San Quentin

The demands of the #stopsanquentinoutbreak coalition

September 30, 2020 by San Quentin Outbreak Coalition

This article was written back in August and reflects conditions then.
After months of urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to take action to curb the spread of COVID-19 in our prison system, we are relieved to see that he is finally starting to grant releases.

The governor’s July 10 promise to review 8,000 incarcerated people for release is a step in the right direction. But releasing a mere 6 percent of the people inside California’s overcrowded prisons falls woefully short of the large-scale decarceration needed to protect the health and safety of the community.

We stand by public health experts who have clearly stated that the prison population must be reduced to below 50 percent of what the prisons were designed for to adequately address unsafe overcrowding during the pandemic.

To reach the recommended target of 50 percent capacity, roughly 2,000 people would need to be released from San Quentin alone — the site of California’s worst COVID-19 outbreak where to date, over 1,900 people tested positive.

In just the last three weeks, at least 10 people have died at San Quentin due to COVID-19, the majority of them were housed on Death Row.

Failure to reduce the population significantly will result in incarcerated people continuing to face grave risk of illness, inhumane conditions of confinement, and death.

While the incarcerated community is most at risk, public health experts have emphasized that a drastic population reduction is also necessary to prevent community transmission and bed capacity shortages at local hospitals.

In addition, the Newsom Administration’s continued focus on people with non-violent convictions ignores the undeniable truths that those convicted of serious offenses grow and change over time, that people age out of crime, and that those committed for violent offenses actually have the lowest rates of re-arrest upon release.

We urge Gov. Newsom to expand his release plans to include incarcerated people across all categories of convictions and sentencing — including those serving Life Without Parole and condemned sentences — and consider individuals for release based on who they are today.

Families and community organizations are eager and prepared to receive our loved ones and the larger incarcerated community upon their re-entry. We will continue to push for comprehensive releases as long as the threat of harm and death by COVID-19 in prisons continues.

We reiterate the demands from our coalition, as stated at our recent press conference outside San Quentin State Prison:
1. Gov. Newsom must visit San Quentin State Prison and tour the facility with the press so he can bear witness to the deplorable conditions inside.
2. The governor and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation must immediately stop all transfers between California prisons, and from prisons to ICE detention centers.
3. Gov. Newsom must begin the process of drastically reducing the overall prison population to below 50 percent of current capacity, as recommended by Amend, a group of medical professionals at the University of California San Francisco that works to transform correctional culture to reduce debilitating health effects. Amend visited San Quentin in the midst of the outbreak, on June 13. In order to achieve this level of decarceration, Newsom must grant releases without categorical exclusions based on crimes of commitment or sentencing.
4. The governor must prioritize the release of transgender people who are at disproportionate risk of harm and violence in prison. Additionally, CDCR must ensure that the incarcerated trans community has access to hormones and healthcare immediately – before and after their release.

The #StopSanQuentinOutbreak coalition is comprised of formerly incarcerated folks, loved ones with direct connections to San Quentin State Prison, community organizers, and several social justice organizations. We commit to working with currently incarcerated folks to ensure that our advocacy is grounded in their needs and vision, as we engage in rapid response work combatting the horrendous COVID-19 outbreak impacting prison facilities across California.

When sports turn an eye toward prison

February 13, 2020 by Joe Garcia

Scott Budnick, Vivek Ranadive and Trevor Ariza inside Folsom housing block

The Sacramento Kings showed love to Folsom State prisoners during a special night of community healing. In a circle within the prison chapel, they shared life experiences before celebrating Folsom’s newly renovated outdoor basketball court.

Kings players, owner Vivek Ranadive, coach Luke Walton and others joined filmmaker-turned-social activist Scott Budnick to hear personal stories from incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals at the Play For Justice event Dec. 12.

Vlade Divac hugging an incarcerated person

“My recent visit to Folsom State Prison hit me in the gut in a wayI have rarely felt before,” Ranadive wrote in a Sacramento Bee op/ed. “140 years of captivity, fear and hopelessness hung in the air.”

Similar to San Quentin State Prison’s style of public tours, the out- side visitors, including Sacramento City Council member Steve Hansen, walked through one of Folsom’s housing units—to see for themselves how California treats its prisoners.

“The men—two to a cramped cell that looked like a cage—stared at us with hollow eyes,” Ranadive wrote. “I know there are victims on the other side of the equation…

“But seeing men in such conditions is something I will never forget.”

What seemed to move Ranadive the most, however, was the time spent in the circle listening to voices of incarceration.

“Each person spoke with honesty and integrity—more than I encounter in daily life,” he said. “There were no excuses.

“Each took complete responsibility for their actions and—even when the hope of leaving prison was slim— worked hard every day to better them- selves.”

Organized through Bud- nick’s REPRESENT JUS- TICE, the Play For Justice group also featured former Kings center Vlade Divac, current Kings forwards

Trevor Ariza and Marvin Bagley III, developmental coach Rico Hines and others.

