San Quentin News
THE PULSE OF SAN QUENTIN

VOL. 2008 NO. 3

OCTOBER 10, 2008

SAN QUENTIN, CALIFORNIA 94964

POPULATION:5,274

Team Exodus Breaks New
Ground in West Block

(Photo by Troy Williams)

Top row: Jaimee Karroll, Bilenda Harris-Ritter, Will Packer, Vu Pham, George Lamb. Second row: Leonard Rubio,
Mitch Zak, Keith Wattley, Fr. Stephen Barber, Third row: Hector Oropeza, Keith Wattley, Michael R. Harris, Lynn B.
Cooper, Troy Williams & Jonathon Simon

Proposition 9 Called
‘Catastrophic’
By ALY TAMBOURA
A symposium to address the
possible far-reaching impact of
Proposition 9 on the State of
California was held in the
Catholic Chapel Friday. Attended by inmates, special interest groups and sponsors of
the proposition, the symposium
made for emotionally charged
dialogue.
Proposition 9, also know as
Marcy’s Law, is a proposed
amendment to the California
Constitution, which if passed in
November’s election will give
victims of violent crime more
rights relating to prosecuting
offenders, receiving restitution
and attending the parole hearings of convicted criminals.
Proponents of the proposed

amendment believe it is needed
to repair flaws in “The Victims’
Bill of Rights” passed by voters
in 1982. Opponents argue that
the proposition unfairly increases prison sentences by
increasing parole board hearing
denials from the standard 1 to 5
years, to a statute maximum of
15 years, which they say will
essentially increase already
long prison terms to excessive
and unjust lengths.
Proposition 9 Campaign Director Mitch Zak explained, to
an engaged audience, why he
believed that the proposition
should be passed. “Politicians
use public safety as a political
football,” said Zak, stating his
support for the proposition.
Prison inmates and visitors
to the prison showered Zak with

the problems they anticipate the
proposition will cause to inmates, prisons, and the state’s
finances.
Troy Williams addressed the
audience from a particular position of being both a Lifer and
the brother of a victim of violent crime. His heartwrenching explanation of the
effects the proposition will have
on him and other Lifers moved
at least two people in the audience to tears.
Opponents of the proposition say that the proposal will
cost hundreds of millions and
take away hope from Lifers
who have served out decades of
time, and are currently eligible
for parole. “What happens
when you give a man a 15 year
See Symposium, page 4

‘NORA’ ON THE BALLOT
California voters will be
voting November 4th on one
of the most major changes in
California criminal law in a
very long time, known as
“The Nonviolent Offender
R e h a b i l i t a t i o n
Act” (“NORA”).
It is a
multi-faceted shakeup of
California’s justice system.
Tens of thousand of those
who would previously be incarcerated, including youths
under 18, would now be
placed in treatment instead of
lockup.
The nonpartisan Legislative
Analyst’s Office projects that
NORA will reap $1 billion a
year or more in savings to the

California prison system.
These savings are even more
profound when measured
against expected increases in
the prison population and the
annual CDCR budget.
Here are the key components of NORA:
• Prisons would be required
to provide rehabilitation programs to all exiting inmates
not less than 90 days before
release.
• CDCR would be required to
pay for rehabilitation programs for all parolees and for
former parolees, who could
request services for up to one
year after discharge of parole.

• Prisoners whose crimes are
nonviolent (with no prior
strikes or no prior sex offenses requiring registration)
would be able to earn time off
their sentences with good behavior and by participating in
rehabilitation programs.
This initiative, Proposition
5, would remove the power of
the governor to appoint Parole
Board members. Parole periods for qualified nonviolent
offenders would be limited to
between 6-12 months, compared with up to three years
under current law, with earlier
discharge upon completion of
a rehabilitation program.
―Kenneth Brydon

400 Reception Center inprogram titled “Team Exodus.”
mates living in West Block and
Along with others, he has been
the Gym attended a reentry fair
facilitating the curriculum:
Saturday, September 06, on the
“Grown Men Business.” This
West Block Yard that provided
program addresses the recidiinformation for successful pavism of repeat offenders in
role back into the community.
prison.
Through this two
Initiated by inmate Westley
month study program, they are
Barry (aka, “Preacher”), and
called upon to “Own up to their
facilitated by West Block Lieuresponsibilities to themselves,
tenant
D.
their families
Footman, inand their comformation
munity.”
booths were
Footman
arranged
on
observed 30 to
the walls of
50
inmates
the
West
attending
Block
Yard
these classes,
that
offered
and appreciinformation
ates the true
on: drug and
value in packalcohol counaging
eleLt. Footman
seling, medical
ments of reha(HIV
and
bilitation
Hepatitis C prevention and
within the San Quentin Recepcare), job training, education,
tion Center. With the excepmental health counseling, famtion of basic education, only
ily counseling and housing
the bare essentials of opportuassistance. Various members of
nity have been available to
the Protestant Chapel assisted
these individuals.
in distributing Bibles and other
Beginning in the Gym,
valuable spiritual study materiPreacher later expanded the
als.
program to include those in the
Preacher, a four-time chamWest Block Unit. The 300
pion of the television show
men from West Block who
“American Gladiators,” seeks
completed the Grown Men
to inspire individuals and bring
Business training, were the first
his sports discipline to others.
allowed to attend the Team
With 11 years incarcerated,
Exodus Resource Work shop.
Preacher created the self-help
See Exodus, page 2

