San Quentin News

Written By Incarcerated - Advancing Social Justice

Tehachapi hosts 3rd Ethics Bowl against CSU Bakersfield

by

Submitted by Dian Grier, CCI Press Release

CSUB and CCI Debaters of the 3rd Ethics Bowl

For the third consecutive year, CCI (California Correctional Institution at Tehachapi) has hosted the annual Ethics Bowl against California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB). This year was a tie breaker for CCI, with a 3-0 win. “Intellectual Sports” such as ethics bowls are gaining status and momentum throughout colleges in the United States. Every year, cases are developed by the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics and are used by all ethics teams nationwide. Ethics teams are given packets of case studies four to six weeks prior to the competition. These cases are real and hypothetical cases. The team prepares by considering the ethical implications of each case. At the competition, the two teams present their case, rebut and then answer questions from judges. This year the Ethics Bowl at CCI had judges including three doctorates, one MBA and a reporter from the Bakersfield Californian, who wrote an article that made front-page news in Bakersfield. See: for the full article with pictures.

The first case, in which CCI led, was called “A Miscarriage of Justice” and considered Alabama’s law that prosecutes pregnant women who the state feels have put their unborn child at risk. This case was presented based on a real case in which Alabama prosecuted a mother for the unexpected consequence of the death of her fetus. In this case, the mother started a verbal altercation, which turned into the other woman shooting her gun, which ricocheted and hit her fetus, killing it. The mother and victim of the shooting was brought up on charges for involuntary manslaughter by the state of Alabama. This case was complex ethically and CCI took the side that women should have rights over their own bodies, even during pregnancy, and that cases such as this one can be a slippery slope, ultimately denying too many women’s rights. CSUB agreed with CCI, adding their perspective to the case. CCI answered multiple questions from judges, clarifying their position and proving they had fully considered all aspects of the case.

Host giving opening remarks

The second case this year consisted of “Callout Culture,” which considered whether our “callout culture” or “cancel culture”—in which an individual is called out on social and regular media—is helpful in changing societal norms or hurting individuals who are put in the spotlight. The case considered if this behavior is activism or a dysfunctional new aspect of our social media-driven society. CSUB summarized that callout culture has some positives, but is not activism and is hurting society and individuals. CCI responded that there might be better ways to have conversations and foster a society of forgiveness instead of a society that points the finger and damages people’s reputation as well as careers. So again, the two sides agreed that this is not a positive for society, but both teams brought differing perspectives on how to address change.

Debaters going over debate topic

After the Ethics Bowl, CSUB went on to compete in regionals, which took place December 7 in Phoenix, Arizona. CSUB asked if they could use CCI’s research for their event, which CCI offered. CSUB’s team consists of third-year philosophy students who practice weekly based on what they have learned throughout their classes.

After the event, the philosophy students asked the inmates about their plans for their futures. All of the five team members from CCI have plans for higher education or are currently attending college through Cerra Cosa University here at CCI. Robert Price, the well-known reporter from The Bakersfield Californian, commented on how poised and intelligent CCI’s team presented, which is a common remark by outside observers seeing the CCI Ethics Bowl for the first time.

Debater at the podium giving his remarks

CCI’s team puts in four hours of class time per week, preparing through research and practice. The group was developed and is coached by Dian Grier, LCSW, and is considered a mental health group designed to stimulate thinking and perceive the world through multiple lenses. The time the men put into this group helps them in multiple ways. Many of the inmates see the group as a chance to increase social and presentation skills, decrease levels of depression and anxiety, and find purpose within the prison environment. The group consists of 25 inmates who helped prepare for the bowl, but only five were chosen for the presenting team. The other team members were in the audience, cheering on their colleagues. The group consists of all ages, races and viewpoints, which add to the therapeutic benefits of the program. The group continues to discuss and practice throughout the year, reflecting on new ethical viewpoints and enjoying the process of expanding their thinking regarding their own moral opinions as well as ethics within society. This program is an excellent representation of the type of innovative rehabilitation CDCR and CCI are inventing and offering. Congratulations to the CCI team for their effort and achievement!

