Frequently asked questions about the San Quentin College Program (aka “Patten University at San Quentin” or “Prison University Project”) – July 2012
1. What is the College Program at San Quentin?
The College Program at San Quentin is an extension site of Patten University. The Program offers college preparatory courses in math and English, as well as college credit classes leading to an Associate of Arts degree in liberal arts. All classes take place in classrooms (mostly in the evening), and are led by instructors. All instructors in the San Quentin College Program work as volunteers. Most are graduate students or faculty from local colleges and universities such as UC Berkeley, Stanford, San Francisco State University, or the University of San Francisco. All lead instructors for credit classes hold at least a Master’s Degree in the field in which they teach – just as would be required at any other college or university.
2. What is the Prison University Project?
The Prison University Project is the non-profit organization that was founded in 2000 by a group of volunteer instructors to provide material and financial support to the College Program at San Quentin, PUP’s off-site office, school supplies, and other program expenses. PUP receives no funding from the state or federal government.
3. Who is eligible to participate in the San Quentin College Program?
Any person who is part of the mainline (level II) population at San Quentin and holds either a high school diploma or GED is eligible to enroll in the College Program.
4. What does it cost?
It costs nothing to participate in the College Program. The College Program charges no fees or tuition, and students are lent the textbooks they need for their classes, and given the necessary school supplies (such as notebooks, folders, pencils, etc.)
5. How do I sign up?
Please send a note expressing your interest in participating in the College Program via institutional mail to “Patten University at San Quentin, Education Department.” Be sure to include your name and CDC#. We will add you to the Program waitlist, and notify you of the date of the next New Student Orientation as soon as space becomes available. If your housing changes, don’t worry! We will make sure we have your most up-to-date housing information before we mail you any information about the College Program, so long as you provide your CDC# when you write to us.
6. How long will I have to wait before I can enroll?
Currently, new students are waiting an average of two semesters (eight months) from the time they sign up for the program before being enrolled into classes. Fall semester begins in September; spring semester in January; and summer semester in May. Orientation sessions are typically held the month prior to the start of the new semester. All students must attend an orientation session before being enrolled in classes.
7. If I am not currently housed as San Quentin but want to participate in the College Program can I be transferred there?
Yes, as long as you currently hold either a high school diploma or GED, and are eligible for a level II mainline. To start this process, you should communicate to your counselor that you would like to be transferred to San Quentin for this purpose. If you would like us to send a letter to your counselor, explaining the College Program and expressing support for your transfer request, please write to us at “Prison University Project, Post Office Box 492, San Quentin, CA, 94964.” In your letter, please provide us with contact information for your counselor. Be sure to include your full name, CDC#, and current address, and indicate whether you have a high school diploma or GED.
8. I have credits from another college – can I transfer them in?
All students in the College Program must complete English 99A, English 99B, English 101A, English 101B, and English 204 at San Quentin, unless they place out of one or more of these by taking a placement exam offered after attendance at a New Student Orientation. Only once students have completed (or have placed out of) these English classes, will the College Program evaluate transcripts from other colleges to see whether any courses taken previously might fulfill requirements for the Associate’s degree. However, students are encouraged to take all required courses with the Program, since all students benefit academically from the additional experience. In particular, students whose previous experience was with distance learning courses generally report that the College Program offers a completely different level of educational experience.
9. Is there a way of getting to the top of the waitlist without waiting all that time
No. All prospective students are added to the waitlist as soon as they contact us directly (either in writing or in person) expressing interest in enrolling in the College Program.
10. I got transferred to SQ specifically to participate in the College Program – do I still have to wait?
Yes. If you transfer to San Quentin, we will add you to the waitlist as soon as you contact us to say that you have arrived (see instructions above in question 5).
11. I got my GED/HSD in another institution/state but don’t have a record of it. What should I do?
You do not need to possess a copy of your high school diploma or GED certificate to enroll; verification in your C-file is sufficient. If you do not have either, please speak with us at the New Student Orientation to request a HSD/GED Verification Form. Through this form, we can obtain verification from the institution that originally granted the diploma or certificate.
Archives for July 2012
Hitland Concert Rocks The Yard
About 1,000 San Quentin prisoners munched on hot dogs, sipped fruit drink and soaked up rap and rock music on the Lower Yard for the 10th year, thanks to a group called Hitland Ministry.
