A community-based nonprofit organization and the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department have opened the Santa Barbara County Day Reporting Center in Santa Maria.
The community-based organization, Community Solutions Inc., utilizes motivational interviewing techniques and a curricula-driven, evidence-based model intended to find out the specific needs of each client and guide them to a successful re-entry into the community.
The center is located at 1775 S. McClelland Street.
Archives for December 2010
Bids Opened for Start Of Death Row Expansion
The Marin County Board of Supervisor filed a lawsuit challenging efforts to expand San Quentin’s death row, but it failed to halt bidding for the first construction phase of the $356 million project, according to reports by Nels Johnson and Richard Halstead of the Marin Independent Journal.
The lawsuit claimed that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger violated the law when he vetoed funding that would have delayed expansion of death row until studies on overcrowding, and legal justification for plans to double-bunk prisoners were completed.
Corrections officials opened nine bids it received ranging from $126 million to $145 million on the part of the project that involves demolition, site grading, utilities, housing units and towers. McCarthy Construction of St. Louis, Mo, submitted the low bid of $126 million. Amoroso Construction of Redwood City submitted a high bid of $145 million.
Marin officials contend that the project is wasteful spending that could balloon up to $1.3 billion and feature beds costing $500,000 each. The “facility (will be) obsolete three years after it is built.” according to State Assemblyman Jared Huffman.
Georgia Prison Inmates on Strike
GEORGIA – Inmates in at least six Georgia prisons went on strike since December 9, 2010. An advocate said the inmates want better conditions and compensation. In a demonstration that has transcended racial and gang boundaries, thousands of inmates have refused to perform their jobs or even to leave their cells. The Georgia Department of Corrections could not be reached for comment
The Halloween Bowl At San Quentin
It was muddy, drizzling and foggy – a perfect day for the Halloween Bowl.
Golden Gate Ministries from Mill Valley came to challenge the Blues Brothers of San Quentin and didn’t go for the trick but left with a treat, in the form of a 6-0 victory.
Victory didn’t seem probable with two of Golden Gates key players being denied entry into the facility. Three players were sent from S.Q. roster to play with Golden Gate.
Mike Hampton, one of the loaner players, decided he would set the tone early, lining up at defensive tackle, anticipating the snap he took a quantum leap over the guard, crashing into quarterback K. Carr, Sr. sending him flying into the mud.
The other two loaner player’s cornerback/receiver M. Tyler, and cornerback M. Cosby immediately went to work on offense and defense.
From the opening play the loaned players were making plays while the Blues Brothers were in disarray. The Blues Brothers mishandled a snap and couldn’t get in gear.
On the only scoring drive of the day, quarterback C. Shirland, hooked up with receiver M. Tyler on quick slants for gains. Then hitting tight end R. Moseley, on a crossing route for a healthy gain.
C. Shirland calling the same formation to the right side, faked right, rolled left on a quarterback keeper with a crisp seal block from M. Cosby, touchdown 6 points.
Minutes later Coach D. DeNevi announced the game must be stopped due to weather conditions. The crowd declared “treason!”
S.Q. had a chance to score. Quarterback K. Carr, Sr. staying in the pocket dodging defenders threw to receiver M.”Mitch”Mitchell, but with the wet conditions, he slipped and couldn’t get to the ball. Receiver/tailback D.”Sleep”Kennedy made a few plays for minimal gains.
“No Soup For You” Towers Over S.Q. Team
The No Soup For You flag football team from North Sacramento has made five trips into San Quentin, winning all five games. This day would be no different with a 38-32 victory
No Soup For You has three professional football players on its roster, all playing American football in Europe.
From the opening snap the Blues Brothers gave everyone the hope of victory, executing with precision. Wide out M. “Mitch” Mitchell scored on a seven-yard run. But No Soup For You wouldn’t be outdone as wide receiver Jeff Wilson scored.
Playing offense and defense, Mitchell intercepted quarterback Eddie Martinez and romped in for six points. Fleet-footed wide receiver Jeff Wilson had other things on his mind, scoring again to pull his team within one at the half, 20-19.