San Francisco to replace Juvenile Hall with rehabilitative center

by

By Dillon Kim, Journalism Guild Writer

San Francisco voted to close its Juvenile Hall and replace it with a smaller “rehabilitative center” to provide a more home-like setting for youths who don’t need to be detained but can’t return home.

The Board of Supervisors voted 10-1 on June 4 to shut the facility by the end of 2021.

Mayor London Breed and some other community leaders oppose the facility’s complete closure and instead support institutional reform. “What about a teenager charged with murdering someone? Someone’s son or daughter is dead and so what happens to that young person?” said Breed. “Sometimes there is a need [for incarceration]. And so what does that look like?”

California law mandates that certain juveniles must be held in a secure facility.

According to a recent report in the San Francisco Chronicle, juvenile delinquency rates in the U.S. and California have declined over the past decade.

Last January, just forty-five youths remained housed in SF’s juvenile hall—less than one-third of its full capacity. At that rate of occupancy, the city spends almost $270,000 annually to incarcerate a single child, according to numbers released by the Young Women’s Freedom Center.

Additionally, HuffPost reported that San Francisco’s population is only 5% Black—yet Black children comprise 60% of its incarcerated juvenile population,.

Supervisor Catherine Stefani was the only holdout to vote “no” against the ordinance.

“I do believe this piece of legislation is well-intended. I’m on the same page in terms of why we are doing this,” said Stefani. “But when we flip that page to the solution, I’m not there yet because I have a hard time closing Juvenile Hall with a date certain and without a plan in place.”

The new ordinance creates a 12-person team that will include city officials, juvenile justice experts and community members—all working to develop feasible alternatives to youth incarceration. It also calls for redirecting the funds allocated for Juvenile Hall to programs that support youth mental health treatment and academic aid.

As a 16-year-old, Leticia Silot spent time incarcerated at the city’s juvenile hall. She spoke about her experience recently in an interview for KQED on National Public Radio (NPR).

“Man, it felt like forever. I don’t even know what time it was half the time because they take the clocks out,” Silot recalled. “They don’t let us have clocks in the building, so it’s like- it’s very confusing.”

Supervisor Matt Haney told the Examiner, “The harsh truth is that the incarceration of children in jail-like environments, behind steel doors in concrete rooms, does not work. Incarceration adds trauma and pain to the lives of children who have often experienced an unimaginable amount of trauma and pain.

“Kids need treatment, support, education, community-based, non-incarceration-based opportunities. They need better than we are doing now.”

Dear KidCAT

by

Dear KidCAT,

My name is Davion Keel, and I’m currently serving 25 years-to-life. I was 15 at the time of my crime. I’m 29 years old now.

My reason for writing today is to thank you for this avenue where our voices get heard. Coming into the system, I knew nothing. And at 15 years old, I thought I knew it all. I didn’t know anything about being restored and restorative justice.

I always thought I was normal. Only after maturing and really being honest with myself with 100% true love, I tapped back into that human side I’ve always had and admitted that I was lost. Insecure, I had no integrity. I always wanted to be accepted because as a child I never had a father, or mother or anyone to ask me, “What’s wrong, Davion?”

Well, one person asked me, “What’s wrong?” …just so happened it was a gang member. And getting affirmation from him—and others like him—that became my life.

It took me until I was 26 to finally be a man and stand up for the betterment of myself. I started attending self-help groups and found interest in people building people—in the right way, to prosper the world. CGA (Criminal and Gangs Anonymous) was and is a big part of my life. I plan on teaching kids at the same juvenile hall I grew up in.

Which brings me to your curriculum… I’m planning on getting a transfer, just to join. I feel all kids and youth need the tools of KidCAT and CGA. It really helps to develop emotional intelligence in the ghettos where a lot of kids are getting locked up—like my 15-year-old self.

