San Quentin News

Written By Incarcerated - Advancing Social Justice

Archives for December 2016

…campaign seeks to extend the ban

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A campaign is underway to end solitary confinement for youth in juvenile and adult facilities across the United States.

The campaign was launched in April by a number of national groups, including the Center for Children’s Law and Policy. The new partnership is called Stop Solitary for Kids.

Leading the campaign is Jennifer Lutz, who said she believes collaborative efforts with juvenile correction facility staff and youth advocates can “create realistic and lasting change.”

The group held a meeting in Washington on youth incarceration issues that included U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-NJ; Roy Austin, the president’s deputy assistant; and top federal administrators from various youth justice bureaus.

In an email to the San Quentin News, Lutz said that “eliminating solitary confinement and long-term monetary savings are possible.” That goal would involve developing and using behavioral management systems, training on de-escalation techniques, and programming to keep youth engaged.

In June, the campaign joined a group of national experts and youths organized by the Department of Justice to address solitary confinement issues.

Since the launch of the campaign, the federal juvenile justice bureau has endorsed the campaign’s efforts. Also, the campaign has gained signatory supports from more than 50 organizations nationwide. Some of which are in the correctional fields: American Probation and Parole Association, American Correctional Association, Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators and others.

Partnered organizations of the campaign are the Council of Juvenile Correction Administrators, consisting of juvenile justice directors statewide; the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at Georgetown University, which provides training to state and local juvenile justice personnel; and the Justice Policy Institute, specializing in research and policy advocacy.

According to Lutz, there is no direct opposition to the campaign, but many correctional administrators and staff do feel unsafe should solitary confinement be eliminated because they think that youth will engage in disruptive behavior without fearing the consequences.

Visit www.stopsolitaryforkids.org or #stopsolitaryforkids for more information.

David Le: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y78HMlWo6k

Who gets the death penalty? It mostly depends on who the prosecutor is

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A small number of prosecutors across the country are vigorously pursuing death sentences and, according to a new study, have done so without regard for fairness and accuracy.

“These prosecutors are evidence that the application of the death penalty is — and always has been — less about the circumstances of the offense or the characteristics of the person who committed the crime, and more a function of the personality and predilections of the local prosecutors entrusted with the power to seek the ultimate punishment,” the study reports.

It is titled Fair Punishment Project: America’s Top Five Deadliest Prosecutors: How Overzealous Personalities Drive The Death Penalty: June 2016.

One example is Joe Freeman Britt, head prosecutor for Robeson County, North Carolina, who obtained 38 death sentences in 14 years.

“Within the breast of each of us burns a flame that constantly whispers in our ear, ‘Preserve life, preserve life, preserve life at any cost,’” Britt once said. “It is the prosecutor’s job to extinguish that flame.”

Misconduct was alleged in almost 82 percent of Britt’s cases, while misconduct was found in about 37 percent of them and two people were exonerated, the study reports.

Britt is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as “the deadliest prosecutor in America.”

Robert J. Macy, aka, “Cowboy” Bob Macy, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, is responsible for 54 death sentences, “more than the current Death Row populations of Colorado, Indiana, New Mexico, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming combined,” Fair Punishment Project reported.

In 21 years as a prosecutor, misconduct was alleged in nearly 95 percent of Macy’s cases. Misconduct was found in 18 of his cases. The courts reversed nearly half his death sentences and three people were exonerated.

After Macy retired, the county has had three death sentences in the past six years.

Federal prosecutor Donald V. Myers, 11th Judicial District, South Carolina, secured 39 death sentences in 38 years.

Misconduct was alleged in nearly 62 percent of his prosecutions. Misconduct was found in more than 45 percent of them.

Under Lynne Abraham, who has been dubbed the “Queen of Death” and “The Deadliest D.A.,” the Philadelphia County District Attorney’s office obtained 108 death sentences, Fair Punishment Project reports. “She described herself as ‘passionate’ about the death penalty. ‘I truly believe it is manifestly correct,’ she said.”

In 19 years, two people were exonerated.

Abraham drew criticism after a reporter once noted 85 percent of the people incarcerated in the city’s jail were African-American. Abraham was asked if she believed 85 percent of the city’s crime was committed by African-Americans. “Yes, I do. I really do,” replied Abraham, the Fair Punishment Project reported.

Under the leadership of Harris County District Attorney Johnny Holmes, 201 people were sentenced to death from 1979 through 2000.

“If you murder someone here, the state of Texas is going to kill you,” Holmes is quoted in the Fair Punishment Project report.

When death sentences obtained under the leadership of Lynne Abraham and Johnny Holmes are included, that total comes to 440.

