San Quentin News

Written By Inmates - Advancing Social Justice

LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK: Letters to the editor

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I got to CIM level one minimum yard Feb 22, 2019 and have yet to see any of the things that they told me about. At this place it still seems to be about punishment and not rehab like it says in the title of CDCR. There is so much division here amongst staff, inmates, free staff, it is very discouraging. We were promised microwaves and here at CIM the other two yards has gotten theirs and we have yet to receive ours or a reason as to the delay.

Some yards are still being stand offish towards the LGBTQ community. They refuse to let them be housed in the West dorm setting, which is a single cell unit. South dorm allows them to house there where I am currently housed and there have been no problems between them and the rest of the inmates in here.

No one can stop all the things that go on in a prison setting. Violence, drugs, removals, it’s going to happen because there is nothing new under the sun. What’s done has been done and it will continue to be done. Each of us is created for a purpose, some for honor some for dishonor. So in order for things to stop, the good Lord would have to create robots with no free will. And according to the Word, that’s not something he is going to do. Or whoever your higher power is because if he/she was go- ing to do it, it would’ve been done long ago.

I have spent the last 10 plus years working my way down this prison system. You would think the lower you go the better it would be, but no. It gets worse. Some of us have made mistakes whether it’s the first or however many it’s been. To be on this low yard most of us have learned a lesson and just want to go home. I know I am. Lord willing I’ll be home soon, but I will still try and fight for the rights and the equality for all inmates no matter who they are or what they done. I’m not the judge God is.

Sincerely,
J. Arnold
California Institute for Men

Jonas Koel – Outside Reader

Hello San Quentin News,

Just want to say that you are doing a really good job and San Quentin News is one of the few newspapers that I read regularly. The difference between San Quentin News and other media is that it is genuine and credible, which in this context means everything.

I am from Sweden myself, live in Denmark and I look forward to more good articles and hope you all have a good day,

Best Regards Jonas

To San Quentin News,
I write to you because there is a problem that

many inmates are having with the interpretation of SB136, the new law that removes the 1-year prison prior enhancement. The counselors are telling us that they know nothing about it. The case records departments are saying that it is up to the inmate to petition the court, and the courts are saying that it is up to the prison admin to recalculate your time. On top of that some people are saying that SB136 isn’t retroactive so people already sentenced don’t qualify. But even if that’s true SB136 clearly states and I quote, “SB136 removes the 1-year sentence enhancement that is applied to current sentences.” Please can you bring some clarity to this very important issue?

Your loyal reader, S. Chase

California Rehabilitation Center Norco

To SQ News,

Since the Row @ CCWF was able to receive SQ News monthly about 3 years ago I was faithfully collected as much as any issues other rowers had done, so I can send them to my pen pals in other states, including England and Germany. I’ve taken the task as a privilege to spread- ing the good info to people in free world.

Tanya Nelson
Central California Women’s Facility

Chowchilla

Nuff Blessing ‘n Guidance My Youths!

Realistically I’m a 39 year old Fella from New York City born and raised!

I’m of West Indian descent; My parents are natives of the islands called “Trinidad & Tobago”. True in deed it dawned upon me to holla at you because fact is Life is a Test & I’m speaking from the perspective of been there * done that from all the crap you seen on TV or heard in songs bottom line. Be Smart & Think Twice cuz drugs, gangs, guns & crime is not fun!

I’m also a survivor of the 9/11 event & the recent Ve- gas shoot out! The best I can do is instill my advice & philosophy as a Role model that changed from that life- style. I’m now focused on my purpose in life. To be real & up-front Drugs will make you do things you’ll regret. It plays tricks with your mind. Stay away from it all—No Tobacco, No Vape, No Alcohol, No Cocaine, No Crystal Meth, No Heroin, Look up the word tobacco it is a poisonous substance. Also, alcohol is poison.

Enjoy your life & health take vitamins, listen to mom & dad. That’s gangster you heard-getting a job, paying off on a house and going to college.

Kari Anthony Hunkar

I get released January 2020, I’ll be okay this time cuz I’m a new person. In the past I’ve done 20 years…it’s a long story, you just pray & think positive!

Affected California Inmates Hope to Challenge Their Restitution Obligations

California inmates have privately expressed hope in reducing or possibly eliminating their restitution obligations in the wake of Timbs v. Indiana (Timbs), 2019 US LEXIS 1350,203 L. Ed. 2d 11, the United States Supreme Court decision that found the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution applies to the states under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due process clause.

In Timbs, a defendant pled guilty drug and theft offenses. Based on these criminal convictions, the State of Indiana initiated a civil suit under its civil forfeiture laws to seize Defendant’s Land Rover (“vehicle”) since it was used to transport drugs. Since the vehicle’s value ($42,000) exceeded the maximum fine allowed under the applicable penal statutes ($10,000) defendant pled guilty to, the trial court and Court of Appeals found that the forfeiture of the vehicle would be “grossly disproportionate to the gravity” of the defendant’s offense and thus, would be unconstitutional under the Eighth Amendment.

However, the Indiana Supreme Court, without decid- ing whether the fine was excessive, held that the Excessive Fines Clause only applies to the federal government and does not apply to the fines imposed by a state.

In reversing the Indiana Supreme Court, the Timbs court held that the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution applies to the states under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Pro- cess clause and remanded the case back to the Indiana courts for further proceedings not inconsistent with its holding.

In California, recent California appellate decisions have come to conflicting decisions on whether a defendant must object to the restitution amount at his or her sentencing. For example, in People v. Frandsen (2019), 33 Cal.App. 5th 1126 the Second Appellate District, Di- vision Eight, found the restitution challenge forfeited on appeal because the defendant did not object to the restitution fine at sentencing. But in People v. Jones (2019) 36 Cal.App.5th 1028, the Fourth Appellate District, Divi- sion Two, found the restitution challenge not forfeited on appeal, even if the defendant did not object to the restitution fine at sentencing. Clearly, many restitution issues will need to be decided by the California Supreme Court and California Appellate courts to provide guidance to trial courts and the legal bar.

If inmates believe that their restitution amounts may violate the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment, an inmate may obtain relief by exhausting their administrative remedies through the CDCR 602 process and, if the issue is not resolved at Third Level Appeal stage, then filing a petition for a writ of habeas corpus with the appropriate court may be necessary.

R. V. Morales
California Men’s Colony

CDCR and CCHCS Unveil Expanded Priorities

Through Renewed Mission and Vision Statements

SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) have unveiled expanded mission and vision statements meant to reflect the joint priorities of creating a prison environment that provides the incarcerated population with the tools necessary to be drug-free, healthy, and employable members of society upon their release.
The expanded priorities in the new mission and vision statements focus on enhancing public safety by providing treatment, rehabilitative, and restorative justice programs to our population, in a safe and humane environment. The new vision and mis- sion statements result from legislation in 2016 (AB 2590) that added restorative justice to the purpose of imprisonment, along with punishment and rehabilitation, and directed CDCR to update its mission statement accordingly.
“We are envisioning new ways of fulfilling our mission of public safety that align with our ideals and values for 2020,” said Ralph Diaz, CDCR Secretary, and J. Clark Kelso, CCHCS Receiver, in a joint statement. “Most of California’s incarcerated individuals will one day return to their community. When we address the roots of criminality through addiction treatment, mental health care, and education, combined with reentry services in the community, we are helping to make California safer and more productive.”
Vision

We enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs.

Mission
To facilitate the successful reintegration of the individuals in our care back to their communities equipped with

the tools to be drug-free, healthy, and employable members of society by providing education, treatment, rehabilitative, and restorative justice programs, all in a safe and humane environment.
Some highlighted examples of how CDCR and CCHCS are fulfilling their new missions:
Expanding substance use treatment: In 2020, CDCR and CCHCS will roll out an enhanced Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment program, which uses a scientifically based treatment approach to battle the chronic illness of addiction. This program will offer participants medicated assisted treatment, comprehensive cognitive behavioral interventions and safe, therapeutic housing. This initiative will focus on whole-person treatment from incarceration through return to the community.

Addressing criminality: CDCR has increased capacity in Cognitive Behavioral Intervention programs focused on criminal thinking, anger management, family relationships, and victim impact by almost 300 percent over the last five years. Career training: The department has more than doubled the capacity of Career Technical Education opportunities, providing our population with real-world job skills. The new “Microhome” initiatives at Correctional Training Facility in Soledad and Folsom State Prison in Sacramento provide in-demand job training to help inmates succeed when they return to society.

