SQ_Lethal_Injection_Room K: Thank you for sitting down with me and for agreeing to do this interview. If I remember correctly, you said you’ve been in prison for about two-thirds of your life? That... is a long time. S: Trust me, it’s been very long. From the boy’s home to death row – I came into the system in ’79. K: Has it been hard? S: No. It’s life. It’s survival. Out there, in the streets, you have to deal with every- thing – bills, jobs, boss, kids. In prison it’s the same. Life. It doesn’t mean it’s easy or hard. It’s just … [Read more...] about An interview with former Death Row prisoner Alfred Sandoval, from Pelican Bay’s Newsletter “The Pelican”
Institutions
Shedding reputation to step into a new role in society
KidCAT Speaks! Editor’s Note: This is the third in a three-part series on the cost of earning a reputation in prison. Richard Solano A person can earn a bad reputation in prison for any number of reasons: being a snitch, a drop-out (former gang member), a child rapist or a homosexual. Prisoners with those reputations are often ostracized, assaulted, extorted or even murdered. On some cases, it can lead to real-world consequences. From the age of 12 to 18, 41-year-old San Quentin in- mate Richard Solano attend- ed 22 funerals … [Read more...] about Shedding reputation to step into a new role in society
Personnel Spotlight: Former Counselor T. Dunckley
Counselor T. Dunckley Many correctional officers have long, interesting careers. Some remain nameless and their stories untold. Counselor T. Dunckley worked for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) more than two and a half decades. He worked in many capacities and retired in late 2016. Dunckley was a counselor for 23 years; 21 of those years were spent working in the prison reception center. In 1990, Dunckley started his career in the department as a parole agent. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in … [Read more...] about Personnel Spotlight: Former Counselor T. Dunckley
Wisconsin governor submits proposal to build more prisons
Wisconsin’s Governor Tony Evers, whose campaign pledged to cut his state’s prison population in half, has instead recommended a $259 million expenditure to build more prisons. According to Matt Kettle of MacIver News Service, the governor submitted a proposal to build seven major Department of Corrections (DOC) projects. This is a six-fold increase from his predecessor, Gov. Scott Walker, who recommended $41.68 million in DOC capital financing. “The spending is just mind-blowing,” said state Rep. Michael Schraa (ROshkosh), chairman of … [Read more...] about Wisconsin governor submits proposal to build more prisons
Texas DA to decide his stance on Death Penalty
Halfway through his first term, Mark Gonzalez, the District Attorney of Nueces County, Texas, is still trying to decide what his stance is on the death penalty, according to the Texas Observer. Gonzalez, called a “progressive prosecutor” by many, due to his progressive stance on many issues, said he’s conflicted about the death penalty and wants to let the people of Nueces County decide whether capital punishment should stand in the county. He expected to receive a “test case” with a jury, to help him decide what the policy should be. … [Read more...] about Texas DA to decide his stance on Death Penalty
Senate Bill 3435 Beyond the box for higher education
About two-thirds of post-secondary institutions ask applicants to submit criminal history, according to The Crime Report. The Center for Community Alternatives found that 25 percent of these schools bar applicants with criminal history from attending. This prevents individuals who have already paid their debt to society from finding success going forward. There are an estimated 70 million American citizens with criminal records, according to The Crime Report. Colleges and universities can help remove barriers to higher education for … [Read more...] about Senate Bill 3435 Beyond the box for higher education
Santa Clara jails to improve conditions after lawsuit
Santa Clara County has agreed to improve jail conditions for disabled prisoners. The action came in response to a lawsuit filed by Disability Rights Advocates, Prison Legal News reports. “It’s important that persons with disabilities have the accommodations that they need to function safely in a jail setting,” said DRA staff attorney Michelle Iorio in a press release. “We are glad that Santa Clara County will make the changes necessary to ensure that programs and facilities at the Jails are more accessible for inmates with mobility … [Read more...] about Santa Clara jails to improve conditions after lawsuit
Connecticut brings new rehabilitation model to prison
Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy has employed a groundbreaking rehabilitation model in one correctional institution which may influence incarceration throughout the country. The idea for the program called T.R.U.E was developed during several research trips to German prisons be- tween 2013 and 2015, when government officials, including Governor Malloy, witnessed inmates performing tasks such as cooking their own meals, locking their own doors, and wearing civilian clothing. “When you first come into the American prison, your dignity is left … [Read more...] about Connecticut brings new rehabilitation model to prison
Staff shortages have a greater negative impact on female prisoners
Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is plagued by staff shortages that are having damaging effects on female prisoners’ care and critical services, reported Jeff Mordock of the Washington Times. The BOP is experiencing a shortfall of trained staff nationwide. This shortage has prompted the Justice Department’s Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz to call for an increase in trained prison employees because the shortage has restricted the access of female prisoners to necessary care and services. “The lack of sufficient staff is most noticeable at … [Read more...] about Staff shortages have a greater negative impact on female prisoners
Prison journalism gaining traction throughout the nation
Prison journalism is gaining popularity in California and America, including San Quentin. For several years, inmates from coast to coast have been receiving instruction on how to write as journalists for prison publications. Several prisons within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) already have newspapers and newsletters. Others have contacted the San Quentin News to inquire on how to start their own publication. “An inmate publication means any journal, magazine, bulletin, newsletter, newspaper, or … [Read more...] about Prison journalism gaining traction throughout the nation