Imagine, if you will, being a prisoner in one of San Quentin State Prison’s most secured and notorious housing units. This is the housing unit where most outsiders consider all hope to be abandoned and lost. This is the place where some say they keep California’s most dangerous, incorrigible, and irredeemable souls. This place that I am speaking of, is California’s “Death Row” or the now politically correct “Condemned Row.” The men and women in California who carrying the title of, “Condemned Inmates,” are the very individuals most people believe cannot be trusted with anyone else other than their own peers (other condemned inmates). They are the group of men and women who have not only given up on themselves, but also their families, communities and ultimately society. They are “Societal Outcasts,” from which nothing positive can come… So they say. If we look back at the history of Condemned Inmates, we will find a myriad of men and women with a wide range of crimes that had an extremely negative impact on societies yesterdays, todays and tomorrows. Most people will continue to focus on that negative light and see nothing else but a man or woman who is now only wasting the state’s time and money… Ladies and Gentlemen, this is far from true, from this world of cement and steel, a rose from concrete can grow.
So let’s take a look at that history again; this time, let’s look a little deeper. If you dig below the surface, you will find a host of Condemned men and women who have reached back out to their families and communities by way of authoring books, letters, periodicals, etc. I will not attempt to make any excuses for crimes committed, but instead I want to make an attempt at shining a light on the compassion that still lies in the hearts of these people who some believe have nothing else to live for. If you listen to what I am saying, and you dig just deep enough, you will find a man by the name of Ross “Patch” Keller. Ross Keller, convicted of murder with special circumstances was given the penalty of a “Death Sentence.” In the early sixties, Ross Keller, the father of a growing son, was faced with a difficult challenge. He like many other incarcerated men placed himself in the situation of not being able to care for his family. Ross Keller’s son was being influenced by the negative influences of society and ultimately began traveling the path of his father. Ross Keller came up with an idea of a program that could possibly help him, help his son. In a desperate attempt, Ross Keller drew up a proposal to create this program. In 1964, San Quentin’s Utilization of Inmates Resources, Experiences and Studies other wise known as S.Q.U.I.R.E.S. was born, holding its first workshop with “at-risk” youth from the San Francisco Bay Area. Although Ross Keller’s son was unable to attend the first workshop, he did eventually gain admittance into a later workshop. However, Ross Keller himself was unable to attend the workshop due to his being a prisoner in this facility.
Today, 44 years later, S.Q.U.I.R.E.S. holds workshops for at-risk youth that are mentored by the incarcerated men of San Quentin. The workshops provide close communication between the youth and the inmate participants, which has proven to be beneficial in many cases. During the sessions, every effort is made to establish a rapport with the youth. When needed, a verbal confrontation may be used by a S.Q.U.I.R.E.S. member to deal with a specific youth. This verbal contact has opened up problem areas which otherwise could have gone undetected. Also included in the S.Q.U.I.R.E.S. session is a tour of the lower exercise yard where the youth come in close proximity of mainline inmates, where the youth are offered graphic descriptions of life and existence at San Quentin. The youth also have the opportunity to tour housing units where they experience being placed in a cell for a period of time.
S.Q.U.I.R.E.S. like many programs in San Quentin State Prison has planted a seed and nurtured a relationship with its outside community creating an environment that is safe for communities to come in and be educated with this incarcerated community. In most cases, parents of teenagers who have trouble with their youth may seek advice from many sources: psychologists, psychiatrists, family counselors, teachers and judges. But few go to a source that speaks with the voice of experience about impulsive acting out and its consequences-incarcerated men, who have committed serious offenses. These men have invaluable information on the cause, as well as the devastating affect, of their behavioral problems.

Resources for a successful parole are available through the “California Reentry Program.” This program is brought to SQ by a group of volunteers. Available every Tuesday night in H-Unit, and every Thursday night on the Lower Yard in the “Old Laundry.” The program also provides assistance for Lifers who want help in developing Parole Plans for the Board. Allyson West leads the group of well-educated, highly motivated individuals who sacrifice their own time to offer the following:
A. Career Advice, giving guidance and assistance in what field of employment best for you.
B. Employment, finding job opportunities in the field of choice.
C. Education, continuing education, from GED, Trade Schools, to College, and the financial aid to attend.
D. Housing, transition housing, and other assistance for living arrangements.
E. Substance Abuse Treatments, the California Reentry Program is connected with the “Bay Area Services Network” which can help you in locating help in overcoming addiction.
F. Miscellaneous Issues, such as, attaining identification, attaining transcripts, child support and parental rights issues, parole agent contact, attorney referrals, etc…
G. Monthly Workshops, are held in H-Unit for the following: Resume Writing, Job Interviews, Effective Workplace Communications, Assessing Your Skills and Interests, Labor Market Information (who’s hiring), the filling out of Job Applications, and, occasionally, Health and Immigration workshops. The H-Unit Workshops require signup, to be sent to “Allyson West c/o Education Department.”
The Tuesday’s California Reentry Program is available by showing up when announced in the dorm. Thursday’s program, in the Old Laundry, requires being on a movement sheet; requests to be placed on the movement can be sent to: “Allyson West c/o Education Department.” Or, if you see Allyson, ask her to include you. Ducats will no longer be issued; only the movement sheet is necessary.
California Reentry Program
P.O. Box 483
San Quentin, CA 94964

