San Quentin News

Written By Incarcerated - Advancing Social Justice

Archives for July 2011

Court Decision Views Vary

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San Quentin Inmates Speak Out

Opinion is divided within the San Quentin community over the Supreme Court’s ruling about overcrowding in California prisons.

Random interviews with 20 members of the community were conducted: 10 men in blue (5 from North Block, 5 from H-Unit) and 10 members of the teaching staff of the Prison University Project (PUP).

Men in blue were asked, “Do you think you will be affected by this ruling?” PUP teachers were asked, “What do you think will happen because of the Supreme Court ruling to reduce overcrowding?” Both groups were asked: “How soon do you think something will happen?”

The H-Unit response: All 5 of the men asked (100%) believe the ruling will not affect them. Jason, Frank, and Tim opined it will take a few years before anything happens. Adam believes the state will “draw it out as long as they can…it’s a money thing.” Tim added, “I’ve been hearing this for so long. The federal government has been telling the state to do something about this and the state just ignores them.”

The North Block response: Two of the men asked (40%) said it will affect them. “It might influence the Parole Board to release programming lifers who have served their minimum terms,” said Jesus. The other three (60%) believe the ruling will not affect them.

John said, “The only thing that will affect my sentence is if Three Strikes is overturned.” When will something happen? Quentin believes, “in about six months” while Terry maintained, “at least two years.”

PUP teachers each had their own take. Edward said, “I’m not sure how it is going to be implemented; Brown thinks it can be accomplished by sending inmates to county jails…it’s not going to be an easy process.” Ivy did not agree with Justice Scalia’s scare tactics and Vlad hopes that at least non-violent offenders and non-violent third strikers will be released. Karen said, “Things are starting to happen now – for the wrong reasons, largely economic reasons – and we should be reforming the system for moral reasons.”

Maureen believes something might happen in the fall; Vlad thinks it will take about six months. Diarmuid, an attorney from Ireland, said, “It will be difficult to come up with an operational plan that is certain or manageable in a short period.”

Finally, Camille, a math tutor, expressed hope for the future of those incarcerated: “I think that some will have more options, just by the nature of being able to interact with those from the outside…let’s give people more options to open them up to the world.”

Centering Prayer in the Catholic Chapel

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Every Monday night in the Catholic Chapel, men of all faiths come together to practice the art of centering prayer. The guidelines are as follows:
1. Light a candle to represent God’s presence.
2. Sit in a comfortable position; close your eyes and relax.
3. Choose a word as a connection to the divine. Focus the mind on your word. Let go of thoughts, worries or cares. If the mind wanders, gently return the focus to the sacred word and your attention to connect with God.
4. At the end of a 20-minute prayer period, the Lord’s Prayer is recited. Do a slow meditative walk around the chapel. Sit for another 20 minutes, followed by a discussion on the practice.
The aim of centering prayer is to sit in quiet contemplation with open hearts listening to God’s still, small voice.
“Centering prayer is a birth of good works; insight into spiritual things and a path to resting in God as we cease to toil and struggle,” said Mike Erwin, a member of the group. “I also do centering prayer twice a day in my cell. I find that the more I empty myself, the more I gain a Christ-like mind; which is the desire of my heart. Centering prayer strengthens my concentration, my focus and my ability to let go. These skills translate into being able to induce stillness by will; and in stillness, I am in close union with God.”
“This in turn enables me to relate to ‘things’ and people in my world in a Godly way. My actions and service of love for others will be as God desires,” Erwin said.
“Prison can be a very violent, chaotic and stressful place. The extreme overcrowding compounds this. Fortunately, San Quentin offers some solutions, which lay at the root of the problem (the hearts and minds of men). We have educational, self-help and spiritual programs that facilitate change and growth in our lives.
“I came here from old Folsom where programs/opportunities like this are virtually non-existent. The result is a violent prison with riots and long lockdowns that constitute untold costs to the taxpayers, not to mention unnecessary suffering of the prisoners.”

