Archives for June 2017

Dear The Beat Within by Randy & Christina

June 1, 2017 by John Lam

Feeling Worthless

Growing up, I never thought that it would actually bother me that I didn’t have a dad. I figured he would eventually call. When he finally did, he just offered an apology.

For seven years you never even spoke to me; for seven years, man, what the hell was I supposed to think?

I’m looking in the mirror. Like I know nobody’s perfect, but when your own dad doesn’t want you, it’s easy to feel worthless.

I know what it feels like to be living in society where everything you try to do is blocked by anxiety. So I’m trying to convince myself that I’m in control of my own happiness. Don’t forget—you’re in control of what happens next in life.

Randy – Roswell, New Mexico

Wishing for a Time Machine

When I was younger, all I wanted was to be like the plastics of Mean Girls. I started making poor decisions in life. Things I never asked for (happened.)

I didn’t wake up in December asking to turn Johns on Christmas. I didn’t ask to be sitting in a cell for New Year’s counting bricks. All I wanted was to daydream about the boy in my sixth grade math class with the pretty eyes.

Some people wake up, get out of bed, go check the mail, a drive-by happens, and they get killed.

I wish I had a time machine to go back and start my journey over again. That toy Barbie car I wanted turned into me having the real thing.

I never wanted to be 11-years-old going on 25. I want to go back to being 11 going on 12.

I would love to—and I always do tell my little sister—that she is worth it and not to believe the bad things they say about you. I say that no man, no pimp will ever put those bad things in my baby’s head.

Christina – Los Angeles

Stockton youth facility combats recidivism

June 1, 2017 by John Lam

Incarcerated youth in a Stockton correctional facility learn computer skills to combat recidivism.

“A bunch of computers were…donated to an East Sacramento middle school…it turns out those machines were fixed up by kids…from behind bars,” KXTV reported.

The California Prison Industry Authority program at N.A. Chaderjian Youth Correction Facility has operated 14 years without state funding or financial donations.

N.A. Chaderjian was previously known as one of the most notorious youth prisons in the nation, with a recidivism rate rivaling adults at 70 percent, according to KXTV.

Of the computer refurbishing program graduates, only 10 percent were arrested again after their release, KXTV reported.

“(This program) has helped me in a lot of ways…being responsible (and) having integrity,” said Ruben Gulindo, 19, serving time for second-degree robbery.

Participants in the program are paid minimum wage. The money is divided into five categories, including restitution, funds for commissary, savings and room and board.

Sutter Middle School received 40 computers refurbished by inmates in the program.

“And we’re looking to expand this program to schools across California,” said Robert Osborn, senior analyst at the public utilities commission.

California juvenile facilities ill-equipped to handle disabled youths

June 1, 2017 by John Lam

California juvenile detention facilities are ill-equipped to provide disabled youths with the necessary care to rehabilitate, according to Freya Pitts of Disability Rights Advocates in Berkeley.

“As many as 75 percent of incarcerated youth have a diagnosable mental health condition,” Pitts said. “Due to resource constraints, administrative disorganization, or a simple lack of proper identification, many are deprived of the supports they need to stay on track academically during their incarceration and prepare for success afterward.”

The penalties for misbehavior triggered by mental disabilities include being placed in solitary confinement, which can further deteriorate the youth’s mental health, Pitts expressed.

The untreated are “finding themselves stuck in a revolving door of detention and release, unable to comply with probation conditions that fail to take (into) account their disabilities,” Pitts adds.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other similar disability laws, youths with disabilities in the juvenile justice system are protected under law.

The acts guarantee those with disabilities equal access to rehabilitative, educational, and other programs, services and activities offered within juvenile detention facilities.

“When a young person’s needs exceed the capacity of a juvenile hall to safely and effectively provide care, they must be diverted to a more appropriate placement,” Pitt wrote.

“We are committed to pursuing reform that will bring our state’s juvenile halls into line with these mandates.”

www.latimes.com

Substance Abuse Program makes its way into SQ

June 1, 2017 by Rahsaan Thomas

A new program at San Quentin sponsored by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) seeks to use an array of proven methods to help incarcerated people go home and stay there.

https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/

The Men’s In-Prison Rehabilitation Cognitive Behavior Treatment Program Services, formerly known as the Substance Abuse Program (SAP), provides in-prison programs like substance abuse treatment, anger management, criminal thinking and family relationship programs, as well as transitional housing and continued substance abuse treatments on parole.