College education: CDCR offers face-to-face community college programming in 34 prisons, with more opportunities growing every day. When California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi offered only distance learning college courses, it averaged 200 to 250 participants a year. When the prison introduced face-to-face courses, in partnership with Cerro Coso Community College in 2017, enrollment in those classes jumped to 740 with an additional 200 enrolled in distance learning courses. Providing face-to-face instruction at Kern Valley State Prison, offered through Bakersfield College, increased the number of students from 30 to 498.

Restorative justice: In 2019, CDCR awarded grants to eligible nonprofit organizations to implement victim impact programs in California prisons. These programs will share a common goal of giving victims the opportunity for their voices to be heard and for incarcerated men and women to fully understand the consequences of their actions.
Reentry: Since 2014-2015, CDCR has increased its Transitions reentry program capacity from 2,430 to 20,734, a more than 753 percent increase. Transitions is a five-week program provided near the end of an inmate’s incarceration to focus on their community reentry needs; such as, financial literacy, job search skills, and provides community resources. This increase aligns with our priority of facilitating the successful reintegration of individuals in our care back to their communities.

Community partnerships: We continue to expand our relationships with community partners throughout California, including an historic undertaking to open the first-ever firefighter training program for recently-paroled firefighters. Through a partnership with CAL FIRE, California Conservation Corps and the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, the Ventura Training Center provides advanced industry training and reentry services aimed at helping those who served as incarcerated firefighters find success in the fire service field.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: (916) 445-4950

Let the people speak: Dear San Quentin News

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Can America continue to ignore the massive impact excessively harsh incarceration tactics are having on this country? How many children must go through life without a mother or father because we refuse to address alternative resources that would allow fami- lies to be reunited sooner.

Most child psychologist agree that alienating children from either parent leads to “toxic stress” resulting in lasting psychological and physical health problems. As children grow older without parental guidance of both parents, it can also lead to criminal behavior spurred from the anger or confusion of a missing parent in their life for so long.

Almost all – 91 percent – agreed that the US criminal justice system needs reform. 61 percent preferred shorter sentences to spending on incarceration. Eighty-nine percent of crime victims favored additional spending on schools and education over build- ing more prisons and jails.

So it seems the only ones who support excessive incarceration is our government. The people have spoken and are largely against excessive sentencing, and for prison reform. The government does not control the civilian, we control the government. They serve America. It’s time for the government to do what the public demands of it.

Jeremy Mount, Federal Correctional Institution, Sandstone, MN

Dear San Quentin News,

My name is Jessie Garcia from Centinela Prison. I’ve been read- ing the articles in the San Quentin paper about running for a few years now.

I started a 100 mile club about four years ago here at Centinela. We currently start from July 1st to June 30th for runners to com- plete 100 miles or more. We have between 40 to 50 runners. We have about 20 who complete between 100 to 1,000 and a few who complete over 2,000 miles.

We started this year having a 3 mile race. I’m planning on expanding to have 2 mile and 6 mile races also. The reasons I’m writing is to ask if the next time you get ready to have a 3 mile race if it would be alright if you let me know 4-6 weeks ahead of time and we can run one over here and can send you our times to compare with your runners and see how we place. Kind of like a competition. I hope this is something you would be interested in so we could get other prisons to do the same.

I hope that you take this into consideration. Sincerely,
Jess Garcia, Centinela State Prison

To San Quentin News,

My name is Danna Dan Vongamath, I am finally in prison at the Wasco State Prison Reception Center. But before I caught the chain, I was housed in a facility (a county jail) in Orange County. While I was there fighting my case for six months. I never in my entire life have taken so much verbal abuse, threats, personal property abuse, causing tension between other races fights and riots, all from an Orange County deputy. I am so tired of not say- ing anything, so tired being scared to talk about it. These past couple of months, inmates and deputies were getting into it. But the local county newspapers made us inmates look like the inci- dences with the deputies were for no reasons and that we are the ones with animal like behavior. I don’t ever think a deputy will ever come forward to the media that he has been abusing his power. How can we stop being abused? Who’s right and who’s wrong? Because they have a badge does that make them have the right to inflict pain and harm, mentally and physically? This is America so America I’m asking for your help.

Danna Dan Vongamath, Wasco State Prison

San Quentin News,

In writing this letter, I express a grave concern I have regarding the Prop. 57 law. My main concern is the fact that it was created with discriminating efforts. Discriminating towards violent offend- ers. Violent offenders need just as much help as anyone else serving time. It makes no sense to exclude them, simply because their crime was considered “violent.” How are we (violent offend- ers) supposed to successively transition into society after serving an extensive amount of time behind bars? Milestones, they can have milestones! That’s all? What about all these enhancements and add-ons for a crime we’ve already paid for? Milestones will definitely help, but are not sufficient enough for proper rehabilita- tion. SB1393 takes away the 5-year enhancement for a serious felony and SB136 takes away the 1-year enhancement for prior felonies. What about the 3-year enhancement for a violent felony? Once again, laws are coming into existence that are backed by discriminating preference!

I’m not complaining, I know I messed up, but seriously an 11-year sentence to be served at 85% (now 80%) is a bit excessive! And, not being eligible to the many benefits that are available through Prop. 57 hurts me. I just want to get well, and part of getting well is making it home to my wife and family as soon as possible.

Vincent Caico, Deuel Vocational Institution

Prisoners’ Lives Matter

People don’t stop being humans when they offend society and commit crime
On the contrary we lose some of our best citizens at their prime In fact it is inside of their cell that many prisoners rehabilitate themselves

Coming out into society as reformed people having left the older version
Of their lives behind on prison shelves

Instead of breaking the fallen down even further we should pick them up
Let them drink from the fountain of change till they do away with their hiccup

They did wrong and must be held accountable for their acts Recidivism is a blight on society and statistics prove these facts

Men and women deserve a second chance when they are locked away in prison
These are our fellow citizens who went astray with their vision
A prison number doesn’t make them any less of a human being We all just have to guide their sight back to a civilized way of seeing

Drugs play a major role in their fall
Addicted to chemical substances under the influence of alcohol Many were at their lowest common denominator when they became criminals
Therefore we must all stand up and mentor better choices for the millennials

We can’t just lock up our citizens and throw away the key
The ultimate goal is to rehabilitate them so they can contribute to society
The world can’t afford to only see incarcerated people through the lens of
Their past clutter and clatter
Although we must never forget the victims of crime prisoners lives also matter

Bobby Bostic
Jefferson City Correctional Facility, MO

To San Quentin News:

I’ve written before about how I was shocked at the intelligence, integrity and openness of your writers. These feeling of mine are strengthened with each issue.

I get to read words from actual real people who have evolved from desperate, fierce criminals…who have transformed themselves into beings of compassion. I am not making this up. There are examples of this all through the San Quentin News…

Then in the September 2019 issue on page 17 in News Briefs (#4), Sharee Miller, in prison for murder, speaks of the OPPOSITE: ac- tual law officers performing horrendous torture. This is something ELSE that goes on that I’d not known: there are people whose job it is to PROTECT humans from torture and crime, who are themselves “desperate, fierce criminals…” and Miller having the guts and integrity to report it, at her OWN risk.

The San Quentin News helps me see the WHOLE picture. I send blessings and support and love to all San Quentin people.

Nyla Blair, Outside Supporter

To Editor,

I’m over here in Corcoran State Prison, in the ASU (Security Hous- ing Unit). I came across your newspaper while searching for the legal library address there at San Quentin. First I would like to say good work, the paper is great. Keep up the good work. Next I am trying to request a recall and resentencing form for the enhance- ments I was given. It’s Assembly Bill 2942-Penal Code 1170(d) (1). I’ve been struggling trying to get this form for a minute, any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and help.

Respectfully,
Randall Hinson, Corcoran State Prison

Dear San Quentin News,

First and foremost I would like to thank ya’ll for publishing my ar- ticle in the October 2019 issue, titled “Pelican Bay Inmates Break- down Barriers of Stigmatization.” It’s important that people all over especially California see the faces of the people who are making a heartfelt solid effort to stop racial tensions, violence in prison. Daily we are tested.