“It’s a joyous day. It’s about being part of a community. It’s something to be appreciated. It’s been respectful by inmates and officers alike,” said Ronnie (Roc) Williams.
Hitland performers entertaining prisoners
As bands played throughout the Saturday morning and well into the afternoon of June 30, on what is dubbed Hotdog Day, a line formed around the outer edges of the yard to get their snacks.
“We have more than 3,000 dedicated volunteers at San Quentin,” said Lt. Anderson, the watch commander. “That’s more than all the other prison have put together,” he added. “I appreciate the inmate volunteers too. I like to see these peaceful events it brings joy to the faces of the prisoners. Great job, Hitland.”
Prisoners enjoying the entertainment
Inmates got back in line to get seconds, thirds, fourths, until all the hotdogs were grilled and eaten.
“I arrived here from Tracy State Prison. We never had anything like this at Tracy. I think it’s a blessing that the nice people come in here to feed us. It releases a lot of stress, promotes unity among inmates and people on the outside. These kind of events make me feel like I’m not in prison and instead at home,” said Ivan Serrano.
Robert Cole added, “I just recently arrived here from Solano State Prison. This is a humbling experience and I am very grateful. I’m thankful Hitland Ministries is showing the love of God to a convicted criminal like me.”
“Hitland is a wonderful event and they’re well organized and I commend all the staff and the organization for putting such a great event,” commented Steve Emrick, community partnership manager
HERE IS WHAT THE
MEN OF SAN QUENTIN
HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE CONCERT:
“The hot dogs are good. I’ve been in prison over 40 years and never seen this done anywhere else. Thank you Hitland.” — Joe Ybarra
“I just got here Thursday. Man, this is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen. I wish they would do this in every prison; it would really build up the morale.” — Danny Stevens
“This is my third time in line I just got here Thursday. I really like the atmosphere. It’s my first time ever experiencing this kind of love.” — Ronald Hill
Hitland crew serving hot dogs and drinks on the Lower Yard
“I’m grateful for the respect that everyone is giving to each other. Thank you, Hitland.” —Duane Whaley
“Hitland is doing a wonderful thing; it’s really nice to have people love and care for us this way.” — David Holt
“These are some good hot dogs, fresh and grilled. I would stand in line again. Thank you, Hitland.” — Mike Villanueva
“Hitland showed us this love, so I didn’t mind waiting in line so long.” — Jim Meinecke
Brandon Dawson and Devon Carter said they just got to San Quentin. They said they never saw anything like this in prison and were appreciative of Hitland.
“This gives me time to socialize with my friends. Hitland shows a lot of love. Just look at this long line!” — Adam Barboza
“This is my fourth time volunteering for Hitland, but my first coming into San Quentin. My other three visits were to the Juvenile Hall. It makes me feel good to give, and in return, I receive friendliness from all the guys. I’ve been serving the Lord since 1986 and really, everyone is my brother.” — Volunteer Bernie Chavez
“It’s not about the hot dogs, but about the love of God that comes with it. People say that God works in mysterious ways. What’s more mysterious than your heart being embraced by a hot dog, inspiration of music and good fellowship from Hit Land Ministry?” — Darnell Hill
“I’m having a great time and a good conversation with my friend. These are some good hot dogs. What a blessing.” — Todd Williams
“I’m just enjoying the music and good company. Thank you, Hitland, for the hot dogs. Thank you for all your support.” — Little Bear
“This is really a special thanks to Hitland. The music was very entertaining. People were respectful.” — Cornelius Wigfall
“Praise God for the opportunity to share this special day with the brothers and all the other volunteers with us.” — Tim Warren, community volunteer.
“It’s a perfect day for this; no doubt about it.” — John Nebelett
“It’s a good day to have everybody come together and see God in the people who are serving.” — Mike Tyler
“I’m very excited about the event. The men are encouraged, seeing that God cares.” — Jeannie Wilson, courageworldwide.org
“I love coming to these events and serving alongside everyone to share the love of Christ.” — Carlyn Garder, community volunteer.