Transferring California
Inmates to Other States
The number of California
inmates serving their sentences
in California Out-of-State Correctional Facilities, or COCFs,
surpassed 5,000 for the first
time in September. A growing
number of San Quentin inmates
have been processed, endorsed
and readied for involuntary
transfer to one of the four states
currently participating in the
program.
The transfers, which reached
a total of 5,101 as of Sept. 25,
2008, were initiated as a result
of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s October 2006 Emergency
Order on Prison Overcrowding.
They were authorized and
funded through Assembly Bill
900, a massive $7.9 billion
prison reform bill signed by
Schwarzenegger in May 2007
which set a goal of housing
8,000 inmates out of state by
next summer.
The transfers have allowed
the CDCR to remove a total of
5,386 nontraditional beds statewide, according to a statement
posted on the CDCR website.
Nontraditional beds are beds

placed in areas not designed to
accommodate beds. The statement said that as a result of the
transfers, 17 prison gymnasiums and dayrooms have been
cleared of inmate beds since
August 2007, a reduction of 27
percent, and have reduced the
total of nontraditional beds still
in use throughout the system to
14,232.
A growing number of SQ
inmates have completed the
multi-level screening process,
been endorsed for out-of-state
transfer, and are awaiting the
long bus ride to the hub facility
in Wasco where they will await
a flight out to a COCF in Mississippi, Tennessee, Oklahoma
or Arizona.
The COCF’s three in Arizona and one in each of the
remaining states, are all privately owned and operated by
the Corrections Corporation of
America under contract to the
state of California. Indiana was
previously involved in the deal,
but is not currently accepting
inmates for placement.
See Inmate Transfers, page 8

OCTOBER 10, 2008

SAN QUENTIN NEWS

Page 2

THE FAMILY THAT OVERCOMES
TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER

Elizabeth, Vince, Vince Jr. and Kea

In Jan. 2005, Vince Russo
began taking correspondence
courses through Ohio State
University, pursuing his bachelor’s degree. He borrowed a
book on Hinduism in order to
complete his first reading assignment, and then plowed into
reading the material before the
official assignment had arrived.
There are many difficulties in
attending college in a prison:
lock-downs, going to work,
getting mailed-in assignments
from the professor, and then
sending them back, having all
tests proctored by those qualified to sit in that position, and
then having the space to take
the written tests.
Initially, the costs of the
courses were paid for by a
wealthy benefactor who was
paying the expenses for a number of associate of arts graduates who were pursuing an advanced degree, but in time that
money was exhausted, and he
was using his own paychecks
from his Prison Industry job to
cover it.
Along with his job and
school, Russo also remained
dedicated to many self-help
programs, as well as continuing
to practice his Buddhist faith.
He was on the ground floor
with the Day of Peace program,

which last year was a large success, and days and nights during the week that he wasn’t
active in some sort of program
and/or work were the exception.
In addition to these, Russo
also had (has) a loving family
whom he has remained devoted
to. Every weekend his wife and
his young son, Vincent Junior
(a.k.a. “VJ”), were in the visiting room with him. VJ, now
14, was his father’s delight,
and, in spite of the limitations
visiting imposes, parenting was
done with love and nurturing
that brought up this young man,
and, before VJ, two daughters
(Elizabeth and Kea) that any
father would be very proud of.
Approximately three years
ago tragedy struck Russo’s life,
his daughter, Kea, was in a serious car accident. A high speed
head-on collision placed her in
the hospital with numerous broken bones. Russo continued his
life and schooling in here, while
doing everything in his power
to comfort his wife, daughters
and son. Slowly her injuries
and she resumed a normal life.
Life moves forward, and
Russo continued to hold on to
balancing his “model-prisoner”
program in here with being a
positive role-model for his son
and family in the visiting room.

Exodus
Continued from page 1
Once those in West Block were complete, the 100 men from the
Gym who had also completed the program were allowed to benefit
from
the
i n f o r ma t i o n
and resource
fair.
“In
my
thirteen years
working the
Reception
Center, I’ve
asked many
men
why
they’ve continued
returning
to
prison”
Footman said,
“many
of
them said that
there’s nothing out there
for
them.
And
that
doesn’t
sound right,”
she added.
“Alright,”
Footman
continued,
Preacher Teaching R/C Offenders
“Let me fix
that for you.
Instead of you going to them, I’m bringing them to you.”
A total of 14 agencies from outside, and another eight programs
that are already a part of the mainline re-entry program here at San
Quentin, along with a total of 55 outside guests, brought information concerning counties throughout Northern California. Fresno,
Humboldt, Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento and Solano counties were all represented.
At the end of the event, informational material had run out at
every booth, and a 1,000 questions had been answered by the outside guests. Future plans are in the works for a summit that is tentatively scheduled for February, and a second bi-annual Team Exodus
resource fair for March 2009.