A lot of people do not like to see African Americans, Whites and Mexicans playing sports together, taking pictures together or greeting each other with a hug. Sometimes C/O’s say we are get- ting soft. Teaching individuals methodology instead of ideology is hard work. Getting people to think has always been a tough job, yet we are having success at Pelican Bay. I’m hoping my article reaches gangs everywhere and influences them to try peace to make our communities safer. A special shout out to all of ya’ll at the San Quentin. Be on the lookout for more of my writings.

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas. Emphatically, Little John Perry, Pelican Bay State Prison

LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK: Letters to the editor

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My utmost respects are extended in full fashion. Let me get right down to this article. I’ll be brief and direct. Hope to make a direct impact in today’s network that has been evolving over these decades. I’ve read a prior article that was written about militarization of CDCR that is today’s darkest secret.

I’m sure your paper news media will as your slogan states report on things that will impact the whole population. Yes, it’s cool to read about different programs, milestones, so on and so forth. But the real impact is to touch on the other things going on all across the state.

Saul Garcia J57568

Delano Modified Community CF

10/7/19

To San Quentin News

I’m from Seattle, Washington, bound to move out to California upon my release. One bigger problem with correctional system: they don’t really correct you as a person or know their only successful function is to enforce corruption and to worsen you. But [we can] put our thoughts and minds together, combine forces as people to use each other’s ways and outside support from honest and caring people who will be dedicated to making our lives better and as good as free people.

Demar Rhome

838720

Washington State Penitentiary

10/17/19

Just released on the market today, a palatial residence located in the heart of Golden California, nestled in the lush almond orchards and fields of alfalfa of beautiful North Kern Valley. The residence features a private security service, gated entry, concierge services, on site medical and dental teams and a fully stocked and stuffed gourmet kitchen. Meals are delivered to your door twice daily with health conscious menu options. This luxury townhome features multiple double-planed windows providing gorgeous views of the sun setting over the valley each evening. With a two-story floor plan and a large open-air central area, you will never lack space to accommodate guests or to entertain. With six showers and six bathrooms, getting ready for a night on the town was never easier. The central area features vintage built-in bench seating and burnished stainless steel dining tables for intimate gatherings or grand, formal dining. Access to your own private yard ensures that you will remain in peak physical condition or have space to soak up the warm sunshine as you relax on one of multiple benches around the track. Providing the best in private security, luxury accommodations with every need met, this is the townhome for you. Double staircases provide ample access to the second level, providing unsurpassed views of the surrounding orchards and natural landscape. Escape gridlock and the hassle of searching for parking and trying to find stuff to meet your needs. We have it ALL here on the ground of the North Kern Stately Palace Estates. Visit today and discover you are home. Starting in the low 400s, this is your home. Visit today.

Drew Bueno-Potts

BI732

North Kern State Prison

5/29/19

On a Tuesday afternoon, Frank and I were sitting across from each other in the day room. While people were busy talking or playing cards, we were busy with weighing out life, and how Frank came to be the man he is today. With all the hullabaloo around us, I felt very at ease when he answered the questions for this letter. But he fell back into his old lifestyle due to the pressures of life, on a day-to-day basis. After the first month Frank did a line of crystal meth. Frank felt he was being led by God towards a newness of life. He started attending groups like GOGI, Lifers’ Group, NA, and CGA. Frank stated, “We all can change, it is hard but satisfying work.” His favorite group is GOGI. This group has opened up his eyes to old behavior, and his life in general. It gives him insight on how to change his thoughts and actions. He now has tools from GOGI like breathing exercises and the five-second light switch. Frank has learned how to turn negative situations into positive ones.

Ryan Goodson

BD7849

High Desert State Prison

8/29/19

CCWF is in great need of IDAP pushers on all yards. Since the pay rate was seriously lowered, no one wants this job. It is a position that requires screening for exclusions and is a great service to the aging population at CCWF. It is a community service that should be recognized and validated with a pay rate that rewards the incentive to apply, the good behavior required, and in light of exclusions, not to mention one needs to apply for it. I am sure the BPH (Board of Parole Hearings) would think it commendable that an inmate would choose this job assignment.

Is there any way their pay rate can be increased so that inmates want to apply? The vacancies are not being filled because there is no one on the waiting list to fill them. That is simply sad when this can be so easily remedied. The staff at CCWF has been awesome in trying to get applicants, but the pay for this specialized work is a deterrent.

Inmates learn to work with people in general—both inmates and staff—and can gain skills that would help them on release. Please take this under consideration and do what you can for the entire state of California. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Respectfully

Dana Gray

W76776

Central California Women’s Facility

10/1/19

Hello there,

I don’t know who writes your “News Briefs,” section or how you find out information for your paper. Let me just say, once again, women are still—and have been—overlooked…still in 2019. The first woman has made history, from Condemned Row, and nobody knows or printed it. Thank goodness you can fix this “overlooked woman” by printing and reporting it. On Friday, July 19, 2019, the first woman got her death sentence overturned at the state level of appeal… (not federal). Dora Buenrostro should not be in prison at all. But her life was saved on July 19 by the Riverside County D.A. who admitted to doing Dora wrong 22 years ago in giving her a death sentence. So he chose not to redo her penalty phase—giving Dora life.

This should be a wake-up call to all mental health advocates and prosecutors alike: do the right thing. Dora’s the sweetest person you’d ever meet. She’s not “evil,” nor is there an evil bone in her body. She has a childlike innocence about her. All of us women on the Row love and now miss Dora. We all pray for her peace of mind, safety and happiness in her future…LIFE. Dora singlehandedly brought us together in friendship, love and kindness on Death Row in Chowchilla (which now houses 22 women). God bless you, Dora.

From all of us,

Name withheld by request

Central California Women’s Facility

Death Row

9/11/19

Ed. note: Thanks for making us aware of this story! It hadn’t come across our radar. We will be reporting on it fully in Wall City magazine. We do hear your concerns and apologize for overlooking our valued women readers. We are taking steps to be on the lookout for and report more stories related to women. We also look forward to considering any suggestions and submissions from you and any of our readers.

ReStore Contributor

By LaTonya Stewart

I am the mother of two sons: Charles Stewart, who we called C.J., and his younger brother Aaron Stewart. I raised them both as a single mom, from when C.J. was nine and Aaron was 6. I worked full-time to keep them in a steady and stable home environment.

On Feb. 29th, 2012, I dropped my younger son Aaron off at his work, not knowing it was the last day I would be able to imagine driving him home again. About 6 o’clock in the morning on March 1st, I accepted a collect call from my son Aaron. He told me he had been arrested for murder.

The next two years were incredibly difficult, having Aaron in jail, waiting for his trial. And to make matters worse, at one point C.J. also found himself in the very same jail, Santa Rita, alongside his brother. Trying to be there for both my sons, finding emotional energy to support each of them, was very difficult.

On Oct. 24th, 2014, after a month-long trial that ended in April, Aaron was sentenced to three life sentences plus 72 years. He was 19 years old: a mama’s boy, a football player, a kid with a good heart. By trying to fit in with the in-crowd, trying to be accepted, he ended up out there in the street, and he made a bad decision that changed all of our lives forever.

On February 15, 2015, I received a call from my older son C.J., just saying hi, wanting some general conversation, checking on me. Right before he hung up, my child told me, “Okay, mom, I love you.” Later that night, I received a call from some of C.J.’s friends, saying my son had been shot. I rushed to Oakland, hoping that it was a mistake. After arriving at the crime scene, I fell to the ground, and I just cried. I said, “God, why? I already lost one son. Why is this happening to me? Please don’t let it be my son.”

Waiting at the scene, trying to get any information I could about C.J., I had all these thoughts going through my head, and I felt so empty. I thought, “This is really real. Why would somebody kill my son?” That night, C.J. was 26 years old.

And when it came time for C.J.’s murderer to face justice, despite a previous history of felony convictions, his murder charge was lessened to manslaughter, with a 15 year sentence, due to witnesses’ unwillingness to cooperate. I lost all faith in the criminal justice system. My son Aaron, who had no criminal record before his arrest, is left hopeless. And the man who killed my son is left with some hope for life after prison.

Healing from these traumas has not been easy, and I have some good days and some bad days. One powerful experience I have had is in participating in restorative justice circles with survivors and inmates. I only found out about restorative justice after my son Aaron graduated from a class called Restorative Justice at Lancaster. Aaron told the staff to reach out to me because I was a mom on both sides, because Aaron lost his brother, too. And so that’s how I got hooked up with Re:Store Justice.