“I’ve been in prison 30 years. It’s finally good to see authentic smiles on thousands of faces.” — Conley Dukes
“I’m very pleased how the day went and hopefully everyone received the good message.” — Walter Spraeka
“I’m impressed; I’m amazed. What a blessing to come out and serve. If I see nothing else, the smiles on the faces says it all.” — Rob Bezanson, community volunteer
“This event is a great day. Thank you to Hitland Ministry for building a positive program.” — Chrisfino Kenyatta Leal
“Thanks to Hitland and our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. I want to especially thank the administration for allowing this even to go on.” — Corey Mceeil
“It’s truly a blessing to serve all of these men and see the smiles on their faces. It shows God loves us all.” — Calvin Coolidge Johnson III
“My ministry is about evangelism and defending the faith. I teach a class on Thursday night in the Protestant Chapel.” — Timothy Oliver, jesusiscreator.org.
“This is a very beautiful day. It’s a true expression of what Christian love is all about: breaking bread with one another, sharing good music and entertainment and allowing God to work in our hearts.” — Darryl Hill Sr.
“It was my absolute pleasure to serve and be here for the day.”— Robin Bezanson.
Here are some of the comments by Christian rapper Transparent:
“I usually perform at high schools, parks and churches. I’m used to giving, but when I come here, I’m always receiving something.
“My pops was a DJ in the ‘80s. He’d always say to me, ‘Let me see if you can rap.’ He’d take me to places where the were a lot of musicians. I listened to Cool Mo D and Michael Jackson. My mom was also a singer. It wasn’t until I gave my life to the Lord that things took off. I have been a Christian artist since 2009.
“I put out a CD called L.I.F.E. (Living In Favor Everyday). My latest album is D.O.P.E. (Dominating on Purpose Everyday).” Web site: transparent82.com.
Here are some of the comments by Christian rapper Saylah:
“After going to my first Christian hip-hop concert, I was inspired. I realized music was a way to relate to people. I understood how it could be used as a tool for the Kingdom.
“I started writing poetry, which I performed as spoken word, eventually developing into rap.
“This is my fourth time coming to San Quentin’s Hitland event. I leave here blessed.” Web site: www.Saylahflowz.com
S.Q.’s Field of Dreams Inspires Introspection
San Quentin’s lower yard is named the Field of Dreams. Some might see it as a Field of Broken Dreams, to steal a look into the life of some men at the prison; but baseball coach Frankie Smith doesn’t see it that way.
The various trials and tribulations of life have led many people to this field, but perhaps no one more interesting than Smith. Although his life is peppered with heartbreaking tragedies, it also glistens with moments of great triumph.
Growing up in Sacramento, Smith’s Nono (Italian for grandpa) was his biggest inspiration and fan. Nono pushed Smith to play sports and he responded by playing baseball with a passion — wanting to make it to the major leagues.
Smith never made it to the majors; but he thrived at Sacramento City College and the City Recreation League’s Lumber Company team.
Life caught up with Smith as a tough divorce and alcoholism drove him to prison for second-degree murder. Alcoholism, he says, cost him his moral compass.
As soon as he got to San Quentin, seven years ago, he started attending self-help groups to right the course of his life.
Now, 10 years into his sentence, Smith doesn’t blame his position in life on the mistakes of his past. Instead, he says, “alcoholism may have led me to prison, but I take ultimate responsibility for what I’ve done.”
But tragedy struck Smith again in 2006 when he was benched by cancer, causing him to lose his right kidney. Last year, he was sidelined with cancer to his mouth. Smith now realizes how fragile life can be.
After surviving his two bouts with cancer, Smith made his way back to The Field of Dreams, returning to his coaching position this year.
Smith believes in owning up to mistakes in order to learn, grow, and move ahead in life — a philosophy that translates well into his style of coaching. Smith tells his players to take ownership of their errors and make the necessary adjustments to play better.
Despite his downturns in life, many know him as one of the more positive men in San Quentin.
Smith wishes “to be free with his family again, and be a productive member of society,” he says, adding, “I love my children. I regret that I left them at the time they needed me the most.”
The Field of Dreams may not be a place where Smith can be free with his family again, but the rest of his dream about being a productive member of society is playing out there.
Smith is what the Field of Dreams is all about — a place where you can still be a winner, even in prison.
