San Quentin News

Written By Incarcerated - Advancing Social Justice

What drives Fidelio?

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Fidelio Marin was born in 1970 at the San José farm, near the city of Izucar de Matamoros, Puebla in Mexico. His childhood was one of poverty, limitations, and chores around the house without time to study. Marin grew up without learning how to read nor write: there weren’t any schools in town.

Marin in now a prisoner at the q (SQSP), serving a 16 years-to-life sentence. Prior to SQSP, Marin has participated in self-help programs in search of his rehabilitation.

Cd: What motivated you to focus and be positive?

Marin: While attending the self-help programs I knew I had to change and not the other people; the marathons I’ve run and the programs at SQSP have helped me so much in my rehabilitation.

Cd: What motivated you to start running?

Marin: In 2013 at Soledad, a friend invited me to run to fight my obesity; I expected to lose weight, but I enjoyed it and continued running as a way to meditate.

Cd: What was your line of work prior to your incarceration?

Marin: I worked for a landscape-company as a gardener when I arrived in 1986. I learned the trade and started my own business in 1998. My landscape business allowed me to provide for my family’s needs, but unfortunately with the extra income, I started drinking constantly. Consequently in 2008 I lost my business and my freedom while intoxicated provoked the death of a person unintentionally.

Cd: How were you as a free person?

Marin: I was a good worker; but my addiction to alcohol led me to make the wrong decisions.

Cd: How has prison impacted your life?

Marin: It impacted me for the better. Today, I make good decisions, without lies and without anger; I even refrain from using profane language.

Cd: How did you adjust to your life in prison?

Marin: I asked for advice from inmates that appeared

honest and by listening to the counselors.

Cd: What goals do you plan to reach during this time?

Marin: Remain positive, work daily on my rehabilitation and graduate from GED.

Cd: How is your relation- ship with family, friends and clients while being in prison?

Marin: My family is good. I give advice to my children and brothers; they take the advice better now than when I was a drunk.

Cd: What are your biggest accomplishments while in prison?

Marin: A better relationship with God and 11 years of sobriety.

Cd: What are your immediate plans once paroled?

Be a good husband, father and son. Open a business and work hard in the community and to help in rehabilitative programs, as well as motivational programs for the youth.

Vicente Gómez y mar- tin Gómez trained together with Marin to keep in shape. “Marin has been of great sup- port to me.” Commented v. Gomez, and concluded, “and I had helped him too.”

Skid Row Club returns to the Lower Yard for “OneHour Fun Run”

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Judge Craig Mitchell with Coach Frank Ruona (back)
Judge Craig Mitchell with Coach Frank Ruona (back)

An award winning coach, a humanitarian judge, and two former San Quentin residents came together at The Q July 20, 2019 to participate in the 2nd Annual Skid Row Running Club One Hour San Quentin Fun Run.

The Skid Row Running Club was founded by Los An- geles Superior Court Judge Craig Mitchell, whose mission is empowering the most marginalized. Mitchell believes that by giving people more opportunities, they make better decisions. The Skid Row Running Club seeks to elevate the human condition one mile at time.

Phillip Peng with the Skid Row runners on the Lower Yard
Phillip Peng with the Skid Row runners on the Lower Yard

“We just finished a documentary on The Skid Row Running Club. Its about Judge Mitchell, who trains drug addicts, homeless people, criminals and others to run marathons.” Said Gabi Hayes, a documentary Film-maker. “If the participants stay out of trouble, stay clean and train hard and stay with the program. Judge Mitchell will take them on a marathon some where in the world.” Gabi and her husband have followed The Skid Row Running Club to Rome, Vietnam, Jerusalem and headed to Ecuador to film the Club’s run in the Marathon de Guayaquil in October.

“We brought about 20 people with us today. I talked with many of them as I ran the track, and they all said they were having a wonderful time,” said Judge Mitchell.

Skid Row and 1000 Mile Club runners at the start of the race
Skid Row and 1000 Mile Club runners at the start of the race

During the event, Coach Frank Ruona was presented with the Jefferson Award by KPIX CBS for community service. “This is the first time 1000 Mile Running Club has had any outside running club to come in and run with us,” said Coach Ruona “I know these guys really appreciate it.”