I’ve witnessed men in restorative justice circles show real remorse and take responsibility for their crimes. And I’ve been able to offer forgiveness and compassion in exchange. The more I participate, helping to show the impact of crime and of the criminal justice system, the more I feel like I am walking in my purpose and exercising my belief in having faith, even if it’s just the size of a tiny mustard seed. Each time I tell my story, it helps me to heal even more. And the process brings everyone together to try and make the system better.

To everyone reading this who has a second chance to go home: make the decisions that will help get you there. Your decision-making will affect you, your family, your friends, the community – it’s not just you. Especially for people who are 18-25, if the system allows you a second chance for freedom, take advantage of the programs available, whether it’s getting your GED, or starting college (like Aaron is now, currently taking a class at Folsom College at Mule Creek), or participating in programs to help you rehabilitate yourself to be a better person when you’re allowed to go back to society.

LaTonya Stewart and sons

LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK- DEAR SAN QUENTIN NEWS

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In your April 2019 (Edition 115) issue of the SQ News ran an article about my having been found suitable for parole after nearly 50 years of imprisonment.

Now, ordinarily I would’ve felt honored that the editorial staff of SQ News had taken an interest in my situation. I have long admired the [organization’s] efforts around humanizing prisoners, promoting a higher level of understanding between citizens in the greater community and incarcerated population.

To begin with, the title. The unfortunate placement of an apostrophe (Manson’s Follower) makes it seem as if I were the only follower Manson had – when in fact I was never at any time a follower of his. While I was an associate of Charles Manson and his so-called family, I was not a resident member of the group or a follower of Manson. Since then, or until recently, I have usually been referred to as an associate or former associate, terms, I don’t much mind being used in that context.

Bobby Beausoleil

I can and do forgive the editorial staff for failing to preserve journalistic integrity in this case.

Enclosed is a copy of an open letter I wrote to my family and friends a few weeks later.

A few weeks have lurched by since I received a letter from Gov. Gavin Newsom informing me that the parole board’s decision to grant my parole had been rescinded by his office. Since then I have been sitting with my thoughts and assessing my feelings around this development.

There is the profound disappointment of being confronted by yet another setback, attended by a lot of other emotions. Certainly, I share many of these feelings with all the people who care about me, who have been let down by this outcome as well.

From a place of experiencing it firsthand, my heart goes out to the thousands of men and women, and their families and friends, who have been subjected to this specific kind of treatment. It is a cruel system that holds out the promise of a second chance after decades of imprisonment only to snatch it back at the last minute. I would be lying to myself and everyone else if I said it doesn’t hurt.

In this desperately confused and fearful era we’re living in, too many people are retreat- ing to their respective tribal camps, building the walls around them higher and higher while painting others thought to be outside of them with brushes loaded with shades of stark black and white, fingers twitching over the butts of their weapons just in case someone crosses a line. Too few people are willing to listen to a point of view that may be at some odds with their own; too few are willing to forgive wrongful or insulting behaviors they perceive in the other.

Nelson Mandela – a man who suffered greatly while imprisoned by the state for his stance against tyranny – famously said that the withholding of forgiveness is a poison one takes while hoping someone else will die. My arrival at this understanding comes out of having experienced both sides of the equation.

As politicians come, Gavin Newsom is a good one. I continue to believe he will do many good things for the people. For this very reason, he is attracting quite a lot of opposition to his policies and decisions, and some of it is uncompromisingly hostile. This early in his governor- ship he must be cautious in deciding what battles he will take on. My case presents some extra challenges due to its being associated with crimes that garner a lot of public fascination and the greater scrutiny this may bring to decisions relating to it. Some who are in opposition to my parole have chosen to politicize the process by exploiting this.

There is no blame here; at least not aimed at anyone outside of myself. This is just another thing I must bear in consequence to some terrible failures in my youth. I alone own responsibility for my past failings. Unfortunately, not all the consequences are borne by me alone. To everyone who feels hurt or shame or sadness as a result of this current setback and the attention around it, I am truly sorry.

My release on parole will be reviewed again in a year. In the meantime, I will continue to plan and prepare for my eventual release from prison as I have been since the parole grant in January, because it would be foolish to wait until the decision becomes final before making these preparations.

To all those kind-hearted souls who have advocated for my release, know that I continue to draw encouragement from your support. I express my gratitude in my resolve to carry on in my fight for the simple dignity of redemption and reconciliation. God gave me this ground to stand on, and by God I will stand on it.

In peace and serenity, love holding at the center, trusting to the supreme intelligence at the foundation of all existence.

Bobby Beausoleil
California Medical Facility October 2019

Worthy of Their Sacrifices
I had been incarcerated for almost seven years. I coasted through the system, took a large

amount of classes just for show and tried to avoid the everyday drama of prison yard politics. I continued to blame my victim (my wife Renee) for the crime I am responsible for, took no accountability, and just didn’t “get it.” I only wanted to falsely fill the empty voids in my life and get out of prison as soon as possible. Then, on February 17, 2018, I was called to the property room and my life was forever changed.

I knew I hadn’t ordered any items and really didn’t want to depart my weekend TV shows. I reluctantly got dressed and went to property, where I had to wait in line, outside, during winter in the Midwest. I made it to the window, signed the yellow property receipt, and received a book with some papers attached. The book looked cool with the face of a soldier on the front and was titled Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq and Afghanistan. I read the letter of support that was heartfelt and filled with compassion, knowledge and direction. It was from Gold Star Mom Debbie Lee. Her son, Marc Lee, was the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq: Aug. 2, 2006 – Battle for Ramadi. I remembered Marc’s death due to the fact I was attending combat medic school and preparing for war that year.

As I started to turn the pages of my new found treasure, I noticed a handwritten message on the dedication page. I studied those monumental words, written in red ink, and it felt like a prize fighter had punched me in my solar plexus. My breathing paused, I felt my pulse bounding, eyes glossed over, and my pupils narrowed as I experienced a visual osmosis of the message. Several deceased soldiers, my friends, flashed before my eyes. I saw it, and by God, I felt it. The message: “Shon, live your life worthy of their sacrifices.” – Debbie Lee

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My emotions and thoughts went into a thousand directions as if a hand grenade went off inside my head. My past dishonesty, lack of moral courage and integrity, those I harmed, my suicide attempts, and chaos I created needs to be addressed. I wanted to save the world right now – at this moment. I needed to make things right for my family, community, veterans and God.

Accompanying the book and letter from Mrs. Lee was a copy of Marc’s last letter home – before this death. Marc’s Glory Letter emphasized “purity, morals and kindness.” I realized I first needed to bring closure to my crime – if there ever can be – by telling the truth, exposing my faults, and hoping that others can start to heal.

The first step was to admit all of my offenses, to the best of my memory, since alcohol was a contributor. I started by writing down the turmoil I put my family through. I compiled those events into a 10-page essay titled Demobilization. I needed to tell the story and bring my wife back to life. Not only was she a teacher at a college of nursing, she worked in an emergency room on weekends. I’m a numbers guy. With Renee’s untimely death, caused by me, there is a ripple effect in the universe. I have to account for every nurse she may have taught in her classes that would have gone on to save lives. Not only that, but also those she would have directly affected by working in the ER. Those are some big numbers. Her passion was helping others. I have to carry on her life’s purpose. I can’t work in the medical field due to the felony conviction, but I will share the story in hopes of preventing other families from pain and destruction. So I called up a television station and agreed to admit to what I did on the air. I had previously told many lies about my wife in an attempt to justify my crime. I needed to start being a man and “worthy of their sacrifices” for our country.

As my passion and zeal shot out of the gate like a bull, I’m still a work in progress. I recon- struct my personal identity by showing love through service to others. I have to reorient my identity significantly with the limitations of being a felon. That message, in my heart, came from a multitude of sources – Debbie Lee, Marc Lee, Renee and God.

I now have a purpose, a mission and a lot of work to do.

Shon Pernice
Moberly Correctional Center

Salutations! Peace be upon you. I have read many issues now of your paper, and it has been very informative, useful and productive to my situation, something that I have come to truly enjoy reading. So, today, I have decided to reach out, write this brief note, and enclose these stamps to receive an issue or two of your paper. I appreciate it. Please look up my loca- tion and forward to me wherever I may be, due to me being in the process of relocating. Thank you and God bless!