On April 05, 2007, Vince
Russo’s wife passed away, the
woman whom he had married
before coming to prison, and
had stuck with him for 25 years
of incarceration.
His daughters brought him the
sad news, once more in the visiting room; where they shared
their grief. A 13-year-old son
had lost his mother and a husband had lost a devoted wife.
Persevering, the family now
pulled closer and Russo was
more determined to complete
what he’d begun. VJ had his
choice of which sister to live
with, and both daughters continued to take turns bringing in
their brother on a weekly basis
to see his father.
In June of 2008, Russo received his bachelor’s degree,
and his son and daughters were
there with him in the Garden
Chapel as he got up on the stage
to speak and receive his diploma. The story of overcoming does not end with the accomplishments from inside, but
also with VJ, who, inspired by
his father, also maintained his
grades and received 3.5 Grade
average for quarter, and a 3.6
average for the entire school
year. At the end of the VJ’s
school year, he was also
awarded the Character Award
handed out to those who overcome great challenges; this
honor is not given every year,
and he is now inscribed on a
plaque that sits in the Principals
Office.
Russo is now strategizing on
his next step – getting his masters degree. One daughter is
married, and the other is engaged. VJ is his Dad’s greatest
fan, and it’s looking like this
young man will one day go to
college; where he’ll have plenty
of inspiration in seeing things
through to the end.
―Kenneth Brydon

NO MORE
CANTEEN
DUCATS!
At the completion of the
October Canteen Draw, Inmate
Trust office will no longer need
to process canteen ducats says
Chief Accounting Officer Larry
Ward. For Mainline, H-Unit,
and Reception Center, sticking
your ID in the window is the
ticket to do your shopping.
During this transition, there
will be several in normal delays
in operation. From October
24th, 2008, up to first draw of
November 12, 2008, postings of
money to accounts (Hobby,
Pay, Mail and Electronic deposits) will be handled as timely as
possible.
Mr. Ward also notes that
first draw may not happen on
the exact day scheduled. This
same operation is now in effect
in several of CDCR Women’s
Prisons, and will be state-wide
soon.

Ed Ballenger with the Magnetic Wave Machine

Machine Shop
Receives State
Fair Award
Award Winning Magnetic Training
San Quentin’s Vocational
Machine Shop has once again
shown that precision is award
winning. Four students, Ed
Ballenger, Steven Hayes, William Branson, and Anthony
Adams, entered a project for the
2008 California State Fair.
They manufactured and assembled a Magnetic Wave Machine
that was designed by engineers
at The Exploratorium, a handson science museum in San
Francisco. The project was
awarded first place and outstanding group project in the
Industrial & Technology Education Competition General
Technology Group Project,
Division 0755, Adult Class.
The project was judged as excellent in general appearance,
function/practicality,
general
finish, and workmanship. The
judges comments were as follows: “Belongs in a museum or
Exploratorium,” “State Fair
quality work,” “Great job, highest quality, quality documentation,” and “Best work I have
seen in years.”
This was the first complete
Magnetic Wave Machine that
the Machine Shop has manufactured. A couple of years ago,
two other students manufactured parts for the original Magnetic Wave Machine that was
later assembled by The Exploratorium and put on display at
the museum. The original project was able to happen through
a partnership with the nonprofit museum that supplied all
of the necessary tooling and
materials while the students
provided the labor. The partnership with The Exploratorium
and other non-profit organizations allow students the opportunity to work on industry projects while also giving back to
the community.
Mr. Saenz, the shop instructor, was so impressed with
the display at the museum that
he wanted an example built for
the shop. He also wanted to
enter the project in the State
Fair hoping to duplicate the first
place awards received by three
of his students in the 2004 State

Fair for a commemorative medallion.
The students machined the
key parts from 6061 Aluminum
utilizing a Haas Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC)
Vertical Machining Center.
The students are learning how
to operate and set-up the machining center. They are also
learning to program the machining center using ESPRIT
2008 CAD/CAM (Computer
Aided Design/Computer Aided
Manufacturing) software donated by D.P. Technology. The
machining center was donated
by the Haas Foundation in 2002
along with a CNC Turning
Center. The donations of this
equipment and software allow
the students to obtain up-todate training to prepare them
for working in the machine tool
industry.
The students truly thank the
generosity of Mr. Saenz, Ms.
Sheldon, and the other San
Quentin teachers that pitched in
to donate the bearings and silicone-rubber tubing that were
needed for the project. Without
their support the project would
have never been completed.
Mr. Hayes was very fortunate to recently parole. His
parole officer granted authorization for him to travel to Sacramento where he accepted the
first place and outstanding
group project awards at the
State Fair on August 14, 2008.
Mr. Hayes is currently furthering his education and working
to support his family utilizing
the skills he learned in the San
Quentin Vocational Machine
Shop. The craftsmanship and
dedication to learning the skills
of a machinist allowed all four
of these men to earn another
win for San Quentin’s Vocational Machine Shop.
The
prize that is even more important than the ribbons is the
skills these men are learning
that will allow them to be productive, contributing, and successful citizens upon their reentry into society as Mr. Hayes
is currently showing us all.
―Leonard Rubio

OCTOBER 10, 2008

SAN QUENTIN NEWS

BUDDHIST PROGRAM

Religion
NORTH BAY SCHOOL OF
THEOLOGY ACCREDITATION
San Quentin Garden Chapel
Christian Fellowship has recently been fully accredited
under Golden Gate Baptist
Theological Seminary. This
occurred and became effective
in the spring of 2007. This is a
“Contexualized Leadership
Development Curriculum” for
the student with the desire to
pursue a bachelor degree in
theological studies. The degree
can lead to a career in the ministry or in a faith based counseling field.
About 15 San Quentin prisoners have taken, or currently are
taking, several courses. One

JEHOVAH’S
WITNESSES
Open services are offered at
the Garden Chapel Saturday
mornings 10:30 – 12:00.
Bible study is Wednesday evening
6:30 – 7:45 PM in the back
room at the Protestant chapel.