Ariza pointed to prisoners in their cells and noted how some were physically bigger than him yet unable to fully stand up within their own living spaces.

The Represent Justice Campaign launched itself alongside the Budnick- produced film, Just Mercy, which co-stars Jamie Foxx, Michael B. Jordan and Sacramento native Brie Larson.

Larson and the cast intend to participate in future Play For Justice initiatives, reported The Undefeated, an online publication.

King’s forward Marvin Bagley III loving every minute with the Folsom crowd

“We know that showing the humanity, resilience and transformation of those be- hind bars leads to more empathetic and humane laws— and a system more rooted in justice and rehabilitation,” said Budnick, as quoted by The Hollywood Reporter.

Represent Justice and Budnick later delivered a Christmas treat to 11 young men and women housed at the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility, taking them by bus on a field trip to the Los Angeles Lakers’ practice gym Dec. 23.

Lakers forward LeBron James and Just Mercy ac- tor Michael B. Jordan hung out with all the youths and joined them in a roundtable discussion.

Later the kids split up into 5-on-5 Play For Justice teams, coached by former Laker Champions Robert Horry and Metta World Peace, and played ball on the training facility’s hard court.

“Many of the [visiting youth offenders] said it was the first time they felt free in years,” said Budnick. “The day was a reminder that people cared about them.

“They felt heard, loved and had a sense of hope and inspiration for their futures.”

The Kings’ Folsom event had also included a Play For Justice basketball game— right there on the prison yard. The game showcased a restored outdoor court under a newly added pavilion roof complete with full-scale lighting.

“We’re proud to be the first participant in the Play For Justice initiative, which is shining a bright light on the unique issues facing incarcerated people in communities around the country,” said Ranadive.

The Milwaukee Bucks plan to bring Play For Justice to correctional facilities throughout Wisconsin, starting in February and featuring Bucks guards Sterling Brown and George Hill.

Brown currently holds a civil lawsuit against the city of Milwaukee, after the po- lice used a stun gun on him during a publicized arrest for allegedly double-parking in a disabled person spot.

“My teammates, coaches and I are honored to take part in this unique criminal justice initiative to hear the stories of our community members and the challenges they face on a daily basis,” said Brown.

Nike also came on board to donate shoes and other gear to the incarcerated Wisconsin athletes, whose families will be allowed to come watch them play.

“We are looking forward to sharing in this experience with them while also identifying how we can further this important conversation nationwide through basketball,” added Brown.

SF Police personnel visit SQ for second “Blue on Blue” conversation

January 1, 2020 by Juan Haines

Small group discussion between the incarcerated and SF police personnel

Two dozen San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) personnel made their way across San Quentin’s Lower Yard on Nov. 22 and stood among men they may have previously arrested. It was a part of the second “Blue-on-Blue Conversation” (BBC) held at the prison.

Former SF Deputy District Attorney Marisa Rodriguez, now head of the San Francisco Office of Cannabis, organized the first BBC on May 24. “We thought this experience was powerful and eye popping,” said SFPD Commander David Lazar.

“Often we don’t see the other side,” said SFPD Chief Will Scott at the second BBC. “We make an arrest, testify and don’t see the other side and how they are impacted.”

Deputy Chief Greg McEachern, added, “I want people in the department to see the impact and get a better understanding of their role and responsibilities as officers—to see the human side of things. When you put handcuffs on someone, there’s a human being there.”

The line officers, sergeants, lieutenants, and captains as well as two civilians convened in the prison’s Protestant Chapel. About two dozen incarcerated men, along with local Bay Area volunteers and a prison staffer, joined the officers in a large circle to introduce themselves.

Facilitators, participants and San Francisco Police at the Garden Chapel

Some police officers told the BBC participants, “We’re ordered to be here.” Officer Michael Amorose added, “I don’t mind gaining experience.”

After the introductions, the participants went into small circles for more personal discussions. The prisoners broke the ice by talking about their first interaction with the police. The officers talked about why they joined the force. The conversation topics varied from respecting each other in the community to the power of effective communication skills to de-escalate tense encounters.

“I came with an open mind, and I’m taking away the experiences of people and their interaction with police,” said Officer Amorose. “I told the people in my circle about my experience, and they took something away.”

Deputy Chief McEachern added, “My thoughts are not the same as when I first became an officer 29 years ago. Now, they are, ‘How can I give newer officers my knowledge? When you grew up, how did you see the police—what were your views?’ Knowing that could help our young officers.”

SF police personnel visiting SQ’s North Block housing

Rafael Cuevas, an incarcerated peer-to-peer educator, said, “What would help is to give better choices to people who think it’s okay to break the law—arresting people who break the law and sending them to prison does not stop crime, but arresting them and then offering them better choices will have better outcomes.”