Respectfully,
Reginald Howard Corcoran State Prison

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Hey guys, what’s going on there? Enclosed are a couple of fairly recent Mule Creek Posts. We always enjoy getting the new SQN; you all are awe- some. We especially like the Spring Wall City; the stories and photos are impressive. WP. Drummond’s edito- rial is something we have quoted and referenced in several aspects. Looking forward to the next one. Till next time, keep up the good work.

All our best,
D. Razor Babb, Editor-in-Chief Mule Creek Post

LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK

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Letters to the editor

Before These Walls

Before these walls, I laughed out loud and freely
After these walls, my laughter sounds strange and forced Before these walls, I loved first and doubted later
After these walls, I rarely love and always doubt
Before these walls, I saw the best in everyone
After these walls, I seek what’s below the mask
Before these walls, I smiled at my mirror’s reflection
After these walls, I see a stranger staring back at me Before these walls, I managed my healthy fears of tomorrow After these walls, I see a fuzzy future just out of my view Before these walls, I enjoyed the company of friends
After these walls, I am reluctant to call any “friend” Before these walls, I sat content in a world I earned
After these walls, I wait for charity (for even necessities) Before these walls, I was a whole woman awaiting motherhood
After these walls, I fall asleep

looking at pictures of my stranger child

Before these walls, I had a full life

After these walls, I have a hollow shell

Dorothy Maraglino CCWF

Greetings from a locked down OG, I’m writing this letter to give thanks and praise to Richard Richardson and Lt. S. Robinson and the many others (which is too many to name) who make the SQ News possible. The SQ News is very informative and entertaining especially to those of us in reception, ad seg (administration segregation) and the SHU (Security Housing Unit).

For some of us this is our only source of information and entertainment to an outside world, which is yet behind the walls. I want to bring up a topic about the murals on the walls in the San Quentin chow halls. I got to experience those works of art in 1988 at the age of 22 when I walked into SQs West Block reception for my first term. And the cable car and medusa are two of

the many attractions in SQ that have always stuck in my mind. SQ has so many more good and bad that our young bucks will never get to experience. OGs you know what I am talking about. But these works of art (which I believe should be in a museum) are hard to explain to someone. These are works of art that he or she has to experience for themselves. Can you please print a photo for all the readers around the world to experience who

would otherwise never get the chance to see them.
One last thing for all the OGs who know how different the system is today with all the classes and vocations and self-help programs that are offered that allows us the opportunity to change and be the men and women our society can be proud of. We as OGs, it’s our job to encourage all the young bucks to take advantage of all the opportunities, vocations and self-help programs that are offered today. Because they have a chance that we never had and if we as OGs do our job then maybe our young bucks won’t have to sit here years from now with the title of OG.

Love and respect to all, Donny (olskool) Oliveira

Donald Oliveira Tracy DVI

Dear San Quentin News,

Thank you for the articles about CDCR’s “Black Letter” authority to recall sentences pursuant to Penal Code Section 1170(d), codified at Title 15, Div. 3, Section 3076 Et. Seq. (Au- gust 2019). Also, I wanted to bring Title 15, Div. 3, 3076(a)(2) to your attention, which authorizes the Secretary of CDCR to request a recall of an inmate’s sentence “if information was not made available to the court in pronouncing the inmate’s sentence [and the information] is brought to the attention of the Secretary [of CDCR], who deems the information would have influenced the sentence imposed by the court.”

I, and I think many inmates, would live to learn how to initiate these Section 3076(a)(2) requests. Thank you for your time and keep up the great work!

Rogelio V. Morales CMC East

Letters to the editor

Dear San Quentin Staff Members,

First and foremost, I would like to say how proud and excited of the great work you all do in providing us with all updated in- formation of what’s going on in our society.

My name is David Esparza. I’m incarcerated at Pleasant Valley Prison. I’ve been incarcerated since 2001. I’m serving a 35-year to life sentence, 10 years for the attempted murder and 25 years to life for a gun enhancement. In 2016, I came across San Quentin News where you guys did a survey about the gun enhancement punishment. I wrote back about that survey and your staff writer Mr. Rahsaan Thomas had responded back to my letter.

I know that they passed SB620 in 2018, but it’s not retroactive so it doesn’t apply to me since I’ve been incarcerated for 18 years. It would be highly appreciated if you can share some update in- formation about the gun enhancement.

Continue on your hard work and dedication it’s very important and appreciated. Thank you kindly for your time.

Sincerely,

David Esparza PVSP

Let me just say, your article, Landmark Prop. 57 Ruling in re McGhee was very promising and McGhee has been very blessed to have Mr. Rudy Wilkins as a bro! I ‘m on my 4th (prison) num- ber. I’m in Valley State Prison with nonviolent criminal threats. Last year, while at CIM (California Institution for Men), my case went to Sacramento.

At that time, I had nothing to bring to the table B.P.H. (Board of Parole Hearings). This time I’ve got (I think) all my ducks in a row. Group milestones, self-help, a vocation in computers and what I did not have last time, a letter from me, explaining what my future plans are and how I would be a good choice for them to accept me as someone who isn’t a threat to my community and that I should be paroled.

And get this, my own dear Mom, who was the plaintiff, also has written the B.P.H. too! I don’t know, but I’ve done all I can. You guys please keep your fingers crossed, and Mr. McGhee, good luck too!

Thanks,

John Ernst VSP

To the Editor:

As I’m considering the duties of the governor’s new appointed heads of CDCR; Ralph Diaz, the Secretary of CDCR, Kathleen Allison, the Undersecretary of CDCR, Connie Gipson, the director of adult institution for CDCR, I begin to wonder about the duties of the institution heads.

What came to mind was the effectiveness of the grievance process, and now that the governor has three new appointees, what changes on behalf of the inmates living conditions and treatment from C/Os (correctional officers) will occur as a result of their new occupation?

Not that I’m proud to admit this, but out of all the correctional and sheriffs in-custody facilities, I have never seen where inmates, especially indigent did not receive shower shoes.

Here, in “reception”, where we’re being housed in cells that ab- sorb heat, and are in limbo for two to three months waiting to be endorsed, we are being subjected to entering communal showers and risking the high possibility of acquiring some aggressive case of athlete’s foot. Once we’ve discovered we caught it, then how long would it be until we obtain, and fill out the medical slip and receive treatment? Why did the administration heads decide to discontinue issuing out those 49-cent Styrofoam flip-flops in the first place?

Perhaps, now that there are legislative changes occurring and Proposition 57 being realized, there might be a change in the social environment inside and outside of these institutions and empathy being applied in advancing true social justice.

C. Edwards CIM

In reading the book “Transcending Reflections of Crime Victims”, I notice that all of the victims suffered from relatively the same kind of pain and grief regardless of what type of crime that were committed against them. Whether it was rape, robbery, murder, kidnap, burglary, or other so-called minor crimes, the hurt, pain and suffering was basically the same.

There are four stages of grief on the death of a loved one: the first if disbelief, the second is anger, the third is depression and the fourth is acceptance.

The loved ones of the victim often suffers from grief and pain which range from rage, anger, revenge, hatred, sadness, depression, hurt this is known as the ripple effect. This ripple effect, affects the victim’s children and the children of the victim’s children, and everyone who knows or hears about what the offender has done.

Now that I understand the impact that my crimes had on the victims, my responsibility also apply to all the home invasions I committed, I have devastated multiple lives. I can only imagine the counseling and therapy…my victims had to go through and it’s possibly that their hate and fear extends to all African American men because of what I done. I took away joy and happiness from all my victims and caused them misery.

One of the stories from the book “Transcending Reflection of Crime Victims” was from Ms. Wilma Derksen. She blamed herself because her daughter called her to pick her up, but she was busy and told the daughter to walk.

Ms. Derksen said blame is a cousin of anger, meaning that when you blame someone for something- you are actually angry with that person. Also, blaming yourself for something causes you to be angry with yourself and your anger is released on family, friends and people who have nothing to do with what your anger. (Guilt and blaming yourself cause anger) You have to be willing to forgive yourself and others in order to overcome the anger that’s caused by guilt and blame.