“If you compare that total to the current number of prisoners on Death Row in the entire country, which was determined to be 2,943 as of Jan. 1, 2016, it is clear that these five prosecutors have had an outsized impact on the death penalty,” Fair Punishment Project reported.

Tasty graduation for the first class Quentin Cooks

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The inaugural graduating class of “The Quentin Cooks” prepared a five-course feast as a worthy finish to the new Culinary Arts Program, a 12-week course on basic culinary knowledge and skills. The course provides practical training from instructors with real-world experience and the chance to earn a ServSafe certification, which is required to work in a California restaurant.

Gourmet food prepared by the students

About two dozen guests were invited to tour a modern restaurant kitchen in the H-Unit mess hall and witness an intricate dance of uniformed cooks, knives and flame on Oct. 10 beginning with “Breadstick with 55° Silver Salmon & Deviled Egg” garnished with baby arugula.

Overseen by Chef Lisa Dombroski and Chef Eric Hollis with the aid of Chef Tu David Phu, the crew next served the creation “Quentin Cobb Salad” (little gem lettuce, avocado, scallion and cherry tomato with creamy herb dressing and garnished with Parmigiano Reggiano).

Attendees included Warden Ron Davis, Jill Brown (SQ Warden in 2004-5), sponsors and potential employers of these job-ready graduates. 

Chef Lisa acknowledged the graduating class. “You studied even when not asked to…I respect each one of you,” she said. The program plans to increase from 10 students to 15 for the next group beginning in January. 

Quentin Cooks serving up a tasty meal

“Chef Eric gives us a hard time, but it’s worth it,” said Joel McCarter a graduate who has been in prison nine years and will go home in March 2017. A wait-list already exists for the next class, which seeks participants with an Earliest Possible Release Date (EPRD) between six months and three years. 

Brown said, “It’s wonderful to see how the San Quentin community continues to grow and make events and development like this possible.” While retired from the CDCR, Brown now consults with various groups to implement more programs like this one throughout the CDCR.

The graduates not only prepared and served the meal, but were also invited to sit and share their stories with the visitors as they enjoyed the “Shellfish Duo” (Java lump crab cake, shrimp, and remoulade).

Chefs with the graduating class of “The Quentin Cooks”

This was an effort supported by the whole San Quentin community. Speaking of Officer Thompson, an H-Unit mess hall officer, “He really made this program happen….he makes the kitchen work,” said James “New York” Seegars.  Seegars will parole to San Francisco late this year and already has two job interviews set up by Helaine “Lanie” Melnitzer, a San Quentin Trust officer and co-sponsor of the program.

This new program is made possible by a partnership between the CDCR and The Chefs’ Warehouse, a nationwide distributor of gourmet food and restaurant supplies. With a main course of “Allen Brothers Angus” (with scalloped potatoes and seared late-summer vegetables) all the participants appreciated how the company earned the motto “Where the Chefs Shop.”

“Like Chef Lisa always says, ‘there is no place to hide in the kitchen,’” said Sunshine “Sunny” Prado, who has been in prison for 14 years and goes home in early 2017, as he accepted his certificate and complimented the chefs on the training.

While a dessert of “Quentin Biscuits and Berries,” with fresh whipped cream and garnished with a mint leaf, may sound like the crowning achievement of the night, each of the Quentin Cooks earned a California ServSafe certification.

As with the three chefs running the program, the certification training and testing was provided by a volunteer, Mike Sabells, of FoodSafetyCertified.org.

Successful participants also receive assistance with job placement upon completion and parole.

https://sanquentinnews.com/quentin-cooks-gets-standing-ovation-from-30-wardens/

Restorative Justice’s role in the #metoo movement

Quentin Cooks grads serve six-course meal

Project Avary sets benefit march


Boatwright

Inmate vets pitch in again to help Marines’ Toys for Tots

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Children enjoying a day in the San Quentin visiting room with their parents and toys

Children enjoying a day in the San Quentin visiting room with their parents and toys

San Quentin inmates have collected $688 that will help make Christmas merrier for underprivileged children.

For 28 years San Quentin has participated in the Toys for Tots giveaway program sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps with help from the Veterans Group of San Quentin (VGSQ) formerly known as Vietnam Veterans of San Quentin, according to member Gary Cooper.

On the morning of Oct. 13, members of the VGSQ assembled in the San Quentin chapel to present the $688 donation to the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots Christmas Program representatives. The funds were proceeds from the VGSQ Food Sale on Sept. 24. VGSQ members said they had hoped for a bigger donation.

