for 2363A San Pablo Ave. (415) 757-0896 urban-alchemy.us/ Self-Sufficiency (BOSS) For Us By Us Oakland, CA 94612 Employment Opportunities 1600 San Pablo Ave. (510) 891-0464 Fax: (209) 661-7996 serenityhouseoakland@ Oakland, CA 94612 gmail.com serenityhouseoakland.org Motivate LLC 510-844-8221x1604 [email protected] self-sufficiency.org/ Employment: Job Readiness, Food, General Support: Clothing, Abigail Clifford, Talent Acquisition Manage reentry-justice/ Public Benefits, Help with Applications, Transportation Within 353 West St., Unit 225 Provides community Support: Peer Support, Guidance on the Community, Case Management Healthcare: Mental Health, New York, NY 10014 Education, Employment Housing, Substance Use, Health Care Counseling Housing [email protected] motivateco.com San Francisco Bay Area Employment Opportunities Ahimsa Collective Chinese Newcomers Service Center Richard Cruz, Program Manager (925) 402-1170 Jenny Dang, Resource and Referral Specialist Centro Legal mutualaidrestorativejustice.org 777 Stockton St., Ste. 104 (510) 437-1554 Community Support: Online Check-In Circles, Mutual Aid for San Francisco, CA 94108 [email protected] centrolegal.org People Formerly Incarcerated and Domestic Violence, Trauma, (415) 421-2111 Fax (415) 421-2323 [email protected] Finances: Financial Assistance, Financial Assistance for Sexual Harm, Crime Survivors chinesenewcomers.org Undocumented Folks During Pandemic Employment: Employment Search, Finances: Tax Assistance Underground Scholars Free Eats and Pantry Sammie Gilmore, Incarcerated Scholars Program Coordinator Rubicon Reentry Success Center Various Locations in San Francisco Meal Referral: 2400 Bancroft Way 912 Macdonald Ave. (800) 273-6222 Questions: (415) 648-3222 [email protected] Berkeley, CA 94704 Richmond, CA 94801 freeprintshop.org (510) 643-2226 aggielife.ucdavis.edu/organization/beyond-the- (510) 679-2122 rubiconprograms.org stats Employment: Job Readiness, General Support: Family and Project Open Hand-Food Children’s Services, Public Benefits, Help with Applications, Legal Oakland: (510) 622-0221 Project Rebound, Sacramento State University San Francisco: (415) 447-2300 openhand.org 6000 J St., America Works of California Sacramento, CA 95819 564 6th St. Lifelong (916) 278-6794 [email protected] csus.edu/student- San Francisco, CA 94103 837 Addison St. affairs/centers-programs/project-rebound/ (415) 552-9675 americaworks.com Berkeley, CA 94710 (510) 981-4100 lifelongmedical.org Freedom Through Education Our Road Prison Project Healthcare: Urgent Care, Dental, Behavioral Health, Counseling, Delia, Coordinator 3700 East 12th St., Ste. 2E Recovery Support (916) 701-5113 (916) 215-6143 [email protected] Oakland, CA 94621 freedomthrougheducation.com ourroadprisonproject.org Mission Neighborhood Health Center Education: Anger Management, Domestic Violence, Nutrition, Employment: Employment Search, Technology Training, 240 Shotwell St. Communication Finances: Budgeting and Money Management Healthcare Assistance, Skills Building San Francisco, CA 94110 Courses Housing: Sober Living Environment, Transitional Housing, (415) 552-3870 mnhc.org: Uninsured, Low-Income Substance Use: In and Out Patient Services, Relapse Prevention The Last Mile Courses 44 Tehama St. UCSF Mission Mental Health Services San Francisco, CA 94105 2712 Mission St. Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) [email protected] thelastmile.org San Francisco, CA 94110 2301 Mission St., Ste. 301 Employment: Workforce Re-Entry, Job Support (Technology Field) (415) 401-2700sfresourceconnect.org San Francisco, CA 94110 General Support: Free Laptops Healthcare: Psychiatric, Mutual Aid Support (415) 282–3334 medasf.org Education, Employment: Preparation, Finances: Tax Services, YMCA SF Richard Fine’s People’s Clinic Financial Capability Coaching. Additional Languages: Spanish 50 California St., Ste. 650 Healthcare: Primary Care Services San Francisco, CA 94111 1001 Potrero Ave., Bldg. 5, 1st Fl., Ste. 1M Five Keys (415) 777-9622 ymcasf.org San Francisco, CA 94110 70 Oak Grove St. Employment: Employment Search, Employment Preparation, (628) 206-8494 zuckerbergsanfranciscogeneral.org/location/ San Francisco, CA 94107 Workforce Development and Advisors richard-h-fine-clinic/ (415) 734-3310 fivekeyscharter.org/re-entry-no-cal Building Opportunities for Westside Crisis Cerro Coso Community College Self-Sufficiency (BOSS) 245 11th St. Krystal Watkins, Reentry Coordinator Career Training and Employment Center San Francisco, CA 94103 Education: Pre-Parole Reentry Workshops, Employment: Job 1600 San Pablo Ave. (415) 431-9000 Fax: (415) 431-1813 westside-health.org/programs/ Readiness, General Support: Peer Mentorship, Referral to Social Oakland, CA 94612 crisis-clinic Services (510) 844-8221 self-sufficiency.org/reentry-justice/ Emergency Psychiatric Care Employment: Career Training, Employment Center, Career and Northern California Women’s Resource Center Computer Training, GED, Mentorship, Links with Second-Chance La Familia Counseling 930 Bryant St., Employers 24301 Southland Dr., Ste. 300 San Francisco, CA 94103 Hayward, CA 94545 (410) 734-3150 fivekeyscharter.org/programs/#rs-nc Code Tenderloin (510) 300-3110 Education: Educational Support Services,General Support: Case 55 Taylor St. Healthcare: Substance Use Treatment, Counseling, Crisis Management, Gender-specific and Responsive Programming, San Francisco, CA, 94102 Intervention, Mental Support Developing Social Networks, Substance Use (510) 240-2735 codetenderloin.org Pedro Felix, LCSW, Clinical Program Director Anna Phillips, Ph.D., Employment: Preparation, General Support: Transportation, LMFT, Director Mission Hiring Hall Childcare, Finances Legal 1048 Folsom St. Tom Waddell Urban Health Clinic San Francisco, CA 94103 Contra Costa Reentry Network @ Healthright 360 230 Golden Gate Ave. (415) 865-2105 missionhiringhall.org 5119 Lone Tree Way San Francisco, CA 94102 Employment Counseling, Educational Training, Vocational Antioch, CA 94531 (415) 355-7500 sfhealthnetwork.org/primary-care-3/tom-waddell- Training, Support Service Referrals, Job Readiness Training (925) 732-1374 [email protected] healthright360.org urban-health-clinic Page 12 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com January 2021 Incarcerated Reentry Resource Directory

Healthcare: HIV Prevention and Care, Hepatitis C treatment, Marcy Basilia, Coordinator org Healthcare: Mental Health Services, Dental, Optometry, Office-Based Opioid Treatment, Transgender Care, Integrated (916) 442-0185 x100 Pediatrics, Behavioral Health, Women’s Health Behavioral Health Services, Podiatry, and Dental Service Additional [email protected] [email protected] Family Bridges - Community Health Home Program Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Tagalog, French, Italian saccenter.org 168 11th St. Central Valley Indian Health Healthcare: Medical Care, Mental Health Services, HIV Oakland, CA 94607 2740 Herndon Ave. Community Support: Support Groups, Housing Legal, General (510) 839-2022 familybridges.org Clovis, CA,US 93611 Support: Transportation within the Community, Clothing Healthcare: Adult, Senior,Housing: Search Food: Search Social (559) 299-2578 Fax: (559) 299-0245 [email protected] cvih.org Services Healthcare: Medical Care, Mental Health Services For California WestSide Community Service Native American Residents 1153 Oak St. Catholic Charities San Francisco, CA 94117 990 Eddy St. Transitional Clinic (415) 431-9000 westside-health.org San Francisco, CA 94104 Healthcare: Medical Care, Hotline Healthcare: Crisis Clinic & Adult Outpatient Services, HIV/AIDS (415) 972-1200 catholiccharitiessf.org Social Services Services, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), Substance Use: Housing: Temporary Housing Erica Morse, Program Manager Detoxification, Methadone Maintenance Jose Cartagena, Director of Homelessness & Housing Services Felecia Greenly, Lifelong Program CHW 1855 Folsom St., Rm. 520, West Oakland Health Council Time for Change Foundation (Women) San Francisco, CA 94103 West Oakland: 700 Adeline St., Oakland CA 94607 (510) 2164 N Mountain View Ave Hotline (510) 606-6400 [email protected] 835-9610 San Bernardino, CA 92405 transitionsclinic.org East Oakland: 7450 International Blvd., Oakland, CA 94621 (510) (909) 886-2994 [email protected] 835-9610 timeforchangefoundation.org/services/psh/ The Sacramento LGBT Community Center Additional locations in Oakland and Berkeley westoaklandhealth. Housing: Temporary Housing, Emergency Housing This resource guide was provided by post-conviction unit interns from UC Hastings and the San Francisco Public’s Defenders Office. Researched and compiled by Ayanna Gandhi, Abigail Swallow, Amy Tao, Violeta Velazquez, Ruby Wilks under the Supervision of Stephen Liebb. PEN America Writing for Justice Fellowship 2021 PEN America’s Writing for alternative methods. • Available to partici- plicants are required to sub- Justice Fellowship will com- Fellows will receive an pate actively in all mit online through Submit- mission six or more writers— honorarium of between dimensions of Fel- table. emerging or established—to $5,000-$8,000, based on lowship program- Currently incarcerated create written works of last- scope of project. Fellows will ming, including writers who cannot submit ing merit that illuminate be paired with a mentor to mandatory gath- via a proxy online are wel- critical issues related to mass serve as a source of guidance erings and public come to submit by sending incarceration and catalyze for the project, and the cohort programs. (The Fel- application