Troy Young, who recently earned parole suitability, added, “Talking works. There’s power in just speaking a kind word—speak to the community—every time I see you and you speak to me. That’s what you’ll be remembered by—it’s how we treat each other that counts.”

After about an hour in the small circles, the participants went back to the large circle to talk about what they’ve learned.

Chief Scott talked about a poll that asked SFPD personnel about their values.

“What rang through was everybody wants to be treated with respect; it didn’t come from me; it came from the officers,” Scott said.

He said a major topic in his small circle was being treated with respect by police officers, “Sharing that is profound.”

Officer Nathan Chew added, “If you’re respectful and not judgmental, even with a ticket or arrest, it’s returned. You have to show that compassion and respect.”

Sergeant Jeffery Aloise, a 20-year veteran with SFPD, works in the Mission District.

Aloise said he understands the power of having a good relationship with the community as well as the importance of trust—“to treat people the same, as human beings.” He said, “Having the experience of coming into San Quentin and being in this forum will help.”

For the past three years, Marcy Ginsburg has been coming into the prison once a week as a facilitator for Criminal Gangs (CGA).

“CGA forces men to dig into the deep recesses of their lives. It’s unbelievable to see their change, just from talking.”

In an effort to be honest and to change his criminal thinking, Antoine Smith said, “I had to become accountable, and in order to do that I had to look at myself.”

Referring to the experience of talking to police officers at both BBC events, San Quentin News (SQN) staffer Juan Espinosa said, “I feel more confident to approach a police officer and be a part of the community.”

Lieutenant Derrick Jackson is a 24-year veteran with SFPD.

Jackson previously worked with the gang task unit. He now works robbery. He said his experience investigating robberies gives him the chance to see some of the social factors that lead to crime. He said that his experience in San Quentin, of witnessing healing, lets him “see a system that’s working.”

SQN adviser Nikki Meredith expressed hearing “cultures of cruelty” from listening to the shared experiences of police officers and prisoners. She was, however, encouraged about the future of policing in San Francisco after hearing an older officer say that the younger officers are “the most educated, well-trained class we’ve ever had.”

After hearing many of the incarcerated men speak honestly about the reasons they chose a criminal lifestyle, Chief Scott commented that accountability was also an important factor in his belief in second chances.

“Being here gave me a new understanding of accountability,” Scott said. “This puts accountability at a high level.”

Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs checks out San Quentin Enneagram program

July 15, 2019 by Juan Haines

Enneagram class on lower yard with Micheal Tubbs & wife Anna Tubbs

Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs and his wife, Anna, came to San Quentin to join a class aimed at helping prisoners gain self-respect and overcome childhood trauma.

Anna Tubbs said they came to the prison because they’re “both social justice concerned. It’s important to meet people directly impacted by policy choices—to be seen personally—to understand the needs of the people.”

Michael Tubbs & wife Anna with Enneagram class & Sponsors

The incarcerated men par- take in a program led by Susan Olesek. It is called The Enneagram Prison Project (EPP): Freeing the Incarcerated from the Prisons of Our Own Making. The program takes participants on a 20- week journey aimed at get- ting a better sense of self. rd, Prior to class on June 3 Micheal Tubbs sat down for an interview. He compared the city of Stockton and its “significant amount of re- sources” with coming inside a prison to see programs such as EPP, computer coding, and college programs. His reaction: “Why did I have to come inside a prison to see this? Why don’t we have these programs on the outside?”

Once the class started, Raiveon “Ray Ray” Wooden read a poem, “Temptation Within Myself.”

He then told a story about childhood abuse and how it traumatized him. Trauma turned to shame, he said, which turned to doubt that warped his thinking about himself.

Wooden said coming to prison gave him the chance to rethink his life from “being one of distant loneliness to finding support and love.”

“It’s hard to share these things and not worry about my pride,” Wooden said as he cited a stanza from his poem: “How to love yourself— how to find yourself”

“I came to prison to be safe,” Wooden said.

Olesek told the class that Wooden’s story is “one of a hero’s journey, on how to reclaim his life; to say it out loud to people makes them look at you in a good way.”

She commented on how adults don’t recognize painful lives in their children. Looking at Wooden she added, “Where did he get the idea that he had no worth? Who wasn’t there?”

Olesek turned to the class and said, “Don’t put yourself down by only focusing on what you did to get in prison without putting your life in the context of the circumstances.”

She told the class that “trauma is when you keep re- living the past.”

Then, she asked how many participants suffered from a childhood trauma. All hands went up, including Michael and Anna.

“How do we organize our society so that we value families?” Michael asked. His concern is to provide a safe and healthy environment for growing families.

“How can you protect your child?” Anna asked. “ You can’t control everything, but you can be there 100 percent as a parent who decides to bring a child into the world.”

Anna talked about working with students who felt like they couldn’t tell their own stories.

“But when these kids do get the opportunity to share their stories, they find out that they are not alone and share similar experiences—the sharing gives them the chance to connect,” Anna said.

