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Oakland bans the box for housing

March 12, 2020 by Alfred King

Oakland is the first city in the state to ban landlords from using criminal convictions to reject renters applying for private or public housing.

The City Council unanimously passed the Fair Chance Housing Ordinance that prohibits landlords asking about a previous criminal conviction or denying an applicant with such a record.

“This is incredibly timely, given our collective commitment and my personal commitment to addressing homelessness and housing in our city,” said Councilwoman Nikki Fortunato Bas, a co-sponsor of the ordinance.

It is routine for anyone applying to rent an apartment to have a background check conducted and often people with criminal convictions are denied. This makes it difficult if not impossible for a formerly incarcerated person to find housing, the Bay Area News Group reported.

Wayne Rowland, president of the East Bay Rental Housing Association expressed concern about the new ordinance.

“As rental housing providers, we have responsibility to provide a safe environment to residents, and a huge part of that is knowing the background of each applicant,” Rowland said in a written statement.

San Francisco and Richmond have similar ordinances, but those measures apply only to subsidized housing. Berkeley City Council is poised to vote on a similar ordinance banning tenant background checks, with similar measure being proposed for Emeryville and Alameda County, the story reported.

A supporter of these type ordinances, Margaretta Lin, executive director of Just Cities, said landlords still have access to credit reports, references and employment information – all things needed to determine if an applicant will make a good renter.

The Oakland ordinance does not apply to single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes and in-law units if the owner is living on the property. Roommates seeking to replace a roommate can use background checks to exclude a potential tenant.

A landlord can still look up a prospective tenant on the states sex-offender registry, but only after providing a conditional offer to the potential renter.

The new ordinance also exempts owners of government subsidized affordable housing like Section 8 to continue to use criminal background checks to comply with federal law. At this time, federal law requires landlords to reject potential tenants who have been convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine or are on a lifetime sex-offender registry.

Oakland can fine landlords up to $1,000 for each violation of the ordinance.

SQN Johnson earns first Master’s Degree in 10 years

March 10, 2020 by timothy.hicks

Striving for a good education has its challenges for anyone, but for incarcerated students those trials and tribulations are greater. However, one incarcerated man has persevered and has become the first student to earn a Master’s of Business and Administration (MBA) degree at San Quentin State Prison in almost a decade.

Michael Johnson, 37, earned his MBA with an emphasis in “Leadership” from Adams State University of Colorado, where the motto is “Great stories start here!”

“He is the first guy to receive that level of a degree since I started overseeing the education department in 2013,” said Michael Wheeless, the principal of San Quentin’s education department. Wheeless is in charge of handling educational tasks and the overall education responsibilities, plus keeping track of who receives AA degrees and BA degrees.

There are other outside correspondence colleges active at San Quentin, as well as the Prison University Project that offers face-to-face classes and awards Associate Degrees upon graduation.

“For an incarcerated person to achieve any accomplishment in education is remarkable,” Wheeless said.

“Since Proposition 57 was implemented in November of 2016, there have been plenty of instances when inmates have earned time off their sentences for achieving AA and BA degrees, but this is the first time under the San Quentin rules of Prop.57 that I’ve seen a Master’s earned.”

Smiling while leaning back in his chair and beaming proudly, Wheeless continued,

“I’m impressed with Mr. Johnson’s educational achievement, at having earned an MBA degree while incarcerated. It means even more to have earned it while in prison rather than being on the streets.”

However, Johnson is modest about earning the MBA during his prison stay. Although he received his bachelor’s degree while at another prison, the challenges there were much greater to overcome.

“I treated my prison time as if I was away at college,” Johnson said, “I did my time and did not allow the time to do me.”

Johnson took such courses as Managerial Accounting and Business Management along with a laundry list of other business classes– and emerged triumphant.

He maintained a 3.86 grade point average, earning “A’s” and “B’s,” grades that he could not imagine earning back in Woodland, California where he was born.

“When I was in the fourth grade I could not even read; I was like in what they call, “slow learning classes,” said Johnson. He was a late starter and said that he actually started learning after he got to high school.

“I was determined to learn, though,” said Johnson.

Other SQ residents stopped by to congratulate Johnson even during this interview, but he modestly accepts compliments on his achievements from his peers. His wish is that he can encourage other guys in prison to pursue their dreams like he did.

Johnson understands the challenges an incarcerated person can face while in prison. During his humbling six year prison experience, Johnson was not always on the right path to education. It was a life-altering experience with a family member that sparked his desire of higher learning.

“My first year in prison my grandmother passed away,” Johnson recalls, “Her name was Mary Rita Moncrif. She was my inspiration to do better. She raised me and when she passed, it pained me that I could not be there for the funeral.”

He somberly sank back in his seat at the memory. So, in honor of her memory, Johnson wanted to do something that would make his grandmother proud of him. For Johnson, education was the best way to show his appreciation to his grandmother for raising him.

