San Quentin News

Written By Incarcerated - Advancing Social Justice

Former youth offenders start Kid CAT program at Lancaster

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The successful San Quentin Kid CAT program for youth offenders is expanding to Lancaster Prison, thanks to help from three former inmates.
“It was really the guys inside’s hunger to get the program,” explained Tommy Winfrey, who left San Quentin in 2016. “There was a hunger there to change their lives. I saw the same concern and willingness to change that I witnessed during my time at San Quentin.”
Kid CAT alumni Winfrey, Philip Melendez and Anouthinh Pangthong recently visited Lancaster to help them start their own Kid CAT chapter. After paroling from San Quentin, the three men continue to advocate for awareness of youth offender programs. They reported on their work via e- mails to the San Quentin News.
Lancaster Community Resource Manager Erika Lane reviewed Kid CAT’s First Step curriculum and looked for successful members who could become part of the orientation process. The inaugural group at Lancaster consisted of 30 youth offenders, with a growing wait list.
“We’ve set up nine members who are going to facilitate the curriculum and develop the group in as close of a model as we can get it to the San Quentin group,” said Melendez, released from San Quentin in 2017. “I’m still continuing the restorative work that I learned in Kid CAT.

“I couldn’t come home and forget about the experiences of survivors or the experiences of folks who are in prison. The healing needed on all sides is what motivates me.”
“I’ve often heard that programs like Kid CAT can’t operate and affect change on a level IV yard, but I believe that sentiment is wrong,” Winfrey remarked. “People want to be a part of a community. They want to change for the better; they want to go home and be productive members of society.”
“On the Level IV, there are some programs, but not enough to meet the needs of the long waiting lists of guys who want to participate in programs,” added Melendez, who flew to Los Angeles from San Francisco.
“I didn’t get paid to do this; in fact, it cost me money,” said Winfrey, who lives in San Diego. “I did it because I was once one of those guys on a Level IV yard with nothing to help me change—no hope and the feeling of being forgotten.
“I wanted those guys to know there is hope, that they are not forgotten, and have a program that can help them see that reality.
“Since returning to society, I have been working in the field of juvenile justice reform, and this is an extension of the work I am committed to.”
“At the end of our two-day visit, we went around and checked out,” Melendez noted. “They all were super grateful and inspired by our stories.
“We told them about the charitable and restorative work we did at SQ, and I even talked to their community resource manager about the Hygiene Drive, Amala Walks, food sales and Project Avary. The guys at Lancaster will definitely be able to create these events and are anxious to start giving back.”
“I hope those guys will take charge of their destiny, join the conversation about justice in this state and country, and realize how they ended up in the place that they did,” Winfrey said. “I hope that the group grows and changes the culture of a yard so much so that critics look at them as a model of what is possible and don’t say they don’t deserve anything.
“These guys are not their actions, and they can be better tomorrow—just like the guys on Level II yards. They just need hope in their lives, and I believe that is what we left them with.”

Kid CAT banquet honors the forgotten voices of youth

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Kid CAT celebrated the “forgotten voices” of youth at its 2018 annual banquet.

“Tonight’s Banquet was about bringing awareness to the youths, who think that their voices are not being heard and are afraid to express how they feel to their parents or caretakers,” said Si Dang, Kid CAT chairman.

Kid CAT is a group of men who committed their crimes as juveniles and are serving adult sentences.

Capturing the night’s theme of “forgotten voices” was a series of speakers, actors and musicians who dug into the topics of foster care, homelessness and restorative justice.

Speaking about homelessness was Kid CAT member Chase Benoit, 23.

“I became homeless at 9 years old and although it only lasted a few weeks, the impact will last forever. My dad tried his hardest to make it fun like an adventure, but even then I knew something wasn’t right,” Benoit said.

Chase Benoit

The last time Benoit was homeless was at the age of 19, six months before he committed his life crime. He slept in cars, on couches and in a tent.

“We had nowhere to go. I had no one but my brother. If it weren’t for him, I probably would’ve starved to death,” Benoit said.

“Being homeless taught me that I can get through anything. Now I want to help other homeless youth find their voice because they are not alone.”

Addressing community efforts to help homeless youths was Stacy Sciortino, program director of the Community Assessment and Resource Center from Huckleberry House in San Francisco, which assists more than 1,000 runaway youths each year.

Stacy Sciotino

“A lot of these kids are misunderstood. Their traumas are often masked by acting out,” Sciortino said. “Instead of judging them, let us embrace their challenges and help them so that they won’t feel unheard.”

Youth offender Thanh Tran, 24, spoke about his journey from foster care to prison.

“I was placed into foster care at 2 years old because my mother was addicted to crack cocaine,” Tran said.