Ralph Ligons, who is an original member and co- founder of The San Quentin’s 1000 Running Club with Coach Ruona in 2005 said the club is open to everyone who wants to join. He said that running improves your physical, emotional and mental health.

Eddie Herena 36, a alumni member of The San Quentin 1000 Miles Club and former San Quentin News’ Camera- man, was very instrumental in bringing awareness to SQ’s 1000 mile club during his time at The Q, Herena returned to support both Running Clubs and to encourage many of the men that he had come to know that they too could make a successful transition back into society as he has done so.

“Its not even about the run- ning club. Its beyond that. Iwasinthisplaceforeight yearsandIgottoknowalotof the people,” Eddie said. “It’s good to see them, but sad to see them still here.

Markelle Taylor 46, also a former resident of the Q and an alumni member of The San Quentin 1000 Mile Club, who won the 2018 Skid Row One Hour SQ’s Fun Run with a distance of 9.3 miles, returned this year to give back to the club that he got so much from. “I am not lying, I am happy to see you guys. I wanted that experience of being able to come in and then been able to just walk right back out prison,” said Markelle who paroled five months ago. “I do race on the weekends. I’ve ran a full marathon and a to- tal of 25 races since I’ve been out.” Since his release Makelle has ran in the Dip sea Race on June 9, 2019 and the 2019 Boston Marathon April 5, and it showed, because he ran a blistering 10-1/2 miles plus in 60 minutes to win this years SQ’s Skid Row Fun Run.

SQ’s 1000 Mile Club Coach Kevin Rumon, said that try to keep every member after they are parole connected to the Club to the extent they want to.

A total of 62 runners completed the race. After the race, every one chatted for a while as all the runners total laps were being counted, before making their way up to North Block Dining Hall.

“When I get around mile 20 in a Marathon. I say a prayer for the murder victims, be- cause I want in some way for their presence to empower me for the last 6 mile of the race.”

Judge Mitchell said addressing the crowd as everyone was socializing over a San Quentin Sack lunch.

—Leonard F. Brown contributed to this story

Correr le ayuda a superar la vida en prisión

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Fidelio Marin corriendo detrás de Markelle Taylor
Fidelio Marin corriendo detrás de Markelle Taylor

Fidelio Marin nació en 1970 en el ejido San José, cerca de Izúcar de Matamoros, Puebla en México, y su niñez fue muy parecida a la de otros niños de su pueblo, con pobreza, limitaciones y quehaceres en casa sin tiempo para estudiar. El creció sin aprender a leer ni a escribir pues no había escuelas ni maestros en su pueblo.

Marin, se encuentra actualmente en la Prisión Estatal de San Quentin cumpliendo una condena de 16 años a vida, de los cuales ya lleva 11 años cumplidos. En sus primeros años en la prisión sufrió de tensión-nerviosa y obesidad llegando a pesar 205 libras en el 2013.

Marin llego a San Quentin en agosto de 2018 y en poco tiempo se dio a conocer por su dedicación al deporte como corredor y su deseo de superación. Actualmente estudia inglés y matemáticas en la clase ABE 1 del programa educacional de San Quentin, donde acumula créditos “Rehabilitation Acheivement Credits” que se dan a los alumnos por su dedicación en las clases.

Como miembro del club de corredores de las 1000 mile club, Marina completó las primeras mil millas en un tiempo record entre octubre del 2018 y mayo del 2019. El club de corredores de San Quentin le otorgó el certifica- do, “Completion Award” por su esfuerzo.

Sus conquistas más notables como corredor han sido el 1⁄2 maratón (13 millas) con un tiempo 1:22 horas; las 10 millas las corrió en 1:04:28; en la carrera “The Skid Row Running Club One Hour Fun Run” en San Quentin el 20 de julio quedando en segundo lugar, solo unos cuantos pasos atrás de “La Gazela de San Quentin”, Markelle T. Taylor. Taylor se anotó 10-11/16 millas; seguido por Fidelio Marin con 10-5/8 millas, siendo su nuevo record en una hora.

Antes de que empezara la competencia, Taylor se refirió a Martin como “el próximo nuevo campeón”.

Su más reciente hazaña la consiguió el 2 deagosto en el Décimo Medio Maratón
Anual de San Quentin, donde Marin obtuvo el primer lugar.