However, due to new CDCR rules, the proceeds were minimal, along with the food selection, the sponsors said. All members of the VGSQ said that being able to give money for the children to have a better Christmas was both rehabilitative and fulfilling.

VGSQ members with the toys in the SQ visiting room

Marine Sgts. Justin E. Higgias and Kai S. Hull from the San Bruno office represented the Corps. A Q&A session was held with veterans from the different services. Both Marines had many ribbons and decorations from overseas duty, and both said they were ready and anxious for future overseas tours of duty.

The donation check was presented by VGSQ chairman Gary Cooper. Also in attendance for the presentation were M. Tenney, Veterans Group staff sponsor, and Steve Emrick, community partnership manager. Chairman Cooper then presented the Marines with an original artwork, depicting the Marine Corps Emblem (globe and anchor) surrounded by the words, “San Quentin TOYS FOR TOTS Program.” The sergeants said they would hang the painting in their Marine Corps office. San Quentin artist Bruce ‘Bru’ Fowler created the artwork and donated it to the VGSQ to give to the Marines.

San Quentin’s Toys for Tots gift giving is scheduled to take place on Dec. 17 and 18, 24 and 25 in the San Quentin Visiting Room. The Marine sergeants said they hoped they could return to participate in the event.

After the presentation, the Marines were shown around San Quentin by Veterans Group staff sponsor Tenney to view some of the artwork displayed throughout the prison.

Following the presentation, members said they enjoyed the ceremony.

“64% of California’s jail population is awaiting trial or sentencing as of December 2016.” Most remain in pretrial custody because they cannot afford bail.  Jail Profile Survey, http://www.bscc.ca.gov/

“if y’all think I did it…just give me a lawyer, dawg, ‘cause this is not what’s up.”Warren Demesme said during police questioning.The Louisiana Supreme Court held that this reference was too ambiguous to count as a request for counsel.REASON Magazine, January 2018

73 percent of Alabama is within a drug-free zone, defined as extending three miles from schools, colleges and housing complexes and resulting in a five- year enhancement.  REASON Magazine, January 2018

New SQ dramas tackle issues of social justice

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A prison chapel became an effective platform for incarcerated men to address social justice issues. The Oct. 21 performances, called Parallel Plays, were inspired by themes such as power, oppression, choice, forgiveness, isolation and hope found in William Shakespeare’s As You Like It and The Tempest, as well as in their own lives.

“A lot of social-economic issues were being discussed more than (ever) before,” said the sponsor of Marin Shakespeare at San Quentin, Lesley Currier. “Lots of really complex ideas that made us think as well as feel.”

In What Would You Do? Andrew Wadsworth posed the question of whether to tell the police the truth or to remain quiet and consequently take the rap for somebody else’s crime. Wadsworth played Drew, a parolee who served 20 years then goes back to his old neighborhood against his mother’s (Wanda Sabir of the San Francisco Bay View) advice.

“Don’t go back to that old neighborhood. Leave the dead to bury the dead,” warned Sabir.

Drew went to confront Twist (Jessie James), a childhood friend who never visited him in prison. Twist gave gifts, like $20,000 in cash, jewelry and a Mercedes in an effort to convince Drew to join him in the drug trade. Drew named all the loved ones who fell victim to the streets and said he wouldn’t join, just as a police officer pulled them over. Twist took off running, leaving Drew behind with a gun, causing Drew to go straight back to jail.

The Judge (Richie Morris) gave Drew a chance to tell whose gun it was. What would you do? Drew asked. After contemplating, Drew said, “It was mine” and was sentenced to 25 to life under California’s Three Strikes Law.

Later Jessie James’ piece, Breaking News, received a standing ovation.

James performed a rap song about a kidnapped little girl who escaped after 10 years. While he was performing, cast members acted out what he rapped about, creating an artistic balance between the visual and audio aspects of Breaking News.

Jessie said he was inspired to speak up about the tragedy because he had continually seen her story in the news.

“I felt like this (Breaking News) really was a gift from God. Hopefully it touches somebody,” said James.

Address the Nation by Antwan “Banks” Williams and Kneel With Me by LeMar “Maverick” Harrison dealt with the shooting of unarmed minorities by police officers. Banks played the role of the President addressing the nation through spoken word. “We are not free. We are not captives. We are not Black. We are not White. We are not rich. We are not poor. We are simply human.”

As Banks left the podium, a “theatrical” gunshot fired. All the cast on the stage hit the floor, transitioning smoothly into Maverick’s piece. Wearing a red seven on his T-shirt in solidarity with 49er’s Quarterback Colin Kaepernick, he rapped, “Only way to win this war is to kneel with one another.”

