San Quentin now has a master cabinetmaker who has worked on many special cabinetry projects for the prison.
Inmate Jerome K. Vernon said, “I have been here at San Quentin only about one and half years. I came from Old Folsom and this is the first time in 20 years I have done any cabinet work.”
He explained that was because the other prison had few work assignments and no programs in woodworking.
Vernon said, “I learned cabinetmaking from my father’s construction and glazing company and worked for him for 15 years and through high school before coming to prison.”
He learned most other trades in the construction company, including working with glass.
Asked how he wound up with his job in the San Quentin cabinet shop, he said, “I first went to the Painting and Glass shop and there were no jobs at this time doing glasswork. They said to check with the Mill and Cabinet2 shop.
“I went over for an interview and talked to four of the bosses and within two weeks I was hired and began working doing cabinets.”
Vernon went on to say there are now five workers at the cabinet shop, two from West Block and three from H Unit.
Among the recent cabinet work Vernon has built is a “special cabinet with bookshelves for the Jewish temple.”
He has done several other cabinets like the one at the watch commander’s office and has created special doors for Sgt. Martinez, in addition to replacing old cabinets. He also makes custom cabinets for the prison housing units located outside the prison walls.