En el reporte del San Quentin 1000 Miles Club, el entrenador Frank Ruona escribió, “Fidelio Marin continúa su dominio en las carreras del club competecia en San Quentin, desde que Markelle Taylor recibió su libertad condicional en marzo 2019, ganando fácilmente su tercera carrera seguida con un tiempo sobresaliente de 1:24:05 que es el tercer Medio Maratón mas rápido de San Quentin”.

Marin es reconocido por los que conviven con él como una persona muy jovial, humilde y amistosa.

“ El entrena fuerte y escucha; está aprendiendo la técnica de un buen corredor”, dijo Darrell Mora, uno de sus compañeros. “Él es probable- mente el nuevo líder; lo que me gusta es que es humilde”.

Durante el tiempo que Marin ha estado en prisión ha participado en “Programas de Ayuda Personal” (self-help programs) como: Alcohólicos Anónimos (AA), Manejando el Enojo (Anger Management), Justicia Restaurativa (Restorative Justice), y Estudios Bíblicos en la capilla, entre otros.

“Gracias a Dios y a los programas ofrecidos en San Quentin he logrado superarme y he aprendido a tomar buenas decisiones en la vida; y los programas han sido de gran ayuda en mi rehabilitación diaria”, comentó Marin. “Y le agradezco a San Quentin por los programas de rehabilitación que están disponibles; pues en otras cárceles que he estado no tienen los programas que hay aquí”.

Marin ha estado anteriormente en Wasco Reception Center y en Soledad State Prison que fue donde empezó a prepararse como corredor.

“Estando en prisión he decidido y he logrado dejar los vicios, los malos pensamientos, los rencores y las impaciencias en el pasado”, dijo. “Aquí también he aprendido a leer y escribir en español que es mi idioma natal”.

71 year old breaks new record in rainy three-mile race

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Mike Keeyes, 71, the oldest 1000 Mile Club, runner ran three miles in 21 minutes and 40 seconds
Mike Keeyes, 71, the oldest 1000 Mile Club, runner ran three miles in 21 minutes and 40 seconds

Despite the torturous weather conditions on Feb. 15, Markelle Taylor, who was fighting off a cold, still managed to come only 27 seconds short of beating his own record. He had a finish time of 17:14 on the 3 mile (5k) run that the 1000 Mile running club hosts annually.

“Even though I run because it’s therapeutic, I dedicate this run to my daughter, who has lupus,” Taylor said. “I hope to not only race in prison but I want to represent the men in blue and go race in the Boston marathon, if I get released.”

The 1000 Mile Club prepares the runners for the SQ marathon, held at the end of the year, by gradually increasing the miles each meet, starting at one mile. There have been 12 marathons thus far.

Commitment is what it takes. Last year’s newcomer Fidelio Marin gave Markelle “The Gazelle” Taylor a run for his money but came in second place with a completion time of 19:01.

For the 5K race, the storm beat down on the runners as they strived through the rain and light thunder.

Assistant coach Jim Morris, 70, is an ex-marine biologist. He advised the runners: “Don’t blast too fast; take it slow and keep an even pace and especially watch out for slippery spots.”

But last year’s ankle problem did not stop veteran Chris Scull from stomping through and taking third place. Time: 19:31.

Starting at a moderate pace, Jonathan Chiu suddenly got a burst of energy and took a leading stride past Steven Brooks and flowed through the finish line placing fourth, with Brooks graciously taking fifth place. Michael Ybarra took sixth while veteran Tommy Wickerd settled for seventh.

“I was just expecting to finish and not slip and get hurt again,” said Wickerd after recovering from a knee injury last year. “Here we have the option to program and make good choices, and running keeps me away from the negative influences.” He was referring to his 17 years of being sober and away from gangs.

Michael Keeyes, 71, set a new San Quentin 3-mile-race 70+ record, finishing eighth. Bruce Wells came in ninth, John Levin took tenth, and Ismael Altamirano finished in 11th place.

Moua Vue took 12th place. Vue started running last year; he joined through a commitment that he made to a friend. He began by running short distances to build up his stamina. “Training does matter,” he said. “I was gonna set a goal and break a record, be- coming faster and faster than my last time. This race I just want to do well.”

Michael Johnson took 13th.

Although the track was muddy and the rain—and even hail, at times—was sporadically beating down, Coach Frank admonished the runners to run a comfortable race because he is not taking excuses.