Cast members sang the chorus, “Please won’t you kneel with me, every color every creed; united we will stand because love is all we need.”

Banks added, “With my hands up, you shoot me, record it, make a movie. Kaepernick I salute you.”

A month ago, Banks watched the news and saw Kaepernick receiving backlash for protesting. It made him want to utilize this platform to address these particular issues.

“Everybody knows how society works due to social media, but it’s rare that we use that as a platform for social changes,” said Banks. “It’s our obligation to speak about issues and to not do so is where the real tragedy comes from.”

Maurice “Reese” Reed composed several skits that addressed everything from bullying and abuse at home to peer pressure.

“We’re more than just criminals; we’re people,” said Reed. “This is another form of giving back for us. Instead of hurting people, this is an opportunity for us to help people. Even if we only touch one person it’s all worth it.”

Ronell “Rauch” Draper’s play Koto-Jido was a tale about an orphan, who just wanted love.

“I’m really impressed with Ronell’s pieces,” said Currier. “For the last two years, he’s been a spokesman for kids who grew up in the foster care system.”

Volunteer Lalis Vasquez added, “That’s the beauty of the program, that the guys write their own pieces and direct their own pieces.” She co-directed and acted in the plays.

In Essence of Forgiveness, Richie Morris said, “There is no love without forgiveness, and a world without love isn’t worth living in.”

Rodney “RC” Capell’s Many Mini Me’s displayed the various character traits vying for control over him, including Addiction, Truth and others like Krazy, played by Nythell “Nate” Collins.

Acting is therapeutic, said Collins. “My acting has helped me transform myself back into the person I was supposed to be and allowed me to be vulnerable by expressing my pain and aggressions in a positive way.”

Ripple Effect Last Stop by Belize Villafranco expressed how he took positive strides in his life with the help of programs in San Quentin.

Chris Marshall, Sr.’s piece Endangered Species stressed that One-Percenters need everyone else and should value them.

While Eric Lamont Durr had warmed up the crowd at the beginning with a comedy routine, the final play, What’s Up Wit It? by Diins Mahlohn echoed Marshall’s piece by reiterating how we as a society need to appreciate each other.

Director Suraya Keating added, “I’m here to facilitate healing and growth and connection through theater.”

The Parallel Plays can be seen on the Marin Shakespeare website at www.marinshakespeare.org.

SQ Shakespeare troupe performs 18 plays


http://sanquentinnews.com/00th-edition-san-quentin-news/

A chorus of praise for 11 addiction graduates

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A United States congressman was one of three dignitaries to venture inside San Quentin to recognize 11 inmates for turning their lives around and being certified to teach their fellow inmates how to overcome substance abuse.

“This was inspirational,” said Mark DeSaulnier, who represents California’s 11th District, at the 2016 graduation of Addiction Recovery Counseling (ARC). “These stories are factual and these guys can be an example to help fight the stigma of addiction.”

The newly certified drug and alcohol counselors received two awards, a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition signed by DeSaulnier, and an Options Drug and Alcohol Counseling School Certificate of Completion.

DeSaulnier shared stories about his father, a judge who suffered from substance abuse and depression and ultimately committed suicide.

“Life is about going deep down within oneself,” DeSaulnier added. “We have to get out of the culture of shame and get to acceptance, liberation and redemption,”

California State Senator Loni Hancock and Superior Court Judge Clare Maier of Contra Costa County addressed the graduates and families.

“We want to break cycles and make everybody a productive citizen from President Obama on down to everyone in this room,” Hancock said. “We want people to come back as safe neighbors.

“These men had the fortitude to walk through the door of opportunity. They have gathered the tools to be servants. They are the first wave.”

Hancock added, “When San Quentin has successful programs, California notices and the whole country notices.”

Judge Maier shared how having family members with addiction led her into service as a public defender.

“What I realized was being a good lawyer didn’t mean anything because my clients were addicts, so they kept coming back,” Maier said. “Here, we have people who’ve taken their lives and turned it to service.

“Everybody has the potential for brilliance, and the only thing holding them back is themselves.”

The ARC is a 16-week program of group and individual counseling, understanding addiction, relapse prevention and teaching life skills.

Valedictorian Martin Walters gave a speech about his crime and the brotherhood of the group.

“I disgraced everybody in society, including myself,” Walters said in near tears. “I am amazed that you didn’t give up on me. I am so blessed that you carried me.

“We definitely know what it is like to be an addict; it’s dark; it’s lonely. I say ‘sorry’ to all of you. I’m proud because I’m healed, and I know I can heal other people,” Walters added.

Graduates Edward Scott and Greg “White Eagle” Coates also addressed the audience.

