Honest, patient, impactful, insightful, transparent, dedicated, empathetic, and accountable are some of the words that residents of San Quentin have used to describe John Gillie.
In 2021, Gillie received an 1170 resentencing for exceptional conduct recommended by CDCR, which was denied by the courts. Several years later, the recommendation was refiled and his parole board date was advanced. The board deemed him suitable in May 2024.
Gillie said he was grateful for the opportunity to hear from his victims. He said he better understood exactly the harm he caused and how he impacted their lives.
“Today, I look at my prison journey as the best thing,” Gillie said. “Thank God I am clean and sober.”
Gillie’ recovery started upon arrival at San Quentin in 2012. He completed and facilitated many self-help programs during his 12 years at San Quentin, including California Reentry Institute (CRI), Victim Offender Education (VOEG), Guiding Rage Into Power, and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), among many others. Beyond these programs, he worked in kitchen maintenance for 11 years.
Gillie said that he had been in denial about his addiction to gambling and drugs. He said VOEG was the first serious group where he better understood remorse, empathy, and accountability.
As an NA Secretary since 2017, Gillie said he really appreciated the unity and family environment within the program.
“Something that drives me to give back what was so freely given to me is to spread the message of sobriety. To change the world and lives,” Gillie said.
Resident Brad Ware said Gillie provided him support to pursue lasting transformation. “He pushed me to keep striving and supported me over the 23 years I had known him,” Ware said.
Ware said he recalled when Gillie arrived at San Quentin and witnessed his transformation happen through the Narcotics anonymous program. Ware said Gillie was open and transparent when speaking about how important the twelve steps were for his sobriety.
Many residents said he has encouraged them to pursue positive programming and never shied away from talking about insight, causative factors, or board preparation.
Resident Marty Spears said Gillie has been honest, open, and accountable.
“Gillie shows he cares for people,” Spears said. “He has has been a role model for me as a facilitator in CRI.” Spears said Gillie advocated for him to remain as a facilitator.
As a facilitator of multiple groups residents said Gillie is valued in his community because of his skill-sets especially active listening. “His whole body is an ear which allows him to be in tune and empathetic to the speaker,” resident Dennis Jefferson said.
Jefferson said Gillie modeled exactly what he taught through his facilitation. He compared Gillie empathy, insight, and patience to biblical scripture and how the inside of the cup matched the outside.
Resident Kenny Rogers said he met Gillie in Soledad where his term started. “I could trust him to always be present when I needed it, whether it was a good time or bad,” Rogers said. “He is caring, loyal, and trustworthy.”
“Today I process my emotions using mindfulness practices to recognize what is going on around me,” Gillie said. “I recognize violence and conflict rising around me.”