Along with growing up without a family, Tran spoke about being bullied in school and neglected by his foster parents, which led him to make a decision to join a gang.

“It is now my goal to continue to work with at-risk youths and give voice to the voiceless, so that they won’t end up here like me,” Tran adds.

Speaking on the topic of school violence was Tommy “Shakur” Ross, 52, Kid CAT member.

“School violence was at the root of my self-destructive ways,” Ross said. “At six years old, I was sexually molested on the way to school by a stranger.”

After the assault, Ross stated that his life spiraled out of control.

After a series of other traumatic assaults growing up, Ross made a decision to join a gang and committed a gang- related murder at 19 years old; this resulted in the retaliation murder of his mother and younger brother.

“Nothing and no one made me commit my crimes…But I can’t help but to wonder, how could my school-to-prison pipeline experience be prevented?” Ross added.

Giving the keynote address was paroled Kid CAT co-founder Neighp “Ke” Lam.

“Three years ago, I was sit- ting in the audience wearing blue just like you. My inmate number was J-52482. I know what it’s like to be hopeless and not knowing when I will get the chance to go home. So if I can make it out, you can too.

“I’m still doing the work, helping to pass legislation for youth offenders. Know that you are not forgotten, and we’re waiting for you out here,” Lam added.

Capping the night of forgotten voices was Kid CAT member Jason Samuel, who spoke about having a restorative justice dialogue with his victims.

“I was nervous and in disbelief when Tom Morgan, the police officer who I tried to kill on April 13, 1997, wanted to meet me in a victim-offender dialogue,” Samuel said.

Speaking at the banquet on behalf of Christy Morgan, Tom’s wife, was dialogue facilitator Martina Lutz Schneider, who read a letter from Ms. Morgan.

“I had viewed Jason as a monster for trying to kill my husband, and I was afraid of him. In May of 2018, I was able to witness a dialogue between him and my husband. Jason was humble and apologetic. He hugged Tom and cried! This was when I knew that he was not a monster but a changed man,” Ms. Morgan wrote.

“The path of Jason’s journey gives me happiness and hope, for that I am eternally thankful.”

Upon reflection, community guest and Project Avary volunteer Jon Deleon, said. “It was really moving and humbling to hear everyone’s story, the men were authentic and vulnerable.

Closing out the event was Kid CAT co-founder Phang Thao, 42.

“As Kid CATs banquet draws to a close, we all heard powerful themes which touch on children’s ‘forgotten voices’ and how these voices caused street and school violence in our communities,” Thao said.

“As Kid CAT passes along these grains of insight, it’s you, the men in blue, outside volunteers, and guests’ responsibility to nurture the growth of children. We can all do it through intervention, prevention, and mentoring our children into responsible adults.”

David Inocencio

Importance of good character and integrity in prison

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Photo by Eddie Herena, SQN

Lynn Beyett and Marty Walters at the Brothers’ Keepers graduation

Cost of reputation, Part 1

Editor’s note: Survival in prison often depends on reputation. A good reputation confers respect and longevity. A bad reputation may result in being ostracized, extorted, assaulted or, worse, murdered. This three-part series will feature stories of survival and redemption.

“When I first came to prison I wanted to be left alone, not to be harassed or victimized by other inmates,” said Marty Walters, 50, who has been incarcerated 30 years for first-degree murder. “So, I acted like a tough guy and made weapons because I wasn’t going to let people boss me around.”
Two months into his prison sentence at Pelican Bay maximum security prison, he committed his first stabbing.
“A guy sex-played me as a joke, and I thought I had to make an example out of him,” Walters said. “So I went to my cell, sharpened a knife made from a door handle to kill him, when my cellmate asked me what I was doing. He said, ‘That guy was just playing, that’s how people play in prison.’ But I didn’t believe him.

“So I went after him and ended up with a reputation as being crazy.”

Walters’ trajectory to prison started at the age of 17, when he started selling drugs.

At the age of 20, Walters was arrested for manufacturing and distributing 800 pounds of meth.
“When I sold drugs in the streets, I wanted to be the best that there was at it,” Walters said. “Having a solid reputation in the drug game begets respect, and it deterred rivals from robbing you. In order to gain a reputation to survive in the drug business and in prison, I used violence.”
During a botched drug deal, Walters murdered a person and was sentenced to 25 years-to-life at the age of 22.
During his incarceration, Walters received 25 disciplinary infractions, from trafficking narcotics to inmate battery. He also participated in seven riots.
“It was never my goal to become ‘the man’ in prison, however, I got tired of be- ing in riots for stupid things people did, such as owe money for drug debts or dis- respect. I thought if I could control my own race, then these things wouldn’t happen anymore.”

