San Quentin News

Written By Incarcerated - Advancing Social Justice

Archives for September 2012

Cinematographer Shares His Perspective on Life

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Ruben Ramirez spends his days behind the lens of a camera capturing the lives of inmates at San Quentin. His work as a cinematographer has given him a unique look into aspects of his own life.

‘All I used to do was take in life…Now I want to give back’

Ramirez said he has always kept people at arms length. However, when filming, he tries to get as close to the individual as possible. “I want to let the world in, but I have something inside me preventing me from doing so, and my camera work has allowed me to see I have this inner desire.”
Ramirez says the camera has taught him to see life from a new perspective. He views his camera work as an art.
Life has not always been easy for Ramirez. He was born in Pecos, Texas, the son of migrant farm workers. He spent the better part of his childhood following the harvest with his father, mother, eight brothers, and three sisters. When he was about three years old, his family moved to California, eventually settling in the tiny town of Firebaugh, in Fresno County.
In his 54 years of life, Ramirez has held down many jobs, including migrant farm laborer, material handler, and industrial maintenance mechanic.
Before coming to prison in 2007, he says he was an angry, judgmental, and self-centered individual. Now serving a sentence of 15 years to life for gross vehicular manslaughter, Ramirez is determined to change.
Ramirez says he is working on becoming a humble, patient, and considerate person. Traits which, he said, “I will have to work on for the rest of my life, but that is OK with me.”
He says he stays focused on his goals by surrounding himself with people who have a positive attitude about life. “I have met some of the best people in life at San Quentin,” he observed.
While in San Quentin, Ramirez completed the vocational sheet metal training program. He has also completed Non-Violent Communications and Impact, and attends Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Victim Offender Education Group and various Bible study groups. He said these self-help programs have given him insight into what led him to prison.
Ramirez says his transformation has inspired him to become a volunteer when released. “All I used to do was take in life,” he said. “Now I want to give back.”

Restorative Justice Program Marks 8 Years at S.Q.

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“It’s a lousy way to meet wonderful people,” said a sponsor of San Quentin’s Restorative Justice Program.
Restorative Justice is a non-traditional way of dealing with criminal offenders. It allows crime victims and offenders to engage in discussions.
Although the Restorative Justice program at San Quentin does not connect victims with the actual perpetrator of the crime committed against them, the dialogue gives offenders the opportunity to understand the damage they’ve done from the perspective of a victim.
Practitioners of Restorative Justice say crime is viewed as a violation of dignity and relationships. It seeks justice by identifying and repairing the needs of victims, the community, and offenders. Restorative Justice promotes responsibility in all areas of the criminal justice system.
San Quentin began holding Restorative Justice Symposiums in 2004.
This year’s symposium was held at the prison’s Catholic Chapel and was hosted by prisoner Troy Williams.
About 75 prisoners held round table discussions with about 50 community members to practice the tenets of restorative justice. “What we try to do at the round table is bring together elements of Restorative Justice,” said Williams.

‘I hope by coming to the symposiums …

I can learn something that will keep

me out of prison’

Jack Dison, a former schoolteacher, said restorative justice is not for everyone; sometimes traditional justice is appropriate. But he suggested there are ways the current system could operate more constructively: “One way is more inclusion of victims in the administration of justice.”
J. “Crash” Randall attended his third symposium. “I’m a two-striker, and I don’t want to catch my third strike,” he said. “I hope by coming to the symposiums and meeting people from the streets, I can learn something that will keep me out of prison.”
Of the 75 prisoners who attended the symposium, about 60 were lifers.
One of the goals of San Quentin’s Restorative Justices program is to include more determinate sentenced offenders, said the program’s founder, Christina Hotchkiss.
“Just compare the recidivism rate of determinate against indeterminate sentences,” Hotchkiss said. “The recidivism rate for lifers is about .04 percent, while seven out of 10 determinate sentenced offenders return to prison.”
A representative from Santa Rita Jail who facilitates restorative justice classes said when she first began classes, few men signed up. She challenged the inmates to “man-up” and be accountable for their actions.
“Can you really have accountability, if you don’t know who you are,” said another sponsor. “Healing and accountability are linked. It is a huge part of restorative justice. You can’t have accountability, if you don’t know yourself.”