Violence on Lower Yard Ends in Fatality

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Violence erupted at the bottom of the stairs leading to the lower yard when the resident pack of rats living under the old modular building faced an uninvited intruder. The intruder, Big Fatty, a vicious looking grey rat usually seen in the area of old Receiving and Release complex, invaded the territory of the pack resulting in an epic territorial battle, say witnesses.“I saw two rats fighting; it was worse than seeing humans fight. One of the rats was tearing into the underbelly of the other,” said one prisoner who joined in the crowd of spectators.
According to witnesses, the fight turned deadly when another member of the resident rats joined in the fray, assisting a fellow member of the pack in attacking the intruder.
“It was a two on one,” said one inmate. “The fat one didn’t stand a chance.”
In the normally quiet prison yard, the rats violent squeaking and squawking was heard as the mêlée continued to shock the prisoners who gathered to watch. Big Fatty, outnumbered and outmaneuvered, received a crippling bite to his left arm causing him to list over, leaving his underbelly vulnerable. Seconds later the attacking rats took advantage of the opportunity and finished Big Fatty off.
“The big rat limped, dragging his right side for a few feet and then collapsed,” said witnesses.
News of the fight spread throughout the facility and many prisoners walked over to look at Big Fatty’s body, which lay lifeless next to the modular building for all to see.
Mr. Crawford of San Quentin vector control, after hearing rumors about the lethal brawl, responded two days later to remove Big Fatty’s carcass. When Crawford saw the body, he was amazed at its size.
“Usually rats live to be about three years old,” said Crawford. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the rats here at San Quentin live to be six; the prison is very accommodating to them.”
On the same day and unrelated to the rat debacle, vector control answered a call from the Media Center to retrieve two mice trapped in a plastic garbage can.

Hancock’s Bill Proposes Voter Decision

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The bill to allow voters to abolish the death penalty was authored by Sen. Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley.
The legislation, SB490, was approved in July by the Assembly Public Safety Committee and moved to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
If ultimately approved by the Senate and Assembly, the proposal would go on the November 2012 statewide ballot. If the voters approve, it would abolish capital punishment in California and convert all death penalty sentences to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Prior to her election to the State Senate in 2008, Hancock served three terms in the State Assembly. She also was the first woman elected mayor of the City of Berkeley (1986-1994), the executive director of the Shalan Foundation, and served in both the Carter and Clinton Administrations.
Hancock currently represents the 9th Senatorial District, which includes the cities of Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Dublin, El Sobrante, Emeryville, Livermore, Oakland, Piedmont, Richmond and San Pablo.
Born and raised in New York, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Ithaca College in 1963 and her master’s degree from the Wright Institute in 1978.  She moved to Berkeley in 1964, where she lives today with her husband, Mayor Tom Bates.  Sen. Hancock has four children and seven grandchildren.
Hancock has been a leading advocate for investing state resources in rehabilitation programs, job training, and employment because she understands that these and similar programs reduce inmate recidivism. As chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee and the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee #5 on Corrections and Public Safety, Hancock said she seeks to examine programs at all levels of the criminal justice system and implement sound policies that reduce prison overcrowding while protecting public safety.
She said she believes that California’s corrections system is an expensive failure and requires a fundamental restructuring. As a start, Hancock is working to bring government closer to the people by allowing local governments to carry out vital law enforcement services in a more effective and efficient manner.
Hancock has introduced legislation to provide case management and evidence-based programming to inmates in their last year of incarceration, and bring transparency and accountability to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the Office of the Inspector General. Previously, she has introduced legislation to improve education programs in state prison and require the CDCR to provide inmates with a California identification card upon release of incarceration.
Since entering the state Legislature, Hancock tells supporters she has vigorously championed government reform.  In 2009-10, she chaired the Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments Committee. She introduced two major Senate Constitutional Amendments aimed at reducing gridlock and increasing the effectiveness of the Legislature. SCA5 would have replaced the two-thirds vote formerly required to pass a budget with a simple majority vote and SCA24, which would change California’s term limits requirement so experienced legislators are available to solve the problems facing California.
As an Assembly member, Hancock authored AB583, the California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act. It sought to reform campaign financing by providing full public financing for statewide elections.  AB583 establishes a pilot project to make public financing available to candidates for Secretary of State so they can wage competitive campaigns without soliciting money from special interests.

