Since San Quentin Prison was first built in 1852, its oldest laundry room has moved to many different locations.
Housing mostly rugged outlaws, rouge cowboys and thieving gold miners, the laundry room was probably not a top priority. In fact, back in the day, prisoners were responsible for making and washing their own clothes. The first industrialized Singer motor sewing machines emerged in 1910 and probably made their way to San Quentin shortly after.
“In the last 25 years, the laundry room has moved it’s location at least four times,” said staff worker Gary Sae. “In 1989, for example, it was located on the main yard next door to the mini canteen. Today, that building houses educational classes, perhaps hobby and San Quentin’s media center. The laundry room was so spacious and fully equipped, back then, that we washed our own blues, whites and bedding.”
A few years later, the laundry room was move to another small location on the West Block yard and, as of May 13, moved to the old mini canteen space on the Lower Yard.
“The new Laundry procedures and location are much more efficient,” said Sae.
Laundry room workers including Charles Tatum, inmate worker An Dao, and the general population all have mixed feelings about the recent changes that took place on May 17.
“It used to be that H-Unit, at one time, had their own clothing room and clothing cards,” Sae said. “Sometimes (during) the old way, the inmate could be without his clothing issue for two weeks up to a month if he was moving from dorm to dorm. Now all clothes and clothing cards are centralized where we could track who got what and when.”
“Now it’s much better. We are more efficient,” he concluded.
“Another advantage we can change our white sheets, towels and pillow cases each week” said Tatum. “And new arrivals can come at anytime,” added Dao.
“However, on the third week of each month, we exchanged everything including blues that’s damaged, too small etc. The schedule remains the same at top” said Doa.
“All PIA, kitchen, and porter workers get boots when they present work ducats. There are no half shoe sizes,” Doa added.
“The tennis shoes are issued to all inmates except for noted workers,” said Sea.
For laundry bags, there is a three-day turn around for any kind of lining that goes out, according to laundry staff.
“Try not getting upset, because everything will be alright,” said inmate Shawn Garth. “The laundry staff and workers will take care of you.”
The laundry schedules are as follows:
Mondays – New Arrivals Only
Tuesdays – North Block Only
Wednesdays – West Block & Donner Only
Thursdays – H-Unit Only
Fridays – PIA Workers Only