Qi Gong and Tai Chi Promote Good Health in SQ

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The ninth annual T.R.U.S.T. Health Fair brought the ancient Chinese practices of Qi Gong and Tai Chi to San Quentin to help connect the mind and body and find inner balance and peace.
On Aug. 17 on San Quentin’s Lower Yard, the men in blue received much-needed information about the different ways to improve individual health and well-being.
Ben Wang, Kasi Chakravartula, and Eddy Zheng of Oakland’s Asian Pacific Islander community brought a team that specializes in the practice of Qi Gong. Ru, Debra and Christina were some of the instructors who taught Qi Gong and Tai Chi.
Inmate Chris Scull said of Qi Gong: “It centers me, it relaxes me, and it takes me away from my everyday prison stress.”
“I didn’t believe it at first, but when I tried it, it helped me with my lower back pains and it helped me with my bad knees,” said inmate Glen “Dragon” Tufuga, 54. He added, “The moves were gentle and the exercises were not strenuous; it was exactly what I needed.”
This was the first time Tai Chi was held at the Health Fair. Similar to Qi Gong, Tai Chi is a practice of breathing exercise coordinated with movements designed to balance energy throughout the body.
One Tai Chi instructor said, “People often mistake Tai Chi as a form of martial arts; it is an exercise that helps reduce stress and improve health.” He explained that “Tai Chi gives you lots of benefits; it can increase flexibility, energy, stamina, and agility, improves muscle strength and definition, and most importantly, it brings a state of relaxation and calmness.”
“As a person who constantly does heavy exercises like pull-ups, push-ups, and squats, after a Tai Chi session, my body felt a sense of muscle relaxation that lasted all day,” said one inmate.
“After doing time in eight different prisons and recently transferred from Solano State Prison, I’ve never experienced an event like this,” said inmate Syyen Hong. “I am appreciative to be in San Quentin. Experiences like this make me feel like the outside community still cares.”
Hatha Yoga instructor James Fox said he hopes to collaborate with Tai Chi and Qi Gong instructors to conduct a class that includes all three practices.
— Phoeun You contributed to this story.

Boxing Interest Up

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Expansion of the San Quentin boxing program is being boosted with the help of an experienced boxer who is also a correctional officer.
Correctional Officer M. Polk said he is willing to assist San Quentin inmates with the finer points of boxing, giving them not just boxing skills, but also a sense of direction and discipline. The program will use the existing equipment already in place on the Lower Yard.
At San Quentin, there’s been a heightened interest in sports, including boxing, since the conversion of West Block and Donner Block into general population with an influx of inmates from other prisons.
One participant, inmate Gregory Tabarez, said he obtained his boxing experience while at Vacaville from 1983-1985. While there, he was the lead man in the gym, and said he had the opportunity to learn about the science of boxing.
“I received my first set of boxing gloves for my fifth birthday, and on the same day, my older sister, Maria, beat me up with my new boxing gloves,” said Tabarez. “But it was the last time she beat me up.”
“Boxing is a sport that’s open to all races and ages,” said trainer Adam Barboza. “However, as trainers, we are particular of who we train. It’s hard work and takes dedication; most beginners don’t last.”
Barboza said that the hard work relieves stress, enhances health, teaches self-control, and introduces discipline.

NFL Hall of Fame Player Ronnie Lott Holds Court

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Hard-hitting Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, known for his tenacious defense as a 49er, recently visited San Quentin along with his basketball team called the Outsiders and defeated the San Quentin Kings basketball team 62-59 in comeback fashion.
“I came to play ball and hang with the fellows,” said Lott, who patiently signed autographs for prisoners who flocked to the basketball court to see the NFL legend in action. “I’ve been here four times, but this is my first time playing ball.”
He also emphasized that his team came to compete and that the visitors were not intimidated by playing incarcerated men.
The Outsiders started their comeback as Mike Gallagher knocked down a free throw, followed by a Paul Bubble mid-range jumper. Bubble returned on a fast break lay-up to tie the game 51-51 and followed with a strong put back to give the Outsiders their first lead.
After a Kings jumper by Sean Pierce, Steve Watkin of the Outsiders hit a floater, and then followed with a jumper to increase their lead to 57-53.
 