“No longer are we saying here’s $200, and I hope you don’t come back (to prison),” said Mr. Jackson, the director of criminal justice programs. “I hope to see the men get out and become fathers; I hope to see people have alternatives now rather than excuses.”

On March 21, Acting Chief Deputy Warden Patrick Covello came to visit the class during its “morning community meeting,” where administrators make announcements and mentors and participants warm up the class with messages about sports scores, entertainment and news.

Covello said he came on behalf of Warden Ron Davis.

“I’m really impressed to see what’s going on back here,” Covello said.

People with Ph.D.S, people who were formerly incarcerated and peer-to-peer mentors who are still incarcerated administer the programs.

“It’s balanced,” said mentor Cleo Cloman. “Not only do the participants have a view of people who have done the educational work, but they also get peers working hands-on with them and free staff who are living testimonies.”

The other incarcerated mentors include Tith Ton and Michael Kirkpatrick.

The classes have groups of 12 men in each and run three to five months in length.

“Groups of 12 are more effective — inmates more attentive, manageable and communication is maximized in groups of 12,” said Jackson.

Each group names itself. They chose names like Beautiful Struggle and Focus, Transitional Counselor Ms. Jones said.

Long-term statistics show the program, which started in San Quentin in December, is effective.

“Over 70 percent of participants with aftercare don’t come back to prison in their first year after release,” Jackson said. “About 30 percent come back in the second year, usually not for substance abuse. These high statistics show if they participate, they won’t come back to prison.”

For participant Darnell Stuart, the program is making a big difference.

“It’s working,” said Stuart. “I came a long way. I had been in foster care for like 14 years. I had a lot of anger problems and used a lot of drugs. This program is helping me get to know myself better and accept responsibility for my wrongs.”

Currently the program has about 182 men enrolled at San Quentin, and there are plans to increase to 264 with a Long Term Offender Program to prepare lifers for returning to their communities, according to Supervising Counselor Anderson.

It will include victim impact and denial management along with evidence-based substance abuse, criminal thinking, anger management and family relationship classes, according to Anderson.

“It does work,” Anderson said about the program. “I wouldn’t mind living next door to a lifer.”

There was controversy over gym access being taken away from general population to house the Men’s In-Prison Rehabilitation Cognitive Behavior Treatment Program Services.

“We had a better building picked out,” Covello said. “It didn’t work out because of fire codes. It was either postpone the program or have it here.”

After about 40 days, the administration made the gym available for recreation to the general population during program off hours, which are nights and weekends. That decision came too late to finish an annual half-court basketball league tournament.

“I want to thank those who participated in league for the opportunity for us to try and help their fellow incarcerated colleagues to transition back home in a good way,” said Mr. Escobar, a program director.

In 2012, the CDCR Division of Rehabilitative Programs made cognitive behavioral treatment part of its blueprint for providing rehabilitation services. CDCR contracted Center Point to administer the program.

Center Point was started in 1969 by two individuals in recovery from drug addiction. They rented a house together and opened its doors to other struggling addicts. Those who worked supported those who didn’t, and in this family atmosphere, they talked about their problems with addiction. In 1971, the small treatment program became a nonprofit organization.

Center Point psychosocially assess incarcerated people within four years of release to find people who demonstrate a willingness to maintain appropriate behavior and to identify their needs in order to create an individual treatment program.

Transition plans enable the participant to identify the services that will be necessary for their successful parole plan once re-entering the community (i.e. transitioning to residential treatment, outpatient services, with or without sober-living, adult literacy program services and/or referral to Division of Adult Parole Operations programs.)

“We have transitional housing, where we pay their rent and allow them to save their money,” said Jackson. “We give men the opportunity to practice their new lifestyle in the proper surroundings so they don’t have to compete with criminal elements.”

Inmates train rescue dogs to become adoptable

June 1, 2017 by Jerry Maleek Gearin

Prisoners who train therapy dogs have made a supportive connection with a teenage cancer patient through a program called Pawsitive Change.

Dogs are the link between a group of inmates at California City Correctional Facility and a 14- year-old girl battling cancer, according to a People website article by Amy Jamieson.

“Trying to turn this frown around, but today has been a rough day,” said Chloe, the 14-year-old cancer patient, in a Facebook posting.