First timer Ben Tobin, 30, said, “Markelle ‘The Gazelle’ inspired me to participate. It’s amazing to see his level of focus. I never ran long distance before, and it’s a new adventure for me. I want to prove to myself that through commitment I can get better with time.”

Coach Frank Ruona said that Tobin started out too fast, and that’s why he came in 14th.

The race was completed when the 23rd place was taken by Edward Scott, who caught the end of the pouring winter rain.

Runners & Finish Times
1. Markelle Taylor – 17:43
2. Fidelio Marin – 19:01
3. Chris Scull – 19:31
4. Jonathan Chiu – 20:28
5. Steven Brooks – 21:10
6. Michael Ybarra – 21:21
7. Tommy Wickerd – 21:35
8. Michael Keeyes – 21:40
9. Bruce Wells – 22:10
10. John Levin – 22:13
11. Ismael ALtamirano – 22:22 12. Moua Vue – 22:38
13. Michael Johnson – 23:03 14. Benjamin Tobin – 23:20 15. Nicola Bucci – 24:43
16. Darren Settlemeyer – 24:56 17. Malcolm Jones – 25:53
18. Eric Rives – 25:53
19. Eddie Deweaver – 27:07 20. Al Yaseng – 28:00
21. Ernie Soltero – 28:51
22. Jeery Gearin – 33:32
23. Edward Scott – 19:20

Runner’s challenge to track club record stymied by alarms

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Photo by Jonath Mathew- courtesy of C. Yoo

Markelle Taylor hugging Eddie
Herena after 2017 Marathon


A 40-minute disturbance at San Quentin State Prison blew incarcerated runner Eddie Herena’s chance to take back first place in the 1000 Mile Running Club’s two- hour race Sept. 7.
“It would have been the ideal ending to my difficult but triumphant prison experience,” said Herena, who paroled Oct. 20.
At 5 feet 2 inches, 137-pound Herena was the best runner in the 1000 Mile Running Club at San Quentin until Markelle “The Gazelle” Taylor came along in 2015. Taylor, chiseled with long legs and zero body fat, broke all of Herena’s records.
At the two-hour race, Herena had a chance to go out on top before he left. With a graduation to attend, Herena started the race at 7 a.m., two hours early. He ran at a 6 minute and 55 seconds-per mile pace, then a correction officer announced, “All inmates down,” which signaled a disturbance was taking place somewhere inside the prison and required all incarcerated people to sit on the ground until it cleared.
The alarm delayed the race until 9:20 a.m., 40 minutes later.
“My plan was to finish before 9:15 to make the CRI graduation at 9:30,” Herena said. “But in prison you never know what’s going to happen.”
Herena had to stop running and left after the completion of only 8-1/2 miles in 58 minutes and 43 seconds.
“If he (Herena) would have been able to maintain that pace for the full two hours, he would have finished in first place for the run,” 1000 Mile Club coach and sponsor Frank Ruona said.
Virtually uncontested, Taylor came in first, covering a distance of 17-1/4 miles at a 7:17 pace.
Chris Scull placed second with 15-7/8 miles and Steve Reitz took third with 15-1/16 miles.
Newcomers Kelsey Eisenman and Vincent Contreras III impressed the coaches. Eisenman (6-3, 272 pounds) ran the whole two hours and completed 9-3/4 miles along with Contreras, who paced with him.
“Two months ago I was about 300 pounds,” said Eisenman, who paroled a week after the race. “I wanted to get in shape.”
Running with the 1000 Mile Club helped Eisenman go farther than he ever had before.
“I’ve mostly been running by myself,” Eisenman said. “This was my first time running with a group. It actually helped. Seeing everybody running kept me motivated.”
Contreras III (5-8, 195 pounds) didn’t think he could complete the race.
“He said he (Eisenman) was going to do it, so I said I’d do it with him so he’d have somebody to jog with,” Contreras III said. “It’s great to run with somebody— motivating.”
Almost everyone who started the race completed it. Twenty out of 24 men ran for the whole two hours with the sun beaming down. The other finishers were:
Fidelio Marin (15-1/6); Jonathan Chiu (14-11/16); Mark Jarosik (14-1/2); Bruce Wells (14-3/8); John Levin (14-1/4); Michael Keeyes (13- 7/8); Larry Ford (13-11/16); Tommy Wickerd (13-9/16); Dan McCoy (13-1/4); Darren Settlemyer (13); Michael Ybarra (13); Glen Mason (12- 1/2); Al Yaseng (12); Moua Vue (12); Nicola Bucci (11- 9/16); and Ernie Soltero (10- 1/2).

