Rafael “Al” Losno Jr. came to prison during the era when phrases like “battle gyms and gladiator schools” were the norm. After spending almost three decades inside California’s toughest penitentiaries, Losno paroled from San Quentin this June as a changed man.
“Here I was just a kid, slammed with 15 years-to-life with the possibility of parole, and I wasn’t even 90 days into my 19th birthday,” he said. At sentencing the judge recommended Losno be sent to the California Youth Authority (CYA), because he had never been in trouble before. But the judge warned that if (CYA) did not accept him, he would go to adult prison. It was adult prison.
SUITABLE TWICE
“That was 29 years ago. I was arrested June 5, 1981 and this was my first time being incarcerated on any level. I was nervous and curious but the honest truth is, I was scared,” Losno admitted.
Over the years Losno appeared before the parole board 11 times and was found suitable twice.
The first time, in 2009, his date was taken due to what he called a non-existent 128-counseling chrono. “They said I had refused to participate in an interview and later included information that I had only been disciplinary-free for eight years,” Losno said.
He reported an in-depth investigation proved afterwards that he had attended the interview and he had been disciplinary-free for 22 years. “When I went before board commissioner Anthony Kane, he respected the Lawrence decision and my right not to discuss my crime.” When his date was reversed; he felt shame and learned a new level of pain. “I suffered for my entire family. Even the young kids from Havens Court, who I’ve mentored; they cried for me too.” He mentored them in a program called R.E.A.L Choices, an acronym for Reaching Expanding Adolescent Lives.
“My prison years have given me the ability to listen and really hear a kid when they’re at that beginning stage of going down the wrong path. I thank God for that, because I’ve learned from them and they’ve taught me a lot too.”
At 5-foot-8, with Hollywood leading-man features, Losno is a mixture of quiet strength and anecdotal wisdom. He reports much of what he learned was while doing time in prison.
TIME AT SOLEDAD
“My first prison was Soledad Central,” which he described as “Gladiator School.”
“Back then it was a very political, racist and violent world,” he stated.
The 51-year-old Losno grew up in the San Francisco Mission District, where his childhood friends Benjamin and Peter Bratt filmed their movie, “La Mission.” Benjamin acted in the film and his brother, Peter, directed and produced it.
– JulianGlenn Padgett
