San Quentin News WRITTEN BY THE INCARCERATED – ADVANCING SOCIAL JUSTICE VOL. 2020 NO.1 January 2020 Edition 124 SAN QUENTIN, CALIFORNIA 94964 www.sanquentinnews.com POPULATION 4,885 Lawrence Bartley leads new Marshall Project endeavor Photo courtesy of Lawrence Bartley Lawrence Bartley By Rahsaan Thomas Photo by Javier Jimenez, SQN Contributing Writer Participants hold up trans lives matter sign on Nov. 20 The Marshall Project publishes stories about the ex- periences of those impacted by the penal system in the one place most incarcerated people don’t have access to: SQ Transgender Day of Remembrance online. That changed when Lawrence Bartley returned to society after serving 27 years in prison. He’s now the By Joe Garcia “Just because I’m not a part of society Many voices from the packed crowd re- producer of Inside News Magazine which shares stories and Juan Haines doesn’t mean that as a transwoman I don’t sponded, “That’s right, Lisa.” published on The Marshall Project website in print form matter,” said incarcerated trans activist “They deserved better than this,” she for 38 prisons. For the first time in its history, San Lisa Strawn, who spearheaded the Trans- continued. “To have been shot, stabbed On Oct. 12, Bartley attended a Society of Professional Quentin State Prison joined the nation- gender Day of Remembrance ceremony in and burned beyond recognition at the Journalists meeting at San Quentin and shared his story wide movement on Nov. 20 to memori- the SQ chapel. hands of murderers—it makes no sense.” with incarcerated journalist. alize 22 transpersons killed by hatred “I am still a person and so are the 22 See BARTLEY on Page 4 across the U.S. in the last year. transpeople we are remembering today.” See TRANS on Page 23 Annual Christmas Banquet brings out the holiday spirit By David Ditto Chaplain Mardi Ralph Jackson, Staff Writer dressed in festive red and black, greet- ed the guests with a warm smile and a The spirit of the holidays filled handshake. “God bless you,” she said the San Quentin Protestant Chapel as they passed through the foyer into for more than 300 volunteers and the beautifully decorated chapel. prisoners at the annual Christmas Golden angels stood 12 feet high Banquet. on both sides of the entrance. Green “It’s such a joyous occasion. It’s holly and pine garlands and wreaths the best day of the year for so many with red ribbons and bows and glow- of us!” said Fred Cole, one of about ing lights decked the windows, ban- 250 men in blue. nisters and walls. Some 50 volunteers and the in- “Rejoice, Christ is Born,” an- mates braved the rain and wind on nounced two of the festive banners. the cold gray Saturday morning, The gathering crowd mingled and en- Photo by Lt. S. Robinson Dec. 7. Inside they joined in a heart- gaged in lively discussions. The San Francisco Police department with San Quentin participants on Nov. 22 warming celebration to begin the holy holiday season. See CHRISTMAS on Page 5 SF Police personnel visit SQ for Inside this issue: second “Blue on Blue” conversation By Juan Haines at the second BBC. “We make an Some police officers told the Senior Editor arrest, testify and don’t see the other BBC participants, “We’re ordered side and how they are impacted.” to be here.” Officer Michael Amo- Two dozen San Francisco Po- Deputy Chief Greg McEachern, rose added, “I don’t mind gaining lice Department (SFPD) personnel added, “I want people in the experience.” made their way across San Quen- department to see the impact and get After the introductions, the tin’s Lower Yard on Nov. 22 and a better understanding of their role participants went into small Champions of Magic - 24 Tehachapi Ethics Bowl - 10 stood among men they may have and responsibilities as officers—to circles for more personal previously arrested. It was a part of see the human side of things. When discussions. The prisoners the second “Blue-on-Blue Conver- you put handcuffs on someone, broke the ice by talking about sation” (BBC) held at the prison. there’s a human being there.” their first interaction with the Former SF Deputy District Attor- The line officers, sergeants, police. The officers talked ney Marisa Rodriguez, now head of lieutenants, and captains as well about why they joined the force. the San Francisco Office of Canna- as two civilians convened in the The conversation topics varied bis, organized the first BBC on May prison’s Protestant Chapel. About from respecting each other in 24. “We thought this experience was two dozen incarcerated men, along the community to the power of powerful and eye popping,” said with local Bay Area volunteers effective communication skills to SFPD Commander David Lazar. and a prison staffer, joined the de-escalate