Some people are locked up emotionally, the mayor implied. “You don’t have to be in San Quentin to be in prison,” he said.

SQ artists raise money for the fight against cancer

August 19, 2018 by Rahsaan Thomas

Kim Bailey and daughter Rachel talking with former SQ resident Clinton Martin (center)

Artists incarcerated at San Quentin used their talent to raise money for cancer research at Cords Gallery during a First Friday art walk in Oakland.

“I’ve been so inspired by the work of men inside who want to give back to their community and give back in creative ways, to not just support each other inside but to make an impact on the lives of folks in the greater community outside,” said Samantha Feld, a member of the San Quentin Compassionate Accountability Responsibly Expressed through Service (SQ CARES) committee that organized the event.

On May 4, artwork made by men at San Quentin lined a wall at Cords Gallery. Prices ranged from $40 to $150 to raise money for the Women’s Cancer Resource Center (WCRC).

WCRC provides financial support and therapy for women fighting cancer and for their families..

“Your generosity directly impacts our success in meeting our clients’ needs,” said Christine Sinnott, development manager of the WCRC.

“In 1935 the Supreme Court declared that a prosecutors job is more than merely winning every case by racking up convictions; it also included seeing that justice is done.” “Pressing Pause on Marijuana Convictions” NYT Opinion July 30, 2018

SQ CARES raised almost $1,200 last year.

“Every gift we receive helps ease the burden for those living with cancer in real and concrete ways,” Sinnott said. “We are proud to partner with you in the service of our mission, and we look forward to your continued support.”

San Quentin CARES fundraising efforts include a two-day Cancer Walk on the prison yard.

The SQ CARES committee consists of incarcerated men like Stephen Pascascio, Juan “Carlos” Meza, Alexei “Peru” Ruiz, Ronell “Rauch” Draper, Edmond Richardson, “Khalifah” Christopher Christensen and others.

Because Christensen works as a clerk in the Arts in Corrections program, he took charge of recruiting artists and getting artwork cleared and to the gallery on time. Chris Bailey and Shannon Gordhamer handled the details on the outside.

At least 17 people donated 31 pieces of art, Christensen said.

The event raised approximately $700 and helped bring awareness to the cause, using art as an icebreaker.

Paintings done by San Quentin artists displayed at the Cords Gallery

“It makes me feel proud of what I’m doing,” Pascascio said. “It gives me a desire to keep on working hard.”

Christensen, who clears $21 a month from his prison job after restitution, donated a Star Wars inspired painting called, “Ish’ta Meets Her Mother.” The price it fetched allowed him to contribute beyond what he could make working in prison.

“It means everything to me to be able give back,” Christensen said. “The life that I lived out there, I took and took and took. This is my only opportunity to give back because I might never get out and just sitting in prison doing time doesn’t repay anything.”

Feld, Pascascio and Christensen all cite personal reasons for wanting to help fight cancer.

“I think what is so special about this project and the artwork is that it breaks through boundaries and barriers and really demonstrates how breast cancer affects everyone, regardless whether you are incarcerated or your race or age or whether you’re inside or outside,” said Feld. “So many of us have been affected by this disease.

“I lost my mother and grandmother to breast cancer and I came inside and realized many face the same loss and experienced the same thing. And I have been very inspired by the commitment and creativity.”

Pascascio has family members affected by cancer including his mother, sisters, and an aunt.

“They motivated me to do it,” Pascascio said.

Christensen said he saw how the fear of getting cancer affected his stepbrother’s wife. After her mom and sister died of breast cancer, she had a double mastectomy at 27 years old as a safety precaution.

SQ CARES sponsor Kim Bailey attended the art sale with her daughter Rachael. Formerly incarcerated SQ CARES members Clinton Martin and Phil Melendez also attended.

“It’s nice to see people who went home still supporting our cause from out there,” Christensen said.

-UC Berkeley graduate student Arielle Swedback contributed to this story.

ROOTS Solidarity Run helps spirits of the community

Project Avary sets benefit march

PUP grads take center stage

August 14, 2018 by Kevin Sawyer

PUP graduates Darin Williams, Harry Hemphill, Jose Rivera, Nathan McKinney, Craig Johnson, Gerald Morgan and Claudius Johnson with their Associates of Arts degrees

“Pomp and Circumstance” played and everyone stood to applaud the Prison University Project’s (PUP) class of 2018 as they took center stage in San Quentin State Prison’s visiting room in June.

Nine men graduated and received their Associative Arts degree from Patten University.

One of the graduates, Gerald Morgan, welcomed his 98-year-old aunt, Juanita Stone, to attend the ceremony.

“I’ve been to many graduations,” Stone said. “Patten University at San Quentin has been a category, well organized

“I couldn’t be happier for Gerald’s great achievement.”

A sign read “Room Capacity 200” in the rectangular visiting room with its mismatched tiles in spaces on the floor. An array of orange, blue, black and rose-colored chairs methodically lined the crowded room.