Throughout his life, Johnson has been familiar with loss in many other situations. Due to alcoholism he lost his wife and other assets. “Now I know how to appreciate the things that really matter in life, like family and loved ones, not the material things, the superficial things.”

He credits his Aunt Elizabeth for supporting him financially and helping him achieve his education goals.

“Feels good to be the first one to achieve this milestone at San Quentin,” Johnson said.. “I encourage other guys to go ahead and do it, too.

“If the government would focus more on education instead of just locking people up, I believe that would help communities out there a lot better.”

144 graduate from Division of Rehabilitative Programs

February 20, 2020 by Anthony Manuel Caravalho

Incarcerated graduates from Rehabilitative Programs program

San Quentin’s gym includes a sign stating “a second chance at a first class life.” One hundred and forty- five incarcerated people celebrated completing the initial step to acquire that second chance on December 18.

One-hundred and forty-five men graduated from recovery and life skills classes designed for transitioning home, allowing men a chance to further their education.

Incarcerated graduates from Substance Use Disorder Treatment program

The graduation was at the Garden Chapel, where 200 people including staff, dignitaries and participating incarcerated took the stage— men in their caps and gowns.

Incarcerated Jose L tearfully asked to get a picture of the graduation, because he “never wore a cap and gown…never” and stated, “I just want to send it to my family…”

CDCR’s Division of Rehabilitative Programs (DRP) designed classes to achieve rehabilitation. Centerpoint, the contract provider, manages the programs for DRP.

Graduation opened with a solo from David Rodriquez and the San Quentin band known as Treasures Out of Darkness.

27 years ago Michael Davila sat where the graduates were. “Now I get to oversee this program,” said Centerpoint’s operations leader.

“I have been on both sides and had to tell myself that I’ll never live like that again. I have a passion to help incarcerated people, so I have worked for several institutions and in the community with parolees,” said the commencement speaker.

“Participants get a sense of completion because we become role models to motivate them. The old way is out as hard love does not work anymore,” said the program manager.

CCIII Collins who hosted the event reinforced graduation by asking all participants to make this a family affair.

“Although we bump heads like real family, remember the program’s creed and treat us as your guests—you sup- port me and I’ll support you,” said the program manager.

Keynote speaker Kenny Davis said have a plan when transitioning home.

The mentor and licensed counselor with San Fran- cisco’s Urban Alchemy dis- cussed the following:

• Experience differences between visits and going home—you deserve it.

• Now, family, friends, partners don’t know you — they will test you.

• I too, changed appear- ance, emotions and feelings in prison.

• The first 60 days relax and enjoy. Get used to free- dom.

• You may need help— ask. An example he used was shopping for toothpaste; in canteen, you have three choices, in a store, you’ll have a whole aisle.

• Things aren’t the same anymore…there’s no Wonder Bread… gone he said to a laughing crowd. “Challenges include relationships, women, finances and keeping the dignity you earned here.

• “If you’re not doing nothing in here you do the same out there. Keep resolve; if you’re weak you will be drug back in here.”

“I got my GED here like some of you– everything I learned here– got my (professional) license at 50; bought a car, paid insurance and drove legally, waiting to be pulled over,” he laughed. “I now come home to my own place in the Sunset district; I signed the lease and have my own mailbox. It’s nothing but a bunch of bills and junk mail, but it’s mine,” said counselor Davis.

Davis continued, “I surprised my parole officer, how well I was living. Now I’m in San Francisco willing to you do the same.”

Retired gang member Davis represented three letters. “Now I represent three new letters, CBT. I am CBT,” he said to a cheering crowd. CBT stands for DRP’s Cognitive Behavioral Therapy program.

Dr. D. Jones, a counselor stated the participants looked like scholars.

“Your families would be so proud of you.” She re- cited a poem she created called “Beautiful Queen.” The poem shows strength of women everywhere and re- minds us “forever she (women) reigns (as) the precious queen.”

Supervisor Michael Nelson introduced Centerpoint’s valedictorian. Nelson said the man pushed supervisors and counselors, yet turned out to be a real sharp young

man, who does a lot around San Quentin. Nelson introduced Mr. Raphael “Nephew” Bankston.

“The program began as milestones for me but five and a half months of ‘family’ changed my purpose. Staff changed my purpose. I realize we need to rewrite our script and shift our purpose,” said the valedictorian.

San Quentin’s DRP Coordinator M. Farez introduced the 144 graduates. From Terry Adams to Gregory Washington, all received diplomas.

Farez said that the key to succeeding in CBT’s program and life are two-fold. “It takes two items for success—the man’s internal decision to excel and support from the program. It’s my job to support that decision,” said Farez.

Participants assessed the program:

“Little Brother” Jimmy Wynn received a date to go home after advice from board officers. They suggested he address anger issues— he recommends the program for all.