I just wanted to thank you again. Save a spot for me.

Davion,

Great to read about your transformative growth. The world needs to know about all these stories—each of our stories. KidCAT is rooted in sharing and learning from each other, supporting each other, building each other. We see all that in your letter.

Our hope for 2020 is to get our curriculum out there and available to everyone who wants it. We welcome you, but we also don’t want transferring here to be the only way for guys to go through First Step.

Anyone at SQ is welcome to take First Step on Sundays from 6-8. Each cycle takes six months to complete. If you do get over here, we look forward to your participation. It’s always great to meet our readers face-to-face and really get to know them in person. We can’t wait!

New transparency law goes into effect for public disclosure

by

By Steve Brooks, Journalism Guild Writer

A new police transparency law went into effect in early October, leading to the public disclosure of Santa Clara County Sheriff Deputy David Tempra’s firing over a 2015 beating death.

Tempra was fired for lying about the death of Michael Tyree, a mentally ill inmate. Deputies Rafael Rodriguez, Matthew Farris, and Jereh Lubrin were arrested and charged with second-degree murder in Tyree’s beating, according to KQED News.

“Your conduct has cast considerable doubt on your integrity and character,” the firing decision read. “You have tarnished your reputation and violated the public trust. You have dishonored the Sheriff’s Office, your fellow Correctional Deputies and Officers, and our profession.”

Rodriguez, Farris and Lubrin all faced trial and subsequently were convicted and sentenced to 15-years-to-life in 2017.

Tempra, who was on duty the night Tyree died, controlled the doors that provided access to Tyree’s housing unit. He failed to report the use of force against both Tyree and Juan Villa—another inmate beaten in the same unit that night. Tempra reported that he didn’t hear any noise.

The Sheriff’s criminal investigation concluded that Tyree could be heard screaming for several minutes “and was accompanied by the sounds of thumping, wall banging and what sounded like blows to a person’s body.”

Tempra only admitted this during a fourth round of questioning, according to KQED News.

Tempra was also initially hesitant to report seeing Farris and Rodriguez “knuckle bumps” as they left the module, where Tyree lay dying on the cell floor. He only admitted this after an inmate reported seeing deputies doing “fist pounds” after they finished searching the cells.

Tyree’s spleen and liver were severed as a result of blunt force trauma. According to an autopsy report, that was the injury that killed him.

The Tyree family’s attorney argued that the county is responsible for Tyree’s death. “Juan and Michael should have been on a psychiatric unit, not ‘protective custody,” attorney Paula Canny said.

Deputy Koret Shettleworth, who attended the sheriff’s academy with Rodiguez and Farris, said, “There was a level of inmate abuse that was deemed acceptable” at the main jail.

The Sheriff’s Office has subsequently updated training procedures and has revised its use-of-force policy.

Upcoming federal execution of intellectually disabled man

by

By Vincent O’Bannon, Journalism Guild Writer

An intellectually disabled man scheduled for execution in January claims it would violate his constitutional rights.

He is Alfred Bourgeois, one of five prisoners chosen by the U.S. Justice Department to be put to death in January 2020.

Bourgeois’ lawyers claim his execution would violate his 8th Amendment rights against cruel and unusual punishment, Rolling Stone reported Aug. 21.

The case has raised exceptional interest because of membership changes on the U.S. Supreme Court since its 8th Amendment standards in 2014 and 2002.

In Atkins v. Virginia, the court declared in 2002 for the first time that the 8th Amendment bars the execution of intellectually disabled prisoners whose cognitive functions would render their executions cruel and unusual punishment. Controversy has surfaced over IQ score standards.

“Clinicians, not judges, should determine clinical standards, and judges, not clinicians, should determine the content of the 8th Amendment,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in Moore v. Texas that examines the Atkins’ test, the story reported.