Inmate James King, the college program clerk, welcomed everyone.

“There’s nothing like a graduation,” he said. “By any standard you can think of, these men are exceptional.”

Host James King providing the welcome speech

King gave the example of graduate Craig Johnson, a U.S. Navy veteran who served during the final days of the war in Vietnam. Johnson started with PUP in 1996, but was transferred to other prisons for 10 years before returning to San Quentin.

“Ever since I served in the Navy, I’ve been fascinated with the stars and the planets,” Johnson wrote in the PUP graduation program. “So when the opportunity presented itself, I signed up for the astronomy class.”

Wilhelmina Johnson with son Graduate Claudius Johnson holding his great nephew

Before the ceremony, Claudius Johnson said he felt a little anxious. He started taking classes h PUP in 2014.

“I made it,” he said after the ceremony. “I feel great. I still feel empowered.”

He said an inmate named Johnny Willis once told him about PEACE — Proper Education Always Corrects Error.

“I shed tears,” said Wilhelmina Johnson, Claudius’s mother. “He’s worked hard.”

“This (degree) is my reward,” she added holding it tightly. “He’s the first generation(after herself).

“That’s the fourth,” she said, pointing to her great-grandson, who was held by his mother. They travelled from Los Angeles.

Coordinator Jeese Rothman with Graduate Darin Williams

Darin Williams started with PUP in 2012 shortly after arriving at San Quentin. He’s wanted to graduate college since finishing high school.

“It’s been a lifelong goal,” he said. “It’s easy to stop, especially when you get older. But that’s part of the transformative process, to achieve the goals we set for ourselves.”

“I’m very impressed with the Patten program,” said Ron Broomfield, San Quentin’s chief deputy warden. “This is like the pinnacle of rehabilitation.”

Broomfield started working at the prison in December 2017. This was his first PUP graduation.

“This is another great day at San Quentin,” S.Q. Warden Ron Davis added.For entertainment, the all-inmate band San Quentin Blue performed for the audience. Richie Morris sang and played guitar on cover and original songs. He was backed by musicians Dwight Krizman, Charlie Spencer and Lee Jaspar.

Family friend of Graduate Gerald Morgan commemorates with daughter-in-law Oreisha Morgan

“By any standard you can think of, these men are exceptional”

“This is about you,” Morris said to no one in particular. His song Sometimes Love appeared to situate the listeners in a reflective mood.

Project Rebound Director Jason Bell giving the keynote speech

“You cannot talk about re-entry without talking about higher education,” said keynote speaker Jason Bell, who is formerly incarcerated.

Bell earned his B.A. and M.A. in sociology after paroling from prison and is currently the director of Project Rebound at San Francisco State University.

He told the graduates, “I respect your hustle. Just like you, I had to figure out my way through the education process.”

Bell also encouraged the graduates to stay connected to people who will help them continue their education.

Jose Rivera presents his salutatorian speech

Angel Falcone, the 2017 Valedictorian, introduced the 2018 salutatorian, Jose Rivera, to give a speech. The 2018 valedictorian, Jeffrey Williams, was not available to attend the ceremony.

“There was a stubborn refusal to let this opportunity pass us by,” Rivera said. “I learned in prison. I’ve had my eyes opened. I’ve been exposed to ideas and concepts that I couldn’t imagine.”

Rivera acknowledged all the help given to him by volunteers and staff. He said they care and are “impossibly patient” with the students.

“We should continue to learn through words, books and instruction,” he said. “Give of yourself while doing it.”

Harry Hemphill has been enrolled in PUP on and off since 2011. When he enrolled in The Last Mile’s Code.7370 computer coding program, he said he had to back off from school. He graduated from coding in 2013.

“I continued my Patten education because I knew I needed both,” he said.

Chaplain Mardi Jackson celebrates with Harry Hemphill

Although Jens Brazwell was not able to attend the ceremony, in the graduation program he wrote, “Don’t forget to be good to others, even when it pains you.”

Amy Jamgochian, Ph.D., PUP’s Academic Program Director, said her colleagues make it look like it’s not hard work and thanked volunteers and donors.

“Your generosity fuels this program.” She said, also offering some of the graduates’ own words to the audience. She said Nathan McKinney wants everyone to know “the race for a degree is not a sprint.”

“It feels good to graduate but the mission isn’t accomplished yet,” McKinney said. “I want to get an advance degree.”

Patten University president Thomas Stewart, PhD. told the graduates “Your accomplishments are impactful to your families and communities.”

Morgan had a lot of support from other family members in attendance beside his aunt, who said she “brought him

Patten University President Thomas Stewart, Ph.D. speaking

home from the hospital when he was born.”

“This made (my father) become a better person,” Gerald Jr said.

“He needed this.” Oreisha Morgan added, “He completed some things people on the outside don’t do. I’m honored to be his daughter-in-law.”