“I sold drugs that ruined lives, here was an opportunity to give back,” Scott said. “The skill set that I picked up from this, sometimes there are no words for the gratitude, and I never had a legal job in my life, now I have a job skill.”

Coates added, “We are 5 percent of the world’s population but we use 80 percent of the drugs and there is something wrong with that.

“I found sobriety, but I wanted more than sobriety. I wanted to know the how’s and why’s for myself and others.”

Some families travel long distances to witness the Nov. 4 event.

“It’s always a challenge coming here to see a loved one and then have to walk out,” Raymond Robbins said, coming to witness his brother Robbie Robbins graduate. “But it’s about support. We all are going through a process and everybody counts.”

Annie Lam, who came for her brother John Lam, said, “I am very proud of his accomplishments. I know he works really hard. I see the growth; every time I talk to him he teaches me stuff and makes me think, makes me see things from a different view.”

Lam said, “My uncle used drugs. It played a big role seeing the impact his drug use had on our family. I have a lot of friends that use, and this is a chance to help and bring them into recovery.

“We are all part of a community. We are only as strong as the weakest link,” he added.

Tom Gorham, executive director of Option Recovery Services; Kiki Kessler of Seeds of Sophia; Tom Aswad of Support 4 Recovery, Inc.; Dr. Davida Coady; Lee Cooper; Brandon McMillian; the TomKat Foundation and all the dignitaries received special awards for their work with in the program.

The crowd was entertained by Jeffrey Akins and Michael Kirkpatrick singing Lean on Me. Kirkpatrick performed a spoken word called Soup using all the sponsors’ names as ingredients. The SQ house band Our Founded Songs’ (OFS) services were enlisted.

Robin Guillen, the event emcee, concluded, “When people do wrong, they act as if they have no relatives. In this community we act as if we have relatives because we have bonds. As an addiction professional I have seen a lot.

“What we are doing now is sending this in the future in a big way…It’s about looking out for the future generations.”

Earth’s main renewable resource? It’s people

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Forty people, damp from rain, gathered in San Quentin’s Protestant Chapel to celebrate what several environmentalists there called the world’s most important natural resource: people.

“If you think solar and wind power are the answers to our problems, you’re wrong,” said co-founder Sam Hearnes during his talk about the future of renewable energy at The Green Life program’s second graduation. “The greatest form of renewable energy is our relationships with each other.”

Editor of Earth Island Journal Maureen Mitra also talked about the connection between people and the planet. “You can’t take care of the planet if you don’t take care of people,” she said, at the October event.

The value of people was both what initially made co-founder Troy Williams skeptical about environmentalism, and what eventually galvanized Williams to help build The Green Life.

“I remember when Angela and everybody said we are gonna form The Green Life,” Williams said. “I thought, what do I care about trees when people are dying where I’m from? Then I read Van Jones’ book Green Collar Economy, and that helped me understand. If I don’t care about the world that sustains us, how can I care about the people in the world?”

Williams paroled from San Quentin State Prison almost two years ago. He returned as a free citizen to continue the community work he began in prison. Other guests included fiscal sponsor Tamira Jones from the Earth Island Institute.

“I am always amazed by the wisdom and insight of people cut off from society,” Jones said. She was reacting to presentations by Green Life facilitators and graduates. Graduates included Armando Garcia, Seth Harding, Francisco Ortiz, Jesus Perez, Ruben Ramirez, Mark Tedeschi, Lynn Beyett, and Wesley Eisiminger.

Eisiminger and Beyett presented a plan to conserve water. They proposed a catchment system that uses rain runoff from the rooftops of buildings at San Quentin. For each 1,000 square feet of roofing, the system would gather 600 gallons per inch of rainfall. The water could be used for irrigation during the summer months on the flowers and plants located at the prison entrance, the grass on the sporting field on the Lower Yard, the garden at the Education Department and Planting Justice, a gardening/self-help program. Eisiminger added that the water could also be available for washing thousands of articles of clothing per week.

Harding talked about how the first step toward a greener world can begin with literally walking greener. He demonstrated a natural way to walk that, according to Harding, reduces stress and damage to joints. He said early Homo sapiens walked in this way, and learning to “walk green” is the first step on a larger journey back to a more natural self.

Other presenters included Angel Alvarez, Francisco Ortiz, Jesus Perez, and guest speakers Wanda Stewart, a green farmer, and green entrepreneur Keba Konte.

After presentations, Green Life Director Angela Sevin distributed certificates of completion while Green Life facilitators stood in a line behind her to shake hands with each graduate who ascended the stage.