In prison, people often form alliances based on gang affiliations or by race.

After a decade of building up a reputation using violence and volunteering to assault other inmates for his associates, Walters was selected to become a shot-caller for the Whites at Pleasant Valley State Prison.

“One of the main reasons why I was chosen was because I didn’t use drugs,” Walters said. “This was important because most shot-callers caused riots for refusing to pay drug debts.”

Hope for Lifers facilitators (top row) Kevin Carr, Gary Kosta, Marty Walters
and Robert Tyler (bottom row) James Metters and Nicolas Bucci


In prison, drug addicts are often shunned or ostracized or being a potential problem source.

“Some of the incentives of being a shot-caller was a feeling of being respected—whatever I said was going to be obeyed,” Walters said.
“I could deter- mine the fate of anyone who opposed me. This included having people murdered, stabbed or taken off the yard.”
In order to maintain power, people of influence often resort to violence. However, that comes with a cost.

I’ve spent almost nine years in solitary confinement and had numerous confidential information placed in my file,” Walters said.
Confidential information, or “kites,” is often information given to prison officials anonymously by inmates due to fear or rivalry.
Confidential information can be used by prison officials to deny parole, and in the past, it could be used to place an inmate into solitary confinement indefinitely.
“I lost my compassion and humanity being a shot-caller,” Walters said. “On many occasions I had to order someone I knew or liked to be taken out for a rule violation.”

Those who violate the prisoner code of conduct may face punishment that ranges from being placed on a work-out routine to being murdered.

“Living this life, I created a lot of enemies, some of whom are here with me at this prison,” Walters said.

One of them is Lynn Beyett, 66, who has been incarcerated for the past 21 years.
“I don’t really blame Marty (Walters) for having me assaulted,” Beyett said. “The old me would’ve done the same to him if the roles were reversed.
“Although the assault took place over a decade ago, I never fully recovered my reputation, but I am fine with that. After I promised my daughter that I would never go back to being who I used to be, I stepped away from participating in prison politics.”
Beyett has known Walters for over three decades since they were both at Pelican Bay State Prison.
“When I got here in 2013, I made it my priority to apologize to Lynn and, fortunately, we found a way to forgive each other, even though in the past he said he wanted revenge,” Walters said.
In response, Beyett said, “I had to forgive Marty, because we used to be the same. For me not to forgive him meant I couldn’t forgive myself. It was difficult to do this at first, but as time’s gone by, I have gained a greater understanding and compassion for Marty and myself.
“As for Marty, he has changed more than I could’ve possibly imagined—he has become a person with a very good heart.”

Today, Beyett and Walters are both part of the Brothers Keepers program in San Quentin as rape and crisis counselors helping inmates in need.

Walters also works as a drug treatment counselor helping those with addiction. In addition, he helps other inmates with legal assistance, skills he honed fighting criminal charges he had accumulated in prison.
In spite of being decades-free from disciplinary infractions and gang affiliation, Walters’ prison history continues to be a reason for him not being found suitable for parole.
Walters will have another chance at parole in 2019.

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Dear Kid CAT by Mr. Milo

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Dear Kid CAT,
You guys are awesome. Your work is impressive and helps change societies perception of us.
I’d like to share my story with other youth offenders who are excluded from relief from SB261 for a prior strike. I’m currently serving 200-to-life for attempted murder at the age of 22. I’m 39 years old today and am involved in multiple self-help groups and mentoring. Although we are excluded from reducing our time, I want to encourage those of us who are excluded to stay focused on being better people. Don’t lose hope. Society is evolving and they understand we have value and can change. If we want others to fight for us, we must be someone worth fighting for.
Sincerely,
J. Milo, Corcoran State Prison

Dear Mr. Milo,

The original founders of Kid CAT had the dream that juveniles would one day be seen as capable of redemption with a capacity to make something of their lives. Fast forward eight years: Kid CAT played a role in helping to pass SB 9, 260, 261 and AB 1276. Thanks to the vision of our founders and our commitment to demonstrating our capacity to change, we are now viewed as worthy of being given a shot at freedom. Our work today continues the vision of our founders to give light and voice to the marginalized. As of this writing, only two of the original founders are still here – the others are leading successful lives on the outside after being found suitable for parole.

San Quentin News & Wall City Merchandise

KID CAT graduates 43 in its fourth cycle

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https://sanquentinnews.com/super-bowl-coach-king-marcher-devotes-time-kidcat/

Dear Kid CAT, I. Medina,Tehachapi

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During the past couple of months I have spoken to several facility sponsors concerning the Kid CAT Childhood development program and support group. As of today there are a couple of sponsors willing to support me toward proposing a Kid CAT branch here in California Institution in Tehachapi. This has taken me time because of the programs pending approval by our Community Resource Manager (CRM).