Smith says, “Quitters don’t win, and winners don’t quit.” Smith is not a quitter.
Boston Red Sox Players Visit S.Q.
Boston Red Sox players visiting San Quentin stressed the importance of communication, practice, and learning how to face adverse situations on the field.
“Communication is the number one thing in anything that you do. If you don’t have communication as a team, every thing crumbles,” pitcher Rich Hill said in an interview.
World Series winner Josh Beckett discussed dealing with adversity. “I think a lot of it is slowing it down and not making emotionally based decisions,” he said. “Slowing the game down, and working with sports psychologists.”
Josh Beckett
John Lackey urged the San Quentin Giants and Athletics to fine-tune their skills. “It’s all about repetition; the more you do something, the better you get at it. It takes a lot of years of practice,” Lackey said.
Beckett won the 2003 World Series MVP award with the Florida Marlins. He won the 2007 American League Championship Series MVP award with the Red Sox, going on to defeat the Colorado Rockies in the World Series.
Beckett’s career statistics includes a 129-88 win-loss record, a 3.87 earned-run average and 1,686 strikeouts through July 6, 2012.
Beckett and the Red Sox agreed to a four-year, $68 million contract extension on April 5, 2010.
The Anaheim Angels drafted Lackey in 1999. In his first season in the majors, he contributed to the franchise’s first World Series title in 2002 against the San Francisco Giants. Lackey is only the second rookie in World Series history to start and win a Game 7. His ERA led the American League in 2007 and he made the All-Star team for the first time. Lackey signed a five-year contract worth $82.5 million on Dec. 16, 2009.
Hill’s pitching record is 23-20 with a 4.66 ERA and 381 strikeouts through July 4, 2012.
When Hill was with the Cubs, catcher Michael Barrett described Hill’s curveball as “so electric that the first couple of times I caught him, I had a tendency to come up on the curve because it bites so much. You just don’t see a left-handed curveball like that anymore. When he’s good, it doesn’t hang, and it’s nearly unhittable.”
The Red Sox signed Hill to a minor-league contract last December.
The Boston Red Sox head physical therapist as well as pitcher, Mark Melancon, also visited San Quentin.
–Journalism Guild Chair JulianGlenn Padgett contributed to this story-
Runners Compete in One-Hour Race
Twenty-one men ran around the San Quentin Lower Yard, competing for who could cover the greatest distance in one hour.
First place went to Eddie Herena, 29, who ran 8.75 miles in the 1,000-Mile Club event on July 6. His average time was 6:51 per mile.
On what began as an overcast day, Malcolm Williams and Ricky Dotson led the pack for the first half of the of the race. Herena and Lorenzo Hopson overtook them in the second half.
“I feel good,” said Herena after the race. “This run boosted my confidence. I had to take some time off to recover from injuries, but I feel strong now.”
Hopson, 58, finished second. He ran 8.625 miles, averaging 6:57 per mile.
“I usually train by running 60-70 miles per week,” Hopson said. “In the last six months, I’ve logged in about 1,300 miles, including 228 miles in a one-month period.’’
Ricky Dotson, 54, placed third with 8.625 miles. Stephen Yair Liebb, 56, placed fourth with 8.625 miles.
Laura Bowmen-Salzsieder was honored prior to the run. Bowmen-Salzsieder said she organized the club seven years ago as a way to promote good health for inmates.
“The men motivate each other and help pick each other up,” she said.
Coach Frank Ruona was also honored with a certificate of appreciation. “Running is mentally and physically beneficial,” he said. “Being part of a club promotes unity amongst the members and the trainers.”
The club facilitators said new members are welcomed to come out, run, and have fun.
The 1,000-Mile Club is scheduled to have a 52-lap half-marathon event in August. Members said all are welcomed to participate, “so get your running shoes ready.”
—David Bennett contributed to this story.
Priest’s Book Promotes Redemption From Gangs
Twenty years ago, Father Gregory Boyle was assigned to a job no one wanted — ministering in the gang-infested neighborhoods of Los Angeles, long thought by many authorities to be beyond redemption.
His new memoir, Tattoos on the Heart-The Power of Boundless Compassion, tells the story of a man who does more than just reform gangbangers by providing them with jobs, social services and respect. He intercedes into the lives of the most unwanted, changing how these youngsters view everything around them, including themselves.
Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, transformed himself into a trusted facilitator of hope. “You stand with the least likely to succeed until success is succeeded by something more valuable: kinship,” writes Boyle, a Jesuit priest. “We situate ourselves right next to the disposable so that the day will come when we stop throwing people away.”
Never wavering in his faith, Boyle says, “Resilience is born by grounding yourself in your own loveliness, hitting notes you thought were out of your range. We must do the slow work of God.”
What if a gang member had
actually been parented?
Tattoos on the Heart was a Los Angeles Times best seller and winner of the 2010 SCIBA Book Award for Nonfiction and was named by Publishers Weekly among the Best Books of 2010..
Boyle doesn’t minimize the violence associated with gang life. “I used to tell homies that one of the reasons they continued to gangbang was they were never around to hear a mother scream when she heard her son was dead.”
“Sometimes, you just can’t think of much else to do but shake your fist and get red in the face,” he writes.
Faced with the tragic paths taken by many involved in gangs, Boyle wonders about the “what ifs.” What if a gang member had actually been parented? What if he just had a stable place to rest his head? But regardless of their pasts, Boyle doesn’t think their fates are sealed. His energy in Tattoos on the Heart is focused on letting gang members know that transformation is available for them.
“Sometimes you need to walk in the gang member’s door, in order to introduce him to a brand-new door,” he writes. “You grab what he finds valuable and bend it around something else, a new form of nobility. You try to locate his moral code and conform it to a new standard that no longer includes violence and the harboring of enemies.”
Boyle said he believes the most marginalized people in society are the most critical ones to help. “Only when we can see a community where the outcast is valued and appreciated will we abandon the values that seek to exclude,” he writes.
He insists no one is beyond hope or help. Quoting philosopher Mary Oliver, Boyle writes, “There are things you can’t reach. But you can reach out to them, all day long.”
Electronic Monitoring For Gang Member Parolees
With more than 420,000 gang members estimated in California, corrections officials are teaming up with a GPS monitoring company to launch a pilot study for tracking those considered most dangerous after they are released from prison.
The California Department of Justice estimates that approximately 25,000 parolees have special conditions of court-ordered parole after serving a determinate sentence, because of gang activities. Some 6,500 to 7,500 of the parolees may be classified as high-risk gang offenders, the state estimates.
The department alleges that many of these high-risk gang members are responsible for crimes including murder, witness intimidation, money laundering, extortion, narcotic production and sales, prostitution, human trafficking, assassinations for hire, theft and counterfeiting.
Despite the increasing popularity of electronic monitoring systems, the study proposal says little is known about their effectiveness in reducing the recidivism of gang members or their use as an investigative and prosecutorial tool.
The new study will determine the effectiveness of the monitoring program for high-risk gang offenders over a four-year period.
The mandatory monitoring program includes intensive supervision and a monitoring device. The device will track the precise location of parolees and link the data to the location and time of reported crime incidents, as well as verify that the individuals are where they are supposed to be.
Notifications of any intersection of a parolee with a crime incident, zone violation, or tampering with the device are electronically sent to the appropriate police or corrections agency.
Leadership Development Course Awards Diplomas in Theology
Eight San Quentin prisoners received Christian leadership diplomas from the Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in June graduation ceremonies featuring full academic regalia for the teachers and caps and gowns for the students.
“We are not just training you for when you get out, but to lead the kingdom of God where you are,” Seminary President Dr. Jeff P. Iorg told the graduates. “No matter your circumstances, find a way to advance the kingdom of God. Stay obedient, share the Gospel, teach the Bible, model the life of Jesus Christ.”
It was the fifth year the seminary has offered prisoners training through the Contextualized Leadership Development program.
Earning the CLD Diploma in Theology was Robert Butler. CLD Diplomas in Christian Ministries were presented to James Bennett, Ryan Crainshaw, William Dew, Darnell Hill, Anthony Parker and Dennis Pratt. Earning both diplomas was Jonathan Cope.
L.A. County Jail Population Expected to Increase by Thousands
The Los Angeles County Jail population is expected to increase by about 7,000 over the next two years, and peak to about 21,000 by the end of 2013, according to a new report analyzing county jail intake numbers and its impact on offenders shifted from state to county lockups.