Gary Johnson CTF

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Part One

by Tom Rudderow

It was August 24, 2006. Even though I have a brain injury from this experience and a very damaged memory, I will likely never forget that date That day I was talking with my friend’s fiancé. “What is up with kids?” I asked her, meaning black kids. They had been becoming more and more abusive to me, pushing me around, taking my stuff, while I was wait- ing at a bus stop. I had been noticing this increasing over the past year. She is African American and talked to me about racial anger that gets carried from generation to generation. “Interesting,” I thought. “Let’s talk about this more later.” then off I went.

It was about 9:00 as I walked down the dark street leading to the BART when a young man approached me and said something about what they were about to do to me and then said, “I’m sorry we have to do this.” “Oh shit, I’m in trouble,” I thought as, like a deer in headlights, I was taken by my shoulder and guided off the road where, I presume, his part- ners were waiting in hiding.

When I woke from a coma three days later, which they were unsure I would survive, I must have remembered there had been more than one attacker as a friend, who was sitting by my bed, said I suddenly sat up and said, “James, I’ve got to forgive these guys. How do I do that?” Then I fell back asleep. When I woke again it was done. I have never had a moment of anger or vengeance toward these four guys, just concern, compassion, and curiosity. How could someone do something like this to someone they didn’t know? The police caught all four not long after the incident. Three of them said that they just knocked me down to rob me, as they had been doing to others. The fourth guy, they said, had kept kicking my head until they thought they were leaving a dead guy.

So, I began the long trek of dealing with a brain injury plus PTSD. (What a strange world that is. I was thinking about making a tee shirt, “PTSD. I got it but I don’t get it.”) What felt real was how I would often wake up in the middle of the night hearing someone calling my name, and I knew it was Ray, the youngest of the four the other three blamed. “What is this connection I seem to have with this guy?”

During the first year I had many questions going around in my head, why? how?, and I would make up answers (as I have discovered is a common thing for crime victims), until I did meet him and I was able to ask the only guy who might know the answers to my questions, which the State does all it can to prevent us from having any interaction. After we met, the questions in my head stopped. If he don’t know ain’t nobody knows. Now I can let it go. One question I had, though, was how could this have happened to me?

Almost a year after the incident I was informed that Ray was to be sentenced, having accepted a plea bargain, and I could write a letter and have it read to him in court. My letter said that I wanted him to know that the person he is going to prison for holds nothing against him, that I was hoping he would use this time for healing himself. And, I said, I’m very concerned about him so I will be trying to find a way to meet him. I spent the next 3 1/2 years trying to find a way to meet Ray. Finally I connected with a VOD (Victim Offender Dialogue) facilitator Jack Dison who contacted Ray and said that the guy he nearly killed would like to meet him in a VOD.

For the next year and a half, Jack met with Ray and spent time with me, preparing each of us to meet. Jack said I needed to talk about how I’ve been harmed. I didn’t want to do this. It wasn’t my intention to rub Ray’s face in it. Jack had a hard time believing I held no animosity toward Ray, and didn’t want it suddenly coming out unexpectedly during the Dialogue. I was grateful for this process because I wasn’t sure myself if something was hiding in there. Maybe my miraculous forgiveness experience was all a result of the brain injury or PTSD. We discovered together that it was real. I always say that I never believed much in miracles until one happened to me. I consider the forgiveness I was given a full blown miracle. It changed my life, and Ray’s.

Let The People Speak

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To San Quentin News,

No More Masks by Frank M. Ornelas

I had three masks, the first one was used for those who didn’t know me. It was to keep people away and to keep them cautious. It was a way to keep them at bay. The second was for my circle of friends, friends I didn’t trust. I used it to intimidate. With it, I used it until I didn’t need them anymore. The third mask I used on my family. I didn’t want them to know I was a criminal. I hid the shame and guilt I carried. Alone, I removed the masks; the hurts, the scars, the resentments, the regrets I hid. I had to change. It wasn’t easy, but I was ready to heal. When I was ready to face the world, I revealed myself to my family. They saw the authentic me. They accepted, loved, and helped me move on. And I stopped looking for

fake friends, and started looking for confidants. And they were true so I didn’t need a mask. They got to know me. In the end, I stopped wearing all the masks; In public, people no longer feared me; some even greeted me. I was finally able to receive so- ciety, because society was ready to receive me.

Michael Ornelas Valley State Prison

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Incarcerated Addicts

William Brigham, M.S.W. (Master of Social Work)

RE: Presidential Bid

Dear San Quentin News,

I am an SB 260 life prisoner that has been denied my freedom for 27 years for a “non-murder offense” by the parole board.

I will be running in the 2024 Presidential election, I prom- ise. I’ll need all the support I can muster-up. Our country is at risk 24/7. With God all things are possible. Hopefully I will have my G.E.D. by then; real sure of it.

I have noticed it is almost impossible to find any updated news about old lifers. Each quarter I look forward to the San Quentin News that is published by well-educated and rehabilitated men. And I am beginning to be disappointed that the articles seem to be promoting sports, music, etc.

I am pretty sure San Quentin prison is lovely, but the reality is for a lot of lifers, specifically serving a sentence for 3 strikes, it’s time to go home. We are the oldest abused and used pris- oners.

First ever former prison inmate to become commander-in- chief. Lower the unemployment rate, that, in turn will lower the crime rate, then in turn lower the murder rate.

What happened to all the lifer litigation against the board? I am afraid if I don’t speak up now, it will never be said. The po- litical lifer voices are drowned out by rhetoric. If we don’t have nothing else, we got a voice.

I would also address climate change where we respect the earth, respect and take care of one’s self. It might be already too late to save our earth, (but) I’m advocating for the earth. Let’s work together and stop the madness/destroying Mother Earth. If people think the weather’s dangerous now keep burn- ing fossil fuel.

Sincerely Tracy Cullie

In other places on earth people are dying of hunger, and the people that don’t; BAD things are happening to them. People should learn from the mistake they’ve made in the past. If peo- ple don’t they most likely will not have much of a future on the livable earth once it is gone.

Mental Health program

I would like to bring light to Mule Creek Prison, B-Yard to give everyone an idea of the majestic atmosphere surrounding it. Like most prison yards it has five buildings, a beautiful yard, and a great education program. Building six is where the (Enhance Outpatient Program) E.O.P. inmates and staff members who make the difference to this yard are placed.

Fewer than 1 percent of the more than 5,000 U.S. prisons and jails, housing more than 2 million inmates, allow access to FDA-approved medications such as methadone, buprenor- phine, Suboxone or Vivitrol, even though addiction experts have considerable evidence to prove their effectiveness in treating addiction to opioids (heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone). Even the National Sheriffs Association has published a guide as to how best to incorporate their use in jails.

All praises be given to our Supreme Creator, “THE LORD of HOSTS.” I compose this letter in response to an article about Mr. Glenn Bailey. An Article from San Quentin News dated April 2019. I couldn’t resist an opportunity as this to extend my utmost respect, plus appreciation regarding your integrity. Also (your) commitment to the roles you all have assumed. Its complex trying to describe the emotional impact – us coming together for a true cause like the ole days!!

Everyone has issues of some sort; few choose not to do any- thing about them. There are those who take steps to change their lives in the face of such opposing circumstances, and at times it may look hopeless, but they persevere anyways.

The opposition to the use of these medications in jails and prisons is mostly because of legitimate safety and security concerns. A possible answer to this problem might be found in the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which bans discrimination against people with disabilities, to include pro- tection for those recovering from drug addictions. At least four prisoners nationwide are arguing that the ADA covers them and that they are being denied proven medication-assisted treat- ment (MAT).

A time in which we understood how imperative it was to unite, unlike today, many of us are lost and now conform to elements reflecting self-destruction, or should I emphasize genocide? Wondering why we’ve failed to empower ourselves as a Black race.

Those who step up every day, and face their issues inside their self and the stigma over them from the world because of mental health issues are very special. The staff who watch over them , and the psychologist who take the time to help them overcome their issues should be acknowledged for what they do, even though they don’t do it for the purpose of being ac- knowledged.

A consequence of miseducation regarding the dynamics of empowerment. Therefore, has hindered us the adequate cause plus ability to work together!! Primarily due to everyone ‘ha- tin’ rather than congratulating!! Every time one of us emerge, whom is great, somebody’s gonna hate!! That’s ridiculous!! Yet, a reality many of us cannot understand a failure to incorporate ideas, business, also finances puts us Black people in vulner- able positions! “I’m keepin it 100.”