Once I look over the curriculum and facilitator’s manual, I will prepare the proposal directed to our CRM.

On behalf of the community here in Tehachapi we thank you for the curriculum and know that the program will prosper for the better of the inmate population here.

Sincerely,

I. Medina, California Correctional Institution

Dear Medina,

Thank you for your interest and hard work in trying to create a Kid CAT branch at Tehachapi. We are grateful for the opportunity to be of service to support your endeavor to find solutions for rehabilitation on behalf of the community there. We look forward to hearing about your progress and how the group is coming along. Good luck!

http://sanquentinnews.com/optionb-org-support-group-overcoming-effects-incarceration/

KID CAT graduates 43 in its fourth cycle

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With a class of 43, the largest graduating class yet, a group of inmate facilitators and advisors were in a boisterous mood as they prepared the certificates for the fourth graduating cycle of Kid CAT’s (Creating Awareness Together) First Step curriculum on a Sunday evening this spring.

The ARC building was set up for a celebration with nametags on chairs for all the graduates as they waited outside the building. As do all groups, the attendees signed in as they filtered into the ARC building.

The graduates completed a 28-week three-phase childhood development curriculum of eight modules. The philosophy of first offering a safe place for men to process the consequences of their upbringing was on full display at the March 24.

The First Step curriculum explores the root causes of criminal thinking and violent behavior as well as ways to address those factors through written assignments, self-exploration, lectures and group discussions.

An inmate-created group, Kid CAT has a full range of inmate facilitators across the racial and age spectrums of California prisoners. They all have in common not so much their crimes as the age they committed them. Many minors were sentenced as adults.

“64% of California’s jail population is awaiting trial or sentencing as of December 2016.” Most remain in pretrial custody because they cannot afford bail.  Jail Profile Survey, http://www.bscc.ca.gov/

There are two regular meetings: one for Kid CAT lifers on Sunday afternoons, and the general Kid CAT group that meets on Sunday evenings in the ARC room.

Lizzie Buchen at the Kid C.A.T. Banquet

At the graduation, co-lead facilitators Natalie Bell and Shadeed “Sha” Wallace-Stepter introduced the graduates and passed out the certificates. Wallace-Stepter warned the group that “after graduation, we are going to go into games and you can win prizes. Sit close to people in your circle…

Fateen Jackson, an inmate facilitator, gave an emotionally charged rap performance about consequences, “not just from my crime but also for my redemption. You need regret to begin ‘my mission for redemption,’ to be forgiven. To an end, this is our mission for redemption.”

“…childhood adversity and stress can chemically change the way our brain works,” said Dr. Robert Anda, a medical epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and developer of the Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACE survey to The New York Times in “Linking Childhood Trauma to Prison’s Revolving Door” nytimes.com/national

Next they took a break for a game that took up most of the evening. It was an opportunity for the graduates, inmate facilitators and outside advisors to act out emotions as individuals and as teams.

The process: Call up the outside facilitators and inmates to present an emotion.

They performed a “perp-walk”… a way to have the outside facilitators interact with the men.

Compete as teams—all a good-natured expression of showing and recognizing emotions.

Travis Westly ran the game, ribbed all the participants, and followed up with a second game to act out one of the eight modules:

Masculinity

Self-Identities

Identifying Emotions

Communication

Environmental Influences

Consequences

Empathy/Compassion

Forgiveness

Eddie Herena, one of the Fourth Cycle graduates, said, “It took about eight months to finish the class, and it was time well-spent. To me, if you take one self-help group you’ve taken them all, but Kid CAT was different. Each of the eight modules led to the same place, a place where I could learn to forgive myself.”

Charlie Spence, chairman of Kid CAT, made an extra effort to congratulate everyone on making it through a complete cycle given the numerous lockdowns that had extended the group’s sessions.

“Our hope is that this is the first step of the work and my hope is that Kid CAT has given you an insight to yourself and families. Special thanks to Natalie, who does an amazing job of organizing. Thank you for inviting outside folks that can consider joining Kid CAT,” Spence said.

Kid C.A.T. members share their personal stories in
hopes of inspiring the troubled youth to change their lives

When asked about the plans for Kid CAT, Spence said, “We seek to be more inclusive. We have voted to reserve 10 percent of our membership capacity for those who committed their crimes between the ages of 20 to 25.”

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http://sanquentinnews.com/kid-cat-symposium-highlights-value-of-rehabilitation/

Professor teaches next generation through video


 
Boatwright

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