ILLINOIS ARTIST SHOWS LOVE FOR ARTS PAGE
Dear SQNews:
My utmost Luv & Respects to you all & thank you all for all you guys do! Well in coming through to get a new SQN Issue … MY 4 stamps are inside this letter for my latest edition.
I Luv the Art Part ‘cause I’m an artist too … Well you all take care.
Much Luv & Respect Always,
—Mickey Anderson, Sr., A.U.S.P. Thomson Thomson, Illinois
WISCONSIN READER REQUESTS SQN
Dear SQNews:
My friend and I are currently serving time in Wisconsin State Prison and we would love to receive a copy of your newsletters if at all possible. You can bill me if need be. Thank You!
—Rachel LeVoy, Taycheeta Corr. Institution, Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin
DONOVAN READER NEEDS MORE INFO
Dear SQNews:
My name is Bobak “Ali” Azadgilani. Thank you for publishing such a great resource!
I am interested in the Re: Code/Coding 7370 programs. I am a BA student with UC Irvine at RJ Donovan and I am currently taking an Intro to Python coding class. I read your article “Chromebook for SQ coders” in the September 2022 issue of SQN.
I remember reading about Re: Code a joint venture program where prisoners get paid $15/hr. Can you please send me any past articles on that program? I remember 3 or 4 years ago SQN did an article on that program.
Basically, I am looking for any past articles regarding computer coding. Can you please help me? My counselor will not help me. I want to transfer to a prison that is doing the computer coding joint venture. Thank You!
—Bobok “Ali” Azadgilani, RJ Donovan, California
AVENAL READER OPINES ON PRISON LABOR WAGES
Dear SQNews:
Your September 2022 Edition “Prison Labor,” the subject of prison low wages is close to home. I think there could be other options to wages. Personally I would like reduced sentences, like earned good conduct credits. Some workers would enjoy a suspension of restitution payments from earned prison wages, and as you mentioned keep some money going to social security. Wages have not gone up with inflation. That is showing an impact at the canteen with soups almost doubling.
I think that benefits and perks would increase voluntary service. Here we have guys that want to work but are displaced by those who are assigned and don’t want to be (same holds true for rehabilitation programs). We know for the most part the work we do is more valuable than the pennies we earn. The money CDCR paid out through COVID in overtime and contract labor maybe showed up in the budget.
Irony being CALPIA’s General Manager was in the same edition. That could be solution should they expand their programs to be more inclusive. Main kitchens could really benefit with Essential Skills for the Workforce (ESW), programs with some completed training workbooks that used to earn 3 weeks off each.
There could be some benefits for free staff too, not just pay out training and maybe some food service computer programs for inventory and food service quantity control.
I work in “Load Out,” in the Main Kitchen here at Avenal. I like my job, it helps time to pass faster and being a Christian I feel like I am helping to feed 4,000 people. The larger problem is the 25 pounds I have put back on though.
I make 13 cents/hour my top eligible pay. Thank God my Wife does a good job of supporting us.
—Chris (Last name withheld), Avenal, California
HOPING FOR GATE MONEY INCREASE
Dear SQNews:
I want to say Thank You for the SQ Newspaper. I love reading it … and I really hope the $1,300 gate money goes through; $200 is barely enough to buy clothes. Anyway, enjoy the rest of 2022, and let’s pray for $1,300 gate money and no more COVID-19. Last but not least, stop non-designated facilities. That was the dumbest thing CDCR has ever done. I really hope it’s over!!!
—Lawrence Bierman, Delano, California
Thanks for the letter, Lawrence. Unfortunately, the gate money increase was vetoed by Gov. Newsom. M ore about new laws on Page 10.
—Ed.
