The PEACE Group By Little John Perry Over the years, Pelican Bay has been considered the worst prison in California. Since its establishment in 1989, the ‘Bay’ has been infamous for housing the most hardened criminals the state holds– hence the even more infamous Security Housing Unit (SHU). There are countless tales of violence on both small and large scales. However, having grown weary of the endless cycles of bloodshed and indefinite terms of confinement—not to mention the way society viewed mediation between races, them— a group of … [Read more...] about Pelican Bay inmates break down barriers of stigmatization
CDCR
Local television station honors three with the Jefferson Award for their public service at San Quentin
San Quentin employee Raphaele Casale has been presented The Jefferson Award for Public Service for her behind the scenes community work. Raphaele Casale Casale is an office technician who works in the San Quentin warden’s office. She also runs the prison’s music program and is one of the staff sponsors for the SQUIRES (San Quentin Utilization of Inmate Resources Experiences and Studies) program that allows inmates to mentor at-risk youth. “I love kids,” she commented. Allen Martin from KPIX channel 5 interviewed Casale for a … [Read more...] about Local television station honors three with the Jefferson Award for their public service at San Quentin
Wall City Volume 2 Issue 2: Fighting Fire While Doing Time
Women battle to continue fighting fires after their releases Female firefighters on the front lines of California wildfires photo by David McNew/ AFP/Getty Images Many people are surprised to learn that nearly 10 percent of the incarcerated firefighters serving at California's 44 "fire camps" are women. Just like men, the women firefighters get the same training as Cal Fire's other seasonal firefighters- one week in the classroom, another week in the field, and additional training on an ongoing basis. And, just like the incarcerated men … [Read more...] about Wall City Volume 2 Issue 2: Fighting Fire While Doing Time
In Remembrance
Brothers George Grifall and Chris Koppe George Grifall Chris Koppe playing his guitar More than 60 men of all nationalities, races and origins gathered in San Quentin’s Catholic Chapel to celebrate the lives of George Grifall and Chris Koppe. The two well-known incarcerated men passed away in San Quentin in the month of June. “I love you, brother,” was the catchphrase for Grifall. Koppe was lovingly known as Colonel Sanders or Colonel Crispy. After the evening meal on July 18, prisoners mingled and listened to the blues, led … [Read more...] about In Remembrance
Re:Store Justice starts 5-year restorative justice pilot program
A live internet joint press conference involving San Quentin State Prison and CDCR officials in Sacramento announced a five-year restorative justice pilot program aimed at the needs of victims, offenders and the community. The first-ever live news conference to include incarcerated individuals was held recently to announce the program which will be based in San Joaquin County. The incarcerated men, members of the Re:Store Justice organization, shared how they believe that restorative justice is a more wholesome approach to criminal … [Read more...] about Re:Store Justice starts 5-year restorative justice pilot program
Court finds support for re-sentencing un-persuasive
CA supreme court A sentencing court denied the head of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s recommendation that it reduce Juan Felipe Melendez’ 16-year sentence due to good behavior. “I felt terrible because my mom was there,” Melendez said. “The time has been harder on her than me. Every time I talk to her, she’s crying.” California Penal Code 1170(d) 1 gives CDCR, District Attorneys, the Board of Parole Hearings and County Correctional Administrators the power to recommend that a court re-sentence an … [Read more...] about Court finds support for re-sentencing un-persuasive
Golden opportunities arise from California’s recent changes in sentencing
Craig “Qadree” Birch, 53, was serving a term of 40-years-to-life under California’s Three Strikes Law before his sentence was recalled by the sentencing court for his “exceptional conduct.” Under the newly passed Assembly Bill 2942, he was re-sentenced to 27 years and paroled from San Quentin in May. Birch was arrested in September 1994 in Sacramento County and convicted in March 1995. He served 24 years and eight months for a first-degree burglary with enhancements for prior prison commitments. “It’s a learning experience on how I was … [Read more...] about Golden opportunities arise from California’s recent changes in sentencing
California’s dark secret: prisoners sentenced under prior guidelines have little hope of ever being released
Some men serving life sentences in California say they’re “political prisoners.” While there’s technically no legal definition for the term, some facts and evidence suggest they may be right. At San Quentin State Prison, there are men who have served 40-plus years, continuously. These men are survivors of carceral Darwinism, having lived through changes in state politics, parole laws, parole boards, restructured prisoner classifications, a prosperous prison guards’ union, crime victims’ influence on laws, changes to the death penalty, and … [Read more...] about California’s dark secret: prisoners sentenced under prior guidelines have little hope of ever being released
California’s out-state prisoners brought back
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced that it has ended the practice of housing prisoners in out-of-state facilities. But San Quentin inmates who have served time in private lockups say those prisons are much better than California institutions, even though they dislike the separation from their families. “I was pissed off when I found out I was coming back to the state. Prison out there was much better,” said inmate Michael “Kofy” Taylor. “The overall feeling was better out there. The living quarters … [Read more...] about California’s out-state prisoners brought back
State auditor reports CDCR has been unsuccessful in rehabilitation needs
State Auditor Elaine Howle A new study by California’s state auditor reported that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has failed to meet the rehabilitative needs for more than half of inmates released. The study indicated that the CDCR has been unsuccessful in its efforts to place inmates in proper rehabilitation programs. This situation leads to many inmates paroling from prison without needs being met that contribute to high recidivism—reintegration being the most problematic. “Corrections has … [Read more...] about State auditor reports CDCR has been unsuccessful in rehabilitation needs