In the wildcat offense, K. Carr Sr. found a seam and scored. Jeff Wilson scored again for his third touchdown of the day. No Soup for You added six more points when tight end Ed Thomson caught a quick hitch from his quarterback.
Blues Brothers was bending but wouldn’t break with right side cornerback M. Cosby playing shut down coverage. Quarterback Eddie Martinez tried the left side and cornerback D. “Sleepy” Kennedy came up with a pick to quell the drive. Blues Brothers defense got a safety, adding two points.
Sure-handed receiver Mitchell ran across the middle and scored another touchdown.
Mario Ellis, back from missing the opening game, took the post route for a score.
With just seconds left on the clock, tailback Kennedy ripped off tackle for a touchdown — game tied, the clock expires.
In overtime, quarterback Eddie Martinez scrambled, buying time as receiver Desi Barbour doubled back, maneuvering through the gaps in the defense. TOUCHDOWN! No Soup For You Wins, 38-32
Desi Barbour, former U.C. Davis standout from Sacramento, plays defensive back for the Denmark Gold Diggers. Daniel Neilson, from Holland, plays tight end for the Gold Diggers. Player-Coach Joe Adamson, from Germany, plays for the Stuggurt Scorpions of the European league.
Neilson, in the United States for the first time, was asked what he knew about S.Q. He readily admitted he knew nothing other than what he had heard from friends back home in Denmark. He said he thought there would be “gangs and violence, like on T.V.”
San Quentin’s Player of the Month
Player of the Month honors for December go to three-sport athlete James (J.B.) Bautista, who plays soccer, softball and baseball. His teammates speak of his integrity, competitive spirit and sportsmanship. J.B. is one of the best soccer players at S.Q., using his speed, ball handling and defensive skills to separate himself from others. Asked what sport he favors, he says “basketball” but makes it clear that his strongest sport is soccer.
What was your greatest challenge playing sports at the ‘Q’?
“Facing live pitching, I hadn’t faced live pitching in over 20 years, so that was an adventure. Playing sports here has given me a great platform to show people and family, that sports transcends race, creed or any if not all the situations that we face in prison.”
With soccer being your baby, what would you like to see happen with the soccer program?
“A little parity would be fine. Football, baseball, softball, tennis, basketball all receive support and are encouraged here by everybody, but nobody really gives soccer the same energy.”
Cold and Influenza – Get The Facts
Cold and influenza (flu) season is upon us. Don’t be surprised if you or your fellow inmates begin to develop runny noses, coughs or fevers in the next few months. There are differences between a cold and the flu. One of the key differences is that the flu kills over 20,000 Americans each year-most are over 65 years old. The flu causes over 114,000 hospitalizations each year, and kids under 2 are as likely as those over 65 to be hospitalized. Most importantly, the flu can be prevented with vaccination and the cold cannot. 50% of the San Quentin inmates consented to be vaccinated on October 28. If you haven’t been vaccinated, it is not too late-ask your provider to vaccinate you. The more of us who are vaccinated, the fewer who are likely to become sick with the flu, and the less likely it is that San Quentin will experience huge flu outbreaks this winter.
This table below describes the differences in symptoms between flu and the common cold. Both are viruses and are spread by coughing, sneezing and by touching your eyes, nose and mouth with dirty hands. Washing your hands frequently and covering your cough are simple actions you can take to protect you and your fellow inmates and visitors.
First U.S. Woman Executed in 5 Years
She was the first woman executed in the United States in five years – the first executed in Virginia in 98 years.
Teresa Lewis, 41, who plotted with her young lover to kill her husband and stepson in 2002 for insurance money, was killed by lethal injection on Sept. 23, 2010. The two men who actually committed the double murder were sentenced to life in prison.
The most recent previous execution of a woman in the U.S. came in Texas in 2005. More than 1,200 people were executed since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment in 1976. Lewis became the 12th woman among them.
Numerous pleas were presented urging clemency for Lewis, including those which pointed out she was borderline retarded with an IQ of 72.