She made the post after undergoing a bone marrow transplant and suffering frequent nausea, itching and pain, the article reported.

Zach Skow, the founder of Pawsitive Change, told the inmates about Chloe, and they had a supportive response.

“We go into the visiting room, and the first thing we see is you smiling at us,” said Tod, an inmate in the program, according to the article. “Zach brought a life-size cardboard cut-out of you. Everyone has big smiles on their faces, and are truly happy to see us. It’s a good feeling.”

After Skow brought a cardboard cut-out of Chloe to the prison, many of the inmates were inspired to write her letters. So far, 30 inmates have put pen to paper and sent mail Chloe’s way, according the article.

“The two couldn’t be more different — but in life both have a strong connection to dogs,” stated the article. “Through an intense rehabilitation program created by Marley’s Mutts Dog Rescue these inmates train dogs saved from death row.”

The cardboard cut-out gave the inmates an up close and personal connectivity with Chloe, motivating them to be emotionally supportive of her.

Coming from two diverse backgrounds, the inmates and Chloe find common ground in the care and training of rescue dogs.

“Chloe has given them a chance to bond together and honestly express themselves emotionally, something they very rarely do in prison, if ever,” Skow said. “She has given them an excuse to be vulnerable as a group, outside racial lines, which is very, very rare.

“Chloe follows our Pawsitive Change prison program religiously and knows who all of the dogs and inmates are,” Skow said, in the article.

In Chloe’s honor, Skow is hitting the road with her cardboard cut-out in hand to raise money for lymphoma research.

Exonerated man dies 10 months after release

June 1, 2017 by John Lam

An innocent man, who was exonerated and released after spending 18 years in prison, died 10 months later in December of 2016.

Luther Ed Jones Jr., 71, was released in February 2011 by Lake County Superior Court Judge Andrew Blum when the district attorney brought forth new evidence that exonerated him. Jones was convicted in 1998 of molesting his ex-girlfriend’s 10-year-old daughter.

“The young woman, who had been the alleged victim in the case, contacted the district attorney’s Office on Feb. 9 to say that her mother — who at the time the case arose, was locked in a custody battle with Jones over a young child they had together — had coerced her into making the molestation accusation against Jones,” reported Elizabeth Larson in the Lake County News.

Blum ordered the immediate release of Jones a week after the young woman’s testimony.

After gaining his freedom, Jones was repeatedly hospitalized, raising concerns that he would die before his compensation case was awarded for his wrongful conviction. His attorney Angela Carter said that would have meant the compensation process would have ended, and Jones’ family wouldn’t have been able to pursue it.

The Lake County News reported that Jones ultimately received $936,880 from the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board for being wrongfully imprisoned for 6,692 days from Oct. 22, 1997, to Feb. 17, 2016.

District Attorney Anderson told reporters he will not bring charges against Jones’ ex-girlfriend, whose daughter made the allegations, because too much time has elapsed to succeed with criminal prosecution.

“(Jones) will live on as an example of the effects of injustice and an inspiration to those of us who have an interest in righting wrongs and making sure that the justice system doesn’t turn innocent people into its victims,” Carter said.

Jones died surrounded by family members, including son Ko’Fawn Jones, who became his father’s caretaker after his relea

A champion for underdogs retires to pursue lifelong dream

June 1, 2017 by Marcus Henderson

After working 17 years within the California penal system, Tom Bolema, 66, is set to shift his focus from working with inmates to working on his home, family and arts.

“Having a career is a blessing, but also a big sacrifice,” Bolema said. “Your personal relationships suffer and you fall behind on the maintenance of the home and the completion of personal projects. As much as I’ll miss seeing students turn their lives around, it’ll be nice to get off the clock and be under my own supervision.”

Bolema started with the department at Lancaster prison in Los Angeles County and taught ESL/ABE I classes before the principal “took off the leash,” freeing him up to expand educational services. He started a veterans group and a Criminals and Gang Members Anonymous (CGA) chapter, coordinated a re-entry program, and served as chief assistant GED administrator. He sponsored many inmate activity groups involving art, music and literacy, and pioneered the Television-Aided Instruction Program, a distance learning opportunity never before seen in California prisons. The educational programs he produced were featured on closed circuit institutional channels. He also filmed training videos for the correctional officers. It was this work, and a background in Hollywood productions, that paved the way for his transfer to San Quentin in 2006.