benefit of enrolling in the theological study classes is you can
continue the studies on-line
over the internet when you
leave San Quentin, if you’re not
finished with all your classes.
These are the type of classes
that you need to apply for, by
contacting Pastor Dr. Morris A.
Curry in the chapel.
Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary was established in 1944 and has incorporated San Quentin’s North Bay
School of Theology under their
long-term successful program
of turning out some exceptional
missionaries, pastors, and peo-

ple in various forms of ministries.
The main thing that I’ve
especially enjoyed and found
very satisfying was the high
quality of the staff that has
come inside prison walls to
teach the classes. Dr. Duane
Christensen has taught the Old
Testament survey class from a
Hebrew perspective. His
knowledge and background are
outstanding. He wrote the study
materials we use. We are lucky
to have such a high caliber education in a prison environment.
―Ed Kie

EAST BLOCK
PROTESTANT
Those who wish to restart East Block Protestant Services are
advised to contact Pastor Dr. Morris Curry via U-Savem Envelope.
Please provide your name, CDCR number, housing, and what exercise yard you’re on. Send information to: Protestant Chapel, Attention: Pastor Curry.

Sports and Entertainment
TENNIS LEGEND WALKS ON COURT

Inside Tennis Team with Brad Gilbert (Back row fourth from the left)

Last month Brad Gilbert came
to San Quentin to visit with the
Inside Tennis Team, giving
pointers on how team members
could improve their game.
For those who don’t recognize the name, Brad Gilbert is a
former U.S. tennis champion
and author of the book

“Winning Ugly.”
Gilbert hung out on the lower
yard with the men for the afternoon, teaching and having some
good down to earth fun. Dominating court with the grace and
wisdom of a true champion, the
men of San Quentin were both
inspired and honored by Gil-

Page 3

berts visit.
“When you are the master of
your mind, you will master the
art of winning,” writes Gilbert
in his book.
The former champion, who
successfully battled to become
the forth ranked tennis player in
the world, treated the Inside
Tennis Team to a very special
day, giving instruction on both
tennis lessons and what it takes
to be a winner off the court.
Gilbert, with his kind words
of wisdom, fit safely into place
with the seasoned tennis players
of San Quentin. His visit left a
lasting impression on all who
were in attendance.
The Inside Tennis Team and
coach Don Denevi say, “Thank
you, Brad Gilbert.”
―R. E. Calix

In 1998, the Buddhist Peace Fellowship (“BPF”) was contacted
with a request for assistance in forming a Buddhist religious program at SQ. The BPF director, Hozan Alan Senauke, assisted and
contacted his Dharma Brother, Seido Lee de Barros, who agreed.
After a tremendous effort… on Sept. 05, 1999, SQ’s Buddhadharma Sangha held its first Buddhist Religious Service. During a
partial lockdown, 20 men made their way to the Garden Chapel and
met an extraordinary Dharma teacher and Zen priest. Seido has
continued weekly services and this Sangha has flourished.
Every Sunday evening men of various faiths come together for
“zazen” (seated meditation), “kenhin” (walking meditation), and to
listen to and discuss the Dharma in a way that offers freedom in the
midst of chaotic prison life. These men are gaining useful tools for
re-entry into society. The name Buddhadharma Sangha means the
following: “Buddha” is the awakened one, or one striving for peace;
“Dharma” is the teachings of the Buddha; “Sangha” is the community of practitioners who practice peace or more peaceful ways to
live.
Amid the vernal splendor of Lumbini Garden, Gautama, the
Buddha, was born in 566 B.C.E. He was the son of a wealthy and
powerful king, Suddhodana, the ruler of the Sakya Clan in Kapilavastu, in what is now modern Nepal. The Buddha was given the
name “Siddhartha,” which means “He who has attained his aim.”
He passed away at the age of 80, leaving the following message to
his sorrowing disciples: “The Dharma which I have given you shall
be your teacher when I am gone.” So great has been the influence
of this Dharma that today it is estimated that one-third of humanity
pays homage to the Buddha’s noble teachings. The supreme goal
set before all Buddhists is the escape from suffering, ignorance,
illusion, and the attainment of truth and enlightenment. Only in the
pursuit of this lofty ideal will human-kind find the true meaning of
happiness and joy. He who loves the Dharma lives happily with his
mind at ease.
The Buddhadharma Sangha meets every Sunday evening in the
Garden Chapel. Services are from 5:30 to 8:30. The group hosts
other activities: all-day meditations called “sesshins,” various ceremonies and teachings for those who wish to delve deeper into the
Soto Zen lineage. All are welcome.
―Ron Singler

FOOTBALL
FANATICS
IN THE HOUSE!
The San
Quentin
B l u e s
Brothers
football
team
is
sporting a
winning
record with
three wins
and
one
Will Packer
loss
into
their season. A good mixture of North
Block and H-Unit of all races,
and has a good practice program. With a large group of
fans following them, Kudos to
Coach Will Packer.

team is open to any man with
the right attitude, spirit and

Saturday Morning Competition

love for the game. It doesn’t
matter your race, religion or
time being served. With the
season drawing to a close,

new players are welcome
ONLY for those with exceptional talent – “Other’s
need not apply” (this season).
The entire team extends
great appreciation to outside volunteer and Team
General Manager, Steve
Irwin. Recognition is also
due for the winning season
to the assistant coaches:
Danny Cox and Fred Reynolds. George Lamb states
in closing, “It is our goal to
go undefeated for the remainder of the season.” All
games will be on Saturday
mornings at 9 – get out there
and support the team.