“The men were some of the most consistent people I know,” Sevin said, referring to the incarcerated men in her program. “Through the years I’ve learned more about what people who live here are really thinking about. I go back into my world on the streets and have a better feeling about a stranger I might encounter on a day-to-day basis, whether they are Black or Brown or White.”

The Green Life began in 2009 after Van Jones came to San Quentin. In a talk about the green movement, Jones talked about the importance of green practices, but he emphasized that if we care enough about cans to recycle them, then we also need to care about people enough to give people a second chance to remake themselves.

“He inspired a whole bunch of men in San Quentin,” co-founder Jorge Heredia said. “We talked about the topic Van Jones put in our minds, and we decided we needed to create The Green Life movement in San Quentin.”

Heredia talked about the challenges the co-founders faced establishing the group, noting in particular Sevin’s perseverance.

“One reason why I do this [work] is because I consider people who are in prison part of my community,” Sevin said. “If we are gonna survive on this planet with temperatures rising, with carbon parts per million over 350 — which is considered a trend toward an unlivable planet — we’re going to need all of our resources. And that means human resources to build resilience and come up with solutions. We need everybody to be a part of that.”

There’s sure a whole lot of talent at San Quentin

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In reality TV show fashion, San Quentin residents demonstrated they “got talent,” at the Third Annual Talent and Karaoke event, sponsored by the San Quentin Music Program.

As the Lower Yard filled, about 150 people crowded around a makeshift stage to be treated to ’80s-style music by former Club Nouveau member, now incarcerated Jeffery Atkins.

Atkins’ keyboard skills dazzled the crowd as they sang along to Club Nouveau classics songs like Situation Number Nine and Jealousy. He also performed Rumors by Timex Social Club. Lee “Jazz” Jaspar’s guitar wizardry accompanied Atkins’ performance.

“I think this will be my last R&B performance,” said Atkins. “I’m going to follow my true calling in gospel music. Being with Club Nouveau is probably my last exposure at that musical level.”

Three hip-hop acts brought, style, passion and an ability to hype-up the crowd as they took to the stage and masterfully had heads bobbing with music arranged by David Jassy.

Maurice “#II” Reed’s verbal assault on I’m Just Saying displayed what true emceeing is all about—his vocal clarity riding a bouncing beat.

“I woke up one night thinking about all the bad stuff I was doing,” said Reed. “I had to find a way to turn my life into a positive and music is a way for me to express myself, instead of being angry.” 

Jessie James bought to the stage his easy-going personality and shoulder-bouncing dance moves in a seriously complex song called Bottles and Funerals.

With profound lyrics like, “I reminisced about the days we had dreams when we was five, but they died when he died—at 17 he lost his life,” captured the harsh reality of street life.

“I lost about nine people to the streets in East Oakland,” said James. “This song was about celebrating their lives.”

James put fun back into his set when he performed Diamonds.

Joshua “JB” Burton showed what a veteran B-boy (an alternate name for a rapper) could do when he touches a microphone.

Songs included Big Talk for a Little Guy, a self-reflective song about doing what you say you’re going to do, and Fresh, a rap that used a mixture of new-school and old-school terminology to blend both generations. The song proved rapping is an art.

“Music is a way for me to explore my flaws,” said Burton. “It challenges me to rise above negative stereotypes back to my humanity.”

Not to be outdone, Howard “Pistol Pete” Poteet gave the crowd a shot of country with his original song Take Me Down, Lay Me Down, about grabbing your fishing pole and going down to the river and partying with the country folk.

“Music takes me away from prison,” said Poteet. “I don’t have a TV or radio, just my guitar.”

Another breakout voice was Gennie Bieninnie, who drew a standing ovation with his original piece So Much Love. The catchy tune had people singing the lyrics even when the song was finished.

“The song was about how a woman has so much love,” said Bieninnie. “How I have so much love and that’s what brings us together.”

The event emcee, Darrel Farris, struggled to get participants to perform karaoke. However, Jose Velazquez and Leonard “Funky Len” Walker stepped up to break the ice.

Velazquez gave a strong rendition of La Bamba to the delight of the audience. Walker drew laughter and smiles singing Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On.

“That song speaks on what’s going on today,” said Walker. “We need to get back to the basic. I tried to inspire the youth to have fun, because everybody in prison is tight face.”

Aaron “Showtime” Taylor proved practice makes perfect with a medley of original songs on the guitar, two years after of picking up the instrument.

He also joined in the karaoke and sang I Want You Back by the Jackson Five, dance moves and all.

“I used to perform that song with my brother and a friend, when I was a kid in front of a West LA studio,” said Taylor. “I just wanted to give the people a flash-back; they didn’t think I could still dance like that.”