Psychologists have their hands full, but do a great job to counsel, and lend a helping hand to assist people with mental health disorders. I don’t know if you have ever dealt with mental health disorders, but let me tell you at times people can be un- predictable and unreasonable due to their issues, and whatever else is going on in their lives.

The importance of making this treatment available during in- carceration is found in the following: In the two weeks after re- lease, prisoners are 12 times more likely to die – and 129 times more likely to die of an overdose – than the general population. Forced abstinence behind bars means addicts are released with a lower tolerance and an increased urge to use.

Now I get out next year and a brotha 49, yet still got it! How- ever, do realize the complexities I must endure. Although it’s a shame you can’t get any help in our Black communities, a lot of us are still suffering the effects of slavery!!

It takes really special people with big hearts to properly deal with this. I’m not even talking about the unending training and schooling. I believe people are put in positions because they are able to handle the situation properly.

Recent research reported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that prisoners who received methadone mainte- nance treatment (MMT) during incarceration were more likely than prisoners who did not receive MMT to engage in the treat- ment after being released, and that those who received metha- done during incarceration also reported less heroin use and had a lower risk of nonfatal overdose after being released.

That’s why I must be surrounded by those who regard the struggle, those whom are not suffering mental enslavement; but a lot of us have succumbed to bitterness, hate, fear as well in a lot of our sistaz as well.

I have personally been in the groups and there is a lot of sup- port and information for people plus the program is getting bet- ter and focusing on major mental health issues likes: anxiety, stress, mood, and substance related disorders. The hope is to reach as many people with mental health issues as possible to make the world a safer place.

Only five states – Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Vermont and Washington – offer both methadone and buprenorphine to some inmates at one or more prisons or jails. Hopefully all parties involved (corrections official, researchers, civil rights organizations and prisoner spokespersons) can come together to

Where our sistaz don’t even smile anymore! But (sister) your smile is so infectious and exudes joy. Nor have I allowed trials or set-backs to steal my inner peace. My GOD given ability to exist warrants enough reason to be happy! So, I can smile too. I refuse to let things I endured in prison, or the streets of L.A., where I’m from steal my joy! Anyway, GOD BLESS. I send my love to all of you. Big ups to ‘OG’ Mr. Glenn Bailey.

Ryan Goodson
Mule Creek State Prison

John C. Imus Jr. Valley State Prison

LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK: letters to the editor

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Kerry-Lyn-Dalton
Kerry-Lyn-Dalton

I’m a woman on California’s Death Row. I have been on Death Row for over 23 years. I think this newspaper does a lot of good and I like that you write about women on Death Row. But before people make assumptions about us, they should talk to all of us. There are women here who were horribly abused by men and that caused them to be here. They need a “voice” too. I worry that they are forgotten. If you speak for us, I feel that you should include our voices.

Sincerely,

Kerry Lyn Dalton

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I just finished reading Kunlyna Tauch’s article “An Inter- view with former Death Row prisoner”(May 2019) and I just gotta write…

I’ve had this just gotta write feeling several times while reading this issue, but this time I actually picked up my pen!

This is an incredibly fabulous, down-to-earth, intelligent, heart-opening newspaper- The San Quentin News.

It’s shocking: the depth yall communicate. Article after article… all relevant to humanity.

Thank you and God bless you!

Nyla Blair

Nayeon Kim
Nayeon Kim

“Crimmigration” law can be very complex, so it receives less attention from the advocacy community than its relevance war- rants. There are not a lot of low- cost immigration legal services in the Bay Area that have the capacity or expertise to manage cases with criminal convictions. This is definitely an area that needs the investment of many more allies,

training, and resources. It would be great to see an immigration system that allows for more community participation, so there is space for the families and friends of people in proceedings to have a say in the defense of their loved ones. I think it is important that the communities of incarcerated immigrants be included in expressing their stake in the outcome of the cases, and influence the decision-making process.

It would be great to see Bay Area organizations re- imagine ways they can create equity in the current balance of inequity. Sometimes we only see our limitations, but there are many ways to be creative if we really put our heads together. Immigration and criminal justice issues are intertwined with housing issues, education issues, and public health issues, too.

Many people want to help but don’t know how. Collaboration is essential for an issue that so polarizes our country. On a micro-level, conversations are important to keep having. Our society needs to keep up, stay ahead, and consciously decide how to accept, reject, or transform messages that our government and media produce. Today, those messages tend to vilify immigrants, which can also distort messages about immigrants with criminal records in cynical ways. The mes- sages that pit immigrants against each other for the sake of political favor and appeal reveal our divisions and discourage strength in unity. Our country has a habit of dichotomizing immigrants in a “good immigrant vs. bad immigrant” scheme. This eventually undermines everybody who buys into that narrative. Many advocates still rely often on photos and stories about vulnerable women and children, which risks estranging people who don’t fit into the box (men, people with criminal convictions, etc.). It is always important to humanize any peo- ple we objectify; women and children are no exception. Our country fails to adequately care for women and children in so many ways already, so it seems far from being ready to care for everybody else, too. However, it’s important not to fall into this deficit mindset that make us pick and choose among many people in need. We should talk thoughtfully about the experi- ences of all immigrants, listen to them respectfully in all their complexity, acknowledge them as human, and build consensus about policy from there. The policy that we write and vote for needs to work for more people than the small populations it serves now, and not at any one group’s cost. Accounting for complexity is the key to building toward a vision that includes the voices of all people and validates everybody’s worth.

By Nayeon Kim

Dear San Quentin News

Last year I read an article about an Inmate Johnson

winning a scholarship from the Chung Ahm Scholarship Foundation. Thanks to that article, I applied for a scholar- ship and won one too. For that I am grateful.

Thank you, Sincerely, Alvarado

LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK Letters to the Editor:

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In the Baemba tribe of South Africa, when a person acts irresponsibly or unjustly, he is placed in the center of the village, alone and unfettered. All work ceases, and every man, woman, and child in the village gathers in a large circle around the accused individual. Then each person in the tribe speaks to the accused, one at a time, about all the good things the person has done in his life-time. All his positive attributes, good deeds, strengths, and kindnesses are recited carefully and at length. The tribal ceremony often lasts several days. At the end, the tribal circle is broken, a joyous celebration takes place, and the person is symbolically and literally welcomed back into the tribe.

Alice Walker The Sun magazine July 2007

I figured you might want to include this in your next issue. When I read this it gives me a surge of hope that one day we may “get” it again … a way to respond with health to a wrong doing. I deeply appreciate our SQN!

Nyla Blair (Donor)

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Lung cancer ended my father’s precious life in 2016. In our last earthly chat, his strained voice whispered, “A man can preach a much better sermon with his life than with his lips.”

He explained that our tolerant humanity regularly takes fate for granted – that we must live for today, plan for tomorrow, and remember yesterday. By design, we should find a way to leave our mark upon this world, however slight.

In my daily reading, I stumbled upon some legal statistics that swirled around my brain for days. The Federal Bureau of Prisons (Feds) are responsible for housing a tiny 10% of the national prison population. The other 90% of prisoners in America are in state custody.

The Feds have a protocol in place which permits federal prisoners to donate living vital organs, tissue, and bone marrow to biological match worthy immediate family members in need of life-saving transplants. Who knew that a living organ donation policy for prisoners to save a family member’s life might be a good idea?

Let me tell you who doesn’t know. Every state prison system – including California. Are you sitting down? The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has assembled an Advanced Health Care Directive. It is made available to California state prisoners by the medical department at each facility upon request.

Part III of said medical directive pertains to inmate organ donation. At no time are any California state prisoners permitted to donate living vital organs or tissues. A prisoner may only donate an organ in the event of his/ her death.

How this purports to serve the nation’s citizenry is beyond me.

If California had been remotely willing to create a donation protocol modeled after the existing Feds’ policy, my father would still be alive today. I would have given him one of my lungs – no questions asked.

That said, upwards of 25 Americans die each day while awaiting a life-saving transplant when more than ample resources exist. Is this how our government answers the call when protecting its citizens?

My hope is to evoke visceral, vocal, and visible participation from families, activists, academic, and legal circles – people ready to replace destruction with life.

I want to dispel the myth whereby prisoners are without redemptive value – devoid of civic responsibility through social action and political awareness.