LAST MONTH’S
SUDOKU SOLUTION
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THE WARRIORS WINNING WAYS
The San Quentin Warriors
basketball team began their
season on March 29, 2008,
and now sport a winning
record of 17 wins and 8
losses, said Head Coach,
George Lamb. With another 7 games to go, it
looks to be a heading for
another winning season.
The mission of the San
Quentin Warriors is to use
sports as an outreach ministry. It’s designed to help
men discover challenges in
their own personalities and
character, and developing
those areas through a spirit of
good will and competition.
The Warriors basketball

You can never achieve
victory if you accept defeat.
―Vince Lombardi

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Fill in all empty squares so that each row,
column and 3 X 3 square contains the number
1 through 9 inclusive.

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OCTOBER 10, 2008

SAN QUENTIN NEWS

PROPOSITION 9 – Marsy’s Law
By DAVID MARSH
In the Initiative-happy world
that is California politics, where
well heeled citizens with a personal ax to grind can and do, in
effect, purchase permanent
amendments to our state’s Constitution, millionaire and Broadcom cofounder Henry Nicholas
III is back for another shot.
Nicholas, himself facing an
array of drug and stock backdating charges that could conceivably net him a total of 360
years behind bars if convicted
on all counts, is widely credited
with ensuring the passage of the
three strikes initiative when he
donated almost $5 million of
his personal fortune toward the
effort when it appeared to be
facing defeat. Many analysts
now credit The Three Strikes
Law with the longer prison
terms that have resulted in
hopelessly over-crowded prisons and jails.
Nicholas is again back in the
political arena as the deep pockets and inspiration behind what
proponents of Proposition 9, or
‘Marsy’s Law’, call a far reach-

Symposium

ing victims’ Bill-of-Rights.
Proposition 9 would, among
other things, mean a wait of up
to 15 years for a parole hearing
for those inmates sentenced to a
term-plus-life with the possibility of parole, and prevent state
and county jails from using
early release programs as a
means of dealing with the
state’s chronically overcrowded
jails. The proposed law would
also open parole hearings, and
guarantee a chance to be heard
at them, to almost anyone with
only a slight interest in the case.
Proponents say that Marsy’s
Law would constitutionally
guarantee to victims of crimes
the assurance of restitution, as
well as broadening the role that
victims could play in various
legal proceedings against the
offender. It also seeks to extend
protections on the release of
victims’ confidential information, and make it more difficult
for the accused to gain release
on bail.
Opponents of the proposed
amendment are quick to point

have enforceable constitutional
rights. The opposing sides differed when it came to taking
Continued from page 1
away many of the rights prison“What happens when you give
ers have in relationship to rehaa man a 15-year parole denial
bilitation and the pursuit of
who has served 30 years on a
reentry into the community.
15-year-to-life sentence, what
Keith Wattley, prisoners’
happens when you take away a
rights attorney and staunch opman’s hope?” one inmate asked
ponent of Proposition 9, stated
his views to
the
crowd.
“This proposition is trying
to keep people in prison
longer under
the coat of
v i c t i m s
rights… there
is consistent
(Photo by Troy Williams)
evidence that
locking peoJody Lewen, Director of the Prison University Project
ple up for
Left: Michael R. Harris Right: Jonathan Simon
longer periods
of time does
of the panel.
The question asked by most not work,” said Wattley.
According to guest speaker
of the opponents of the proposition was, can a state with an Jonathan Simon, professor of
already cash strapped budget law and associate dean of the
afford a law that will add more Jurisprudence and Social Policy
debt? “California will have to Program at Berkeley, in the past
spend hundreds of millions to 5 years over 1000 laws have
save tens of millions,” said in- been enacted enhancing prison
mate panelist George Lamb, sentences.
“California is in the crosshair
speaking on the possible fiscal
impact Proposition 9 will have of a major human disaster, this
over-emphasis on violent crime
on the state.
Bilenda Harris-Ritter, crime is responsible for 8 percent of
victim, attorney, and trustee for California’s general fund, Calithe National Organization of fornia cannot afford to do this
the Parents of Murdered Chil- all over again,” said Simon.
The symposium was orchesdren (POMC), spoke on the
burdens that current laws have trated by Patten University at
on the family members of the San Quentin/ Prison University
victims of crime, who have the Project, sponsored by Jody Leright to attend yearly parole wen and Jennifer Scaife. Leohearings of the offenders who nard Rubio and Victimmurdered their loved ones. Har- Offender Education Group Faris-Ritter, whose parents were
cilitator and Catholic Chaplain
murdered, expressed her views
in support of Proposition 9 to a Fr. Stephen Barber, co-hosted
the event.
very sympathetic audience.
A copy of Proposition 9 is
Speakers from both sides of
available
for review by inmates
Proposition 9 agreed that victims and their families should in the prison law library.

out that many of the supposed
victims’ protection guarantees
were long-ago clearly set forth
in the 1982 voter approved
“Victims’ Bill of Rights”,
Proposition 8. They maintain
that Proposition 9 is unnecessary and an expensive duplication of effort that would seriously deplete the states already
vastly over-burdened treasury
at a time when it can least afford it.
By prohibiting early release
of inmates from overcrowded
jails and prisons, the measure,
says opponents, would force
financially strapped cities,
counties and the state to make
drastic cuts in many priority
programs such as education,
health care and services to the
poor and elderly.
They maintain that the draconian changes proposed for
the state’s already clearly dysfunctional parole system would
effectively remove the
“possibility-of-parole” clause
included by state statute and the
courts in most Lifers’ sentences.

