San Quentin State Prison’s transition from a General Population (GP) facility to a non-designated programming facility has uncovered old prejudices and uncommon collaborations. The inmate response to the new housing designation is as diverse as the prison population. Most inmates have been indifferent to the inflow of newcomers, while others have been cautious and alert. Some prisoners transferred out of San Quentin because they did not want to deal with the unknown. Few inmates, and administrators, could predict what was going to … [Read more...] about San Quentin’s big transition as non-designated facility
Sensitive Needs Yard
A chance to change is always welcomed
At age 18, I was arrested and sent to Deuel Vocational Institution in 1992. Prisoners called it Tracy or “The Gladiator School.” It was my first time in prison. I didn’t know anyone there. I was scared. The established prisoners came up to me and asked, “Where you from? What’s your name? What gang you in?” Although I answered every question, I didn’t really fit in anywhere, and I felt like I had to. Since then, I’ve been to many prisons and hung out with different people. And, at every new prison, I was asked the same questions all over … [Read more...] about A chance to change is always welcomed