Kevin D. Sawyer displayed exceptional skills with a guitar instrumental of For the Love of God by Steve Vai. He enlisted James Benson on the drums, Terry Slaughter bass, and Atkins on the keyboard. Sawyer credits Jimi Hendrix and Prince as his influences.

“It means a lot to me to play and even more when people enjoy hearing me play,” said Sawyer.

The soulful Richie Morris’ velvet voice soared while singing Given Time and Santa Cruz.

Morris concluded, “As we start to mature we start to understand where we’ve been, where we are and where we want to be.”

Wilber “Rico” Rogers, who worked the mixing board along with Farris, thanked sponsor Raphaele Casale for her hard work arranging the Oct. 22 affair.

San Francisco Opera debuts at San Quentin

Grammy Winner LeCrae Moore’s inspirational message

Why these prisons are calm: Inmates are respected

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The key to the low violence levels in Sweden’s high-security Kumla prison is how prisoners are treated, its warden told Prison Yoga Project founder James Fox.

One of the unique characteristics of Kumla is its Retreat Center. Nine prisoners at a time attend 10-day silent retreats. The prison schedules 20 retreats throughout the year for its 400 residents.

At the retreat center every prisoner has his own room and a separate meditation room. There is a kitchen where prisoners cook and share food at a large communal table.

While Fox was at Kumla, he taught a yoga class for 18 prisoners of differing races and crimes. “The social conciseness between staff and inmates is respect and dignity,” Fox said. “The result is that there is very little violence.”

The impulse control and non-reactive training yoga provides should be available to both staff and custody, says Fox.

“Doing this would put seemingly opposing populations on the same page,” Fox said. “This is the core of what yoga provides. Yoga works with the body to learn these skills and is all about mind/body integration toward health and well-being.

“The bottom line is yoga provides the opportunity to improve physical and mental health.”

Fox returned from his fifth trip to European prisons with an understanding that yoga and mindfulness are foundational practices for restorative justice, serving as keystones for self-inquiry and taking responsibility for one’s actions.

“The program in the Netherlands was started two years ago at Lelystad Prison,” Fox said. “It’s a program designed for the top 600 re-offenders in the country. Corrections officials identified the top recidivists, and decided to concentrate a rehabilitative program toward them.”

If the criminal justice system in the U.S. wants to gain the same benefits as Northern European prisons, it is vital to understand the importance of shifting the primary purpose of incarceration from punishment to rehabilitation, and training guards and staff in sociological and psychological de-escalation skills.

“The counselor to prisoner ratio in the U.S. is about one counselor for 300 prisoners, while therapists in European countries have a much smaller caseload,” Fox said.

The living conditions in the prisons he visited are far superior to the conditions in the U.S., says Fox.

“The typical ‘cell’ looks more like a college dorm room and the prisoners live singly in a room,” Fox said. “In the prisons I visited, the prisoners don’t live behind bars and every ‘cell’ has natural light and a window.

“Every prison has a very well-equipped and clean gym — a whole variety of recreational services.”

Fox started practicing yoga 30 years ago. At first, he said, for its physical benefits, but its emotional and psychological benefits hooked him.

“I was going through some trying times — the breakup of my marriage and family. I was on the edge of turning to substances to deal with my emotional pain, but when I encountered yoga, originally for a back injury, I got hooked, because it was my self-help.

“Then over the years, as I became more adept in yoga, I became interested and committed to bring yoga to populations that weren’t being exposed to the practice.

“After I became a certified teacher in 2000 and taught classes to at-risk youth in residential and detention facilities, I was asked to bring yoga to San Quentin, in 2002, by Jacques Verduin. He told me, ‘I want you to be our yogi.’”

Fox wrote Yoga: A Path for Healing and Recovery in 2009. Publishing the book launched the Prison Yoga Project as a non-profit. The mission of the Prison Yoga Project is to establish yoga in all prisons.

A Path for Healing and Recovery has been sent to 16,000 prisoners and will be published in Spanish beginning in January 2017.

After Fox was invited to speak at The First International Conference on Yoga for Social Transformation held in India, he began to train others, and has since trained more than 1,500 yoga teachers.

“We have 11 Prison Yoga Project chapters, and 10 affiliate organizations providing yoga programs in more than 135 jails and prisons, in 24 states. They grew organically out of a desire for yoga teachers to be of service. Part of the DNA of yoga is karma yoga, i.e., service.”

A majority of prisoners have early life histories of abuse, neglect, abandonment and poverty that become exacerbated by drug or alcohol abuse and criminal behavior. This commonly results in hyper-vigilant and reactive behavior.

