Think of someone you love very much. Think of all the qualities and characteristics that you love about this person. “Asked on the Line” conducted 42 random informal interviews with men in blue and teachers of the Prison University Project (PUP), and asked, “Among the qualities and characteristics of a person you love very much, which do you also possess?”
Some had immediate answers, but others had to think about the qualities that they like about themselves—that they also see in a person they love.
For mainliners, 90 percent focus on aspects of personality. Class, charm, and charisma are shared between Phil and his loved one. Dexter and a person he loves “can love unconditionally.” Michael and a person he loves are thoughtful, understanding, and accepting, while Touly and a person he loves are both “patient people.” Other popular personality traits men share with someone they love include kindness, compassion, loyalty, an “outgoing personality,” and a “loving spirit.”
Moreover, 10 percent of mainliners loved the abilities or talents they share with their loved ones. “My baby sister and I are so much alike,” said Ke. He and his sister are both competitive and persistent. Among other talents: artistic abilities in music or the visual arts, “academic intelligence,” and athletic ability.
Among PUP teachers, 60 percent like that they share personality traits with a person they love. Sarah shares “silliness” with a person she loves. Julia likes that she and a person she loves have a “sense of humor.” Iris shares in empathy and creativity with the person she loves, and Diana shares in kindness, optimism and a “nurturing attitude” with a person she loves.
When it comes to abilities or talents, 40 percent of PUP teachers share them with a person they love. Jillian and a person she loves are passionate in a “pursuit of a mathematics education.” Joe and a person he loves “advocate for the developmentally disabled.” Lisa likes that she and a person she loves both “act on what we believe in.” Kony shares “musicality” with a person she loves, and Christina has “the ability to focus on the needs” of one another.
Archives for February 2012
February 2012 News Briefs
SAN FRANCISCO – The death sentence for a man convicted of killing a woman who was robbed, raped, tortured and beaten has been reversed by the California Supreme Court. The ruling upheld the first-degree murder conviction of Kevin Pearson, 34, but ordered a new penalty hearing. The court said that trial judge erroneously granted a prosecution request to excuse a potential juror because she gave conflicting responses when asked whether she could vote for the death penalty.
SACRAMENTO – Nevada prisoners will wear shoes manufactured by California prisoners. The Nevada Board of Examiners approved a $200,000, two-year contract with California Prison Industries for the shoes.
SACRAMENTO – The California State Assembly is considering easing restrictions for members of the press to interview prisoners. The legislation, AB1270, passed unanimously out of the Public Safety Committee Jan. 10 and moved to the Appropriations Committee.
SACRAMENTO – General fund spending on prisons is about twice that of Jerry Brown’s Republican predecessor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. The budget was $5.2 billion in 2004 and is $9.5 billion in 2011. The spending increase was mostly created when the prison population exploded during the 1990s and then a 2011 court order forced prison officials to improve medical care.
CHILE – Government officials want to build four new prisons by using California’s Solano State Prison as a model. Minister of Justice Teodoro Ribera submitted a proposal for the new prison system to President Sebastián Piñera on the one-year anniversary of a fire at San Miguel Prison, where 81 prisoners died and 14 others were injured.
OAKLAND- A federal judge has ordered the state to do a better job of monitoring care of disabled parolees in county jails, saying “overwhelming and disturbing evidence” shows they are denied adequate care. U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken ruled state officials must give every county a daily list of disabled parolees in its jail and ensure they receive adequate care.
SAN QUENTIN – Death Row prisoner Rodney Alcala is facing charges of strangling two women in New York. Extradition was stayed until his appeal is settled. He is facing execution for murdering four women and a 12-year-old girl in Orange County.
Back in the Day
JULY 4, 1980 – Three shots were fired on the C-Section yard to break up a fight between three convicts. One con was injured by birdshot, while another suffered a broken jaw, according to Mike Madding, prison spokesperson.
JULY 4, 1980 – Following a bloody riot in Feb. at the New Mexico State Penitentiary, 13 of 41 guards hired since then have quit.
JULY 4, 1980 – A nine-day lockdown of Chicano inmates at S.Q. has been lifted. The lockdown came as the result of a stabbing of a Chicano inmate June 17 on the lower yard.
JULY 4, 1980 – Country Joe and the Fish and The Rick and Ruby Show will headline the annual Fourth of July show on the lower yard. The entertainment looks to be of high quality and all are welcome to enjoy.
JULY 4, 1980 – A Juneteenth celebration was held last Saturday in the north dining hall. Several prison bands provided the entertainment along with some outside guests.
JULY 4, 1980 – Nine shots were fired on the Protective Housing Unit AC yard to break up a fistfight between a Mexican-American and a white prisoner. Both men suffered multiple birdshot wounds and were taken to the prison hospital.
SEPT. 19, 1980 – “Little John” Seaman, 29, was assaulted and stabbed several times Sept. 9 on the lower yard in the Coyote Park area. He was admitted to the hospital in good condition, according to acting prison information officer Lt. Silva. Three knives were found in the park area, but none were believed to have been involved in the assault. Five inmates are being held for investigation.
MAY 23, 1980 – Mothers and fathers traveled as far as 600 miles away in order to spend Mother’s Day with their convict sons on the prison’s annual Family Day Event. Approximately 100 convicts attended the event, which included breakfast in the north dining hall.
JUNE 13, 1980 – A class in “Dream Work” will be offered, tentatively starting July 14. The classes for 12 interested inmates will meet once a week for one and a half hours. Members will learn techniques to improve dream recall and understanding, and how to explore their inner potential for growth.
JUNE 13, 1980 – Four armed men invaded the District of Columbia prison in the Virginia suburbs and killed an inmate.