Resident Travis Taylor went to enjoy the warm weather and a jog on the Lower Yard, when he noticed a mound of dirt and a hole in the ground surrounded by orange barriers.

As he approached the makeshift running track, located along the outside of the baseball field, he was met by yellow caution tape signaling that the baseball field was closed.

“I almost used that hole in the track as an excuse not to jog,” said Taylor who uses running as a way to maintain a positive attitude.

Taylor reflected on how not being able to exercise made him much more critical of himself. “I would feel down and out like I’m not accomplishing anything. [Running] makes me feel happy knowing that I accomplished something,” he said.

The obstruction of the track and closure of the Lower Yard took place on Feb. 2. As the rain poured down residents were told to return to their respective housing units without an explanation from administrators.

Resident Bertho Gauthier, who just recently started running, said he anticipated the run and was pumping himself up to get it done. Once on the Lower Yard, he noticed that the yard was closed.

“The day I start running, there’s a huge hole in the ground. It is hard [to face that reality] because I have to fight discouragement to run,” said Bertho. He discussed the effort it takes to get into the running mode on such a makeshift track as the one at San Quentin because of the limited space for runners, walkers, and people just wanting to hang out. “The route is not idea for your typical running situation.”

The closure of the Lower Yard, and education annex lasted only a few days before the water was turned back on. The portion around the large hole remained closed to recreational activities like football, soccer, baseball, running and walking.

Resident Robert Nash, a pitcher for the San Quentin Giants baseball team and a manager for the San Quentin Hardtimers softball team discussed how the  unforeseen event can impact and create a possible delay in the upcoming baseball season with the portion of the field closed.

“It’s unfortunate because it’s an unforeseen event. Now that it has happened, it seems like there is no precedence to get it fixed,” said Nash.

Inmates who work in the education annex, where the media center is located, noticed there was no running water at the fountains, bathroom toilets, or sinks throughout the education area or Lower Yard on Saturday. College classes that would have run were canceled.

Resident Kevin Fuqua noted that while such situations can be frustrating and even deter a person from their initial plans, it is important to adapt and be flexible with what life can sometimes throw at us.

“Fixing the hole is a process, just like rehabilitation is also a process. All through life these things will happen,” Fuqua said. “In the end it’s all about how you respond to struggles and challenges.”

Resident Manuel Painia reflected on his past experiences of working as a laborer in construction, highlighting the reality of the industry and how sometimes things just don’t work out or break down.

“These things are a part of the construction process,” Painia said, emphasizing that people should not blame the construction or the workers who are building the state of the art facility.

Painia speculated that the hole in the ground could be a result of the new building which is scheduled to open in March of 2026. He shared how the issue was not one person’s fault and could have likely occurred from shutting off the water for maintenance or water pressure within the old pipes.

“Somebody had to design the building that you are going to want to take classes in,” Painia said. “Let’s think about them too.”

With the ongoing construction taking place at San Quentin, he urges residents to remember that while these sorts of situations can be inconvenient or frustrating, a lot of value can be held in understanding it from a different person’s perspective.