EDUCTION CORNER

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Death Row student Craigen Armstrong wants kids to hear his voice and avoid his fate. He envies the access general population outreach groups have to at-risk youth. He has had an epiphany, and wants to share. He thinks that kids would listen to him, trust his judgment, and maybe morph into responsible citizens.
He has accumulated credits toward an Associate Degree through the Coastline College Distance Learning Program. This interview was conducted during proctoring of Spring Semester final exams.
Why are you on Death Row?
I was convicted of first degree murder, which resulted in a sentence of death. I’m in my 10th year of incarceration.
How old are you?
I’m 30 years old.
What were your social and economic circumstances growing up?
It was very negative for me, being poor. Unhealthy influences combined with a financial situation that was far below optimum, made poor decisions seem reasonable, which ultimately led to my present circumstances.
What level of education did you get on the streets and, in regard to criminal activity, how did that affect you?
I entered the California prison system with a ninth-grade level education. This affected me strongly in relation to my criminal activity. My focus and life perspective were affected because of my lack of desire for education. The lack of focus results in the loss of importance in regards to education, leaving one to engage and accept criminal activity as an alternative.
What would you have done differently to stay free and what do you miss the most?
I would have listened to those who love and cared for me. What I miss is being around my friends and family; I most definitely miss my son!
What advice would you give to a teenager today?
Education, education, and education! And to listen to those you know who truly care about you. I think that lays the foundation for a healthy life.
Tom Bolema is a Teacher in the San Quentin Education Department

July 2011 News Briefs

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SACRAMENTO – More than 10,000 offenders are serving their sentences in private prisons outside of California, in four states. That number could grow to 15,000 by 2013. The transfers were ordered in an October 2006 state of emergency proclamation signed by then Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who said the action was necessary “to prevent death and harm caused by California’s severe prison overcrowding.” The proclamation allowed officials to override a law that prohibits sending prisoners out of state without their consent. In 2007, the Legislature also approved some out of state transfers as part of a prison construction bill. The Legislature’s authority for those transfers expired in July. “Ou position is that the emergency proclamation is in place and we’re operating under that authority,” said CDCR spokesman, Paul Verke.
SACRAMENTO – Doctors, dentists and psychiatrists with the federal receiver’s office overseeing prisoners mental and medical care are the highest paid state employees in California, according to government salary data the state controller’s office reported. Two prison doctors make more than $700,000 annually. Dozens of other prison medical personnel, some with the Department of Mental Health, make more than $300,000 a year. A top official with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection makes $309,000 annually.
STOCKTON – A contract worth about $512 million will go to a joint venture of Clark Construction Group of Bethesda, Md., and McCarthy Building Co. of St Louis. The California Health Care Facility, Stockton, estimated to cost more than $900 million, will provide long-term care to 1,722 mentally and physically ill state prisoners when operational in 2013.
MENDOCINO – The Parlin Fork and Chamberlain Creek Conservation Camps, located between Fort Bragg and Willits in the Jackson State Demonstration Forest is operated by CDCR. The camp, in conjunction with CAL FIRE has a primary goal of suppression and prevention of local fires by prisoners who have received fire training at the Suanville Correction Center. When not fighting fires, these crews of low-risk male felons also serve the community by clearing forest brush and completing labor tasks for government and certain non-profit organizations.

