Avenal State Prison

Avenal’s “Timeless” group explores insight into our past

January 1, 2020 by San Quentin News Contributer

By Adam Jennings, Contributing Writer

Participants and facilitators of the “Timeless” group

At Avenal State Prison, the “Timeless” group is helping its incarcerated population explore the question “Can we grow into the men we want to be?”

“Timeless” is a long-term offenders group that is held in the prison’s A Facility. The group aims to give the men insight through exercises such as gathering information from their formative years in an effort to better understand how the men became who they were and are and how they arrived in prison.

The participants have a chance to gain awareness as they apply these exercises to their lives and current mindsets in regard to a vast array of criminal topics.

Today, post Prop. 57, the reality is that some individuals are attending self help groups just for R.A.C. (Rehabilitative Achievement Credits), rather than a true desire for introspection and change.

The “Timeless” program seeks to change this thought process. The group provides the skills to apply new knowledge to old ways of thinking, feeling and behaving. The program helps the men produce new constructive beliefs, manners and habits, instead of just simply going through the motions of being there.

The program goal is to help the participants improve themselves, the community and ultimately earn a parole date.

It’s no easy task. But the group members are striving to be pillars of their current society. They are sharing what they have learned and also carrying themselves with an ever evolving sense of positivity and encouragement.

The “Timeless” members and facilitators understand that the only way they can grow into the men they want to be, is by fundamentally improving themselves. This can be accomplish by altering and improving themselves on a daily basis. Then true change can manifest, giving their families and friends the men they deserve.

The group believes through hard work and dedication they can develop a community where this is both possible and celebrated.

Thanks go out to Rosemary Ndoh, program co-facilitators James lynch and Manuel Rincon, all group members and staff sponsor, Lisa Robitaille.

It is through the service of all participating members that positivity is spread. Where they used to sow destruction, now, through their changes, they are setting good examples for future generations; breaking their own personal cycles of imprisonment with the realization that there is no right way to be wrong.

The hope is that the lasting effect of these changes will be felt long after they depart. A legacy that will truly be….TIMELESS.

Avenal State Prison holds first annual Children’s Hospital art donation

November 14, 2019 by San Quentin News Contributer

All those who created artwork pieces featuring roses, cards, and knitted R2D2 and BB8 (inserts) for the Valley Children’s Hospital

This is the first annual Valley Children’s Hospital hobby donation on C-yard. By Ms. D’s graciousness we were able to host a hobby donation for the children. Those photographed participated by putting their talents together, in a joint effort to bring joy to a child’s heart through arts and crafts. The items donated included: drawings, paintings, cards, colorings, models, paper-mâchés, bracelets, necklaces, beanies, stuffed animals, etc. We have so many talents and what better way to use those talents than donate to a child who must en- dure much more than we do at such a young age.

I encourage every yard in this facility to find the time to donate to those less fortunate. As difficult as our struggles maybe, they do not compare to a sick child’s. Your thought alone can bring strength; our prayers can expand their horizons, and our change and growth can bring healing. If it’s just a smile on a child’s face then that should be enough. A special thanks to Ms. D for making this a reality. Make a difference!

The pain, suffering, and damage that our hands have done is unthinkable. For many of us, we can never make up for the harm we have caused. But does that excuse us from giving back? From making an effort to repair our lives and the lives of others? There is no better way to accomplish this than giving to those less fortunate.

Here at Avenal State Prison, on Facility C, the men had the opportunity to put their talents together for a cause very precious and dear to every one of our hearts, giving back to children less fortunate who must endure a struggle far greater than our own.
These gentlemen you see here helped, with the use of their hands and creative talents, made the items on display. From drawings to paintings, from bead items to sculptures, even a knitted R2D2 and Darth Vader were made for the kids at the Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera. The amends process begins here, and being a part of this was a tremendous blessing and a privilege.

I would like to give a special thank you to Mrs. DeArmand for being the link we needed for this special event to take place. Her willingness to help us get the hobby donations to the children made all this possible.
The weight of the harm we caused weighs heavy. With every moment we spend dwelling on the weight how will we ever be free of it? The only way to lessen the weight is to give what has so freely been given us. The majority of us have second chances in life, one of those children might not. To give back what we’ve taken; peace, stability, security, and maybe even a life, seems impossible. But with each kindness, with each selfless act of service, help, and giving we have the opportunities to bridge the gaps that our decisions and crimes have created. It’s never too late to give back. I am so thankful to be a part of the healing and what is happening here at Avenal State Prison. Even beyond these fences, for all my fellow incarcerated men who take the initiative and make amends by giving back, I applaud you. I’m encouraged. Now becoming men of honor. Our crimes do not define us, they have the potential to rebuild us, if we let them. Let the past give you motivation in giving to those who need us in the present which will inevitably create a safer tomorrow.

Barry Wilson, Avenal participant

The nature of our addiction

July 10, 2019 by San Quentin News Contributer

“The men at Avenal State Prison find support in rehabilitation”

The men at avenal State Prison program participants

Today is a day of Victory. For most just an ordinary day, but for some of us, that’s not the case. As we manage to live one more day, hour and minute from the destructive addiction that is trying to destroy not only us, everyone we come across, every day of our lives.

As addicts, we lost hope and gave up the idea that one day we would be able to stop this deadly addiction. In most situation’s it takes years to actually accept and admit that our lives had become out of control.

It isn’t until we suffer the separation from family members, society and dealing with courts, prisons and ultimately total withdrawal from moral decency and abandonment of spiritual hope that we realized the negative effects that our addiction led us to.

We are fortunate to have a program like Narcotics Anonymous, where the primary purpose is to stay clean and carry the message to the addict who still suffers. NA has taught us that if you’re serious about recovery, it WILL work.

Through the support of the group, sponsors and volunteers, we began to change attitudes, choices and decisions, rather than support our old way of thinking.

In this Edition of the San Quentin Newspaper, we dedicate this article to Avenal State Prison “B Yard” Narcotics Anonymous group. None of this would be possible if not for our Warden R. NDOH, B yard Captain N. Gonzalez and supporting staff and volunteers who actively participated. Thanks to Ms. Jimenez

who recently volunteered her time to be part of this new initiative to promote rehabilitation to those inmates seeking ways to better themselves.

We would like to give special thanks to our Facility B NA sponsors, L. Robitaille of 2 1⁄2 yrs. and J. Hignojoz, our newest sponsor. On behalf of the whole group, we would like to thank them for their endless hard work and sincere dedication to provide necessary materials to make this group a huge success. It’s because of people like them who believe in rehabilitation, that we are able to see this program truly succeed. Thank you for participating in this new chapter of our lives. Now we seek to develop and exercise a better way of living, reaching out to help others find the same peace we are finding.