The California Supreme Court has accepted several cases for review to determine when, if ever, the fact that a person committed a murder in the distant past no longer supplies reliable evidence that he is currently dangerous.
Lifers who are eligible for parole and who have appeared before the Board of Parole Hearings are well acquainted with the Board’s use of their commitment offense as the primary reason to deny parole. Lifers who have been found suitable for parole and have had their suitability finding reversed by the governor know that their crime, usually committed decades ago, still matters.
We have to live with our decisions. We cannot turn back the clock or hold back the years and undo the wrong we have done to ourselves and others. For those of us who have taken a life, the pain we have caused is irrevocable. No amount of positive programming can fill the hole we left in the family of the victim of our crime. We can show our repentance in the path we choose and the decisions we make now.
Courts in California are striving to achieve a balance between the immutable harm done to the victim and their loved ones and to the requirements of the parole statutes, which state that parole should be the rule rather than the rare exception.
Many lifers now see themselves as victims of injustice. Justice is not an abstract principle. It is relational. Justice promotes good relations between people and groups of people. Injustice breaks down good relations and breeds anger, hostility and violence.
The concern for justice should not be confined to just those of us who must appear before the Board to gain an opportunity to rejoin free society. In 1963, the Rev. Martin Luther King. Jr. wrote the “Letter from Birmingham City Jail.” He was responding to eight white clergymen in Alabama opposed to civil disobedience. They feared his actions would incite civil disturbances.
He wrote: “I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. Moreover, I am cognizant of the inter-relatedness of all communities and states. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all.” Two quotes are engraved on the wall of the museum of  Jewish Heritage. “Remember, Never forget,” and, “There is hope for your future. “ As lifers we can never forget why we have spent the past years in person. But if we as a society believe in redemption and that people can rehabilitate themselves then a real hope and future must be extended to those who have complied with the requirements for parole. In Cappiello v. New York State Board of Parole 800 N.Y.S. 343, 2004 WL 3112628, Judge Wetzel wrote:
“Murder is obviously a very serious, tragic crime involving this loss of a human life… Each day, the court interacts with defendants accused and convicted of terrible murders, as well as the families of the victims.Those families come to court, listen to the evidence, weep at the crime scene photos, and speak passionately about their loss at the sentencing of the convicted defendants. There is no greater agony than that of a family member of a murder victim, and this court acknowledges and empathizes with that pain, It is a pain which does not abate over the years and nothing can become to relieve that suffering. The only variable that can change in this situation is the defendant… [some] defendants…take advantage of the opportunities in prison for rehabilitation, move on in their lives to do service in the community, to make amends for their actions, and to make contributions to their families and to society. Their achievements, as great as they are, will never erase the horrendous brutality of the past, nor can it ever fully compensate society for the damage which has been done. However, in a system which is premised on the hope and possibility of rehabilitation, and a statutory system which mandates a serious, rational and meaningful evaluation of the statutory criteria, we must allow an individual who has taken advantage of opportunities to rehabilitate himself to move beyond a horrific act of many years ago and to rejoin society to contribute according to his ability.”
The arbitrary practice of the Board in reciting the facts of the murder at a parole hearing and using that as the basis to deny parole has been exposed primarily through habeas petitions filed in pro per. The unselfishness of inmates assisting others for the common good has resulted in favorable state court orders in cases like In re Elkins, In re Viet Mike Ngo, and from the Federal District Court in Jerome Thomas of Habeas Corpus.
Perseverance and commitment are required to gain release through habeas petitions. The Attorney General routinely appeals virtually every favorable ruling from the lower court. Misguided and sometimes selfish advice comes from fellow Lifers and selfproclaimed jailhouse lawyers counseling individuals not to file. Many Lifers have been dissuaded from seeking relief from the courts against the Board or Governor for parole denials. An ancient principle from the Torah admonishes us not to put a stumbling block before the blind. Lifers need to become informed about the legal process and the pertinent cases dealing with parole issues. Through respect for other viewpoints and approaches, Lifers have been able to bring issues relating to parole before California State and Federal Courts. Continued success will come from applying wisdom as Hillel states: “If I am not for myself, who is for me. If I am only for myself, who am I.

The Men’s Advisory Council (“MAC”) was developed to be a conduit for the General Population Inmates to the Warden and all Department Heads as well as Correctional Staff. It is this Council’s Position to effectively represent and communicate the opinions, grievances, suggestions, and recommendations of the inmate population at San Quentin.
There are two primary directives of the MAC: The first is to seek to improve inmate/staff relations. The second is to promote the general welfare of all inmates at SQ.
In order for any relationship to work within a social society, a gated community, marriage, or a common arena, there must be first and foremost a line of communication and a common interest. As many of the veteran staff retires, they are being replaced with younger Correctional Officers fresh out of the Academy with the understanding that all inmates are hostile and not to be trusted. This in turn, breaks down the line of communication, especially here at San Quentin where it is needed the most.
SQ affords more programs than any other prison institution in the State of California with the common interest of Rehabilitation. And, in order for rehabilitation to achieve its goal, Staff, the Administration, and the Inmate population must communicate their community interests.
In order to promote the general welfare of all inmates at SQ, this Council’s objective is to achieve and establish with in the Laws and Regulations governing procedures and guidelines the least restraints and restrictions possible governing its classification of this Level II prison at SQ. By this process, impacting the on-going rehabilitation process towards reentry of all inmates back into mainstream society.
In order to accomplish the improvement of the general welfare of all inmates at SQ, this MAC seeks to improve the following list of everyday concerns and necessities. These are only but a few listed concerns:
SQ Integration policy and forced participation. Culinary Food Quality, Quantity, and Sanitation.
Laundry Exchange (inconsistency).
Notification of Institutional Program changes within units by staff.
Canteen concerns (can exemption, healthier items & price increases).
Institutional Digital Cable Conversion (before February 17, 2009).
The social objective and concerns of this MAC is the betterment of all aspects of living condition and the healthy relationship of Inmates, Staff, and Administration. It is also our interest that all inmate concerns in this social community are needed and valued. A closed mouth does not get fed. Remember, “Respect increases the quality and quantity of a community.