In Jan. 2005, Vince Russo began taking correspondence courses through Ohio State University, pursuing his bachelor’s degree.  He borrowed a book on Hinduism in order to complete his first reading assignment, and then plowed into reading the material before the official assignment had arrived.  There are many difficulties in attending college in a prison: lock-downs, going to work, getting mailed-in assignments from the professor, and then sending them back, having all tests proctored by those qualified to sit in that position, and then having the space to take the written tests.
Initially, the costs of the courses were paid for by a wealthy benefactor who was paying the expenses for a number of associate of arts graduates who were pursuing an advanced degree, but in time that money was exhausted, and he was using his own paychecks from his Prison Industry job to cover it.
Along with his job and school, Russo also remained dedicated to many self-help programs, as well as continuing to practice his Buddhist faith.  He was on the ground floor with the Day of Peace program, which last year was a large success, and days and nights during the week that he wasn’t active in some sort of program and/or work were the exception.
In addition to these, Russo also had (has) a loving family whom he has remained devoted to.  Every weekend his wife and his young son, Vincent Junior (a.k.a. “VJ”), were in the visiting room with him.  VJ, now 14, was his father’s delight, and, in spite of the limitations visiting imposes, parenting was done with love and nurturing that brought up this young man, and, before VJ, two daughters (Elizabeth and Kea) that any father would be very proud of.
Approximately three years ago tragedy struck Russo’s life, his daughter, Kea, was in a serious car accident.  A high speed head-on collision placed her in the hospital with numerous broken bones.  Russo continued his life and schooling in here, while doing everything in his power to comfort his wife, daughters and son.  Slowly her injuries and she resumed a normal life.
Life moves forward, and Russo continued to hold on to balancing his “model-prisoner” program in here with being a positive role-model for his son and family in the visiting room.  On April 05, 2007, Vince Russo’s wife passed away.  A woman whom he had married before coming to prison, and who had stuck with him for 25 years of incarceration.
His daughters brought him the sad news, once more in the visiting room; where they shared their grief.   A 13-year-old son had lost his mother and a husband had lost a devoted wife.  Persevering, the family now pulled closer and Russo was more determined to complete what he’d begun.  VJ had his choice of which sister to live with, and both daughters continued to take turns bringing in their brother on a weekly basis to see his father.
In June of 2008, Russo received his bachelor’s degree, and his son and daughters were there with him in the Garden Chapel as he got up on the stage to speak and receive his diploma.  The story of overcoming does not end with the accomplishments from inside, but also with VJ, who, inspired by his father, also maintained his grades and received 3.5 Grade average for quarter, and a 3.6 average for the entire school year.  At the end of the VJ’s school year, he was also awarded the Character Award handed out to those who overcome great challenges; this honor is not given every year, and he is now inscribed on a plaque that sits in the Principals Office.
Russo is now strategizing on his next step – getting his masters degree.  One daughter is married, and the other is engaged. VJ is his Dad’s greatest fan, and it’s looking like this young man will one day go  to college; where he’ll have plenty of inspiration in seeing things through to the end.
 

Four hundred Reception Center inmates living in West Block and the Gym attended a reentry fair Saturday, September 06, on the West Block Yard that provided information for successful parole back into the community.
Initiated by inmate Westley Barry (aka, “Preacher”), and facilitated by West Block Lieutenant D. Footman, information booths were arranged on the walls of t he West Block Yard that offered information on: drug and alcohol counseling, medical (HIV and Hepatitis C prevention and care), job training, education, mental health counseling, family counseling and housing assistance. Various members of the Protestant Chapel assisted in distributing Bibles and other valuable spiritual study materials.
Preacher, a four-time champion of the television show “American Gladiators,” seeks to inspire individuals and bring his sports discipline to others. With 11 years incarcerated, Preacher created the self-help program titled “Team Exodus.” Along with others, he has been facilitating the curriculum: “Grown Men Business.” This program addresses the recidivism of repeat offenders in prison. Through this two month study program, they are called upon to “Own up to their responsibilities to themselves, their families and their community.”
Footman observed 30 to 50 inmates attending these classes, and appreciates the true value in packaging elements of rehabilitation within the San Quentin Reception Center. With the exception of basic education, only the bare essentials of opportunity have been available to these individuals.
Beginning in the Gym, Preacher later expanded the program to include those in the West Block Unit. The 300 men from West Block who completed the Grown Men Business training, were the first allowed to attend the Team Exodus Resource Work shop. Once those in West Block were complete, the 100 men from the Gym who had also completed the program were allowed to benefit from the information
and resource fair.
“In my thirteen years working the R e c e p t i o n Center, I’ve asked many men why they’ve continued re- turning to p r i s o n ” Footman said, “many of them said that there’s noth- ing out there for them. And that d o e s n ’ t sound right,” she added. “ A l r i g h t , ” F o o t m a n cont inued, “Let me fix that for you.
Instead of you going to them, I’m bringing them to you.” A total of 14 agencies from outside, and another eight programs that are already a part of the mainline re-entry program here at San Quentin, along with a total of 55 outside guests, brought information concerning counties throughout Northern California. Fresno, Humboldt, Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento and Solano counties were all represented.
At the end of the event, informational material had run out at every booth, and a 1,000 questions had been answered by the outside guests. Future plans are in the works for a summit that is tentatively scheduled for February, and a second bi-annual Team Exodus resource fair for March 2009.

Andy Leavitt    paroled on a Sunday night.  It wasn’t the way anyone wanted to see him leave, but in the end, we welcomed his release from pain.  He showed great courage as he fought the good fight, remaining polite and caring to those around him, even when knowing his time in this world was to be cut short.  He arrived at SQ in June of 1982, serving 25 years to Life.  Soft spoken, he worked as a Machinist in the Vocational Machine shop.
A journeyman machinist, Prison Industry constantly pursued him, where he could make top dollar.  Yet, he stayed on in Vocations to mentor other students.  Andy was a accomplished teacher with patience that made him the one everyone went to for help or guidance.  Andy’s parents, Victoria and John Leavitt, were there with him not only in his closing days, but in his life throughout his incarceration.  Mr. and Mrs. Leavitt visited Andy and his brother David weekly for all of Andy’s 26 years here at SQ.
The bitter-sweet of seeing a child die in prison, was surely offset with truly knowing that their son was a man of whom they could be very proud of.  His parents rightfully saw him as the man he’d become, opposed to the crime committed in his youth. On Friday, May 30, 2008, a memorial service was held in the Catholic Chapel to honor Andy.  Some were there who knew Andy for upwards of 25 years.  May his passing bring more meaning to those still here.