Archives for November 2017

Trainer showing inmate the handling of a pup

The Pups on Parole program at California Correctional Center (CCC) celebrated its 10th anniversary, with 478 dogs adopted so far.

The program partners dogs with firefighting inmates. Seven dogs are allowed in the program at a time. However, the program is not intended to benefit only the cuddly canines, according to Lassen County Times.

“I love this program. In my opinion, this is one of the most rehabilitative programs California Department of Corrections has to offer,” said inmate Randy Elson.

When not fighting fires in the area, Elson spends his time working with Ruby, a 2-year-old dog.

“Every time I come back, no matter how long I’ve been gone, she’s always happy to see me,” said Elson.

Rikki Meier, the CCC Pups on Parole liaison, helped the program grow. She has assisted in bringing in dog trainers to help the handlers learn how to best interact with and train the pups for adoption, reported the Lassen County Times.

Inmate Zack Gleason also loves his time working with the Pups on Parole program. He handles a yellow lab/husky mix named Duke, who has a knack for the brand-new agility course.

“He’s a goofball, but he’s really smart. It’s been really fun. We’ve made a good bond. He just loves people,” said Gleason.

Duke was a little distracted by all the friendly faces. He showed great skills jumping through hoops and listening to his handler in front of attendees at the program’s 10th anniversary event in July.

Another inmate, Gabriel Martinez, spoke favorably of the program. He used his skills in wood burning to create the winning barn medallion in 18-22 hours for the Lassen County Arts Council’s fair contest.

“I love it; we all love it here being handlers; it gives us a great sense of responsibility. When we see them go, it’s a little bittersweet,” said Martinez.

Meier said she hopes to lure in more participants to the program, and now the inmates who participate receive Rehabilitative Achievement Credits for their work.

“For me, it’s seeing a dog that’s been running the streets, or in a bad situation coming to the program (and changing) in two days. These handlers completely change the dog’s personality,” said Pups on Parole Coordinator Vicky Reinsel.

Celebrating 10 years of the program, handlers and those involved enjoyed cake and ice cream and reveled in the company of the seven pups currently looking and waiting for the perfect family, reported the Lassen County Times .

Pups on Parole is run by Lassen Humane Society and CCC and coordinates with Lassen County Animal Shelter.

“Love this program, we adopted Rocco into our family in February of this year,” said one message left on the Lassen County Times website. “We can’t imagine not having him as a part of the family. Thank you so much.”

Charles Mully and his wife Esther

Charles Mully looking out on the SQ Lower Yard

In the 1990s, Charles Mully began reaching out to more than 100,000 orphans struggling in the slums of Kenya. Now, because of his efforts, more than 13,000 children have been taken out of those dire circumstances and given a chance for a better life.

San Quentin prisoners got a chance to see how Mully did it, on Oct. 10, when they screened Mully, the movie based on his life.

“It took four years to put this film together,” said director Scott Haze while standing in front of the prison’s Protestant Chapel. “It’s a miracle that this film is here.”

Haze said that his mission is to bring Mully’s story to the world. It is a story of rags to riches — to near family breakup — to enlightenment inspired by faith.

“It’s not entertainment. It’s supposed to touch your heart,” Haze said. “I hope to change the world through this film — like it changed Mully’s life and the 13,000 children he helped.”

“I hope to change the world through this film — like it changed Mully’s life and the 13,000 children he helped”

After the screening, Mully took to the stage and addressed more than 100 inmates in the prison’s Protestant Chapel. He began by introducing his wife.

“I’m so happy to be here and to be married the last 47 years,” Mully said to a standing ovation. “We are blessed with eight biological children.”

Mully briefly talked about the film. It was a turbulent life at home. He had an abusive father. Life on the streets of Kenya when he was a child was dismal. He told a story of hope, courage and faith that turned into an oasis in the middle of a desert.

After bringing children from the slums into his home, neighbors and even his family thought there had to be something wrong with him. The street children began to interfere with Mully’s own children’s home life. His family lost most of their friends and even got kicked out of their church.

Mully continued bringing children into his home until he had to build additional rooms onto his house, until money was running out. When he was on the brink of bankruptcy, help came from everywhere and saving the children continued.

He eventually built a compound, Mully Children’s Family, in the desert, but water was scarce. After he discovered a huge aquifer, the residences became self-sustaining. They built a hydroponics system of green houses, fish farms and orchards.

“My life is full of joy from helping the needy ones,” Mully said. “I find people who are desperate and give them help. You have to sacrifice yourself to others for Christ.

“It was very hard work, but I did it, because I loved the family,” he said.

Today, Mully Children’s Family has sent the once-orphaned children to colleges and universities and trained numerous children in job skills.

“We all must have forgiveness in our hearts,” Mully said. We must look beyond the box.”

Haze proudly said that he wanted Mully to be 81 minutes long.

“Kobe Bryant is my hero, and he scored 81 points, so I cut two minutes out of the film, to mimic my hero.”

Haze co-stars in two films to be released this year: Thank You for Your Service, about combat PTSD, and Only the Brave, about an elite firefighting unit.

Friends paying tribute to the late Mr. Bowman in the SQ Protestant Chapel

A memorial was held on July 28 in San Quentin’s Protestant Chapel for the late Mose “Mo” Bowman, who passed away on June 13 at the age of 72.

Bowman was remembered as an avid runner and godly person. He drew admiration from all who kept his company and gained friends with each lap he ran around the prison’s Lower Yard.

“He motivated me to get out on the track and get some walking in,” inmate Lenny Rideout said. “Even when he was transitioning, he was still motivating to me.”

Those who made the altar call at his memorial included Chaplain Mardi Ralph-Jackson. All brought testimonies about Bowman’s impact on prison life to an audience of almost 100 people made up of inmates, correctional officers and prison staff.

Scripture was read and praise was given by Trent Capell, Harry Hemphill, Darrly Hill and Chuck Adams as well as the church’s Worship Team.

“Mo was the type of person who brought light into a dark room”

“He was my neighbor. He was a child of God. I always liked the encouragement and the strength he gave me,” inmate Rudy Morales said. “He’s looking down upon us from those golden arches in heaven.”

Bowman’s memory had inmates talking about their personal relationship with him.

“I met the brother in a strange way — it was behind an argument I was having over a phone,” inmate Paul Comauex said. “He came up to me and told me that I don’t have to get into it behind a phone.”

Comauex said Bowman was a calm and levelheaded person and that got his attention.

“My next encounter with him was behind a cheeseburger,” Comauex said. “I fed him, because of how he talked to me. We need people like him to talk to us.”

Music performed during the ceremony included arrangements created in Bowman’s honor.

Guitarist Aaron Taylor played an instrumental.

The church choir, accompanied by Albert Flagg on keyboard, sang in Bowman’s memory.

“You don’t always meet men like him,” said an inmate from the prison’s dormitory. “Almost every day, I’d stop by the spot, and Charlie and Mo would be there, and we’d just kick it a few minutes. After that I’d head to the law library, but his inspiration would cause me to help someone by giving them a hug or smile all because of that encounter with Mo.”

Valeray Richardson added, “Mo was the type of person who brought light into a dark room. I never saw Mo upset or mad. He brought so much joy to my life. Mo pulled me aside and told me that he loved me, and I felt that.”

Dewey Terry talked about how hard it is to have a personal relationship with someone while in prison and how his relationship with Bowman was built.

“We used to cook together and go to church together,” Terry said. “He was 70 something, running around like a battle axe. We need to stick together in his memory.”

Mose “Mo” Bowman—May 3, 1945 – June 13, 2017