“I didn’t realize I had anger issues until the board told me. I addressed ever since I joined CBT.”

Pastor Terrance was Wynn’s counselor.

“Mr. T’s class opened me up because of the information he teaches. Using it daily I am now suitable because I addressed my anger. I will never forget my class or Mr. T,” said Wynn, incarcerated in 2001.

Inmate Gregory Washington said anger management and SUDT (Substance Use Disorder Treatment) gave him tools to figure out his emotions in present time.

“I’m taking everything I learned to the streets,” said Washington, who is to be released in February.

The daylong ceremony included insight from Johnny Whittaker & Director Good- win, who founded the graduate phase of CBT called Offender Mentor Certificate Program (OMCP).

OMCP gives graduates of a chance to become licensed counselors. “Today is a day to hold your head high. We believed you could do it. Be- lieve in yourself. Go beyond yourself,” was the theme by the mentors.

The originator of LTOP (Long Term Offender Program), CCIII Chiu, now at Solano said, “Folks don’t take a look at themselves until they have to. At Solano we stress not keeping what you’ve learned to yourself… teach one to teach five is what we strive for,” said Chiu.

DRP program analysts Heather Bruglia, AmanDeep Kaur , Ruzanna Sargsyan and Leslie Hamilton collectively shared their enthusiasm for the graduation. They said graduation was very inspiring and was a wonderful graduation. The analysts stated it is an exciting time for change in CDCR and saw firsthand from the graduation how amazing and rewarding CBT & SUDT were.

CCIII Collins took over for the recently promoted CCIII Palmer. The new supervisor said his beliefs of the incarcerated person’s achievements and what they completed made him realize the programs made a difference.

“I truly believe in the suc- cess of this program. One of the current provider’s coun- selors was on my caseload several years ago, when I was a CCI….quite frankly, I want that success repeated from this year’s graduates,” said Collins.

Farez added, “After 20 years at San Quentin, I still believe that a man can change—and if that change is genuine and sincere, he will find the assistance to change here. With programs through DRP the likelihood of a suc- cessful change is increased for the returning citizen.”

—Juan Haines contributed to this story

**After this story was written, a bulletin was placed in the resident buildings that stated the following:

• All DRP/Centerpoint programs are closed until further notice

• Statewide changes for 2020 are currently in pro- cess

• Prior waiting lists are no longer valid

• You will only be as- signed thru clinical referrals • Voluntary assignments to programs are no longer in effect
• There is nothing you or

your CCI can affect at this time.

YOUR PATIENCE IS ACCEPTED

San Quentin News will keep you informed as to any additional information it receives.

An unusual family visit at San Quentin

February 20, 2020 by Aaron Taylor

On the first day of 2020, Marion Wickerd –wife of 1000 Mile Club member Tommy Wickerd—shared a special moment with her husband of 15 years: The Wickerds were spending a family visit together at The Q.

However, instead of watching the New Year’s Day Rose Parade on television, the two were going to watch to the 4th Annual San Quentin New Year’s “Buddy Bar” Half Marathon.

“I’ve never awakened on a New Year’s Day in prison,” Marion said. “It’s definitely 100% my choice to be here, and, I must say, I’m one happy gal to be here at good ole San Quentin at the start of a new decade.”

Marion said she was just as excited as she would’ve been watching the iconic Boston Marathon.

Tommy put on his SQ 1000 Mile Club hat, while his wife put on her 26.2 to Life hoodie, and they stood in the family visiting area and looked through three sets of fencing to watch the runners line up to start the run. Marion held on to her husband’s arm tightly, watching and waiting as an alarm delayed the start time. After the alarm, the half marathon began, and Tommy did a running commentary for his wife.

“I recognized Rahsaan ‘New York’ Thomas and Jonathan Chiu from the documentary ’26.2 to Life’ sizzle reel. There were other runners that my husband pointed out to me, explaining their running techniques and strategies. I felt like I knew them all,” she said.

The Wickerds, standing in the small outdoor yard set aside for family visits, cheered the runners on, encouraging them together.

“Tommy was trying to show me where the ‘Field of Dream’ scoreboard was, so I could orientate myself to where they hang their banner during their running events,” she said. “Honestly, I was so thrilled to be sharing something with Tommy that he loves. His heart be- longs to me, but I also know that there was a part of him that wanted to be running with his ‘Band of Brothers’ that day. I was so lucky to be a part of and actually participate in something that makes my husband a part of who he is. I just want to thank everyone that took part in the run that day.”

The Wickerd’s both said that the day was one that they will remember for the rest of their lives.

Thank you to Tommy and Marion Wickerd for sharing part of their family visit with San Quentin News sports department. Marion Wickerd contributed to this story.

Prison Truth: The Story of the San Quentin News

February 20, 2020 by Juan Haines

Veteran journalist Ted Koppel got it right when he said William J. Drummond proves to be the right person to tell the tale of San Quentin News (SQN). Drummond’s credibility as the storyteller comes from his long and eventful career as a journalist, UC Berkeley journalism professor and his once or twice a week venture inside the SQN newsroom office for more than eight years to mentor incarcerated journalists.