materials (prefer- public debate. will convene at least twice for lowship will cover ably typed, but clean, legible The PEN America Writing intensive shared experiences costs associated handwritten applications will for Justice Fellowship aims either digitally or in person, with these events, also be accepted) to the ad- to harness the power of writ- depending on the pandem- separately from the dress below: ers and writing in bearing ic’s continued impact. PEN Fellowship hono- Writing For Justice Fellow- witness to the societal con- America will draw on the rarium.) Currently ship sequences of mass incarcera- Writing for Justice Advisory incarcerated writ- 588 Broadway, Suite 303 tion by capturing and sharing Committee, as well as its net- ers and formerly New York, NY 10012 the stories of incarcerated work of agents, editors, pub- incarcerated writers REQUIRED APPLICA- individuals, their families, lishers, partner organizations restricted by pa- TION MATERIALS communities, and the wider and outlets in order to assist role will participate Please login to the appli- impact of the criminal justice efforts for publication and through alternative cation system in advance of system. Our goal is to ignite a dissemination of the work of means. submitting, to become famil- broad, sustained conversation the Fellows. Opportunities • Able to demonstrate iar with the format materials about the dangers of over- for sharing the created work a track record of are requested in. incarceration and the im- through public forums will be successful projects Typed materials should be: perative to mobilize behind organized in New York City, brought to comple- • 11 or 12 pt standard rational and humane policies. in the Fellow’s home commu- tion on time. font (Times New Ro- As an organization of writers nity, and possibly additional Membership in PEN man, Arial) dedicated to promoting free locations. America is not required. • Spaced at 1 or 1.15 expression and informed dis- FELLOWSHIP TIME- Please see FAQs below for • One-inch margins course, PEN America is hon- LINE more information. Currently incarcerated ored to have been entrusted The first eight months of SELECTION CRITE- writers should follow format- by the Art for Justice Fund to the Fellowship are designed RIA AND PROCESS ting to the best of their ability engage the literary communi- for Fellows to research, cre- Given the highly com- and estimate word count as do you hope to ac- that is already in motion, the ty in addressing this pressing ate, and connect with men- petitive nature of this Fel- closely as possible. We will complish during the work sample content should societal issue. tors and the cohort, work- lowship, we advise using not disqualify applications for eight-month creation reflect this. Please do not in- Applications Open: Janu- ing toward submission of a discretion in your project being reasonably over count. portion of the Fellow- clude your name on any part ary 15, 2021 polished final product that application. As a literary 1. Cover Page: ship? What resources of the Work Sample, includ- Deadline to apply: 11:59pm is ready for publication. The Fellowship, awarded proj- Include name, address, would be most helpful ing the file name. Typed work EST on February 15, 2021 final four months of the Fel- ects must center writing as telephone number, email ad- in this process? What samples should be submitted GUIDELINES lowship will focus on placing a critical mode of expres- dress, and title of the pro- form of mentorship in the same single file (.doc, Please read the following the works for public dissemi- sion in the work, rather than posed project. Online appli- would your project .docx or PDF) and formatted closely, as our application re- nation and opportunities for a secondary or support- cants will fill this information most benefit from? with one inch margins and quirements have changed and Fellows to present their work ing aspect of the project. out in the Submittable form. (E.g., a writer in your 1.15 or 1.5 spacing. Online ap- our program has shifted due publicly. Applicants should be the 2. Project Title and Brief genre, an editor, an plicants will submit as an at- to the restrictions of the CO- January 15, 2021: Applica- main writer/creator (rather Description (maximum of expert in an aspect of tachment. VID-19 pandemic. tion opens than editor or compiler) of 100 words): criminal justice/mass 5. Biographical Context The Writing for Justice February 15, 2021 11:59pm the work. Fellows will be incarceration, etc.) (maximum of 500 words): Fellowship is open-genre, and EST: Deadline to apply selected on artistic merit, Please do not include your • What impact do you Briefly introduce yourself as a proposed writing projects, May 2021: Applicants noti- the project’s approach and