Executive Director Jody Lewen celebrates after the ceremony

In closing remarks, Jody Lewen, Ph.D., Executive Director of PUP, acknowledged the graduates, teachers and PUP staff.

“I have no idea what it’s like to be you,” she said to the inmates’ families. “This is also your accomplishment.”

For more photos see below.

PUP 2018 Graduation

Exclusive screening ‘From Incarceration to Education’

August 8, 2018 by Joe Garcia

University of California at Berkeley filmmakers visited San Quentin for an exclusive screening of “From Incarceration to Education,” an original documentary about four formerly incarcerated persons who successfully became UC graduate students.

Prisoner watching the documentary premiere at the chapel

The April event included a question and answer session with first-time directors Skylar Economy and Christian Collins. They were joined by two of the film’s formerly incarcerated stars, Richard Rodriguez-Leon and Shalita Williams.

“SNY [Sensitive Needs Yard] …comprises roughly half the California prison system,” according to Lody Lewn in the Prison University Project Spring 2018 Newsletter Volume 13, No.1

“We just hope all y’all can see the possibility of achieving a college education for real,” Williams told a packed house of San Quentin inmates. “It’s a lot of hard work, but there’s a support network here to help.”

“From Incarceration to Education” showcases Berkeley’s Underground Scholars Initiative (USI), an advocate group formed by students to embrace formerly incarcerated individuals and those impacted by incarceration in order to help them overcome the challenges of acclimating into academic life.

“The normal college student doesn’t relate to where we’ve been and what we’ve gone through to get here,” Rodriguez-Leon said. “It’s important to understand that being here is the easy part compared to everything else we overcame to make it this far.”

“It’s definitely awkward being around all these kids,” Williams explained about her feelings of alienation. “Underground Scholars lets us know we belong here, too.”

Initially an informal grassroots student union, USI now receives federal funding and is officially recognized by the entire UC system. The program provides assistance throughout the university application process and then offers a support group on campus. USI sponsors local cross-enrollment programs that can help community college students gain exposure to Berkeley coursework.

“Struggling on my own in community college, just to complete the work to get accepted to Berkeley, that was tough,” admitted Rodriguez-Leon. “But now, there’s plenty of financial aid and peer support available.”

Williams spent over a decade in and out of prison before fighting off her drug addiction and completing her bachelor’s degree at Berkeley. She will begin a master’s program at UCLA in the fall.

“There were days where I’d get home from work and school, the sink would be full of dirty dishes, and the kids would be screaming to be fed,” Williams remembered. “I just wanted to cry.

“I still talk with my friends from the drug days, but I can’t hang out with them like I used to,” she said. “It’s cool. They’ve got their lives, and I’ve got mine.”

“I do my thing at school and still kick it with the homies in the neighborhood,” said Rodriguez-Leon, who also stays connected with a brother currently in prison. “My goal is to use my education to inform my community and break down the social barriers against us.”

“I wanted to show the way these students succeeded after their time incarcerated,” said filmmaker Economy. “They’re a part of Berkeley’s rich tradition of diversity. I knew I had to film these guys and tell their story.”

When asked what she found most rewarding about her newfound achievements, Williams smiled at the crowd and said, “Being invited to speak to groups like y’all and help make a difference. I want to do all I can with the advantages I’ve gained.”

San Quentin News World Travels

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

Restorative Justice’s role in the #metoo movement

CBS’ Ted Koppel visits Ear Hustle

July 1, 2018 by Juan Haines

As part of a 1961 class project, a Stanford student named Ted Koppel, age 21, went inside San Quentin to study the U.S. criminal justice system. And 57 years later, he came back, this time as a correspondent with CBS Sunday Morning.

“It’s that we incarcerate more people than any other nation,” Koppel said referring to the high incarceration rate in the United States (700 prisoners per 100,000 population). He added, “That seems to be contradictory to who we are as a nation.

The U.S. has 5 percent of the world’s population. However, 25 percent of the world’s incarcerated people are locked away in American prisons and jails.

When Koppel returned to Stanford last December,, a CBS Sunday Morning producer, knew Koppel was interested in doing a story about California.

“I’ve listened to almost all of the Ear Hustle podcasts,” Stephens said, referring to the San Quentin audio project featuring Earlonne Woods and Nigel Poor. Koppel, who won acclaim as the anchor of the ABC News program Nightline, thought they would make good subjects

Woods and Poor, now in their second season of podcasting, talk about commonplace topics in incarceration, such as the consequences of gang life, dying in prison and selecting a cellmate.

“I suggested doing the story and Ted liked it,” Stephens said. “What makes this news is that it’s a podcast coming from a prison, coupled with it (becoming) a success in the podcasting world.

“I don’t think most Americans are aware that there is a newsroom, podcasting, radio, and TV coming from a prison. It is our job to take America to places that they can’t go, while their money is going into them.”