New Group to Focus on 3 Strikes

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One of the ways to help reduce prison overcrowding would be to modify the Three Strikes Law.
A Field Poll in June found 74 percent of voters would support giving judges more discretion in sentencing persons convicted of a third felony.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported in July the public’s willingness to exclude non-violent and non-serious offenses, and property crimes as a third strike. There’s also an initiative being planned for the November 2012 ballot by Stanford Law School-Three Strikes Project.
As the debate continues for changing the law, those who will be beneficiaries of the proposed changes include a new group formed to aid inmates working for reduced imprisonment. It is called the San Quentin Hope for Strikers Activity Group.
The group’s executive board members are Chairman Eddie Griffin, Vice Chairman Forrest Lee Jones and Sajad Shakoor, operations manager. They aim to attack recidivism, the issue of repeat offender conduct.
“Our mission and purpose is to not only provide coping methods similar to other therapeutic community groups, but also equip our members by way of our extensive curriculums with the requisite tools necessary for a meaningful rehabilitation and transition to society,” the group’s mission statement says.
The group “was created for the disenfranchised Three Strikers, but it excludes no one from participation because it is designed to provide support, education, and reform of the criminal mindset,” the group reports.
“We are unique in our approach; no group is similarly situated to tackle the problem that’s facing us and we intend to be a positive influence on the general population, serving as a force multiplier in our performance of our functions. We also endeavor to bring about a more harmonious inmate/staff relationship and work towards establishing an environment conducive to spiritual and psychological growth.”

Back in the Day

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Selected Stories From Past Issues of The San Quentin News

JUNE 1981 – The prison bake shop has immediate openings for experienced bakers. Pay ranges from $14 to $21.

JUNE 1981 – At Deuel Vocational Institute a race riot between black and white inmates broke out at lunch in the chow hall, injuring six convicts and one guard. Meanwhile a fight broke out in a second chow hall between white, black and Chicano inmates and took an hour and nine tear gas shells to quell. Guards found seven prison–made weapons and a number of sharpened utensils. The prison is known as “the Gladiator School” for its young, violent inmates and heavy gang influence.

JUNE 1981 – A West Block prisoner was attacked and killed in his cell resulting in the prison being put on total lockdown status. Scott Spaulding, 34, was beaten with a claw hammer and stabbed numerous times. Two suspects have been placed in Ad. Seg. pending investigation. A seven–inch prison made knife and a claw hammer were found at the scene.

JUNE 1981 – A freak cell fire May 30 in the Badger Section housing unit claimed the lives of two Mexican–American inmates. The fire had been started as a protest by the convicts themselves and had gotten out of control. The intense heat swelled the door to their cell, causing it to become stuck.

JULY 1981 – A former San Quentin Prison guard is suing the prison for breach of contract. Gibbs resigned from the prison voluntarily in March 1980 after being accused of smuggling drugs to inmates. Gibbs claims that he had an agreement with Warden George Sumner that no negative information would be given out. The suit claims that Sumner then released information to Gibbs’ new employers at the Federal Correctional Institution that resulted in his firing.

JULY 1981 – Several Bay Area bands combined with some San Quentin “house” bands to provide rocking entertainment for the annual July 4th holiday show held in the north dining hall. A good time was certainly had by all!

JULY 1981 – For the week of June 27 to July 3, the Phantom Diner says “the hamburgers look a little scary, being burned black on one side… half our issue is sticking to the trays when we get ‘em… Friday’s lasagna was ‘screaming’… only one spoonful of sugar, no use sniveling.”

JULY 1981 – A proposal to sell San Quentin drew strong opposition from Bay Area legislator’s (imagine that!). Officials say a shortage of maximum security cells throughout the state prison system insures that San Quentin will have to stay for now.

JULY 1981 – A check of the canteen price list shows a 7 oz. can of Bugler selling at $2.35, cigarettes are $6 a carton, 12 oz. sodas are 30 cents, and a bar of Irish Spring soap is still a bargain at 40 cents.

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