The purpose of earning a reputation in prison is for one reason—survival. However, the cost of survival may take extreme forms. “When I first came to prison in the 80s, being a transgender meant being someone’s property. We would be used to carry weapons, for sex, to wash and clean dirty workout clothes, but, in that we were also well protected, and it gave you a sense of security,” says Jarvis “Lady J” Clark, who has been incarcerated 30 years, serving a 27-year-to-life sentence for first-degree murder. “However, the … [Read more...] about The cost of reputation in prison: being transgender in prison
Prison Stories
The restorative power of creative writing: Incarcerated people find healing through the written word
Inmates captivated a San Quentin audience of more than 100 on Oct. 20 in the Catholic chapel. They told stories inspired by their childhood, life in prison, dreams and nightmares. “Writing—that’s what saved me in prison,” said Joe Camacho, a former prisoner and alumnus of the writing program called Brothers in Pen. “It became a survival skill to take the stress away and to not think about where I was at.” More than 20 inmates read the stories they had written with the encouragement of instructor Zoe Mullery. “Writing—that’s what saved me in … [Read more...] about The restorative power of creative writing: Incarcerated people find healing through the written word
Lớp Học Kinh Thánh Việt Nam Tại San Quentin
Dịch giả: Danny Nha Hồ và David Bờm Lê Cách đây vài thập niên, trong khi truyền giảng phúc âm thì Mục Sư Tom Phạm đã phải rời bỏ phòng nhóm, nhảy lên một chiếc xe gắn máy để chạy trốn hiện trường vì bị chính quyền Việt Nam rượt đuổi. Nếu bị bắt vì tội truyền giảng, Mục Sư Tom sẽ phải ngồi tù. Bây giờ Mục Sư Tom ngồi tù mỗi tuần một lần với nhiều cọng sự viên của ông để chia xẻ phúc âm với tù nhân. Mục Sư Tom cho biết Chúa đã kêu gọi ông đến với San … [Read more...] about Lớp Học Kinh Thánh Việt Nam Tại San Quentin
Fathers and families: A traditional celebration
Father’s Day came early for dads at San Quentin State Prison. On June 1, incarcerated fathers started filing into the main visiting room for the annual Get on the Bus (GOTB) event, which brings families together for Mother’s and Father’s Day. GOTB works with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) months in advance to coordinate the one-day event. “This is the only visit I get every year,” said Ruben Becerrada, who has been on Death Row since 2009 “It feels great to be able to spend time with my family. It’s … [Read more...] about Fathers and families: A traditional celebration
Finishing a good deed
A group of California prison inmates serving life sentences has raised more than $1,300 for victims of last year’s Hurricane Harvey. These inmates stand convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances and are serving life sentences without the possibility of parole. They’ve changed the meaning of the acronym LWOP that stands for “life without parole” to Lifers With Optimistic Progress (LWOP), an activity group inside the California State Prison - Solano. “This check is being donated on behalf of the LWOP Activity Group at … [Read more...] about Finishing a good deed
Prisoners & Volunteers Sing Christmas Carols
“It was wonderful … Thank you so much … It made me feel human.” Those were some of the prisoners’ reactions to the Christmas caroling by a group of volunteers who strolled through San Quentin cell blocks and dormitories on Dec. 19. Most of the inmates stopped what they were doing as the carolers arrived. Many joined in singing a half-dozen Christmas songs. The odds-on favorite was The Little Drummer Boy. In one dorm, a prisoner used his hands to pound out the drum beat on a nearby metal table. About 60 volunteers braved the chilly … [Read more...] about Prisoners & Volunteers Sing Christmas Carols
Tainted Soap Recalled
Prison officials recalled soap produced by the California Prison Industry Authority due to a trace amount of a cancer-causing ingredient. The July 27 alert prompted collection of all PIA soap in San Quentin housing units. Inmates were issued half-bars of commercial soap pending arrival of new shipments of the PIA product. “By 7:45 a.m., the officers were breaking bars of Irish Spring, Ivory, and Jergens in half,” said North Block prisoner Steve Cortz. “A few minutes later I heard, ‘Listen up gentleman! If you have any PIA soap, you need … [Read more...] about Tainted Soap Recalled
The Men’s Advisory Council
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN EXPLAINS ITS FUNCTION When California prisoners have a general problem, the first stop is usually with somebody like Sam W. Johnson Sr., executive chairman of the San Quentin Men’s Advisory Council. MAC’s job is “to advise and communicate with the warden and other staff those matters of common interest and concern to the inmate general population,” Johnson said. MAC is composed of an elected representative from each of the prison buildings. “I became a MAC representative because I wanted to help the general … [Read more...] about The Men’s Advisory Council
Inmate Found Dead In Cell
LAVELT DUVERNE SUICIDE GRIPS SAN QUENTIN “When I returned to my cell, I instinctively knew something was wrong,” Danny Cox said. “There was a sheet on the door blocking the view inside the cell and it was dark. I called his name three or four times. ‘Lavelt’ But he didn’t answer.” Cox spent five days in Administrative Segregation until cleared by prison authorities regarding the suicide of his cellie, Lavelt Duverne. Cox found Duverne on his knees slumped over. “I saw him hanging,” said Cox. “I saw a sight I pray no one will ever have to … [Read more...] about Inmate Found Dead In Cell
Looking Back into S.Q.’s Legacy
This is the second in a series of articles on San Quentin history. The Rich History of California’s Oldest Prison After California became a state, executions were carried out in individual counties, usually by hanging. On February 14, 1872, Capital Punishment was entered into the California Penal Code. San Quentin was chosen to be the exclusive site for execution in 1893. The first execution within the walls of San Quentin was on March 3, 1893. Hanging from the end of the rope was 60-year-old California native Jose Gabriel. SWIFT … [Read more...] about Looking Back into S.Q.’s Legacy