Brandon James Hollis walked out of the gates of San Quentin State Prison on August 26, 2008 carrying with him the dream of getting his life back on track. Hollis, who had just finished serving four years at eighty percent, had everything going for him: a beautiful young wife, a loving supportive mother, and most importantly, the pending birth of his first child. Unfortunately, Brandon Hollis’ dream was deferred on, April 29, 2009, when Brandon or “O.B.” as he was known to his family and friends, was gunned down in El Sobrante.
Hollis’ death reverberated throughout the Bay Area community, including here at San Quentin by those who knew him, both inmates and correctional staff alike. No one who had ever met Hollis, could deny his good heart, shining personality, or trademark contagious smile.