Prison Truth: The Story of the San Quentin News, (2020) is a detailed account of the journey that led to SQN becoming a first-rate prisoner produced newspaper. The newspaper was reborn in 2008 after a 20-year hiatus. Maverick warden Robert Ayers, Jr. wanted to break down the rumor mill and give prisoners trustworthy information about life at the Q.

Since then, SQN has been honored with an award for “extraordinary journalism” by the Society of Professional Journalists and written about by at least five major newspapers.

Drummond began his own relationship with SQN in mid- 2012 by holding a college class in the newsroom. Since then more than 80 of his students have helped incarcerated journalists develop and structure their stories before handing them over to the more than half- dozen advisers. At SQN, the advisers, who are professional journalists, do the final editing and proofing and have done so since its 2008 resurgence.

Drummond has witnessed the monthly paper go to press in spite of major limitations:

no internet access, slow access to outside sources, no smart phones and a literal wall that keeps the staffers away from the community. Drummond notes, “What is lacking in convenience is made up for with grit and determination.”

Much of the grit and determination came from SQN’s third editor in chief, the late Arnulfo Timoteo Garcia, who frequently spoke about how Federal Judge Thelton Hender- son impacted him. After Henderson had visited San Quentin in the summer of 2010, he urged Garcia to invite as many people as possible to come inside San Quentin to see the rehabilitative efforts of the prisoners.

Garcia followed that advice by inviting judges, district attorneys, county sheriffs, state and federal lawmakers to at- tend and participate in San Quentin forums— we’ve now had more than two dozen of them—where prisoners talk about their incarceration experience, rehabilitative efforts and reentry plans.

The forums, modeled after restorative justice circles, give the outside public safety officials an authentic and intimate view of prisons and its occupants.

As a direct result of the forums, San Francisco district attorneys created a Formerly Incarcerated Advisory Board. Newly elected District Attorney Chesa Boudin said that he intends to keep the board.

Prison Truth examines the advantages of having stories told by people directly affected by incarceration. The resulting news narratives are from the vantage point of embedded re- porters.

One of the newspaper’s original mandates is to scrutinize programs designed for rehabilitation.

“Accountability interviews,” ones in which incarcerated people talk about what they did to land in prison, appear regularly. The stories not only teach by example, they reveal the resilience of the human spirit. For prisoners who are committed to rehabilitation, the articles serve as guides.

Prison officials recognize these benefits so it’s not surprising that the newspaper and its staff writers have gained the support of an assortment of public safety officials.

Drummond asks, “Are the inmate staff’s efforts journal- ism? The question he poses is bold, because traditionally, journalism has been viewed as impartial and objective with- out an advocacy role. So, if it isn’t traditional journalism, is what we are doing worth it? He concludes in the affirmative: “I believe journalism is an effective tool for rehabilitating people in prison…Journalism places an additional burden on writers: What they write must be accurate, true, and above all fair.”

I can attest to Drummond’s claim. I have learned that when incarcerated people read stories about redemption, recovery and returning to the community, they are inspired to do the same.

I have heard free people talk about the ways that articles in SQN have changed their own incarcerated loved ones. I’ve also heard free people talk about how heartening it is, for the first time, to read positive words about their sons, fathers, brothers, husbands and boyfriends.

I have witnessed children reunite with parents and incarcerated men drop gangs, dope and bad behavior after taking advantage of available programs to reunite with their families. So, is what we do good journalism?

Prison Truth gives readers the chance to answer this question.

The Tender Moments of Valentine’s Day

February 20, 2020 by San Quentin News Staff

Kate and Eddie Happy Valentine’s Day Babe ♥ Love you always !

Tommy and Marion Wickerd Happy Valentine’s Day Honey T 26.2 M Team

Robert and Erma Guzman Happy Valentine’s my precious friend, love and queen xoxo

God’s great blessing, My amazing grace! Te amo 9/16/19 Raymond ♥ Janet

Whitney and Larry White The best kiss ever! on one of the best days ever.

Larry, Mikell, and Letty Leyba “Happy Valentine’s Day beautifuls ! Love always your husband, dad…

Eduardo and Monique Zavala You’re my 1st and only Valentine ever. Let our love ispire others.