The report says without the shifted offenders, the jail population would have likely remained at the 14,000 – 15,000 level.
The report by the JFA Institute suggests that the sheriff’s department could bring down its jail population by about 3,000 by releasing detainees who pose no threat to public safety while awaiting trial. In addition, implementing a comprehensive re-entry program, where sentence reductions were given to inmates who participate in programs designed to keep them from returning to jail, would help lower the population.
The report says about 1,500 beds could be added to the jail system, if the sheriff’s department takes control of some county conservation camps.
The report says the Central Jail can be closed within two years if the jail population is reduced by 3,000 and 1,500 beds are added.
There has been a dramatic decline in the crime rate of California counties since 2000, and it is projected that the crime rate will remain low, according to the study.
Consistent with the reported crime trends, the study finds there has been a decline in jail bookings. In 1990 there were 260,795 bookings. In 2000, the numbers fell to 162,406. In 2011, it had dropped to 142,862.
The study says offenders diverted to the county jails as a result of the state’s realignment strategy will have no impact on the level of bookings and releases in Los Angeles.
Prison Realignment Creates Challenges for Counties
California’s prisoner realignment plan is generating problems in many counties that will affect each of the 58 counties, says a new study by the Americans Civil Liberty Union analyzing California’s solution to its overcrowded prisons.
Realignment is Gov. Jerry Brown’s response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision ordering the state to fix its unconstitutional medical care delivery system to prisoners by reducing its inmate population. The population is ordered to be at 137.5 percent of design capacity by June 2013.
The state’s blueprint to meet the court order says it can only get to 141 percent by 2013, and will ask the court to allow it to stay at 145 percent.`
Some counties are experiencing overcrowded jails, and a need for increased drug treatment and rehabilitation programs, according to a separate report by the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice. That report says, “The state must continue to reduce its prison population and provide adequate conditions of care to its reduced, older, and more medically demanding population.”
The ACLU report comments: “Counties that have chosen a path of jail expansion—as many of the Big 25 county realignment plans indicate they have—are trying to solve the wrong problem. They seek to absorb the realigned population without changing their local approaches to public safety. Left unchecked, these counties will build larger jail systems that will cost more tax dollars than they do now and hold more people than they do now.”
In yet another report, the Public Policy Institute of California points out that as of February, 17 counties were operating under court orders limiting the number of detainees in their jails.
“I fear that we are likely to see a great deal more transfer of incarceration from prison to jail, but I think that will only delay slightly the day of reckoning for our over-reliance on incarceration,” warns Jonathon Simon, UC Berkeley law professor.
The ACLU report says realignment encourages counties to use alternative to incarceration and to use evidence-based methods to achieve a safer community. However, the report comments that there is no way to determine if the realignment plan is meeting its goals because the law doesn’t tell the counties how to spend the money, nor does it ask to the counties how the money was spent.
“The criminal justice system selectively incarcerates to deal with mental health, drug abuse, and economic and social problems that can never be solved simply by locking more people behind bars,” says the ACLU report.
The reports note the state prison population is rapidly decreasing according to the blueprint; however, each report cautions policy makers about tracking and accounting for the effectiveness of county plans and how to fund the plans.
“Jail costs will expand rapidly as their mission moves closer to the prison and the surplus in space will be short-lived,” said Simon. “Health costs which threaten to overwhelm the system will not necessarily be lower in jails than in prison, especially if custody lasts years.”
The Public Policy Institute of California comments: “County officials might respond to the incentives introduced by realignment by altering their approach to prosecution and sentencing. In marginal cases, district attorneys may opt for more serious charges (known as ‘up-charging’) in hopes of sending offenders to prison instead of county jail. Similarly, prosecutors may decide to charge rearrested parolees with new crimes rather than just technical violations of parole. These tendencies would likely increase prison commitment rates over time. Alternatively, judges may opt for lighter sentences or split sentences that keep offenders in local custody for less time.”
On the same topic, The Economist magazine reports: “A new question is whether realignment is merely shifting a humanitarian disaster from the state to its 58 counties. The reform will work in the long run only if the overall number of people behind bars in California declines.”