Earlier this year, NASCAR officials and crewmembers learned about the rehabilitation needs and efforts of inmates during a tour of San Quentin State Prison.
“I was curious as to what was happening. It opened my eyes. I’m happy to see reform is taking place so you guys can have an opportunity at a normal life,” said NASCAR nurse Lori Sheppard. She added that if we just “keep putting people in prison” and there is no rehabilitation, “society doesn’t benefit.”
The group met and had a candid discussion with inmates Troy Williams (recently paroled), Sam Hearnes, Sam Johnson, Harun Taylor, Clinton Martin and Tommy Winfrey.
Williams opened with this question: “What do you think the purpose of prisons is?”
“Reform,” said John Sacco, a NASCAR official. “Keep real bad people off the street,” said someone else.
“Public safety is more than just locking people up, because 80 percent are returning to society,” said Williams.
Williams talked to the NASCAR group about the realities of prison. “Imagine being in an environment where you are attacked because of your color. You have to keep your boots tied tight whenever your cell door’s open because, if a member of your race gets into a fight with a member of another race, you will be attacked. You can’t say you ain’t with it. Imagine living like that for years, then being released, here’s $200, good luck.”
“There is a technical divide between the public and prisoners. In an age when job applications are being filed online and most communications are being done by way of email or text, how can we expect people who have never used computers or cell phones to keep up in the modern society?” added Sam Hearnes. “If you tell an inmate to click a mouse, you might have to coax him off the table because he might be thinking you meant Mickey.”
“Overcrowding poses an additional challenge to rehabilitation because it increases the demand on rehabilitative programs,” Hearnes continued. “There used to be just 30 people in Restorative Justice; now there are 150 with about another 100 on the waiting list.”
“San Quentin is unique in that it has over 78 self-help groups,” said Williams. After explaining about some of the programs that really make a difference, the floor was open to questions from the guests.
“What did you do to come to prison?” asked Kristi King, who is a NASCAR director of communications. “You said any question,” she added after seeing the surprised look on William’s face.
Her question received candid answers. Hearnes: second-degree murder; Taylor: robbery; Johnson: murder; Martin: murder; Roberts: snatching two $20 bills under the Three Strikes Law; Winfrey: murder.
“For ya’ll who took a life, have ya’ll made restitution to the victim?” asked Jason Brownlow, a Pit Road official.
“That’s difficult to do. CDCR doesn’t want us to have direct contact with the victim because you might re-traumatize them,” said Williams.
“I have. I’ve apologized,” said Winfrey.
“You are required to write the victim before you go to the parole board. It may not reach the victim, but you will have the attempt in your file,” said Johnson.
“Are parole panels biased?” asked NASCAR inspector Wally Hinnant.
“Yes,” said the group of inmates.
“Who decides what prison you go to?” asked Kristi King.
“Counselors,” answered a corrections officer. “Using a point system,” added Taylor.
“When did your rehabilitation start? Did you wait till you got to San Quentin?” asked Sheppard.
“I blamed white people for everything that was wrong in my life until I figured out I’m the one who put myself in this position,” said Taylor. “Once I realized I needed to change, the help wasn’t available until I arrived at San Quentin.” Taylor is now in several groups.
“I realized I was part of my community and I have to be an example. I want to be a good guy,” said Winfrey.
“It’s a lot different than I thought it would be. I’m surprised it’s so laid-back and you guys can play baseball,” said Todd Chafee, NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick’s tire specialist.
“Talking to you guys was a bonus,” said Rob Berry, an inspector who has toured a few times before meeting the inmate panel. “It was eye opening.”
“I was exposed to stories I wouldn’t normally hear, people I wouldn’t normally meet, and it was wonderful,” said nurse Pam Talbert.