After spending 20 years behind bars for murder, an ex-Oakland police officer came back to San Quentin to talk to prisoners about what it takes to change bad habits and live responsibly.
“I worked for Oakland Police Department for nine years,” Doug Butler told the San Quentin Journalism Guild recently. “But once I got into the club scene, I began using cocaine. Afterward, I became addicted to meth.”
While working for OPD, Butler said he moonlighted as a security officer, and eventually worked as a bodyguard for executives in the recording industry.
The record business led him into a completely different world, mainly drugs, Butler said. In 1984, Butler was arrested, charged and convicted of second-degree murder.
“My life took a turn because my choices eventually landed me in prison,” he said. “It took three trials for the jury to find me guilty. I hit rock bottom after that.”
After his conviction, he went to various prisons including California Men’s Colony, Tehachapi Maximum Security Prison, New Folsom’s B yard, and Solano. He arrived at San Quentin in 1993.
“I thought being an ex-cop would bring me trouble,” Butler said. “But the gang leaders allowed me to walk the line as long as I wasn’t a threat.”
Once Butler arrived at San Quentin, he said he immersed himself in self-help programs. Subsequently, he said his thought patterns and approach to life changed.
“San Quentin is a mecca for programs,” Butler said. “I took Breaking Barriers, AVP (Alternative to Violence Program), Man Alive, Narcotics Anonymous and IMPACT.”
After spending 20 years in prison, Butler was paroled on Aug. 17, 2004. He said while he was at San Quentin, he would send laudatory chronos of his self-help group achievements to the same district attorney’s office that convicted him.
Being a success after prison can be tough, Butler said, but it is not impossible.
Butler reported the prison programs helped him positively shape his character and prepared him for his current career as a community activist.
He is now director of a program called Men of Valor at Acts Full of Gospel Church in Oakland. It helps ex-convicts get identification and clothing, write resumes, learn job interview techniques and develop life skills.
“It took three trials for the jury to find me guilty. I hit rock bottom after that”
Butler stressed that ex-felons can be employed because they know the value of second chances. He noted that leaders of the Oakland’s Army Base redevelopment project have indicated they plan to hire ex-felons by 2014.
“You will all be successful,” Butler said. “Just remember, character is who you are when no one is looking.”