Incorporated into his teaching, Fox said, is his years of experience in restorative justice, victim/offender education and violence-prevention.

“I think that’s why it works,” Fox said. “These classes get started in prisons and they stick. Since the last couple years, instead of us contacting the prison and jails, they contact us. Even if I can’t send teachers, I send books, mats, and the DVD filmed at San Quentin by SQTV. It all goes out for free. Classes are scheduled to be launched in Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom and more.

James Fox and the Warden of Kumla Prison, Sweden

“The increased self-awareness provided by yoga and mindfulness practices translates directly to emotional literacy, understanding feelings, which is a by-project of what in turn translates to empathy,” Fox said. “This is important to prisoners’ behavioral transformation and also prepares them for successful reentry to society.”

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Exploring the rabbit hole that led them to violence

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On a hazy mid-April weekend, 15 men gathered in an old prison yard bungalow at San Quentin to think about why they killed—why they robbed—why they ended up here.

Most of them are serving life sentences, locked up for decades. They came to this writing workshop, called The Rabbit Hole, to explain who they were and what they became.

Doing criminal violence often comes from feeling like you’re in a world that’s gone insane, according to the organizer, Emile DeWeaver. He said he named his workshop after the rabbit’s entryway in Alice in Wonderland. In this case, he said, the new world wasn’t fantasy, but a place of confusion and pain, where they did the worst acts of their lives.

Knowing you were there “is not an excuse for violence,” said DeWeaver, who was convicted of a 1998 murder. “It’s finding out the reasons for violence in a time when your lives were uncertain.”

If a person can explain his past to himself, DeWeaver believes, he can understand what it means to inflict harm on another human being. A person with empathy may help bring peace to the community, but first he has to have empathy for himself.

It happened to him. Some years ago, in an online magazine, DeWeaver published his thoughts about how his alienation from his father created a kind of emptiness and rage in him, culminating in the murder. Writing and thinking about this, he wrote, helped him come to terms with the anger, even extinguish it.

His story was read by a crime victim, who commented that it helped her understand what happened to her. His daughter read it too, and they reconnected. DeWeaver came to believe he had a way to help others, and he started a writing workshop called Accountable Communication. 

The Rabbit Hole is part of the program, designed to take others through something like his process of self-understanding, which can be hard, according to DeWeaver. As the men in the workshop began to describe their past conduct, an uneasy laughter covers a palpable embarrassment, as they begin to reveal the things they did as kids.

“The deeper you dig into asking yourself why you did what you did, the more effective you’ll be in connecting with readers,” DeWeaver tells them.

The men hunch over their chairs, heads bowed, pens moving across lined paper. For five minutes they warm up, free-writing about a time in their lives they hurt someone on purpose. What need, DeWeaver asks, were they trying to meet?

Ronald Draper recalls a racist taunt when he was 12. “He called me a nigger,” he says. His foster father had shown him a lot of public television about the civil rights movement. When he was called that name, though, it felt like nothing had changed. In frustration, the only thing to do was punch his tormentor.

“I wanted him to feel the lack of control that I felt,” says Draper. There was no trouble with the law that time, but he had injured the other boy badly.

DeWeaver wants the men to ask themselves a series of “Whys,” seeking their missing need. That personal story is the way to finding our universal needs.

For Jeffrey Pruitt, the journey down the rabbit hole began at 12, with stealing another kid’s bike. He’d been the youngest of 10 children, and poor.

Other men in the group challenged him: the youngest is usually pampered, they say. Not everybody steals—what was it about the bike? Pruitt replies that it was a Schwinn and shiny, just the kind of thing a kid wants. The kind of thing other kids would think was cool. The kind of thing he’d have that they’d want—the envy of every kid. Something he’d never known.

The 30-something Jerome Watts talks about hurting a girl in high school, hoping the other boys would call him a player. He’d been bullied a lot, but after that, it stopped.

“I was just so tired of dudes clowning me,” Watts said.

We all know these kinds of adolescent pains, and they are with all of us for life. But they are hard for anyone to talk about, let alone a convict, according to Watts.

DeWeaver wants him to keep digging. Hurting the girl, he suggests, like stealing the bike, began a habit of seeking acceptance at all costs. And this led to committing violent crimes.

“Look, I know this stuff is embarrassing,” DeWeaver says. “A lot of what you discover about the old you isn’t going to be flattering. But that honesty is what connects you to your reader. More importantly, it will help you realize that you weren’t a bad person. You were a person. And when people lack the tools to recover from trauma, they make bad decisions. It’s called the human condition.”

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