‘I came to play ball

and hang out with the fellows’

 
Following a free throw by Paul Davidson, Lott tossed an assist to Gareth Hancock.
The Kings answered as Davidson buried a driving floater.
The Outsiders put the game away as Watkin hit a free throw and Gallagher made two free throws to increase the lead to 62-56.
The Kings’ point guard, Brain Asey, buried a three-pointer at the buzzer, but it was too late.
Lott stayed on a few extra minutes signing autographs for the many fans who applauded his visit.
Lott played a year of basketball at the University of Southern California. “This has been a great experience, just hanging with 49er and Raider fans. It’s just real,” he said.
Kings power forward Davidson commented after their loss: “It was a dream come true to play against Lott. I watched him in college and in the pros. Playing against him is something I will always remember. We were talking trash during the game and I told him this isn’t football; this is basketball. If I had to lose a game, I’d rather lose it to Lott. But he added that if the Outsiders return, “we will beat them.”

Hopson Streaks Home In S.Q. Half-Marathon

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They ran for more than an hour and a half, but the winner sprinted ahead on the last lap to win by just eight seconds.
Terry Phillips led most of the race; however, Lorenzo Hopson overtook him on the last lap to win the race.
“I ran at my training pace,” Hopson said about his race strategy. “For training, I sometimes run the half-marathon seven days out of the week. In May I put in nearly 90 miles, stretched out and exercised a lot.”
Hopson, 58, logged a winning time of 1:31:55. Phillips, 29, was runner-up at 1:32:03.
Phillips said his training includes running for long periods to build up his endurance. “I made a lot of good friends” in the 1,000 Mile Club. “They taught me that by working hard, we can accomplish all of the goals that we set for ourselves. That is an important lesson that will help me succeed in society.”
Phillips is scheduled to be released on parole in September.
San Quentin’s 1,000 Mile Club fielded 27 runners in its annual 52-lap, 13.2-mile race on Aug. 3.
Third Place: Miguel Quezada, 31, with a time of 1:37:18 .
Fourth Place: Stephen Yair Leibb, 56, with a time of 1:38:17
Fifth Place: Larry Ford, 56, with a time of 1:39:35.
— Clinton Martin contributed to this story

Football Goals Laid Out

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The Intramural Flag Football League (IFFL) began its first season last month with four teams, the Main Event, the San Quentin Raiders, the 49ers, and The Untouchables.
The coaches offered their strategies for the upcoming season:
“Our approach is to maximize our potential,” said Abdur Raheem (Isaiah Thompson – Bonilla), a player and coach for the Main Event, who has a 5-0 record, “An efficient unit is our priority, and attaining that goal comes by hard work and cognition of the game. We look forward to facing every opponent and competing at a high level every game.”
Walter R. Frank Sr., the coach for the San Quentin Raiders, said his approach is to “showcase the raw talent that has been assembled before us here at San Quentin. We want to be intrepid on the football field and have a diet of just winning. A championship is all we want to taste.”
“As the great Vince Lombardi said, ‘Winning is not everything, it’s the only thing,’” Frank added. Frank’s Raiders are 3-2.
Aaron “Imam Jeddi” Taylor is the coach for the 49ers, who are 2-3. He said his approach to this first season of the ILFF is to “first and foremost, to have fun.”
“Coach K” coaches the Untouchables, who are 0-5. “My approach is to win and to win we must pursue excellence. To be excellent, we will be disciplined,” he said.
 