To my lovely family, mi sobrina Linda, mi mama Lupe y a Martin en el mejor dia del año . Feliz dia de San Valentin Los quiere, Eddie

Shawn, Marlaina, lyn and David Mason Happy Valentine’s! I love and miss you all. Shawn

Chis and Melissa Dnacel Happy Valentine’s to my best friend, my wife, my everything

Charlene and James Humprey The essence of compatibility and the willingness to compromise equals true love

Armando Gonzales and Dolores Trina Gonzales “Love is patience” I miss you Nini

Anthony and Lily Caravalho I call you wife for a reason. I understand and am Blessed to be your husband. Love me

Harry and Domenica Goodall A lifetime needing to smile genuinely An angel warms my heart A blessing that’s made em complete My workd, my life, my wife

e, life and business! IDA Vanessa February 2020 SAN QUENTIN NEWS www.sanquentinnews.com Kate and Eddie Happy Valentine’s Day Babe ♥ Love you always !

Forever love, true love, soulmates Love, Tracy Keller

Film producer and social justice activist Scott Budnick visits San Quentin

February 13, 2020 by Joe Garcia

Film producer and social justice activist Scott Budnick kicked it with youth offenders and spoke to Kid-CAT members about his efforts to put the human face on America’s broken criminal justice system.

“This is my favorite group in the whole state,” said the famed producer of The Hangover and the recently released Just Mercy. “It’s good to be back here.”

Budnick slid into San Quentin for a couple of hours Dec. 12 before heading to Folsom State Prison, where the Sacramento Kings were set to christen a renovated basketball court for Play For Justice.

“I’ve been coming to Kid-CAT for years,” Budnick said as he looked around at about 30 prisoners in SQ Education’s B-Building. “I literally don’t recognize anyone—only a couple of faces.

“It’s nuts. Everyone in KidCAT’s going home.”

Budnick came that day with longtime SQ volunteer Ayoola Mitchell to speak with and meet youth offenders who may have heard of him but have never seen him face-to-face.

New KidCAT member Rafael Bravo, 28, introduced Budnick to the room.

“People say, ‘Who the hell is Scott?’ Well, I’ve known him since I was 16,” said Bravo. “If anyone in the world believed in me, it’s this man right here.

“He appeared one day when I was in YA [Youth Authority]. ‘Are you Rafael? Your cousin told me to come find you.’”

Bravo told everyone how Budnick eventually got him a job on a movie set.

“He offered me the best of opportunities I could possibly have,” said Bravo. “But I wasn’t right.”

Bravo ended up committing second degree murder and being sentenced to 16-years-to-life.

“While we’re incarcerated, this is the time to get right with ourselves right now,” said Bravo. “We have to be there for each other and lift each other up.”

Budnick then explained to the guys about his experiences seeing the inequities of the criminal justice system firsthand.

“When I was working on Old School, a friend of mine took me with him to Juvenile Hall. We volunteered for Inside Out Writers, working with a group of 10 kids—all facing life sentences.”

Budnick recalled asking one of the young men how their week had been. “‘It was a bad week,’ the kid told me. He said he’d just got sentenced to 300-years-to-life. ‘They stacked everything—I got washed.’

“And, this kid looked like he was 11. I thought, ‘Oh, they’ll have a good time with him in prison. This is awful.’”

That was one moment Budnick says changed his perspective, changed his life. “How do I live in a country that would do this to a child?

“I could not comprehend in my mind how we, as a country, think this is okay. Our system’s so incredibly racist and unfair. There’s like no White kids in Juve- nile Hall.”

Budnick related it to his own children. “My kid would get bailed out, have the best attorney money can buy and get a deal no one could have gotten.

“If you have money, you’re not going to get washed. I couldn’t just teach a writing class and feel like I’m giving back.”

Budnick went on to found the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) in 2013, an organization committed to offering guidance and help to the incarcerated and recently released, as well as advocating fiercely to affect policy change.

“Getting laws passed, we’re 4 for 4 so far, with Governor Newsom,” Bud- nick said. “And, I think we were like 13 for 13 with Governor Brown.

“Our policy work through ARC, that’s all done by you guys—because you guys are up there on Capitol Hill telling your stories.”

Budnick talked about how the lessons he’s learned as a filmmaker tie into affecting social change.

“Conflict, struggle, a happy ending — that’s what makes a great story, a great film,” he said. “And you guys have some of the most powerful stories on earth.

“No matter who I bring into prison, everyone changes when they meet you guys and see you as human beings.”

According to Budnick, it’s all about being able to humanize the incarcerated through storytelling.

“There’s such a beautiful light inside all of you,” he said. “That’s the lesson. Talking about you guys as human beings got voters to say ‘Yes.’

“The criminal justice system’s all about scare tactics. Think about that — we just need to make sure juries aren’t scared, right?”

Budnick is intent on using his Hollywood platform and success to illuminate the human faces stuck behind the walls of mass incarceration.

With Black Panther and Creed star Michael B. Jordan, Budnick produced Just Mercy, the film version of Bryan Stevenson’s nonfiction account of freeing Walter McMillian, a wrongfully convicted prisoner on Alabama’s Death Row.

McMillian spent years on Death Row due to a conviction based solely on the testimony of a jailhouse informant. And although his jury sentenced him to life, the trial judge intervened and ordered a death sentence.