Bourgeois was sentenced to death by a jury in Texas in 2014 for torturing, sexually molesting and beating his 2 1/2-year-old daughter to death. His lawyers claim he cannot be executed because his intellectual disability has never been evaluated under the new 8th Amendment standards imposed by the Supreme Court, the story noted.

Bourgeois’ initial claim that he was “too disabled to be executed,” was rejected by a federal judge in Texas in 2011 and again by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2013. The 5th Circuit has ruled that he previously and unsuccessfully raised the disability claim and cannot raise it again.

Florida can’t use restitution or fines to stop ex-felons from voting

by

By Kerry Rudd, Journalism Guild Writer

A federal court ruled that Florida cannot deny felons the right to vote based on their inability to pay fines or restitution.

“In his order, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle of the Northern District of Florida halted the implementation of SB 7066, which required felons to pay all restitution, fines and fees before they are eligible to vote,” reported Courthousenews.com on Oct. 18.

Months after Amendment 4 passed via landslide vote, state lawmakers passed SB 7066.

Amendment 4 is a constitutional amendment that restores voting rights to most felons once they have completed the terms of their sentences. That includes probation and parole. Restitution and fines are not mentioned in the amendment.

Judge Hinkle’s ruling only applies to the 17 plaintiffs in the case. The judge suggested Florida implement a system for felons to prove that they are unable to pay.

“When a state wrongly prevents an eligible citizen from voting, the harm to the citizen is irreparable,” Judge Hinkle’s written order said.

The court’s ruling leaves approximately 1.4 million felons without relief.

“Each of these plaintiffs have a constitutional right to vote so long as the state’s only reason for denying the vote is failure to pay an amount the plaintiff is genuinely unable to pay,” the judge wrote.

Florida’s Supreme Court is now reviewing the governor’s petition to define what “all terms of a sentence” means in the constitutional amendment. That court will analyze whether restitution and fines are implied in the language of Amendment 4.

Judge Hinkle also said the U.S. Constitution prohibits voting eligibility based on a person’s financial resources.

According to a study submitted to the court by University of Florida political science professor Daniel Smith, almost 80% of felons have outstanding debts.

More than 2,000 felons registered to vote in Florida in the first three months after Amendment 4 took effect. And thousands more have registered since, advocates say.

Before Amendment 4, Florida was one of only three states with a lifetime ban on felon’s voting rights.

Oklahoma releases 462 incarcerated people in wake of reclassification

by

By William Earl Tolbert, Journalism Guild Writer

Oklahoma has released 462 inmates in the wake of a law change that reclassified numerous felonies as misdemeanors.

It was one of the largest single-day releases of inmates in U.S. history, according to the New York Times.

Oklahoma has one of the nation’s highest per-capita incarceration rates, the Times reported Nov. 4.

The state voted to reclassify simple drug possessions and low-level property crimes as misdemeanors, rather than felonies, to help reduce its incarcerated population. Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill earlier this year that applied the decision retroactively.

“This event is another mark on our historic timeline as we move the needle in criminal justice reform, and my administration remains committed to working with Oklahomans to pursue bold change that will offer our fellow citizens a second chance while also keeping our communities and streets safe,” said Stitt in a statement to the Times.

The governor’s office expects the mass-commutation to save the state $12 million.

The action was celebrated for its bipartisan nature by Isi Ofer, director of the American Civil Liberties Union.

“What’s happening today is an important step forward, but much more is needed,” Ofer added.

Screams of joy from family members and friends welcomed the 70 women leaving the Dr. Eddie Warrior Correction Center in Taft, Okla.

A newly liberated prisoner, Tina Martin, 52, would have served another seven years in prison.

“It means the world to me,” said Martin. “It was God that got me here and the governor.”

Julie Fair Loth, 28, who was serving time for drug possession, hugged her mother and her husband outside the correction center.

“I can’t even put words to it,” Loth said.

Loth told the Times she was “overwhelmed” to reunite with her family.

