After a long career in the U.S. military and 38 years in California corrections, Robert L. Ayers Jr., 61, is leaving his Command post as the 33rd warden of San Quentin State Prison.
When Ayers became the warden, many inmates and staff had mixed expectations. His critics would point to his Pelican Bay era while acting warden, but his supporter point to his heroism in rescuing an elderly fisherman, which earned Ayers a Medal of Valor.
Slowly, assurance and enthusiasm replaced the skepticism. Inmates and staff came to find him approachable and his administration has marked an era of encouragement to grow. Good ideas grew as micromanagement diminished, vague rules gave way to sensible and workable practice. Volunteers found a listener in the warden. Programs arose that were never heard off in San Quentin, like the Inmate Film Program endowment by the Discovery Channel, Victim Offenders and Stand-Up.
The warden is a striking figure as he walks unescorted around the prison, dapper in a Panama hat, civilian coat and tie.
As one of the lifer inmates puts it, “When you approach the warden with a question, he would shake your hand and look you in the eyes and give you full attention.”
“Even to the last days in office, he defies the term ‘Lame Duck,’ and gives full attention to the establishment of the San Quentin Museum. I shall miss him.” says Don DeNevi, the new director of the San Quentin Museum.
“If there was a Hall of Fame for wardens, Robert L. Ayers Jr. would be inducted on the first go-around. His overall knowledge and experience in managing prison operations is astounding. Staff that have had the opportunity to work side-by-side with him have benefited greatly. As a leader, he instills pride, integrity and has a great sense of vision,” says John Curzon, associate warden.
Following is a Q&A interview with Warden Ayers:
Q: There is common knowledge that you have a military background. Would you provide the readers with a brief history.
A: I entered the U.S. Army in 1966 from Infantry 2nd Ranger Battalion. After my discharge, I accepted a direct commission to first lieutenant, Infantry. For the remainder of my Reserve career, I was 91st Division, 7th PSYOP Battalion, and 104th Division, until my final assignment as commander, 1st Battalion, 415th Infantry, 104th Division after which I entered the Retired Reserve and completely retired from United States Army in 2007.
Q: Why did you choose to come back from retirement? Why San Quentin?
A: After my retirement in 2000, I continued to do some work with the department. I simply wasn’t ready to completely quit working. In 2005, the CDCR asked if I would be the interim warden at Lancaster State Prison (LAC) for 60 to 90 days. That experience reminded me that it really was fun being a warden. Sometimes vexing, sometimes exasperating but mostly fun. At the end of my tenure with LAC, I was asked if I would consider re-instating to be the warden at San Quentin. I knew SQ was experiencing difficulties everything from keeping a warden to operational, personnel and litigation issues. Having spent my first 18 years in the department at SQ, I thought it would be a good “parting shot” to do whatever I could to help restore some dignity to SQ.
Q: What is your view on the rehabilitation efforts emphasized by CDCR?
A: San Quentin is widely known as the “program prison.” Because of its location, history and name there is no shortage of people wanting to come into SQ and help. Many of the program activities are evidence-based, scientifically designed processes intended to address behavioral, social or ideological issues which make it difficult for many men to stay out of prison. I was disappointed that SQ was not selected as a rollout institution for CDCR’s efforts. I know there are significant resources in CDCR trying to put together comprehensive, state of the art, evidence-based program models. I also know a couple of sites (not San Quentin) have been selected to pioneer these models. When (if) they were ever started, I would hope to see an enhancement to public safety. If we can do something with incarcerated people to reduce their proclivity to, upon their release, create new victims then we have done something positive in furtherance of public safety.
Q: With the financial crisis facing the state, in what stage does SQ currently stand on revamping the Prison Health Care System?
A: The receiver’s efforts are taking two slightly different tacks: 1. San Quentin and 2. Everywhere else. At San Quentin, building and staffing augmentation continue and are providing solid healthcare infrastructure. By the close of 2009 I expect San Quentin healthcare staff will be able to address 90percent of inmates’ healthcare issues on site. If attained, that will be an unqualified success for San Quentin and its inmate population.
Q: Some of your critics believe that you maintain a liberal policy advocated before your administration. What is the major difference in San Quentin before Warden Ayers, and after, as a matter of legacy?
A: I don’t know about “liberal policy.” I go back to what I said earlier about public safety. About 80 percent of the incarcerated people eventually go back to our communities. Do we want them to return with the same values and thought processes they had when they went to prison? I believe we should do everything we can with incarcerated people to deter them from re-victimizing society (creating new victims) upon their release. THAT IS PUBLIC SAFETY. If that makes me liberal, I guess I am guilty. The question of before and during is simple. San Quentin had built a reputation of being what I described as the epicenter of anarchy. Peoplestaff, inmates, volunteers pretty much did whatever they wanted. If a policy or procedure was inconvenient or unpopular, people just ignored it. Consistency was a relatively unknown practice. Those who did care about following policy and procedure had largely given up as they believed they were a minority. My goal was simple: get people to follow the rules policy and procedures. And fairness becomes a stable element in the core of our day.
Q: There were many self-help programs born in San Quentin during your administration. Would you highlight some of these programs and the measure of their success?
A: I think most of these programs have been here all along. Our efforts were geared to structuring them into a cohesive and interdependent platform. The most striking example of this is the Stand Up program in H Unit. San Quentin staff has done this on its own. With such significant success there is still much to achieve. Equally important has been our attempts to engage local communities in these efforts. By building a continuum between the institution and the community to which a parolee returns, we strengthen a parolee’s ability to succeed and ensure a positive impact on public safety.
Q: What do you see new for Death Row in San Quentin?
A: The funding has been approved. The building plans have been finalized. The plans have gone out to contractors for bids. The tentative groundbreaking is set for early spring 2009.
Q: Many of the prisoners fear a major overhaul coming to educational and self-help programs once you depart. What assurance can you provide them?
A: None. As of this date, Nov. 17, 2008, I have no idea (honestly!!!!!) who the next Warden will be. However, I would expect the new warden to be wise enough to study the terrain carefully before setting off in any direction.
Q: How did you manage to work with the federal receiver in light of constant tug-of-war between the receiver and the state, especially with many healthcare construction projects at stake in San Quentin?
A: We had and have a common goal: improving healthcare delivery systems in a correctional environment. We haven’t always succeeded in that regard but we have always been able to come back around to our starting point and get back on track.
Q: Is this a departure to another field, or trip to where the fish are biting, and what advice do you have the next warden, and to the prisoners?
A: I suspect I will do something in or around corrections. I am only sure that it won’t be as a warden! I will take my time and see where I can be most useful. Advice for the new warden? If it’s a sound policy or procedure follow it consistently. If it’s a bad policy or procedure, change it. Don’t ignore it. Advice for prisoners? Do your own time. It’s that simple. We have far too many inmates who think it’s their business to get into other people’s business and judge them or tell them how to behave. A bit less of that would do well for EVERYONE’S sense of well-being.
Robert Ayers Jr. may say that he doesn’t have a legacy, it’s just all “common sense.” But Robert Ayers Jr., will, among other things, be remembered as the man who brought the San Quentin News to life after two decades absence.