Burton Adult School at San Quentin was looking for a teacher to supervise Distance Learning and coordinate college programs. Bolema showed them a promotional video he had produced about the school at the Lancaster prison and he got the job.

“It was a perfect fit,” Bolema said. “I was thrilled with the abundance of programs at San Quentin and the positive attitudes of the staff and residents. I had always wanted to live in the Bay Area because of its natural beauty and progressive culture.”

“I have known Tom for about 10 years,” said J. Kaufman, ABE I teacher. “What he brought to teaching was street smarts. With certain teachers all you get is just the academics. With his retirement he has a lot of interests that will keep him active.”

Tom Bolema and Eric Phil Phillips from SQTV

Bolema’s street smarts came from growing up outside Detroit, Michigan. “Education saved my life,” he said. “I got in some trouble as a kid. There was a cultural revolution going on. I dropped out of school in the 10th grade, but I got my GED at 18. I went to junior college and got straight A’s. I studied constantly to prove I could do it and it paid off. That’s why my mantra is ‘stay in school and never stop learning.’”

“It’s going to be a big void trying to replace Bolema,” said inmate Orlando Harris, Bolema’s former teacher assistant. “He wore many hats; he will be missed by staff and students alike. I wish him well in his next journey in life.”

Bolema’s first love has always been the arts; he earned a bachelor of arts degree in literature and film from Oakland University in Detroit. He moved to Hollywood in 1975 and found success as a scenic artist, working on sets for numerous productions including Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” the sitcom “Married with Children,” and “The American Music Awards.”

He pursued his music career as lead singer and guitar player with his band The Butchers, a socio-political rap and rock group.

“We did a documentary on homelessness called ‘Justiceville,’” he said. “I wrote the theme song and we got Ice T to rap on it.” But with the industrial arts business declining at the time and a new baby on the way, Bolema went back to college at the age of 40 to get his teaching credential. He taught English in Antelope Valley high schools until he got hired at Lancaster in 1999.

“Working with prisoners as an educator is powerful, rewarding, and fulfilling,” he said.

“I have a penchant for helping the underclass; I’m a champion of the underdog.”

Education Officer R. Reyes said, “Bolema had the experience to deal with the inmates. He was always professional. After working with him over the years, he helped me learn some things.”

Reyes recalled an incident involving an inmate who couldn’t find the classroom where he’d been scheduled to take an assessment test.

“The inmate was getting impatient and disruptive, but Bolema calmed the guy down and ensured him he wouldn’t miss his test, and guided him to the right place. Bolema then looked at me and said, ‘You never know what someone is going through or their state of mind until you first talk with them about what is happening with them,’ and that stuck with me,” said Reyes.

Moments like that are symbolic of his commitment to provide inmates a fair access to education. He recently volunteered to supervise San Quentin’s Voluntary Education Program (VEP) after its former facilitator retired.

“I credit Bolema for keeping the VEP program going,” said inmate Danny “Hollywood” Ho, a VEP tutor. “He was the only teacher coming over; he was easy to work with, and he always stayed the same.”

“Sometimes you have to be an activist to get the job done,” said Bolema.

Bolema also volunteered regularly with San Quentin Television and the San Quentin News, providing production and editorial support.

Bolema produced an out-of-pocket feature movie “Bird Dog — A Canine Flight Fantasy” and has more writer/director projects in development, including one about the San Quentin News.

“This job has been an incredible experience,” he said. “Thank you

Former Air Force Captain returns to San Quentin to teach

June 1, 2017 by Rahsaan Thomas

Dr. L. Marez could probably teach just about anywhere, but she returned to a place she loves to teach — San Quentin State Prison.

She said she has taught at every level from K-12 to university. She even taught courses on teaching elementary and secondary math, classroom administration and management and educational psychology. In 1999, she won a Nummi’s Most Promising New Teacher of the year award while teaching at Thornton Junior High School. In addition, she has a doctorate in Organization and Leadership. Despite her creditials, she’d rather teach in prison.

“(Teaching in California’s public K-12 system) was like pulling teeth because so many of the children didn’t want to learn,” said Marez. As a former Air Force Captain in charge of engineering for the nation’s Consolidated Space Operations Center, Marez wanted to encourage young people, especially students of color, to pursue careers in math and engineering. However, after nearly 10 years of teaching, it became difficult for her to inspire kids within the public school system.