Stevenson founded the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) to fight for people like Mc- Millian.

“The entire movie is about humanizing all the people on Death Row,” said Budnick. “There’s a pretty graphic execution scene in there, where we show it all.

“By the time the audience gets to that point in the film, we know the guy’s guilty — but they all cry when he’s put to death.”

In conjunction with Just Mercy’s January release dates, Budnick explained how he and Warner Bros. partnered to launch Represent Justice, “the largest political social impact campaign for a movie — ever.”

“We’re using our social media to send people to websites on criminal justice reform,” he said. “They’ll be able to see Juvenile Hall information where they can go volunteer.

“We want to try and immediately activate people—engage them to get in- volved.”

Budnick also expressed his excitement for Play For Justice, where the Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks and other NBA partners are visiting prisons to interact with incarcerated communities, bringing them basketball — and hope.

“I’m driving from here straight to Folsom,” he told the SQ guys. “Some people might think basketball fans don’t know anything about criminal justice — we’re go- ing to change all that.”

Ayoola Mitchell spoke about how she first crossed paths with Budnick. “I met Scott four years ago, when we both were speaking before the Legislature in Sacramento.”

“It really struck me, because, you know, I was dressed all in my adult clothes,” said Mitchell. “But him—I swear he had flip flops on and was there to address public officials just like I was.

“Something Scott said that day really resonated with me. He said, ‘I just don’t give a f–k.’ Me, as a Black woman—how I look matters. When I go in there, I know I’ll be judged.”

Budnick chuckled slightly. “Everyone already sees me as ‘the Hangover guy,’ so I can get away with it.”

Mitchell continued. “A few years later, I was visiting the ARC offices in Los An- geles. It’s all about that six degrees of separation—the way people’s live intersect.

“There was a guy who’d gotten out and was working for Scott, a guy I’d known since he was 16 in Juvenile Hall,” she said. “He told me he was going to the Oscars that year.

“I’m like, ‘I’ve never been to the Oscars. What about me?’”

Mitchell’s career in criminal justice reform spans more than 38 years, and running. “I’ve been fighting for y’all before some of you were even born,” she said. “So much needs to be done out there.

“I have such a heart for you guys.”

Budnick asked Mitchell what organizations she works for. “It’s just me—Ayoola. No non-profit. No organization,” she said. “I’ve always believed in redemption.

“I’m old as Hell, but I can’t retire until all y’all are free.” Budnick commended Mitchell for her continued effort and passion, particularly since she does it mostly on her own without all the fundraising and support networks he has access to. “It’s easy for me to do this work,” he said.
Some of the SQ guys had questions about what kind of reentry support ARC provides once they’re released.

“We got you,” said Budnick. “You’ll have a very stable place to live and people around you who care. If that keeps you up at night or gives you pause, don’t worry about it.”

A big question was about getting Budnick involved in spreading KidCAT’s First Step curriculum to other facilities.

“The model that was started here—that should be at High Desert, at these hopeless places,” he said. “There’s what, like 35 prisons in California?

“Your program should be available at all of them— anywhere there’s youth offenders looking for hope.”

Gavin Newsom will introduce a broader criminal justice reform

February 13, 2020 by Harry C. Goodall Jr.

Gov. Gavin Newsom will introduce a broader criminal justice reform package as part of his 2020 prison budget plan.

His plans include step down facilities that focus on rehabilitation and reentry options for people being released from custody. He ultimately wants to shut down one of the state’s 35 prisons, according to an article in the Sacramento Bee.

Governor Newsom’s plans are to give the state more power to oversee local sheriffs and lock up facilities. This is possibly due to California’s surge in homicides in some of its largest jails. He has sighted that inmates are held in inhumane suicide watch conditions monitored by lo- cal sheriffs, who rebuff state inspectors, according to the article.

“I’m generally not satisfied with oversight, period. Across the board,” Newsom said on the state’s supervision of the 70,000 inmates housed in county jails. “There’s not a lot of accountability and over- sight in terms of these issues and county jails.”

Governor Newsom’s ad- ministration is studying what changes could be made, but offered no specifics as to what changes will be made as of yet. Governor Newsom’s spokes- person said the governor will announce what changes will be made in January when he reveals his state budget.

There was a yearlong investigation by McClatchy and ProPublica, which exposed that county jails have struggled with the influx of inmates serving longer sentences after the 2011 series of reforms that included a measure that shifted inmates from the state prison system to serving their sentences in local county jails. This was due to the state declaring that California prisons are unconstitutionally over-crowded, according to the article.

“I’m generally not satisfied with oversight, period. Across the board,”

California lawmakers created the California Board of State and Community Corrections to oversee the burden of realignment. Their role was to increase funding for facility construction. The news agencies found the committee “toothless,” according to the article. Some of the reasoning was that the committee did not monitor jail deaths.