Koppel is no stranger to going inside prisons. In 1998, spent the night in solitary confinement in a high security prison near, Huntsville, Tex. “There was a lot of screaming and yelling that night, and I saw a lot of ‘fishing,’” Koppel said

The newsman was referring to the practice of toss-sliding a weighted string from under a cell door to land, many yards away, under another inmate’s cell door. If missed, the string is drawn back and shot out again. Once the connection is made, supplies such as food, coffee, or reading material can be shared between inmates. Correctional officers sometimes ignore fishing.

“As reporters we never become as knowledgeable as the people we cover,” he said. “But sometimes spending a few hours in the same circumstances, we can develop some insights we might not have had before,” Koppel told the New York Daily News about that night.

On the day of his visit to San Quentin, the veteran reporter, 78, who anchored more than 1,000 Nightline shows, walked around the prison yard and the cellblocks interviewing inmates about their experiences. He heard accounts of what it’s like to spend nearly two decades in the Security Housing Unit (SHU), what it’s like to be incarcerated more than 40 years or to face a 209-year sentence. Inmates told him about race relations, respect, and the unwritten code of the yard

“There are not are a lot of prison stories in mainstream media. But, when they are covered, they’re usually negative. It’s more complicated than that,” Stephens said. “Ted has a long history of covering criminal justice policies.”

Koppel dropped in on prisoners rehearsing Shakespeare’s King Lear.

“I don’t think most of America is aware that there is a newspaper, podcasting, radio, and filming coming from a prison”

The actors asked Koppel if he’d like to read a line.

Smiling, he accepted.

In the scene, one of the inmates ordered Koppel to deliver a message. Koppel took the order and read, “I’ll do it, my Lord.”

Afterward, Koppel took a bow that was met with applause. He sat among the inmates and watched a demonstration of the principles found in drama therapy, as director Leslie Currier asked the men questions about the play, themselves, and the characters they portrayed.

Producer Louis A. Scott, a prisoner, interviewed Koppel for San Quentin Radio.

Koppel’s career began at 23 when he was asked to cover the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

As to why he chose to become a journalist, he cites the memory of himself as a three-year-old listening to World War II broadcasts of Edward R. Morrow, the legendary CBS correspondent who covered the war from London.

Koppel’s career includes marching with Martin Luther King, Jr., spending a year as a war correspondent in Vietnam, and covering the Watts riots in 1965.

Koppel said he recalls standing next to the “mule driven carriage,” that carried the coffin of Dr. King, murdered in Memphis in 1968. Later Koppel saw a photo with about 300 people surrounding the carriage. His was the only white face in the crowd.

San Quentin Radio producer Scott said, “What impressed me the most about Ted is the fact that he marched from Selma to Montgomery with MLK. He marched because he believes in equality and still shares those same views of equality today.”

www.earhustlesq.com

San Quentin News & Wall City Merchandise

—Juan Haines

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

Pregnant prisoners shackled

8th Day of Peace celebration held on SQ’s Lower Yard

Judy Appel talks justice

June 11, 2018 by Rahsaan Thomas

Judy Appel speaks with San Quentin News staffer Wayne Boatwright

Berkeley Unified School District board member Judy Appel sat down with San Quentin News to brainstorm on solutions to criminal justice issues that she can take to Sacramento, if she wins an assembly seat this fall.

“I’m very concerned about our criminal justice system and the way we lock people up for really long times,” Appel said. “We put people away for so long without trusting people with a second chance.”

Following the footsteps of her mentor, retired State Senator Loni Hancock (D-Oakland), Appel said she believes in working with the people affected by a problem to come up with the solutions.

Appel came into the newsroom with Alden Feldon. Both are part of the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation, which supports San Quentin News because they believe this newspaper provides public safety solutions. At the table was Editor-in-Chief Richard “Bonaru” Richardson, Senior Editor Juan Haines and Staff Writer Wayne Boatwright.

After hearing about how successful San Quentin State Prison has been with rehabilitative programming that transform lives, she asked, “Can programs work at other prisons?”

Haines replied, “Definitely. It’s a matter of getting buy-in from the yard and the administration.”

One of the news guys also suggested a way to stem gun violence — making it mandatory to teach the practice of restorative justice to kids in school. Appel already supports the idea and has worked with SEEDS, an organization that trains teachers in the use of restorative justice in the Berkeley School District.

“I believe there is healing in the process of forgiveness and making amends,” Appel said.

She said she discovered restorative justice while looking for ways to stop the school-to-prison pipeline.

“Restorative justice really resonates with how I feel we should be dealing with this,” Appel said. “Kids need to know somebody loves them.”

Then she asked about whether teaching restorative justice practices in neighborhoods where there is violence would work.

The response was that using mentors who have relatable experiences would get the kids to buy in.