tense encounters. “Often we don’t see the other officers in a large circle to introduce Prison to Employment - 12 side,” said SFPD Chief Will Scott themselves. See SFPD on Page 4 Native Pow Wow - 11 Page 2 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com January 2020 San Quentin News is written and produced by prisoners. We are supported solely by grants and donations from the outside community. To make a tax-deductible donation, visit our website at: sanquentinnews.com or send a check or money order payable to: Social Good Fund/"Friends of San Quentin News," P.O. Box 494, San Quentin, CA 94964 Thank you for your support! UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY Graduate School of Journalism Avenal’s “Timeless” group explores insight into our past Photo courtesy of Avenal Participants and facilitators of the “Timeless” group By Adam Jennings better understand how the The “Timeless” pro- It’s no easy task. But the themselves on a daily It is through the service Contributing Writer men became who they were gram seeks to change this group members are striving basis. Then true change of all participating mem- and are and how they arrived thought process. The group to be pillars of their current can manifest, giving their bers that positivity is spread. At Avenal State Prison, in prison. provides the skills to apply society. They are sharing families and friends the men Where they used to sow de- the “Timeless” group is help- The participants have a new knowledge to old ways what they have learned and they deserve. struction, now, through their ing its incarcerated popu- chance to gain awareness as of thinking, feeling and be- also carrying themselves The group believes changes, they are setting lation explore the question they apply these exercises to having. The program helps with an ever evolving sense through hard work and good examples for future “Can we grow into the men their lives and current mind- the men produce new con- of positivity and encourage- dedication they can develop generations; breaking their we want to be?” sets in regard to a vast array structive beliefs, manners ment. a community where this is own personal cycles of im- “Timeless” is a long-term of criminal topics. and habits, instead of just The “Timeless” members both possible and celebrat- prisonment with the realiza- offenders group that is held Today, post Prop. 57, the simply going through the and facilitators understand ed. tion that there is no right way in the prison’s A Facility. reality is that some individu- motions of being there. that the only way they can Thanks go out to Rose- to be wrong. The group aims to give the als are attending self help The program goal is grow into the men they want mary Ndoh, program co- The hope is that the last- men insight through ex- groups just for R.A.C. (Reha- to help the participants to be, is by fundamentally facilitators James lynch and ing effect of these changes ercises such as gathering bilitative Achievement Cred- improve themselves, the improving themselves. Manuel Rincon, all group will be felt long after they information from their for- its), rather than a true desire community and ultimately This can be accomplished members and staff sponsor, depart. A legacy that will mative years in an effort to for introspection and change. earn a parole date. by altering and improving Lisa Robitaille. truly be....TIMELESS. January 2020 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Page 3 Advocates launch #MeTooBehindBars for those incarcerated By Marcus Henderson Editor in Chief Sexual violence and trans- phobia in prisons are still ta- boo topics of discussion, even in the midst of some prison reform efforts nationwide. “I was harassed and sexually harassed because I was GNC” But a group of victims/sur- vivors and advocates launched the #MeTooBehindBars cam- paign that aims to influence the #MeToo movement and to include the voices of those incarcerated who have or are suffering from sexual harass- ment or sexual abuse. Photo courtesy of CCWP This new campaign Advocates and supporters in front of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation headquarters in Sacramento has found its way to the steps of the California Department of Corrections speakers shared their stories correctional officers, then…a they say it, the way they tell that we’re happy, but we’re not and Rehabilitation (CDCR) of being sexually assaulted noose was left in her cell. She me to turn around and spread going to…keep secret(s) any- offices in Sacramento. An Oct. behind bars, as each spoke was denied surgery and com- it. [They would] laugh at me. more. I want them [people in 30 protest was held to raise from the building steps.