Evidence was also presented that one of the killers wrote a letter claiming that he, not Lewis, was the mastermind of the plot.
California has more than 700 people on Death Row, including 18 women. Due to court challenges, executions are on hold in the state. A new execution chamber for lethal injections has been constructed in San Quentin, replacing the historic apple-green gas chamber.
POETRY
JUST ANOTHER DAY
By Jason Scardino
So sets the moon, to let the sun rise,
So starts the day, while the night dies.
At which point it’s due time to wake my game up,
Shake the sheets out and pour the first shot into my cup.
Hear the bird song? I’d too sing the same tune,
Spread my wing out and soar into the afternoon.
Yet I’m on two feet, that fight to stay upon the ground
With every new beat, there’s pavement for me to pound
I’d step out my front door, but for the fact that I’m keyed in,
I hear the keys now, but the turnkey’s unseasoned
Need to break fast so as not to break slow from these hunger pains
I must eat fast and go so they won’t yell out my name
Out in the color-coded garden, I plant my feet
Get to my routine and stay ready so as not to taste defeat
A fickle wind blows, the horn goes, no warning shots.
Bury my steak knife and cut right and whatnot
Another battle won, another day done, I can shut my eyes
So sets the sun, to let the moonrise
RE-ENTRY
By Eddie Sanchez
You’ve been through Juvie and C.Y.A.
And you’re learning, the hard way,
That crime doesn’t pay.
Cuz, you’re caught “IN THE SYSTEM”
And they’ve caught you again
A minor infraction
Shipped back to the pen
They say that you’re crazy,
and prescribe you some pills
And you learn, to make pruno
From stale apple peels
You pray for a visit,
But, you wait all alone,
Because, all of your loved ones
“HAVE A BLOCK” on their phone.
Your cell, and your number
Is all you have left,
And a “RETURN-TO-SENDER”
Across your last N.S.F.
CONVICT
By Eddie Griffin
They invite your impropriety
They’re so glad that you could come
They ignore your many addictions
And they knew that you’d succumb
Tragic hero of rural crisis
On your back many towns have grown
Do you know your intrinsic value
Can’t you see the seeds they’ve sown
Seeds fertilized in ignorance
And strewn throughout the state
Watered with demagoguery
Now they consummate your fate
Can you see now what you’ve lost
Can you glean the distraction
Without knowledge of self
There is no basis for action
WHEN I’M GONE
By Richard Dollarhide and Jason Harden
In my dismiss, I wonder how many will miss me? How long will it take for those who know me to notice I’m gone? How many of those who claim to be my friends/homies, will show up at my funeral and show solitude?
When I’m gone, how long will it take before everybody forgets about me? Will those who know me forget the sound of my voice, and the image of my face?
If I can change my ways for the better, will I still be remembered for the negativity of my past? Will the young ones in my life be able to look up to me as a role model, or will they look at me with disgust?
I hope when all think back on me, they are reminded of the good times, and smile. Don’t shed any tears, for I don’t want my death to make others sad. Others have been sad enough during my life, so please don’t mourn, but rejoice. For my soul will be in the hearts of all those whom really loved and cared.
In Indian Country
In traditional American Indian religious belief the hawk is considered a messenger. As Mercury was believed to have carried messages to the ancient Greeks from the Gods, American Indians believed that the hawk with his ability to glide upon the air currents, seemingly indefinitely, could cross into the spirit world to bring messages from the spirits back to the people. When a hawk circled overhead, it was thought that he was telling you to pay attention to your surroundings. If he screeched he was telling you to beware of something dangerous ahead. This understanding was important to hunter-gatherers whose very life could depend on something as insignificant as the flight of a bird. The ancients depended on signs and instinct to conduct their daily lives. Not being observant to your surroundings could mean the difference between life and death. The belief is we should pay attention to our surroundings, especially in our current environment. The hawk is still very important to Native American beliefs and his feathers, considered sacred, are used for prayer purposes. Hawk talons and feathers are used to make dance regalia and for use in prayer ceremonies. If a hawk flies overhead or screeches, pay attention to your surroundings, he just might just be sending a message to you.