If everyone howled
at every injustice,
every act of barbarism,
every act of unkindness, then we would
be taking the first step
toward a real humanity.
―Nelson DeMille

Page 4

COMMON SENSE
ON PAROLE
By MICHAEL R. HARRIS
One Man’s Opinion
One of the biggest problems
with Proposition 9 is that it
wastes a lot of taxpayers’ ally, plus help relieve overmoney. The criminal justice crowding.
system is already overwhelmed
I’m talking about releasing
with wasted money and wasted people that have served 20-plus
lives, and this proposition does years in prison and have met all
nothing to help. It actually the necessary requirements for
makes it worse.
release. Think about it, ladies
The arguments favoring and gentleman, you would have
Proposition 9 are flooded with doled out adequate punishment
half-truths and political rheto- to criminals and become more
ric.
fiscally responsible in the procThe average cost for lock- ess.
ing up someone in a California
Anyone
prison
is
who
really
$43,000 a year.
cares about
“Anyone who really justice and
One report concludes that it cares about justice and fiscal responcosts
$1,000
sibility
fiscal responsibility
per month in
should grab
healthcare for should grab an oar and an oar and
any Californian
start
padstart paddling…”
over age 45.
dling,
beIt can be
cause we are
argued that it costs even more all in this boat and we will ultifor prison inmates because of mately sink together. The oar is
safety and security concerns. a “No” vote on Proposition 9.
This means that the average
Think of state government as
Lifer costs the state $55,000 or a business: How could this
more per year. A prisoner ad- company not go bankrupt? Who
vocate says some 5,000 Lifers is the CEO managing this train
are eligible every year for pa- wreck?
role of the estimated 26,000
Everyone understands
Lifers currently incarcerated. that criminals should be
Only 80 are released, and 95 punished for their crimes.
percent of those are released by We all need to also undercourt order, not parole.
stand that when they have
Consider this: If just half of been punished according to
the eligible Lifers were paroled the law, they should get
each year, it would save the another chance at life and
state some $250 million annu- liberty.

DEATHROW CONCERNS
I have some concerns on the
news paper. You mention that
death row stories are welcome,
and yet there have been no letters, or mentions of anything
about death row.
Not only that, there is continued news about the graduates and
educational accomplishments on
the mainline, what about us who
have graduated on death row;
there’s no mention and that is
wrong because they look at us as
monsters and I believe it continues to look like that without your
help and acknowledgements.
The recent paper published

some really not so funny jokes,
and you could of used that space
to talk about education achievements here on death row.
I submitted a paper mentioning
about getting my GED in May,
long before this paper came out,
and there was no mention of it. I
worked just as hard, if not harder
than guys on the mainline – give
us the same respect you give your
fellow mainliners, we deserve it
also.
―J. Capistrano
See: “Editors Need Help,”
Page 6.

Mailroom Update
By DAVID MARSH
A flurry of overtime in the mailroom, as well as a temporary
shifting of staff and responsibilities, has resulted in mail reaching
its inmate recipients in a much more timely fashion lately. Sgt.
Amrhein, the mailroom supervisor, said the recent hiring she has
done to fill two vacant staff positions on her staff will help to ensure the mail will continue to flow on time.
While the number of inmates within the walls has continued to
rise over the years, the number of budgeted positions in the mailroom has fallen slightly. Currently, says Amrhein, a staff of six
sorts and processes a weekly average of over 8,000 pieces of mail.
Article 41 in the Department Operations Manual, revised July 26,
2008, states that all first class mail will be processed and delivered
within seven calendar days of receipt from the post office. Mail is
generally received at the institution within two to three days of
when it has been postmarked.
“We have redirect staff coming in from different units to help,
and we will continue to work whatever overtime is necessary to
keep the mail on time,” says Amrhein.

NO MORE
CANTEEN
DUCATS!
At the completion of the October Canteen Draw, the inmate
Trust office will no longer need
to process canteen ducats, says
Chief Accounting Officer Larry
Ward. For the Mainline, H-Unit,
and Reception Center, sticking
your ID in the window is the
ticket to do your shopping.
During this transition, there
will be several normal delays in
operation. From October 24,
2008, until first draw of November 12, 2008, postings of money
to accounts (Hobby, Pay, Mail
and Electronic deposits) will be
handled as timely as possible.
Ward also notes that first
draw may not happen on the
exact day scheduled. This same
operation is now in effect in several of CDCR Womens’ Prisons,
and will be state-wide soon.
BONE HEAD

By MIKE J. KREIGER

OCTOBER 10, 2008

SAN QUENTIN NEWS

ON COMING TO
SAN QUENTIN
inquisitive, and straightforward
as few people I meet these days
I’ve never done time, but in are. Maybe it has something to
all honesty that’s more a matter do with the nature of life in San
of luck than virtue; I was in and Quentin. You can’t hide from
out of trouble during my teen- others, your privacy is always
age years, some of it serious, at risk, and in the end you can’t
and it wouldn’t have taken really pretend to be anything
much for me to find myself but what you are – well, I supheading down the wrong branch pose you can pretend, but othof one of those forking paths ers will know you for who you
we continually find ourselves are soon enough, and once you
facing in this life.
realize that, you know there’s
So it’s not hard for me to no use pretending. I spent four
imagine myself here in San years in the army, and though I
Quentin. Perhaps
wouldn’t compartly for that
pare the experireason, the apences in any
proach
always
other way, they
puts an icy hand
have this in comon my back – the
mon – living
sight
of
the
cheek by jowl
looming,
forwith other men,
tress-like walls,
day after day,
and the grim
year after year,
Tobias Wolff
series of sally
strips you down to
ports and security gates, the essentials. If you’re honest, and
echoing clang of the gates clos- lucky, you’ll be accepted for
ing behind me. Of course I’m who you are; but you definitely
always aware that I can leave, won’t be accepted for who you
but nevertheless there’s a cer- aren’t.
tain unease in the experience.
The men I’ve met here seem
So why have I returned, and to have learned this hard leswhy will I continue to return? son. I’ve come to admire their
Quite simply, because of the honesty, their determination to
men I meet here. Maybe the use their brains and their gifts,
guys, who turn up to talk with and their attempts to make
me, and share their thoughts themselves free within these
and their writing, aren’t typical walls – to achieve freedom as a
of the general population. I state of mind and spirit. I’ve
have no way of knowing. And I learned from them. I hope I
don’t care. The men I’ve spent will continue to learn from
time with here are engaged, them.
By TOBIAS WOLFF