“Our concern is that without the necessary community support, we could see these people back in the criminal justice system within six months,” said Andrew Speno, director of Oklahoma for Right on Crime, a conservative organization working to reduce incarceration rates.

Speno praised the commutations but urged further action.

The parole panel considered 814 case files and recommended 527 for commutation. Sixty-five were being held on detainers, leaving 642 inmates to be released.

15 year plea deal for powdered milk mistaken as cocaine

by

By Dillon Kim, Journalism Guild Writer

After police mistook powdered milk for powdered cocaine upon searching a homeless man in Oklahoma, the man pled guilty and was sentenced to 15 years in state prison.

Unable to post the $50,000 cash bond to escape the confines of the Oklahoma City Jail, Cody Gregg, 26, falsely pled guilty to drug-trafficking charges. Gregg had faced drug charges in the past.

According to an article by Dillon Thompson on AOL.com in August, Gregg was stopped by police for an alleged traffic violation. Gregg attempted to flee on his bicycle but was caught and searched. Upon finding a “large amount of white powder substance” on Gregg, the police arrested him.

According to the incident report from the police, the arresting officer “believed [the powder] to be cocaine based on my training and experience.” Police said the white powder substance tested positive for cocaine.

A laboratory tested the white substance two months later and found that it was not cocaine. Once Gregg found out about the new test results, he attempted to withdraw his guilty plea. Gregg told the judge that the white substance was actually powdered milk he’d gotten from a local food pantry, reported The Oklahoman newspaper.

His petition ultimately was successful: all charges against Gregg were dismissed, and he was released.

Jason Lollman, a public defender in Tulsa, Okla., told NBC News that it is common for suspects in custody to falsely plead guilty to crimes they did not commit. By doing so, they can avoid local incarceration while they wait for their trials to start. Instead, they can be incarcerated in the prison system which is designed for longer-term sentences. That may have been true here. Lollman said that the Oklahoma City Jail, where Gregg was held, in is “a generally awful jail” which, according to The Oklahoman, had at least six inmate deaths this year.

“The cash bail system, posting cash bail, is a problem,” Lollman told The Oklahoman. “If they can’t afford an attorney, they’re not going to be able to post bond to get out.”

According to Lollman , he regularly talks his clients out of falsely pleading guilty. “Sometimes it’s like we, the attorneys, have more stamina than the clients do,” he told NBC News. “But that’s because we’re on the outside, and they’re in jail.”

9-year-old Illinois boy charged with murder and arson

by

By Kerry Rudd, Journalism Guild Writer

An Illinois court recently charged a nine-year-old boy five first-degree murders and arson for starting a mobile home fire that killed five people.

If convicted, the boy’s young age makes juvenile probation the only sentencing option available. He’s too young to be placed in any juvenile detention facility, according to an Oct. 22 Chicago Tribune article.

“He made a terrible mistake, but he’s not a monster,” said his mother, Katie Atwood.

The newspaper reported, “When he sat (in court), his feet only touched the ground if he slid forward in his chair, and his head barely reached above the top of the seat.”

The charges stem from an April fire. Four of his relatives and his mother’s boyfriend died in the inferno.

Judge Charles Feeney read the charges to the boy. The proceedings were slow-going because the judge had to explain a variety of legal terms to him.

The boy was read the first count by the judge, which alleged “he committed the offense of first-degree murder and you…set fire to trailer residence…thereby caused the death of Jason Wall.”

When asked by the judge whether he understood, the boy indicated that he didn’t by shaking his head.

“What don’t you understand?” the judge asked.

“What I did,” the boy replied.

Judge Feeney then started over again. He stopped on certain words to define them for the boy.

Later in the hearing the boy’s court-appointed attorney, Peter Dluski, intervened.

“Your honor, I apologize. He told me he doesn’t know what ‘alleged’ means,” Dluski said.

Later in the hearing came the term “arson.”

“He wants to know what arson is, your honor,” Dluski said.

“Arson is the name of a crime, that you knowingly caused a fire to occur at real property…” the judge explained.

