At age 18, I was arrested and sent to Deuel Vocational Institution in 1992. Prisoners called it Tracy or “The Gladiator School.” It was my first time in prison. I didn’t know anyone there. I was scared. The established prisoners came up to me and asked, “Where you from? What’s your name? What gang you in?” Although I answered every question, I didn’t really fit in anywhere, and I felt like I had to. Since then, I’ve been to many prisons and hung out with different people. And, at every new prison, I was asked the same questions all over … [Read more...] about A chance to change is always welcomed
Editorial
Digital Divide
Which game do your prefer, SCRABBLE or SUDOKU? One works like the world you know. One operates like the digital cloud. The digital cloud is just another way of describing content that is stored in databases and accessible on the internet. The cloud changes how we use digital content and interact with each other. These two games function quite differently and demonstrate rival methods of organization. SCRABBLE uses wooden tiles with letters for players to spell words, beginning at the center of the board, placing new tiles alongside those … [Read more...] about Digital Divide
Reflecting on the responsibilities of being a mother and parent
“Women mature faster than men” is something I heard often while growing up. When I reflect on my childhood and the men I have associated with, it was easy to see how true that statement is. I remember women who had to raise their children on their own and I wondered where the fathers were during that time. Did they love their children? Did these women leave their husbands as my mother did because of abuse? Perhaps they ended up like me, in prison. It is a fact that my children wondered the same thing I did about my absent father. I am no … [Read more...] about Reflecting on the responsibilities of being a mother and parent
One man’s journey with the revitalized newspaper
In June 2016, I became the editor-in-chief of San Quentin News. I never thought I would be editor-in-chief of anything, but being able to work with San Quentin News staff gave me the courage to move forward. John Wilkerson, the print shop instructor when San Quentin News was revived in 2008, taught me how to better myself. He is the reason why I believe in being independent instead of dependent. When I began working in the print shop, I was hesitant because of the stories floating around about a guy who chopped his fingers in a … [Read more...] about One man’s journey with the revitalized newspaper
The disappointment of Proposition 57
Conversations about Prop 57 were once a hot topic around San Quentin’s prison yard. Now it’s a disappointing whisper. For decades a lot of prisoners around California have worked hard to rehabilitate themselves, hoping that one day they would be recognized and rewarded for their growth and change. That hope has slowly disappeared as the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) continues to roll out its proposed emergency regulations for Prop 57. These emergency regulations seem to offer some prisoners less hope to continue their … [Read more...] about The disappointment of Proposition 57
Mom’s name in a tattoo
When I first came to prison, I didn’t know what to expect. And, like many people who have never been behind these walls, I believed everything I heard or saw on TV. I believed prisons were filled with nothing but violent and vindictive predators. By spending time in more than 10 different prisons around the state, this belief was dispelled. One of my early discoveries was that many convicts really love their mothers. They proudly proclaim it with that famous tattoo inscribed on their body somewhere, depicting a bright red heart, with Mom … [Read more...] about Mom’s name in a tattoo
CDCR’s Answer to Mental Issues and Suicide
Dr. Timothy Belavich answered San Quentin News questions last December about the delivery of health care services to prisoners. Dr. Belavich was formerly acting director of the Division of Health Care Services and deputy director of the Statewide Mental Health Program. He is now employed by Los Angeles County. In previous editions San Quentin News reported his views on the Coleman lawsuit and custody and prison culture. This edition focuses on Suicide and Use of Force. Transgender Special Needs will appear next month. By Dr. Timothy … [Read more...] about CDCR’s Answer to Mental Issues and Suicide
Reforming Our Way of Thinking
Governor Jerry Brown is backing an initiative titled “The Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act of 2016.”. The initiative changes the way juveniles are charged in adult court and will, potentially, have a drastic effect on adult sentencing. There is a debate about the impact this initiative will actually have if it makes it into the ballot and if it is voted into law in November. What seems certain is that people who were not talking about reforming sentencing policy a few years ago are now talking about it. The Honorable Thelton Henderson … [Read more...] about Reforming Our Way of Thinking
Editor-in-Chief Steps Aside to Pursue Other Dreams
In 2011 I was asked to step into the shoes of Editor-in-Chief; a job that I knew was going to be difficult, but former Editor-in-Chief Michael Harris had confidence that I could do the job. Until then, I had run from all my problems, afraid to face the unknown. People always saw something in me that I couldn’t see in myself. Michael believed in me and told me with confidence that I was given the opportunity to be a voice for those that were not able to speak for themselves. As the days, months and years went by, I started to build that … [Read more...] about Editor-in-Chief Steps Aside to Pursue Other Dreams
America’s Prisons Need To Focus On Healing, Education and Training
Prison is designed to break you, not to make you better. Our prison system takes people who have had traumatic lives and puts them in circumstances that expose them to even more trauma—like living in a cage with a stranger or being subjected to riots or having live ammunition fired by correctional officers trying to break up fights involving weapons or being isolated from family, friends and significant others. People are placed in traumatic circumstances—when they’ve already demonstrated they are not able to handle trauma well, and it … [Read more...] about America’s Prisons Need To Focus On Healing, Education and Training