It’s a new and strange world for Gary Scott, who was arrested for second-degree murder at the age of 15 and recently paroled after spending 15 years in prison.
“It’s surreal,” Scott told and Oakland Tribune columnist Tammerlin Drummond. “The first night I couldn’t sleep because I was afraid it was a dream and when I woke up it wouldn’t be real.”
Scott, whose nickname is Malachi, was sports editor of the San Quentin News.
“When I found out that I was found suitable, it felt like a heavy burden was lifted off of my chest, and I was smiling from ear to ear. However, people don’t know how much my heart hurts for the person and his family I destroyed,” Scott said.
During a failed robbery Scott said, “I tried to shoot him in the arm during a struggle for the gun, instead I ended up taking his life.”
“In 2002 I had terrible nightmares. I felt guilt and shame. Even on the streets I felt like there was a dark cloud hovering over me everywhere I went,” he said.
Despite having haunting nightmares, Scott said he continued to “pray and ask for forgiveness.” Scott said his transformation was first spiritual. Attending only AA and NA classes at Corcoran State Prison because the programs were limited, Scott said he was denied parole suitability due to rule violations for grooming standards, delaying lockup and delaying feeding.
Born in 1982 and raised in South Central Los Angeles by Brenda Wimbish, Scott said he grew up without knowing his biological father. “I would love to have seen and met him,” he said. “I felt a sense of uncertainty about my history. I acted like I didn’t care about not knowing my father. Knowing him probably would’ve given me more of an identity.”
Adding to his insecurities, Scott said, his mother “was trying to raise me right; however, the male role models that I encountered were not helpful to my growth.”
Without a strong foundation, Scott said he felt detached from his household. “My disconnection with my family made it easy for me to turn towards the streets and into the gang life at the age of 13,” he said.
During the first few years of incarceration, Scott said he felt “fear, anxiety, and a sense of hopelessness and helplessness. I was uncertain of my future and unsure what would happen to me. I thought I would spend the rest of my life in prison.”
Once Scott arrived at San Quentin in 2008, he said he took advantage of various programs, including Non-Violent Communication, VOEG, and IMPACT. He said he was the first in his family to get a college degree when he graduated from Patten University this year.
“A collaboration of people has been supportive and instrumental to my growth during this process — Stewart and Israel, Darnell Hill, Shaheed. It is just too many people to name,” Scott said smiling.
“People don’t know how much my heart hurts for the person and his family I destroyed”
The New York Times published an article he wrote “about how prison is too violent for young offenders and the transformations that should take place for juveniles,” adding, “Prison is too violent for juveniles, they should be in a setting that’s conducive towards rehabilitation.”
As a convicted teenager, Scott said he spent his time focusing on youth issues.
In 2010, he co-founded Kid C.A.T. Creating Awareness Together, a program that “inspires humanity through education, mentorship, and restorative practices,” according to its mission statement.
On June 12, during the Kid C.A.T. banquet, Chairman Michael Nelson gave a special congratulation to Scott for overcoming his incarceration and being paroled.
Scott was also involved with the SQUIRES program—an organization within San Quentin that mentors at-risk youth in hopes of encouraging young people in a positive direction. “Working with the kids, seeing the way we impact their lives, makes me want to continue the process,” Scott said.
“Malachi is one of the most thoughtful and sincere people I know,” said San Quentin Facebook adviser Lizzie Buchen. “I’ve learned a lot from him — how to stay focused on your priorities, how to confront people with compassion, how to approach every situation with integrity and an open heart. I can’t wait to see what he accomplishes now that he’s free.”
“He showed me the ropes on how to cover a sports story for the S.Q. News, and I hope I can make him proud,” said San Quentin A’s player Ruben Harper, who is now handling sports for the newspaper.
Scott said rehabilitation begins with “learning about us, learning how our behaviors impact others. Keep taking responsibility; until that happens you don’t know where to start.”
“The first thing I want to do is work with at-risk youth. And I want to be a motivational speaker through Hip Hop,” said Scott. He added, “I want to come back and give back to San Quentin or anywhere to tell my story.”
– Phoeun You contributed to this article
