Governor Gavin Newsom’s vision for the California Model has been slowly implemented in San Quentin Rehabilitation Center’s with the intent to redirect the culture of incarceration. The work of transformation has now begun to spread throughout the CDCR.
The California Medical Facility hosted its first “Bridging the Gap” basketball game this year. Warden Daniel E. Cueva had approved a basketball game between its staff and residents. Sports as rehabilitation is currently steering the new model.
The CMF Rising Kings resident basketball team practiced for three months as promotion for the event spread throughout the prison. The game modeled San Quentin’s first event between residents and staff that took place late last year.
By game day, the energy was intense with an amazing turnout. Medical staff, residents, correctional staff, mental health professionals, and AOD counselors showed up to support the event.
The air in the gym was electrified with cheering, screaming, clapping, and ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ the whole game. The day served as a vision of a safer California, as a new normalcy becomes a part of the new prison model.
The event had people coming together across institutional aisles to watch a game of basketball. Most incarcerated residents never envisioned playing a game against the staff, whom some may have viewed them as the enemy.
However, that day the “us versus them” mentality was not on display. The packed house of fans witnessed an experience of “Bridging the Gap” “through every shot, block, pass, and cheer.
For a few hours, officers and staff also rid themselves of the “us versus them” mentality. Most people left the gym with a different understanding of what is possible of building bridges than they walked in with.
This story was edited according to SQNews AP style.
