April 25, 1980 – “The Phantom Diner” – S.Q. News’ esteemed “Restaurant Critic” reported that after sampling 26 meals over nine days in the chow hall, eight were poor quality, 12 adequate and six were good. Notably, gravy was cold and lumpy, while most baked goods were excellent.
June 13, 1980 – The First District Appellate Court ruled that the suspension of prison visiting for inmate wives who refused to submit to a full strip search was not necessary for the reasonable security of the institution and violated prisoner’s right to have visitors.
August 29, 1980 – Five shots were fired to stop an assault on an East Block correctional officer, according to Mike Madson, prison informational officer.
November 21, 1980 – The legendary “Godfather of Soul,” James Brown, performed a special holiday show in the North dining hall for approximately 1,000 inmates.
June 5, 1981 – A fire set to a blanket hanging on a cell door, in protest a of a lock down, got out of control in the Badger section of S.Q. claiming the lives of two prisoners, who were trapped because the heat intensity of the flames caused their cell door to jam.
February 13, 1981 – Richard Chase, dubbed the “Vampire Killer” because he reportedly drank the blood of his victims, was found dead in his death row cell of an apparent suicide by drug overdose.
May 15, 1981 – S.Q. holds annual Family Day. Forty two visitors came from all over California to enjoy a breakfast of bacon-and-eggs, fried potatoes, orange juice and coffee in the North dining hall.
July 10, 1981 – The lower yard received a layer of asphalt to stop contraband from being hidden in the dirt areas.