In April the county medical examiner’s office ruled the deaths as homicides after consulting with the county sheriff’s office, state fire marshal’s office, and the local fire protection district.

State Attorney Greg Minger of Woodford County brought charges against the boy over six months after the deaths.

The boy was taken into protective custody after the fire. Ever since then he’s been a ward of the court.

“Though the boy is too young to be incarcerated, if he is convicted and violates terms of probation a judge can sentence him to county detention once he’s 10 years old and state juvenile prison if he’s 13,” according to the Chicago Tribune.

Let the people speak: Dear San Quentin News

by

Can America continue to ignore the massive impact excessively harsh incarceration tactics are having on this country? How many children must go through life without a mother or father because we refuse to address alternative resources that would allow fami- lies to be reunited sooner.

Most child psychologist agree that alienating children from either parent leads to “toxic stress” resulting in lasting psychological and physical health problems. As children grow older without parental guidance of both parents, it can also lead to criminal behavior spurred from the anger or confusion of a missing parent in their life for so long.

Almost all – 91 percent – agreed that the US criminal justice system needs reform. 61 percent preferred shorter sentences to spending on incarceration. Eighty-nine percent of crime victims favored additional spending on schools and education over build- ing more prisons and jails.

So it seems the only ones who support excessive incarceration is our government. The people have spoken and are largely against excessive sentencing, and for prison reform. The government does not control the civilian, we control the government. They serve America. It’s time for the government to do what the public demands of it.

Jeremy Mount, Federal Correctional Institution, Sandstone, MN

Dear San Quentin News,

My name is Jessie Garcia from Centinela Prison. I’ve been read- ing the articles in the San Quentin paper about running for a few years now.

I started a 100 mile club about four years ago here at Centinela. We currently start from July 1st to June 30th for runners to com- plete 100 miles or more. We have between 40 to 50 runners. We have about 20 who complete between 100 to 1,000 and a few who complete over 2,000 miles.

We started this year having a 3 mile race. I’m planning on expanding to have 2 mile and 6 mile races also. The reasons I’m writing is to ask if the next time you get ready to have a 3 mile race if it would be alright if you let me know 4-6 weeks ahead of time and we can run one over here and can send you our times to compare with your runners and see how we place. Kind of like a competition. I hope this is something you would be interested in so we could get other prisons to do the same.

I hope that you take this into consideration. Sincerely,
Jess Garcia, Centinela State Prison

To San Quentin News,

My name is Danna Dan Vongamath, I am finally in prison at the Wasco State Prison Reception Center. But before I caught the chain, I was housed in a facility (a county jail) in Orange County. While I was there fighting my case for six months. I never in my entire life have taken so much verbal abuse, threats, personal property abuse, causing tension between other races fights and riots, all from an Orange County deputy. I am so tired of not say- ing anything, so tired being scared to talk about it. These past couple of months, inmates and deputies were getting into it. But the local county newspapers made us inmates look like the inci- dences with the deputies were for no reasons and that we are the ones with animal like behavior. I don’t ever think a deputy will ever come forward to the media that he has been abusing his power. How can we stop being abused? Who’s right and who’s wrong? Because they have a badge does that make them have the right to inflict pain and harm, mentally and physically? This is America so America I’m asking for your help.

Danna Dan Vongamath, Wasco State Prison

San Quentin News,

In writing this letter, I express a grave concern I have regarding the Prop. 57 law. My main concern is the fact that it was created with discriminating efforts. Discriminating towards violent offend- ers. Violent offenders need just as much help as anyone else serving time. It makes no sense to exclude them, simply because their crime was considered “violent.” How are we (violent offend- ers) supposed to successively transition into society after serving an extensive amount of time behind bars? Milestones, they can have milestones! That’s all? What about all these enhancements and add-ons for a crime we’ve already paid for? Milestones will definitely help, but are not sufficient enough for proper rehabilita- tion. SB1393 takes away the 5-year enhancement for a serious felony and SB136 takes away the 1-year enhancement for prior felonies. What about the 3-year enhancement for a violent felony? Once again, laws are coming into existence that are backed by discriminating preference!

