“I spent five years to get them to dismiss the write-ups which should never have been filed in the first place” The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) agreed to pay an inmate $8,400 in a legal settlement for disciplinary and non-disciplinary documentation the inmate claimed were false and retaliatory. The settlement agreement, entered in April 2018, also required the CDCR to remove all paper and electronic copies of the documents from the inmate’s file in exchange for his dismissal of two other lawsuits. … [Read more...] about CDCR agrees to legal settlement over disciplinary documents
Personnel Spotlight: Former Counselor T. Dunckley
Counselor T. Dunckley Many correctional officers have long, interesting careers. Some remain nameless and their stories untold. Counselor T. Dunckley worked for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) more than two and a half decades. He worked in many capacities and retired in late 2016. Dunckley was a counselor for 23 years; 21 of those years were spent working in the prison reception center. In 1990, Dunckley started his career in the department as a parole agent. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in … [Read more...] about Personnel Spotlight: Former Counselor T. Dunckley
Warden Janel Espinoza has high hopes for incarcerated females
Warden Janel Espinoza Warden Janel Espinoza of the California Correctional Women’s Facility (CCWF) has high hopes for the women incarcerated there. Among her many goals is the successful transformation of inmates to become assets to their family and society. In late August, Espinoza visited San Quentin State Prison to learn about some of its programs to use for the women at CCWF. It was her first time visiting the prison. “Historic,” is how she de- scribed the 166-year-old prison. “It’s majestic, beautiful and breathtaking,” she … [Read more...] about Warden Janel Espinoza has high hopes for incarcerated females
LIFE AFTER THE SHU
Between them, five men spent nearly a century inside a prison within a prison, California’s notorious Security Housing Unit (SHU). Isolated from contact with other inmates, they endured sensory deprivation, an unavoidable consequence of solitary confinement. They didn’t commit any crimes in prison, nor did they violate any rules. All but one was serving a life term. Their charge: gang membership. That was reason enough under a previous California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) policy to confine them indefinitely … [Read more...] about LIFE AFTER THE SHU
Prison to Employment Connection teaches returning citizens job skills
A record number of inmates at San Quentin State Prison completed the Prison to Employment Connection’s (PEC) eighth session and graduated in November. About 40 inmates finished the program. This gave them the opportunity to assess their employment interests, learn resume-writing and how to conduct themselves during an interview. Potential employers meeting with Prison to Employment graduates At employer day, the men spent two hours using what they learned on how to present themselves to more than 30 employers, … [Read more...] about Prison to Employment Connection teaches returning citizens job skills
Magical tones from Bach played by cellist Zuill Bailey
The magical tones of Bach compositions filled the San Quentin Protestant Chapel under the masterful hand of Grammy Award-winning cellist Zuill Bailey. It was Bailey’s second performance this year at San Quentin. Each time he’s played at the historic prison, he’s moved some inmates to tears when they listened to his melodic solos. Zuill Bailey “I wanted to make them feel some- thing, even though it was uncomfortable,” Bailey said in an interview. To do that, he used a 325-year-old cello on loan to him for life. “These kind of … [Read more...] about Magical tones from Bach played by cellist Zuill Bailey
Young inmates are creating positive rap music at San Quentin State Prison
Young inmates are creating positive rap music at San Quentin State Prison, under the guidance of hip-hop artist and music producer David Jassy. Because of that, he’s captured the attention of corrections officials and the prison reform organization CUT50. They all came together at the prison in August to learn more about the young men in the Youth Offender Program (YOP) who are using music to tell honest stories with constructive messages as a form of rehabilitation. In the Arts in Corrections studio loft, Jassy played a video for the … [Read more...] about Young inmates are creating positive rap music at San Quentin State Prison
“I wanted to teach in here because it’s such a unique place”
For 11 years, Kurt Huget has been teaching a guitar workshop at San Quentin State Prison. On a Thursday afternoon in August, he was explaining to a new student what bars and beats are. He handed out chord charts to the student, showing him how to place his fingers on the guitar’s fret board. “I wanted to teach in here (San Quentin) because it’s such a unique place,” Huget said. “I knew the guys would appreciate it.” According to Huget, Steve Emrick, San Quentin’s community partnership manager, noticed him coming in to play concerts … [Read more...] about “I wanted to teach in here because it’s such a unique place”
Karen Drucker and friends share an evening of music at San Quentin
Karen Drucker and Friends shared an evening of music with the men at San Quentin. For two hours, the singer-songwriter entertained more than 80 people who attended the performance on a Sunday evening in late September. Men of all races sprinkled the pews in the prison’s Catholic chapel, wearing state-issued blues stenciled with CDCR Prisoner on pant legs and shirt backs. They were young, old, Christian, Muslim and everything in between. But none of that mattered. Vocalist Karen Drucker “When I write songs, I want to convey a … [Read more...] about Karen Drucker and friends share an evening of music at San Quentin
21 graduates ready to reenter the workforce
Twenty-two inmates graduated from the Prison to Employment Connection’s (PEC) seventh session at San Quentin State Prison in May. A week before graduation, the men did face-to-face interviews with employers looking to hire qualified formerly incarcerated citizens. More than 40 men enrolled in the program in February to learn about interview skills, resumé writing and other forms of communication. In doing so, they were able to determine what career path was right for them upon release from prison. “There are over 4,800 legal restrictions … [Read more...] about 21 graduates ready to reenter the workforce