It Starts at Home
By MICHAEL A. ARON SR.
Fathers are the missing links in the lives of many young Americans. In an increasingly dangerous and unpredictable world, absent
fathers add tremendously to the insecurity of children. It is common that children function best in an atmosphere where both parents combine and complement their energies and talents in the rearing of children.
Even if pregnancy is an accident, once a decision is made to bring
a child to term, the rearing of that child cannot be an accident.
Most children are born at the top of their game, genius level. It is
the socialization process that turns most creative, talented and normal children into dependent and helpless adults. There are many
aspects to child-rearing, but I would like to stress six.
(1) Children need love and need to be provided a safe, secure
home that is full of warmth, love and challenges. (2) Teach by example, spending quality time with children providing options. (3)
Be conscious of building self-love and self-esteem into your children. (4) Introduce your children to the unlimited possibilities of
life. (5) Homes should be non-violent, and parents should be slow
to criticize each other in front of children. (6) Most men give very
little thought to a lifelong commitment that fathers should make to
their children.
To be a parent you have to be there for your kids and not in
prison. You have to realize that selling drugs, hanging out on corners, and carrying guns only lead to being in prison or six-feet under. We cannot do anything sitting up here behind bars. Why do
youngsters ages 18 and 19 years old come to San Quentin? Because they do not have a role model; either their father is dead or in
prison. We need to talk to these youngsters and try to steer them in
the right direction, and explain to them that they need to be out
there with their own kids. It starts at home!!! Youngsters need
someone who is willing to listen and talk to them and try to instill
in them that there is a better life out there for them. It starts at
home!

Page 5

Healing Our Wounds
Namaste, my brothers. I hope that society imposes upon us our experiences is ever lost –
today finds you well and in that create wounding and those positive or negative. The pergood spirits. I wanted to write that we impose upon ourselves. son I am today is made up of
about healing, we must also talk There are many places where my woundings as much as my
about woundings, for the two the two intersect; and the im- successes, perhaps even more
go together. How can we trans- pact on our mental and emo- so because the woundings have
form our wounding so that they tional health and wellness be- made me stronger.
can become sources of strength comes even more profound as
Some of the things we can do
which we can draw on in those we turn the negative thoughts to create healing include not
moments when we are brought and beliefs about ourselves in- engaging in unhealthy behavto our knees in grief and de- wards and start to act them out. iors that cause us to wound ourTo quote James Baldwin: “You selves or others (for example
spair?
We are all – each one of us – know it’s not the world that was substance use, violent behavdeeply wounded. There is not a my oppressor, because what the ior). Also, we can start to cresingle person on this earth who world does to you, if it does it ate community with others who
has not sustained numerous to you long enough and effec- are engaging in healthy behavwoundings over the course of tively enough, you begin to do iors and seeking to make
living. The wounds to our psy- to yourself.”
changes to unhealthy lifestyles.
Take a minute to think about In doing this we support our
ches are not as visible as those
wounds that our bodies sustain. what woundings you have sus- healing and that of others.
We carry our psychological tained over the course of your Spiritual belief and practice is
wounds deep within us and it is life. How are they continuing vital to our healing because it
much harder to
gives our lives
heal
those
meaning. En“We end up operating from our wounded places
p h y s i c a l
gaging in reguand in doing so, wound others and ourselves.”
wounds.
lar
spiritual
Our life exp r a c t i c e
periences and the realities that to impact your life, the choices grounds us and gives us solace.
we live in have an impact on you make and the behaviors Finally, engaging in healthy
our mental and emotional you are engaging in? The real- creative pursuits can be a way
health and well being. The ity is that unless we can start to of transforming our wounds as
ones that impact us negatively heal our wounds they continue well (for example writing, art,
are our woundings. Some of to bleed within us, causing us to music, dance, etc…). These are
these experiences of wounding stay in a cycle of wounding. just some of the ways that we
we have more control over than We end up operating from our can start to create healing.
others. The reality is that we wounded places and in doing
Our wounds, if left unatlive in a society in which there so, wound others and ourselves. tended, continue to bleed and
are many systems of oppression If we are to heal ourselves and motive our behaviors. In creatwithin which we must exist and create healing within our com- ing healing for ourselves we
which wound us very deeply, munities, we have to break this can start to make changes to
that is. things like racism, incar- cycle.
those behaviors we are engagThis brings me back to the ing in that do not suit us and
ceration, sexism, classism or
homophobia. In addition to questions I asked at the begin- which are negatively impacting
these systems we also create ning of this article. How can I our lives and the lives of others.
our own wounding by engaging create healing for myself and In starting to heal these
in behavior or activities that are perhaps for those in my life I wounds, and ourselves, our
not good for us (for example have caused to be wounded woundings become transformed
substance use, addictive behav- through some of my actions?
into sources of strength we can
Healing is a process. It will draw upon in our time of need.
iors or violence). Sometimes
the very behaviors that are hurt- not happen overnight. Some
I would love to hear from you
ing us are the coping skills we wounds may never heal com- about the ways in which you
have developed to try to deal pletely; but we can find a way create healing in your own life.
with our woundings such as to integrate them into who we Feel free to write to me c/o of
are in a way that allows us to the editor. Until next time,
using drugs and alcohol.
It is very important to be move forward in our lives. In blessings…
aware of the difference between doing so, we stop the bleeding.
those factors and conditions Nothing that has entered into
― Helen Ameeta Singh