“State corrections officials do not have the authority to make county leaders change, and they generally see them- selves as partners, not regulators,” said Allison Ganter, deputy director overseeing the inspection team,

When the homicide rate soared in these facilities, the committee could not force counties to construct new or safer facilities. This was even after billions of dollars had been awarded in state financing to replace decrepit facilities.

Fresno County jail has experienced 47 deaths since the realignment program was instituted. This is twice the number of people who had died in the several years prior to realignment.

A bill has been introduced by Assembly member Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento. This bill would allow counties to create oversight groups with the power to subpoena county sheriffs but was shelved after opposition from local law enforcement. McCarty has vowed to re-submit another version of the bill next year.

The state corrections board cited Kern County’s jail due to suicidal inmates being locked in closet-sized rooms with nothing but a grate in the floor. These inmates were given a rip resistant yoga mat to sleep on. After incidents the jail switched to giving the suicide watch inmates blankets, according to the Sacramento Bee article.

McCarty said this is yet another example of mental health abuses, negligence and lack of proper oversight by a county sheriff’s department.

“This type of lax oversight results in lawsuits and settlements where taxpayers continue to foot the bill and pay for the misconduct of our sheriff’s departments across California.”

Executive forms organization to help officials curb recidivism

February 13, 2020 by Alfred King

A top Google executive has formed a non-profit organization to help prison officials understand which programs work and don’t work to curb recidivism.

“In the criminal justice system today–an incredibly large and important and impactful system–we have none of those same abilities. It’s millions of lives, billions of dollars, and we don’t have a good sense of what’s working or a good way to set goals and hit them,” said Clementine Jacoby, who left her job as product manager for Google in June to work on criminal justice reform.

Jacoby cofounded Recidiviz in order to use data analytics to solve problems in the criminal justice arena.

“At Google, we had experimentation frameworks to determine which versions of a change would have the greatest impact, and when we rolled out a change, we could predict what it should do and monitor if it actually hit that goal,” said Jacoby in the Fast Company story.

A Bureau of Justice Statistics report in 2019 revealed that America had 2.2 million people in either jail or prison at the end of 2017, the article stated.

This number has been in decline over the last decade, but America still has more people incarcerated than any other country in the world does.

Recidiviz is now working with five states. “The people who are actually running criminal justice systems are already motivated to decarcerate for a whole variety of reasons-either their system may be over-crowded and they don’t know exactly what the best strategies are to get a handle on that, or they’re getting legislative pressure and advocacy pressure to downsize.”

Some tech companies already work in this space, making money without reducing the prison population. That is why Recidiviz decided to go non-profit, Jacoby said.

Recidiviz is the only non-profit at the tech accelerator Y Combinator and has plans to expand to more states, sharing the technology.

“Everything that we build is open-source. And so part of the theory of change is, can we get this technology out there, so that domain experts in the space can use this infrastructure to support states in doing data-driven decision making?” noted Fast Company.

The Fast Company article said that the data analysis also looks at how specific populations are helped by each program, so that programs can be better tailored. Ultimately, Jacoby said she hopes that reduced incarceration rates will allow money saved to go to- ward successful rehabilitation programs instead.

“You can actually start to shift the system from punitive to rehabilitative,” Jacoby said.

SQ keeps tradition of giving

February 13, 2020 by Joe Garcia

Veterans’ Toys for Tots continues to warm the hearts of many

One-and a-half-old Zy’ir Lewis chooses a toy

The cheer of Christmas giving filled the San Quentin State Prison visiting rooms as children celebrated the holidays with their incarcerated loved ones in December.

“We got absolutely excited!” said 11-year-old Omar Elias, who came to the prison to visit his uncle Ramon Ruelas. Elias and his younger brothers Ismael and Danny were three of about 100 children who got toys during San Quentin’s Annual Holiday Toy Program.

“You should visit me more and get more presents,” said Ruelas, laughing with his nephews. During his 10-year incarceration , they had visited before but this was their first time getting toys.

The other prisons where Ruelas was before coming to San Quentin in 2018 didn’t have toy giveaways for children, but incarcerated veterans at San Quentin have kept the Toys for Tots tradition of holiday giving alive for 31 years.

“It’s a really great act. I really appreciate it!” said nine-year-old Danny to the veterans who gave them the toys.

“Seeing the little kids’ eyes light up when they see the toys really gives me hope,” said Marine Corps veteran Carl Raybon, the new chair- man of the Veterans Group at San Quentin (VGSQ). The 35-member group of incarcerated veterans organizes the toy giveaway each year.

Raybon was one of six veterans wearing pointy red and green striped elf hats and blue VGSQ hats who offered toys and holiday cheer to every family with children visiting during the weekends before Christmas and on Christmas Day.