Running Back Darren McFadden Critical for Raiders’ 2012 Season

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A critical component to the Oakland Raiders 2012 NFL season is running back Darren McFadden.
The Raiders started last season 3-2 and McFadden was the league’s leading rusher with 610 yards.
Week six brought a season-ending injury to quarterback Jason Campbell. McFadden was injured the following week.
Backup running back Michael Bush was decent, however, with McFadden’s 4.3 speeds gone, the Raider’s rushing attack was not the same. Moreover, McFadden was also a good pass-catcher.
If McFadden stays healthy, the Raiders can be an explosive offense led by quarterback Carson Palmer and his speedy receivers in Darrius Hayward-Bey, Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford.
In the previous year, McFadden ran for 1,157 yards in 13 games.
As the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, McFadden signed a contract worth $60 million, including $27 million in guaranteed money.
The Raiders cannot afford to lose McFadden during a run to the 2012 NFL playoffs.
 

Feds Side With Native Americans

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Federal officials are supporting a Native American claim that denying tobacco to prisoners for religious ceremonies is discriminatory.
In a brief filed in July, the U.S. Department of Justice said the state of South Dakota’s position “runs contrary to the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and U.S. Supreme Court precedent.”
State officials eliminated Native American exemption for tobacco use in its prisons because, they say, “tobacco was being sold or bartered and inmates had been caught separating it from their pipe mixtures and prayer ties,” reported The Associated Press.
Native Americans filed a federal lawsuit in 2009 seeking to reverse the South Dakota Department of Correction’s ban. A similar lawsuit filed by a San Quentin inmate is pending against the California prison system.
San Quentin Native Americans Reggie Azbill and Chad Holzhouser say they are using kinicknick as a tobacco substitute in their ceremonies. Kinicknick is a blend of herbs, including peppermint, sweet grass, white sage, and cedar.
“Other religions have their Bibles; we have our ceremonial tobacco,” Azbill said. “Tobacco is like our Bible. It is the way we get connected with the Creator.”
“Smoking the kinicknick is just not the same as tobacco,” Holzhouser said. “It’s like wearing dirty laundry.”
New Mexico and Nevada have smoking bans in their prison systems, but allow the use of tobacco during religious ceremonies, according to the AP report.

End of Ramadan Celebrated

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More than 160 Muslims and distinguished guests attended the San Quentin Eid-Ul-Fitr banquet, celebrating the end of the sacred month of Ramadan where all able adherents of the Islamic faith refrain from food and drink during daylight hours for approximately 30 days.
Members of the San Quentin Muslim community who were allowed to participate gathered into the Lower Yard module, joining in prayer and listening to the wisdom of noted scholars and guests who attended the event.
Eid-Ul-Fitr translated to English literally means celebration of “breaking the fast” and is a one-day festival where Muslim come together to thank God, share the message of peace, ask forgiveness, give charity for those who are less fortunate, buy gifts for children and gather with family and friends in prayer.
“It has moved my heart to see so many of you (prisoners) united in the cause of Allah,” said Imam Hamza, a South African-taught scholar from a Mosque across San Francisco Bay in Richmond. “You are worshiping in a time of hardship.”
Of the more than 200 Muslims at San Quentin who fasted this year for Ramadan, 95 were recognized for participating in a religious study course taught each evening during Ramadan in the Islamic Chapel by scholar Sheikh Atikur-Rahman. The 60-hour course was recognized and sanctioned by the Tayba Foundations Distance Learning Program. It is the first such course in a United States prison.
“This is a historical event. Never in the history of San Quentin has this many people graduated from a program held in a chapel and sanctioned by an outside Islamic organization,” the Sheikh reminded the graduates.
The Sheikh also shared the Quranic command that says, “Remind them of the days of God,” when divine mercy and divine guidance interact with the daily affairs of Muslims, helping to guide them on a path of success and growth.
After the guests spoke on the blessings that Muslims receive for fasting, the men where treated to a large meal including beef, chicken and rice, much of which was donated by the outside Muslim community.
The Eid-Ul-Fitr is a day of peace where Muslims make peace with God; a day of victory where Muslims overcome the basic human desires for food, water and sex and a day of forgiveness where Muslims are forgiven for their transgressions. The combination of these elements makes this day special in Muslim tradition all around the world, according to Islamic belief.

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