Champion running coaches honored at San Quentin

Counting 52 laps at 1000 mile club race

10 complete the ninth annual 1000 Mile Club marathon

San Quentin News & Wall City Merchandise

Counting 52 laps at 1000 mile club race

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Twenty-eight 1000 Mile Running Club runners started the Ninth Annual San Quentin Half Marathon under blue skies on a beautiful August 10 day, while community volunteers kept track of every lap. Twenty-one men completed the full 52-1/2 laps around the prison yard.
Markelle “The Gazelle” Taylor, who holds most of the club’s records, predictably came in first with a time of 1 hour, 22 minutes, 44 seconds. He runs every race with a cause in mind.
“I dedicate this race to all immigrants and children separated from their families,” Taylor said.
Without the club’s second-best runner, Eddie Herena, in the race, Chris Scull took second challenged only by Steve Reitz, who came in third. Their respective times were 1:33:06 and 1:38:30.
“Usually I’m fourth or fifth; it feels nice to get on the podium,” Reitz joked. “I thank the volunteers, like Tim Fitzpatrick. Counting laps isn’t the most interesting thing to do.”
Club coaches Frank Ruona, Diana Fitzpatrick and Kevin Rumon, along with community volunteers Tim Fitzpatrick and Jim Morris, counted the laps with help from club members who couldn’t run but still wanted to help out. Each person kept track of about four runners.

“Police departments in 13 of the 25 largest U.S. cities did not post their (operating and use-of-force) procedures online.” “The Opaque Blue Line” by C.J. Ciaramella in Reason magazine May 2017

“Counting laps is challenging,” Morris said. “I like doing this because it’s something good; it’s giving something back with the knowledge that with this much difference, I’d be the one in here hoping somebody helped me out.”
The 69-year-old worked as a biologist in the wetlands supervising lab testing before retiring.
“Counting laps is very tough; my hand is starting to cramp,” D. Fitzpatrick said. “I do this because of my commitment to the men.”

New club member Mark Jarosik, 52, expressed his appreciation for the 1000 Mile Running Club.
“It means a lot to be able to run with other guys trying to better themselves, and we really appreciated all the coaches coming out,” Jarosik said.
He came in fifth with a time of 1:40:40 right behind Steve Brooks, who took fourth.
Two of the club elders put on a great race. Larry Ford, 62, came in 10th with a time of 1:53:03.
“I’ve run more half-marathons than anybody in the club,” Ford noted.
Michael Keeyes, the oldest member of the running club at 71, came in 14th, with a time of 2:00:24, short of his 70-plus age group record of 1:47:01. As the only member of the club over 70, no one can challenge his record yet.
“I want to set the bar high, so when Larry turns 70, he has something to shoot for,” Keeyes said. “I want him to earn it.”
Daniel McCoy, 56, another new member, completed his first half-marathon.
McCoy has a pacemaker, but it doesn’t bother him in the least.
“Running helps me mentally and psychologically and it keeps me mellow in this environment,” McCoy said. “Running in my first half-marathon at San Quentin is inspirational. Talk about turning a bad into a good. I’m in prison, which is bad, but I’m accomplishing something good—better health and I appreciated the camaraderie.”
The other half-marathon finishers were: (6) David Barnes, (7) Bruce Wells, (8) Jonathan Chiu, (9) John Levin, (11) Troy Dunmore, (12) Tommy Wickerd, (13) Glen Mason, (16) Al Yaseng, (17) Lee Goins, (18) Kerry Rudd, (19) Darren Settlemyer, (20) Mona Vue and (21) Edward Mone.

PPI’s “Correctional Control: Incarceration and Supervision by State” is the first report to aggregate data on all types of correctional control nationwide.

Finding Solutions for Community Tragedies

Ultra runner see parallels between cancer and prison


 

Alliance Encourages Prisoners To ‘Change the Narrative’


 
–By Rahsaan Thomas

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