I’m not complaining, I know I messed up, but seriously an 11-year sentence to be served at 85% (now 80%) is a bit excessive! And, not being eligible to the many benefits that are available through Prop. 57 hurts me. I just want to get well, and part of getting well is making it home to my wife and family as soon as possible.

Vincent Caico, Deuel Vocational Institution

Prisoners’ Lives Matter

People don’t stop being humans when they offend society and commit crime
On the contrary we lose some of our best citizens at their prime In fact it is inside of their cell that many prisoners rehabilitate themselves

Coming out into society as reformed people having left the older version
Of their lives behind on prison shelves

Instead of breaking the fallen down even further we should pick them up
Let them drink from the fountain of change till they do away with their hiccup

They did wrong and must be held accountable for their acts Recidivism is a blight on society and statistics prove these facts

Men and women deserve a second chance when they are locked away in prison
These are our fellow citizens who went astray with their vision
A prison number doesn’t make them any less of a human being We all just have to guide their sight back to a civilized way of seeing

Drugs play a major role in their fall
Addicted to chemical substances under the influence of alcohol Many were at their lowest common denominator when they became criminals
Therefore we must all stand up and mentor better choices for the millennials

We can’t just lock up our citizens and throw away the key
The ultimate goal is to rehabilitate them so they can contribute to society
The world can’t afford to only see incarcerated people through the lens of
Their past clutter and clatter
Although we must never forget the victims of crime prisoners lives also matter

Bobby Bostic
Jefferson City Correctional Facility, MO

To San Quentin News:

I’ve written before about how I was shocked at the intelligence, integrity and openness of your writers. These feeling of mine are strengthened with each issue.

I get to read words from actual real people who have evolved from desperate, fierce criminals…who have transformed themselves into beings of compassion. I am not making this up. There are examples of this all through the San Quentin News…

Then in the September 2019 issue on page 17 in News Briefs (#4), Sharee Miller, in prison for murder, speaks of the OPPOSITE: ac- tual law officers performing horrendous torture. This is something ELSE that goes on that I’d not known: there are people whose job it is to PROTECT humans from torture and crime, who are themselves “desperate, fierce criminals…” and Miller having the guts and integrity to report it, at her OWN risk.

The San Quentin News helps me see the WHOLE picture. I send blessings and support and love to all San Quentin people.

Nyla Blair, Outside Supporter

To Editor,

I’m over here in Corcoran State Prison, in the ASU (Security Hous- ing Unit). I came across your newspaper while searching for the legal library address there at San Quentin. First I would like to say good work, the paper is great. Keep up the good work. Next I am trying to request a recall and resentencing form for the enhance- ments I was given. It’s Assembly Bill 2942-Penal Code 1170(d) (1). I’ve been struggling trying to get this form for a minute, any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and help.

Respectfully,
Randall Hinson, Corcoran State Prison

Dear San Quentin News,

First and foremost I would like to thank ya’ll for publishing my ar- ticle in the October 2019 issue, titled “Pelican Bay Inmates Break- down Barriers of Stigmatization.” It’s important that people all over especially California see the faces of the people who are making a heartfelt solid effort to stop racial tensions, violence in prison. Daily we are tested.

A lot of people do not like to see African Americans, Whites and Mexicans playing sports together, taking pictures together or greeting each other with a hug. Sometimes C/O’s say we are get- ting soft. Teaching individuals methodology instead of ideology is hard work. Getting people to think has always been a tough job, yet we are having success at Pelican Bay. I’m hoping my article reaches gangs everywhere and influences them to try peace to make our communities safer. A special shout out to all of ya’ll at the San Quentin. Be on the lookout for more of my writings.

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas. Emphatically, Little John Perry, Pelican Bay State Prison

Translate »