name or any other identifying hope your project will creator. This might be an art- which must be authored by fied of final application status potential for impact, and information on any part of the have? What audienc- ist/career biography to express the applicant, may include— May 2021-December 2021: the feasibility of project Project Title and Brief De- es/communities are past accomplishments, a state- but are not limited to—fic- Fellows work on their proj- to be fully completed and scription. Online applicants you writing toward? ment of philosophy and ap- tional stories; works of liter- ects, meet with mentors in polished, publishable will fill this information out How do you imagine proach, or an overview of your ary or long-form journalism; April 2021: Cohort meet- form within the given time in the Submittable form. your project might be current practice and/or cre- theatrical scripts; memoirs; ing #1 (NYC or digital) frame. Applications will be 3. Project Proposal (maxi- used to catalyze con- ative mission. Online appli- poetry collections; or mul- September 2021: Cohort reviewed by PEN America mum of 750 words): versations on mass cants will fill this information timedia projects. The most meeting #2 (Location TBD or and expert advisers through Online applicants will fill incarceration? What out in the Submittable form. competitive applications will digital) an anonymous process. this information out in the change might it spur? 6. Optional CV (maximum demonstrate how the pro- Late December 2021: Work Applications close at Submittable form. Do not in- Please provide spe- of 2 pages): Encouraged, but posed project will engage is- completed and submitted for 11:59pm EST on February clude your name or any other cific examples. not required. Applicants who sues of reform, fuel public de- publication 15 2021. Fellows will be an- identifying information on • Where do you imag- do not include a CV will not bate, crystallize concepts of January 2022–May 2022: nounced in May 2021. any part of the Project Pro- ine this project living be penalized. Online appli- reform, and facilitate the pos- Placing work and local public HOW TO APPLY posal. Please respond to the or being featured? cants will fill submit as an at- sibility of societal change. As presentations Closely review all re- following questions: Share any ideas/con- tachment. part of our mission to stimu- ELIGIBILITY quired materials listed be- • Describe the project, nections to publica- 7. References: Submit three late discussion, emphasis will To be eligible for this Fel- low. Please be mindful of including genre, rel- tions or other relevant reference names and contact be placed on proposed proj- lowship, the applicant must the specific application re- evance to the topic of venues that might be a information that can speak to ects that show strong prom- be quests. Failure to follow in- mass incarceration, good fit for your work. applicant’s track record of suc- ise for publication. Fellows • 21 years of age or structions carefully may re- and the geographic 4. Work sample: 7–10 pages cess and completion of past must commit to contribute older. sult in disqualification. Late regions your project of your written work, or 5 files projects. These are not letters actively to bringing attention • An individual writer. applications will not be ac- addresses. of multimedia (video, audio, of reference. This is required to their work and that of other Collaborative projects cepted. We suggest you sub- • Share what is new and visual). You may submit a for non-incarcerated writers. Fellows. The Fellowship is are acceptable, but mit early to avoid technical significant about your combination of both, adding Incarcerated writers are not open to writers at any stage only one project lead issues. Applicants may only project’s approach and up to the maximum (2 files required to supply references, of their career. Currently and may apply and par- submit one project proposal why it matters. What and 8 pages of writing, for but encouraged to do so if pos- formerly incarcerated writ- ticipate in the Fellow- to the Fellowship. inspired your choices example.) Media files that re- sible. Online applicants will ers are highly encouraged to ship’s activities. There is no fee to apply to and interest? quire watching or listening fill this information out in the apply, and special provisions • Residing in the United the Writing for Justice Fel- • Where are you in should be under fifteen min- Submittable form. References will be made for incarcerated States during the Fel- lowship. the timeline of your utes in length in total. If you will only be contacted for Fel- writers to participate through lowship duration. All non-incarcerated ap- project? What work are applying with a project lowship finalists.