But for this project’s promise and potential, we may never have learned of the judicial fallibilities and hurdles which stand in the way while the sick (our family members) languish in numbers that far outstrip national supply for match worthy living donors.

The closer we all are to death, the harder we cling to life.

Michael Flinner SQSP Death Row

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“In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful”
“May Peace and Blessing be Upon You.”

Dear San Quentin News,

My name is Dontae Wynne and I’m 42 years old. I’m an African American that grew up on South Central LA, where I became a gang member. I have been incarcerated for 17 years; this October will be 18 years of incarceration. My base term is five years and I have 20 years of enhancements—that gave me a total term of 25 without life.

For the past five years I have been residing at Salinas Valley State Prison, level 4 B-Yard GP. On March 25th, 2019, I was given the opportunity by facility B Captain and Ms. T Frost C.R.M to establish: Higher Steps, which is a gang p[prevention program; that has allowed me to launch the Bury Your Hood Beef Movement.

With the recent death of Nipsey Hustle, rival gangs of South Central Los Angeles at Salinas Valley State Prison have entered the Gang Prevention Program and steps are being taken to establish a ceasefire and present to the mayor of Los Angeles, Mr. Eric Garcetti, a strategy to prevent Gang Violence within the City of Los Angeles. We at Salinas Valley State Prison (B-Yard) would like for San Quentin News to know that the spirit of change is catching and we also are playing our part to make our life better, and the lives of others. Thank you for your time, and do spread the word.

Dontae Wynne Salinas Valley State Prison

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NEWSLETTER HERE AND NOW Editor’s Letter:

I’ve been on this yard since it began. I’ve watched people who had thought they would die in prison go home to their families. It has been a blessing to watch people grow and take active roles in their recovery. Free from the bondage of prison gangs and addiction, people on this yard have reinvented themselves.

You cannot imagine the disappointment at the local media when I saw the words “Prison Riot at R.J. Donovan” flashing on the television screen. At the top and bottom of every hour there was an update about how many ambulances were called and the number of inmates involved. It made me sad.

I understand the motto “If it bleeds, it leads,” but this was much different. Having been on Facility-C, and Facility-B, I can tell you that there were far more newsworthy events that took place.

There are a few key points I would like to make here. First, the news doesn’t take into consideration how the people involved in the riot think and feel at the time and after the riot. The news wants you to believe that the individuals involved are mindless monsters who constantly attack each other without conscience. Isn’t it just as likely that some of those guys were scared or didn’t want to do it? Not one of those news sources will ever do a story on P.T.S.D. in prison. There are inmates who suffer from P.T.S.D. just as much as veterans. Combat is combat.

Where is the story on the aftermath of this event so the next group of people who might engage in violence can see what it is really about?!

The second point is the difference between yards. We are lucky here. We had a few key people in key positions that allowed this yard to succeed. It has been the inmates on this yard buying into the idea that change is possible. It has been the inmates here spearheading the change being made throughout CDCR.

Sometimes it feels like no one cares about the good we do. How is it that two men stabbed and the words “Prison Riot” received more attention than the picture of hundreds of inmates coming together with candles to spell out the words “NO VIOLENCE,” and that is just one example.

I was hurt when I saw this institution on the news for such a negative thing because, in a way, I feel like it is a representation of my time here too. No matter how hard I try, there will always be that stigma. To some, I will always be the person I was when I committed my crime. So I consider it my duty to represent all inmates in a positive way.

I challenge the news media to show us in a positive light when we succeed. When “Prison Riot” reaches more people than “No Violence,” how are you choosing to represent your future neighbors? What message are you trying to send the public?

Steven Ross Westcott RJ Donovan

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Shon Pernice
Moberly Correctional Facility

What if everyone was one color? Then we would either like or dislike one another based on character and actions. It is impossible to physically change your birth color, but it’s in your mind what you see.

The United States Marine Corps has one color for all of its service members: GREEN. The Marine Corps is a unit — a team of men and women who disregard their racial differences so they can efficiently eat. sleep, and train together 24 hours a day. Black and White are opposites and too different. Black Marines are dark green and White Marines are light green. If you have two Marines with the last name Smith, and one is White and one is Black, you’d refer to either light green Smith or dark green Smith. Too easy.

As a combat medic, I treated many different people. Black, White, Latino, Asian, and Middle Eastern all bled the same, their pain was the same, as their fear of dying was the same. The last moments of their lives-—no different either. That is because they are all human and race had no status. Mortar rounds, rockets, and RPGs (rocket propelled grenades) did not discriminate due to the color of a person’s skin. When those weapons are fired, they are aimed at “to whom it may concern.”

For me it all hurt the same. Black, White, Brown- all my brothers and sisters in arms- I miss them dearly. We are all born the same and take our last breath the same. My challenge to you: treat one another between that period of birth and death—the same.

Shon Pernice 1236421 Moberly Correctional Facility Missouri

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Living in the Shadows

I’m a tattoo artist living in the shadows of my own trade. It’s my hustle, my passion, my way of life. I tattoo with tools I create and find within these walls. I’m clean and respect my craft, still it’s unsanitary and against the rules in CDCR.

Yes I live in the shadows of a trade accepted in our times, acknowledged as a profession. Worthy of a skill to support me upon release. Yet, the very place I learned my craft punishes me for doing it.

I believe in change and seek to help our prison system change its policy on prison tattoos. I understand the negatives it can bring with this much freedom to express the arts. Yet I know we can regulate this with a policy to help us to perform our skills in a safe environment. Teach us safe practices as well, with the requirements needed and the importance of sanitation habits.

There are inmates who risk infections and diseases via poor cleaning habits due to doing all they can to hide their tattoos from staff. This creates a problem in which they must choose seeking medical attention and risking a 115 write-up. A good analogy: CDCR recently created a policy to prevent those having sexual relations with other inmates from spreading diseases by allowing condoms in our institutions yet are prohibited to act on any use of the condoms. Well, there are many if not all inmates who participate or practice the craft of tattooing. We should have a policy to inform inmates of the risk of infection and poor habits.

The culture of prison tattoo work will never go away. Within these walls it’s a way to express one’s trials and tribulations along with their tenacities and victories. This culture is not a secret. The best we can do is accept that we need a change. We need to embrace this craft as a possible vocation to teach those seeking this skill. We could finally bring along all our tattoo artists, including myself, out of the shadows. Thank You.

J. Ortiz “JB”

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Letters to Editor

We thank you and encourage your letters to the editor. San Quentin News reserves the right to edit letters for content and length. Please keep letters to a maximum of 350 words.

“Fawn Eyes”

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Father Sun shines down on my garden today,

Sowing seed in mother earth as is our way.

We reap what we sow-we eat what we kill,

Winter we go hungry-summer time bellies are filled.

My mate is a warrior, he protects our village,

Should the enemy come to rob, kill and pillage,

He takes pride in our tribe so he kills or he dies,

This is our way-such is our life.

We embrace mother earth, father sun loving wife.

The birds do not swim with the fishes,

The wolves do not know the word fear,

We each have a niche we are born into,

One kills, the  other plant’s seed’s,

We look to mother nature for answer’s her knowledge we embrace to fill our need’s.

Mother earths, she does love us,

Father Sun warmth is divine,

We worship you from the cradle,

We love you till the end of time.

Come take a walk with me my mate,

Let us feel the earth on our feet,

Let us run like children through the tall grass,

Let us make passionate love in the creeks.

Dance with me under a full moon-

Dance until the sunrise.\give us a vision of the future anise

For  today we live well because tomorrow we may die.

Poem By Victor Severance T-13451

Dear Son

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As I grew up

My life was rough

In order to survive

I had to get tough

I tried to do the right thing

Keep my life together

But things just fell apart

My life was shattered..

We all have our problems

Blind leading the blind

Never stopping to think

Using the full potential of our mind.

The path I took had a a lot of twist and turns

I was unable  to slow down

To practice and learn..

Now I sit here

Paying the ultimate price

Dear Son

Don’t sacrifice your life!

In a thousand and one ways

I ask for your forgiveness

This load I am carrying

Is quite tremendous

In all honesty I am sorry

And I know I have sin

And love to never end?

Stay out of trouble Son

It’s not to late

Turn your life around

Beat the odds of fate

Last but not least

Pray to  God above

And forever loved…

Copyright 1997 by Horace Thomas All rights reserved

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