Vincent O’Bannon, with daughter Autumn, holds his grandson Zy’ir and Zorion

Ramon Ruelas with his nephews Omar, Danny and Ismael

A banner hung across the main visiting room declaring “Merry Christmas.” Snow- flakes, lights and garlands with red bows adorned the walls. Incarcerated fathers, uncles and granddads brought their visiting little loved ones into the children’s playroom to pick out toys to take home.

The tables were full of toys to choose from, including puzzles, charades, trivia games, Candy Land, Frozen II character sets, Marvel Avengers Black Widow and other hero figures, Vibe metallic spinners, watch and wallet sets and “Make Your Own Slime.”

A giant skee-ball game was the first toy to go. “Thank you,” said the smiling little girl. The first boy chose a Spalding NBA basketball and said, “Thank you, Merry Christmas.”

“I have so much fun do- ing this,” said Army veteran Kevin Brinkman, a VGSQ member since arriving at The Q in 2015. “It’s not just giving back, It’s giving forward.” Brinkman helped decorate and gave out toys for his third year.

“It’s all about the children,” said 33-year-old Marine Corps veteran Brian Corder, the new VGSQ Vice Chairman. “It’s a beautiful thing that even here

in prison children and families can get a Christmas experience, or at least something close.”

“It’s a blessing,” said Sergio Alvarez, who was visiting with his sisters, nieces and nephew. “We’ll do this next weekend too, so all the family can visit.” Visiting with his family is the highlight of his holiday season. Alvarez was visiting with his nephew for the first time in his seven-year incarceration.

“Woo woo!” said 2-year-old Jaylah, Alvarez’s niece, smiling and laughing as she grabbed a toy unicorn that began playing music and flashing lights. “It’s a nice surprise,” said Javyn, Alvarez’s 11-year-old nephew. It was the first time they and 13-year-old Aiyana got toys in prison.

Festively dressed families smiled for photos in front of a 7-foot Christmas tree deco- rated with garlands, balls, and a star on top.

“Every visit is a celebration, but today is a real joy,” said Jemain Hunter. He was celebrating his first Christmas together with his wife Kenya and their 19-month- old granddaughter Nayani.

“It’s a true blessing to see what lights her up—just like on the outside,” Hunter said, enjoying his granddaughter’s excitement. Nayani ran back and forth in front of the playroom and toys, smiling and giggling, and delivering sodas from the vending ma- chines to “Papa.”

“Santa Claus is coming to town,” sang a stuffed rein- deer with red bows and bells on its antlers. “Merry Christ- mas!”

VGSQ staff sponsor Rachael Murray walked in with dozens more toys, including LiteBrite, Chutes and Ladders, KerPlunk, Battleship, dolls, Legos, Transformers’ Bumblebee, and Hot Wheels. She said that the San Bruno Marines Toys for Tots program donated hundreds of toys for this year’s San Quentin event.

VGSQ member Earl Orr gave out the toys in the other visiting room in The Q’s H-Unit. Children visiting loved ones on Death Row also got to pick out toys to take home.

“Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces brings me happiness,” said Army veteran Adam Sinegal. “It brings back good memories of Christmas with my children. I wish I was with them now.”

Danny “Heavy” Pita Jr. was visiting with his fiancée Shawna, and his little sister Harmonie. “I’m happy because I’m with my sister for the first time in about two years,” he said with a smile.

“Getting a toy was a nice surprise, but getting to see my brother is my favorite Christmas gift,” said 10-year- old Harmonie, leaning on her big brother.

A few of the Toys for Tots given to the visiting children

After five years at San Quentin, the Holiday Toy Program is something of a Christmas tradition for Vin- cent O’Bannon and his family. He was celebrating with his wife Cynthia, daughter Autumn, and grandsons Zorion and Zy’ir.

“This family time is so happy, and toys add to the excitement,” said the boys’ mother Autumn. Three-year-old Zorion shook his head yes, smiling and said, “I love my paw paw.”

Maria, a teenager, and 4-year-old Frida came in with their mom Maribel to visit their brother Jose Sanchez.

Maria helped her little sister pick out toys: “Cuál quieres” “Cuál otro” “Segura?” (Which do you want? Which other one? Are you sure?)

The Sanchezes said that be- ing together at Christmas time is important for their family. The Christmas before, Jose was in county jail. “Me siento mejor hoy porque el año pasa- do no pudimos abrazarnos por la ventana,” said Maribel. (I feel better today because last year we couldn’t hug through the window.)

By the end of the day’s Christmas excitement, 1-year- old Ja’Mal was sound asleep

in his father Jonathan Weems’ arms. Big sister Ja’Leia said, “I’m just happy to see my family.” When her mom Danisha asked about getting a toy in prison, the 4-year-old replied, “Yep, I got a Magic Mat.”

As the visiting hours ended each day at 2:00 p.m., the children came back to the play- room to pick up their toys to take home. There were many smiles, many thank you’s, and even more Felices Navidades.

Families hugged and kissed once more and parted with toys in their hands and the warmth of the holiday spirit in their hearts.