Dear Editor,
Just read your newspaper dated July 2013. As an inmate at CCWF, any information that I am able to read and share with other inmates is truly appreciated.
I would love to receive your paper (San Quentin News) and will ask my family if they will send donations toward your cause.
A little about what is happening here at CCWF. Due to VSPW (Valley State Prison for Women) closing to women, all of the female inmates were transferred across the street to CCWF (Central California Women Facility). To say this prison is better, would be a lie. It’s crowded (eight women per cell). The buildings are older, the air blowers do not work, the water wells are drying up, so the yards are dead grass and dirt!
There is an entire unit of medical elderly, with chairs and walkers everywhere. It’s a sad, sorry place. Doing time here is the worst! Most try to transfer to CIW, the thought of two people per cell wins out!
This is not my first trip to prison, but will be my last! This prison and the staff here are not easy to be around. Some are caring staff, others are over-worked and tired of their jobs. Thank you for your time, and again, I would appreciate being placed on your mailing list.
Take care.
Wendy Labuda
Central California
Women Facility

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Editor’s Note: According to the CDCR press office, all state prisons have cut back on water usage in light of the drought. In addition, both CCWF and CIW have dorm housing – Four bunk beds in a dorm – eight women per room.