While searching for deeper meaning, Marez ran across an article about a woman who taught inside a prison.

“It talked about (incarcerated people) really wanting to learn. She didn’t have a classroom, 12 students shared one book, and she even taught in a shower room, but all the men wanted to learn. They didn’t care how or when.”

Dr. Marez realized if she wanted to continue teaching, she would have to go where people wanted to learn — prison.

$Dr.-L.-Marez-demonstrating--how-to-solve-a-math-problem$

Dr. L. Marez demonstrating how to solve a math problem

She had never been inside a prison but decided to take a leap of faith. She searched the state jobs website and applied for a position as a teacher “behind the wall.” When the state didn’t get back to her right away, she went to teach at a Catholic school. Then there was an offer from California State Prison – Solano, but she passed, hoping to hear from San Quentin. In 2008 San Quentin called, and Dr. Marez got the job.

“I thought ‘I’m going to a place where angels fear to tread’ but I remembered Jesus’ words, ‘…when I was in prison, you visited me,’” Dr. Marez said.

Once hired, Dr. Marez found out that students who don’t have a GED or high school diploma were forced to go to school under an old prison rule that was resurrected and enforced under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“I ended up with students that didn’t want to come to school,” Marez said. “They fuss and curse. Rather than demanding, I would ask what was their experience like when they were last in school. Some students shared they were told they were dumb; some didn’t want others to know they couldn’t read. I learned that you have to cut through all of the vibrato first before you attempt to give anybody any work.”

Two years after landing at what she calls the best job she ever had, furloughs and layoffs started throughout the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). In 2010, Marez ended up reassigned from teaching in San Quentin to working as Associate Governmental Program Analyst — a non-teaching job — in Sacramento.

“I didn’t have enough seniority to stay teaching,” Marez said. “We got put in all kinds of jobs that were not related to what we came here for — to teach.”

In 2012, CDCR started calling people back to teach, and Marez ended up at Soledad, 125 miles from her home. Then she went to work as a probation officer for more than two years so she could be close to home. Next, she taught at Salinas Valley State Prison, a maximum-security facility.

“I didn’t give up my home here because I was hoping to one day to return back to SQ,” Marez said.

In March, San Quentin hired her again to teach the Voluntary Education Program.

“She reminds me of the movie Hidden Figures,” said Achilles Williams, 67, who has been incarcerated for 21 years and assists Dr. Marez. “A guy came in with a quadratic equation that he copied down wrong, and she still figured it out.”

Dr. Marez said, “I’m back home, and I’m just trying to get these guys ready, because they’re going home. It’s not just about decimals and percents. An educated individual is a civilized individual. When they say education offers hope, in my humble opinion that’s what we are really here for.”

Quentin Cooks grads serve six-course meal

June 1, 2017 by Wayne Boatwright

Sixty-eight confirmed guests attended the April graduating class of the “Quentin Cooks” held in the H-Unit mess hall.

The graduating class prepared and served a six-course meal that was a worthy finish to the 12-week Culinary Arts Program available to H-Unit residents with an Earliest Possible Release Date (EPRD) of 6 to 36 months.

Overseen by Chef Lisa Dombroski, the program teaches culinary skills and practical restaurant training from instructors with real-world experience. Graduates also earn a ServSafe certification making them “job-ready” to work for any California restaurant.

“This is real-world training, and all graduates get help with job placement upon completion and parole,” affirms Helaine “Lanie” Melnizter of TRUST (Teaching Responsibility Utilizing Sociological Training), a co-sponsor of the program.

Eddie-Landeros-(center)-and-Julio-Saca-(left)-speaking-with-potential-employers

Eddie Landeros (center) and Julio Saca (right) speaking with potential employers

TRUST provides practical support for Northern California and works with Project LA for Southern California. These organizations help newly released inmates take the tactical steps necessary to return to the community and find employment, housing and a wide range of support, from getting a phone to opening a bank account. TRUST/Project LA have committed to follow-up with graduates for a year after release.

Attendees included Warden Ron Davis, sponsors and potential employers of these job-ready graduates. The Quentin Cooks had their work cut out for them, as there were approximately 70 guests, double the attendees of the first graduating class in October 2016.

