A 20-year tour through California’s Prison Industrial Complex finally ended for one of the honorable freedom fighters in San Quentin.
The modest and humble “jail-house lawyer,” Hector Oropeza, paroled to join his wife and kids in San Jose in early June.
In 1991, Oropeza recognized that many prisoners were without competent legal services. His compassionate nature compelled him to offer his time and energy into helping these people the best way he could. He gave support to prisoners with problems ranging from divorce, property claims, medical appeals, even three-strike cases. Oropeza eventually became famous for his ability to refute erroneous parole board unsuitability findings. He has been credited for obtaining the freedom of at least “a dozen people.”
Oropeza’s imprisonment began when a night out drinking and bowling with friends turned into an unfortunate and tragic death. Although there was a designated driver, the driver had a few drinks. During the ride home, he took a wrong turn, and cut off another driver. The death of that driver caused the district attorney to seek first-degree murder with special circumstances, determining that the death was the result of road rage. However, Oropeza was sentenced to 15 years to life for second-degree murder.
The prison sentence was devastating for his marriage; however, the relationship between his children remained intact – accredited to the unselfishness of their mother. Oropeza found happiness later when his childhood friend and pen pal turned out to be his new wife.
“I had the opportunity to know Mr. Oropeza on a number of levels. However, the biggest thing for me was to experience his spirit in action, said Michael R. Harris, editor-in-chief, San Quentin News.“I first met him in a group that we both attended, and became member of The San Quentin Trust Fellows. After learning about how he came to prison and witnessing his tireless efforts in helping others, I came to the belief that he was truly one of those people you couldn’t help to believe that he really didn’t belong in prison. And, once released, he would never return to prison. But if he did return it would be to give testimony about his work in the community to help prevent crime and uplift the disenfranchised and misguided.”
“Your crime does not define who you are,” Oropeza said. “The reality is that you’ve committed a crime, and society sees you as a failure, then you’re sent to a place that is only making people worse. [Former head of CDCR] Jeanne Woodford said that. I’m only quoting her.”
Oropeza believes, “People who don’t go to school are missing out. They’re tying their own hands behind their backs. An education allows people to visualize how to live their life.”
Asked what would he tell Gov. Brown regarding recidivism, Oropeza said that he would ask that the governor look at that 70 percent recidivism rate, and ask the 30 percent who made it, “What they did to stay out of prison, and utilize their knowledge for future planning.”
In keeping his promise, Oropeza’s last unselfish act was running up and down the tiers at San Quentin State Prison, looking for an indigent prisoner who had been imprisoned for over 30 years. The prisoner’s writ needed that final touch in order to be filed in the courts for his overdue release.
— JulianGlenn Padgett and Juan Haines contributed to this story