Judy Appel and Alden Feldon talking with SQN staff members Juan Haines and Wayne Boatwright

Feldon, who had remained quiet until toward the end of the meeting added, “Most people think it’s a zero sum game. If people realized that everyone is a resource, everyone is a gold mine that we lose every time we lock someone up or suspend them from school – if we looked at each other as resources rather than competitors, then rehabilitation would be a no brainer.”

Appel responded, “I love the idea that everybody is a gold mine.”

Appel is running for the Assembly seat currently held by Tony Thurman of District 15, which covers the East Bay from North Oakland to Hercules, Richmond, Albany and El Cerrito.

“I’ve really been a social justice advocate for 25 years,” Appel said. “I feel it’s the right time to bring my skills, empathy and bold leadership to the Assembly.”

Appel said while taking care of an older sister with mental health issues, she saw her struggle and get kicked out of school. That instilled in her the desire to become an advocate.

The licensed attorney said she has fought for homeless people, been part of the Drug Policy Alliance, and worked on the founding board of the Ella Baker Center with Van Jones before joining the school board.

Now the Pittsburg native wants to help increase the chances of success for returning citizens by making it easier to get the necessary licenses to work certain jobs.

“I believe most of the inequalities in our culture are imbedded in structural racism,” Appel said. “That has led to people in power not letting certain groups of people succeed.”

Appel wants to make licensing permits discretionary instead of having a strict bar that keeps someone from getting a license because of an unrelated crime.

She’s also interested in ways to bring rehabilitated people home from prison faster.

“If you could get out sooner and bring the wealth of you out into the world, that’s a win, win,” Appel said.

The Office of Neighborhood Safety [https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/271/Office-of-Neighborhood-Safety] techniques involve street outreach and transformative travel. ONS seeks out young men who are active firearm offenders to present credible alternatives to violence.
http://sanquentinnews.com/optionb-org-support-group-overcoming-effects-incarceration/

Tennis helps SQ lifer cope with missing his daughter

June 11, 2018 by lloyd payne

Tennis is a complex rehabilitative sport. You have to return the ball that is served. But, there are hundreds of ways to hit the ball, and there are a thousand places it could land. For an incarcerated father, it’s a metaphor for life.

Paris Williams could only live the life he was dealt. As a Creole man and father of a bi-racial daughter, he dealt with racism from her family. As a CDCR prisoner sentenced to 75 years to life, he deals with years of anguish.

Williams was struck out under California’s Three Strike Law for his third burglary case.

Playing for the Inside Tennis Team at San Quentin helps him to stay positive.

“Tennis changed my outlook on life. I learned to humble myself, because on the court there is no racism,” Williams said. “I learned to socialize because as an outlaw, you don’t socialize, you live like a chameleon.”

On Fridays, he cleans the court, because every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. they match racquets against members of the surrounding communities, who enter the prison to partake in the sport and share what they’ve learned as tennis players.

“I come in to help guys,” said team co-coordinator and volunteer Sharon S., who does not come inside from a social justice perspective. She believes there are programs for that, but says she does help people change the way they think.

“When I play with inmates, I give them pointers because some of them don’t play teams as well and working as a team is what tennis is,” she said. “It’s about camaraderie and boosting up your partner.”

First-time volunteer Beth C. said, “Anytime I want to get better at something, it’s easier said than done. I have to reach in for patience, humility and acceptance of myself.”

“Tennis is mental; anytime I’m focused on what other people think of my game, I’m distracted.”

Like Beth C., Williams has had a humbling experience playing tennis. It’s hard for him to focus on rehabilitation when he’s thinking of how his decision to commit crimes caused him to miss the greater half of his daughter’s life.

His daughter holds resentment toward him for going back and forth to prison. They were estranged before he was struck out on his current term.

Three years ago, she explained in a letter that she did not mean to push him away from her, but wished he wouldn’t have given up on her either. It was the last time he heard from her.

“She told me, ‘don’t think I don’t love you.’ She said she loves me and thinks of me all the time, but she’s dealing with life,” Williams said.

He has been at San Quentin for more than three years and started coming out to play tennis two years ago for the rehabilitative aspect. In Williams’ transition from crime rackets to tennis racquets, he learned cross match tennis and became more comfortable with socializing by talking to volunteers who come inside to play.

Fanny Gamble, a member of Harbor Point Tennis Club, said, “All the tools and blessings I got from tennis I apply to life, like taking one point at a time, think ahead, stay positive, strategize, have a plan, and don’t forget to smile, because it’s supposed to be fun.”

Gamble has been player of the year for her age group, and she represented the U.S. at the world cup last April in South Africa.

Williams said that being in prison with a life sentence often puts a frown on things.

He stresses over the pain he caused his daughter and the disappointment as a father who repeatedly came back and forth to prison. The disappointment with himself had been his trigger to give up on the idea of being a socially polite person. On the verge of quitting on April 14, he talked to volunteer Marty Silverman about it, because his desire to quit was triggered by depression.

“Today I’ve concluded walking away is not an option,” Williams said.

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