As most of the guests worked in the hospitality industry or managed their own restaurants, they all anticipated a meal worthy of Chef Lisa’s talent.

In order to introduce themselves to the guests, the graduates also served the meal they had prepared:

AMUSE (crostini, fava, ricotta, Java lump crab)

SPRING SALAD (butter lettuce, carrot, radish, cucumber, shallot thyme vinaigrette)

ORGANIC COUNTRY BREAD/homemade butter (donated by Peter Hughes & Pizzaiolo, Oakland)

ASPARAGUS (served with 55° salmon, truffle, yolk, lemon)

A guest at the graduation enjoys an Allen Brothers angus, Okinawa sweet potato, mushroom and kale

MEAT AND POTATOES (Allen Brothers angus, Okinawa sweet potato, mushroom, kale)

‘QUENTIN’ NO BAKE QUESO-CAKE (served with chocolate, berries)

“I saw a person at your table didn’t have water ,and you filled it, and that is the real message,” Chef Lisa told Darnell ‘Man-man’ Stewart. “The goal is a complete dining experience.”

Chef Lisa’s employer, The Chefs’ Warehouse, provided the fixings. It was clear to all who enjoyed the meal how the company earned the motto “Where the Chefs Shop.” Successful participants will receive a Chef’s Knife Set upon release.

Larry Sierengowski

“In the kitchen, we were taught to talk to everyone and trust everyone. We are a team,” said Larry Sierengowski. “Don’t matter your race or appearance. They don’t care how it got on the plate.”

Sierengowski is a second striker on a six-year term and will work with TRUST to find a job after his release. As to the 12-week course, “It was a parade of tastes from week one to graduation. My favorite new item was the purple Okinawa sweet potatoes. I’ve invited at least 20 to take the class.”

Michael “Yahya” Cooke said he took the class because “it’s the only profession that you don’t have to wait to be paid to eat.” By the end of the course he had gained an understanding of public safety and work training.

The certification training and testing was provided by Mike Sabella of FoodSafetyCertified.org. “I’ll be working with Mike with the National Restaurant Association to prepare for a Food Protection Manager’s examination jointly with next class,” Cooke said.

Not only did he invite many H-Unit residents to attend the next class, scheduled to begin in July, but he also has a dream of a restaurant of his own, “The Shack was an old boathouse built onto the pier and would be a dream restaurant.”

Darnell ‘Man-man’ Stewart serves up an AMUSE (crostini, fava, ricotta and Java lump crab)

Darnell “Man-man” Stewart lives by the motto “Got to feel your way to the top.” “Quentin Cooks trained me, and I now have the courage to go ahead and talk with these people,” Stewart asserted. By the end of the night, Stewart had four different invitations to interview with potential employers.

A wait-list already exists for the next class.

This program is made possible by a partnership between TRUST and The Chefs’ Warehouse, a nationwide distributor of gourmet food and restaurant supplies.

http://sanquentinnews.com/optionb-org-support-group-overcoming-effects-incarceration/
http://sanquentinnews.com/quentin-cooks-gets-standing-ovation-from-30-wardens/
http://sanquentinnews.com/tasty-graduation-for-the-first-class-of-sq-chefs/

Prop. 57 optimistic mood was short-lived

June 1, 2017 by Juan Haines

Secretary Scott Kernan of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation listened to suggestions from San Quentin inmates about awarding time reductions to rehabilitated inmates, but Kernan’s March 24 plan included none of the inmates’ proposals.

Kernan was a guest at a mid-February discussion attended by a number of inmates. Symposium host James King said, “At its core, preparing for this symposium has been an opportunity for our student body to explore its rights and responsibilities as citizens,” referring to the prison college program.

He added, “We have a unique perspective on the criminal justice system and an intimate understanding of what this institution does well as well as seeing people who sometimes fall through the cracks.”

Proposition 57, passed last November, changed California’s constitution, giving Secretary Kernan the discretion to award time-reduction credits as he sees fit. As later published, Kernan’s plan did not include recommendations made to him at the symposium.

Kernan decided to give credits to disciplinary free inmates and those taking self-help programs. Kernan’s plan also considers certain non-violent offenders for early parole. Only inmates on Death Row and those serving life sentences without the possibility of parole do not qualify for Kernan’s plan.

