Dear Executive Editor,
As a young man, I began my time in SQ, 1980. I became
a man behind those walls. My family still has copies of the
San Quentin News from those days. Now after 42 years of
incarceration I’m seeing SQ far from those days of primitive
violence and behaviors the system was caught up in.
Good things are happening throughout the CDCR in regards
to rehabilitation. Mine began earnestly when LWOP’s were
allowed to go to level III institutions. I never imagined so
many self-help programs would be available. My desire
is to be an integral part of the changes and opportunities
to prepare our minds for the societies that have only
known the prison pipeline in regards to their young men.
While in the hold in SQ, I began writing poetry. My poetry
reflects a complete awareness of the times we’re now
in. Inmates in turn are learning how to make amends to
the communities they’ve harmed while historically this
nation is seeing difficult dialogue on historical wrongs
that have lingered in our memories for way too long.
I believe we can all be part of this awareness
for the betterment and utility of America.
Sincerely yours,
Edward Garza