On April 13, the Office of Administrative Law approved the Prop. 57 emergency regulations. The approval means the emergency regulations are in temporary effect, and will remain in effect for 160 days from the date of approval. During this time, CDCR will complete the public participation requirements in state law for permanently adopting regulations. CDCR will publish a public notice. Following this notice, a public comment period will begin for a minimum of 45 days. Implementation of the Good Conduct Credits began on May 1. Good Conduct credits are not retroactive. The new parole consideration process for non-violent offenders is expected to go into effect on July 1. Milestone Completion, Rehabilitative Achievement, and Educational Merit credits are expected to go into effect on Aug. 1, 2017.

The prisoners gave a number of testimonials asking for a more generous approach in applying the guidelines.

Symposium host James King

“…the mood in the room changed swiftly when the secretary described his thoughts on how Prop. 57 should be interpreted”

Afterward, Kernan said, “The thought-provoking stories are ones of maturity of someone who’s grown and could get out of prison and contribute to the community.”

King responded, “From the beginning, the vibe in the room reflected the optimism that many incarcerated people have been feeling since Prop. 57 was passed. For the first hour, I felt even more encouraged as a series of incarcerated speakers spoke about the need for good-time credits and milestones for a wide variety of programs that hadn’t offered them before.

“But, the mood in the room changed swiftly when the secretary described his thoughts on how Prop. 57 should be interpreted: no consideration for early release for non-violent three-strikers; no retroactive milestones, except for college and certain programs; most programs, like Victim/Offender Education Group, TRUST, GRIP and the like, are not retroactive. Graduates will have to take the program again, and the waiting lists for them are up to five years.”

Tim Thompson, 41, is serving 30 years to life on a three strikes sentence. He has been incarcerated 22 years.

“I realize that this is a tough sell and that evidenced-based parole consideration for most may never happen,” Thompson said. “But in the two plus decades of being at the forefront of what’s wrong with our prison system, I can say with confidence that if we don’t want to be here two years from now, debating another clone bill that excludes people based on the false labels of ‘serious’ or ‘violent,’ we have to do something different this time.”

Harry Hemphill told a story about what it’s like for him in the inmate visiting room.

“Often, during those visits, I see one of the most heart-wrenching scenes replayed over and over. And that is the picture of anguish, distress and pain on the faces of small children as their visit ends and their fathers are torn out of their lives once again,” Hemphill said, emphasizing the need for family re-unification.

Hemphill’s presentation also focused on the value of spiritually based programs and how the opportunity for programming should always be available for inmates.

“I would ask that those who are drafting the Prop. 57 regulations extend Milestone Credits and credits of achievement to non-traditional programs such as the spiritual-based programs,” Hemphill said.

Larry White speaks about rehabilitation

Larry White is serving a 25-to-life sentence. He has been incarcerated 22 years.

White talked about the power of community healing at San Quentin. He said that all of it was possible through the outside community volunteers who continuously come into the prison to teach, reaffirm and aid in rehabilitation.

“This culture of community has created new men that stand as assets to society” White said. “We are a skilled vocational work force. We are an army of mentors for at-risk-youth; we are family leaders; we are writers; we are artists of every kind, and we are entrepreneurs, all looking to do our part, to give back to society and stimulate the economy.”

Kevin D. Sawyer said, “These men exemplify the vast majority of the general population at San Quentin. They’re the reason it’s the state’s flagship prison for rehabilitation.

“Grouped with other training, they’ve learned how to overcome the type of thinking that leads to criminal activity. So, irrespective of their commitment offense, they work through a network of programs to return to society as better citizens.”

The audience listens as prisoners give a number of recommendations on applying the guidelines for proposition 57

King said he believes Governor Brown supported Prop. 57 “to fix a cruel and unusual situation that he helped create during his first term as governor,” adding, “If Prop. 57 is implemented in the manner that Secretary Kernan described at the symposium, it will not follow the intent of the voters. Instead, it will be yet another cosmetic change to a system of mass incarceration in this state.”

“There are people that have done extensive rehabilitation before Prop. 57 was passed who will not receive milestones,” King said. “It devalues the work they’ve already done, and, it sends the wrong signal. If the CDCR is serious about releasing people who are no longer a threat to public safety, they should make the milestone retroactive so that people who have done the work can be vetted for release.”

Late April, the Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court in Sacramento, challenging Kernan’s definition of non-violent offenders eligible for parole consideration.