Prodigals Return
to San Quentin
The sally port opens to clean
grass, trees, birdsong, a raised
pond, quadrangle guarded by
ancient buildings open to blue
evening sky, where water birds
hungry for home careen over
crenellated walls splash down
in waiting pond.
Prodigals, fourteen siblings
Once nested here as ducklings,
now Return with friends—forty
ducks swim In parade welcomed by blue shirted men glad
as fathers with hearts flung
wide rejoicing in the soft wild
center of San Quentin State
Prison.
―Judy Richardson

Raw Meat (2006)
Put your heart into song, You
can’t help but write the truth;
If your heart is loving, you
can’t go wrong; The words you
choose will be your proof.
Your truth can be desire That
burns like white hot fire
Searing soul with pain to
prove Love a hell you pray
heaven remove.
Or truth can be the grief
When love is proved a lie.
How pain beyond belief Is
why all day you die.
The lover’s heart is made of
flesh, The poet’s heart is under
geist;
To beat for songs sung to the
muse, To feed Her hunger for
amuse.
― John O. Neblett

FORGIVE ME. FORGIVE YOURSELF!
Forgive me. Forgive yourself. Forgive that in which I hold myself hostage
to. Let it go. Whatever it is… big or small. Don’t be alarmed, by the way in
which I express myself. Being myself. For I am a reflection of you. As you
are a reflection of me. And the way to get free is to release the beast and release the peace. Forgiveness is a large part of that. Camisha stop the combat.
Who are you angry at? What are you? Trying not to be trapped? Mean
while, you are trapping yourself, instead of tapping into yourself. Tapping into
your talent and gifts you have been given. Just listen… to the wisdom within.
No need to reach outside of yourself for whatever you’re looking for, you have

all that you need and more. Even though your (maja) (Man/woman) or
(mama)? may be unsure. You are pure. Even though your heart may be tore.
Be an encore of authenticity. (Over & over again) Cause once in a lifetime
happens every second. Check it.
Before, you wreck it. Be prepared to reassemble it. Stop trippin off what he
did and what she did. Build your own crib. With patients, hanging, from the
chandeliers. Constantly persevere. There is no fear, other than for the one we
revere. Be clear.
― Camisha Fatimah

Memories,
Impressions
and Gratitude
It Sitting Remote and Picturesque, a Ringed Fortress with
Formidable Walls, Inhibiting
Gates and Deadly Dark Watchtowers Containing LifeAltering and Lifetime Situations
Them Under ControlAbraham, David, Gary, Fernando, Camal, Ken, Michael,
Terrell, James, Jay, John,
Randy, Inhabiting Monk-like
Cells Coping and Hoping Escaping by Learning and Creating
Them/Us Brilliant Dauntless,
Articulate, Handsome, Proud
and Powerful Manhood Fielding Questions/Probing Answers
Practicing Reverence and Patience Presenting Quality and
Value Sharing History, Awareness, Wisdom and Artistry
Me Grateful for the Experience and humbled by it.
―By: Wm H.
(An Outside Visitor to San Quentin)

OCTOBER 10, 2008

SAN QUENTIN NEWS

On the Line

Tom Brobst -San Quentin Librarian

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
IN SQ MAINLINE LIBRARY
By DAVID MARSH
From chillers to thrillers,
mysteries to westerns and fantasy novels to reference books,
good reading material recently
got a good bit more plentiful at
the San Quentin mainline library according to senior librarian Tom Brobst. Both serious
and recreational readers will
soon be able to enjoy the fruits
of the librarian’s recent $11,000
shopping spree at popular bookseller Barnes and Noble. That
translates into approximately
1,000 new titles to add to the
almost 33,000 volumes that
already stock the library’s heavily laden shelves.
Brobst, a library veteran with
over eight years spent working
in the SQ library, estimates that
approximately 70 percent of the
recent purchases are paperbacks, with the rest being hardbound. Brobst and librarian

John Cornell were accompanied
by education Vice-Principal
Frank Kellum, who supervises
the library, on the trip to Barnes
and Noble. The trio used a request list compiled by the library’s patrons, as well as suggestions from the various programs run through the education department and just good
old fashioned common sense in
making their selections.
Library users will see for the
first time a relatively new genre
of paperbacks, the “Urban Novels,” which are written in contemporary street language. In
addition, they have added nonfiction books on Black history,
Native American history, a variety of texts intended to bolster
course work of the classes
taught through the education
department, and a selection of
other nonfiction works to cater
to the more serious readers who
frequent the library.

A NEW EXPERIENCE
When I first came into San
Quentin I had little expectations; what I found exceeded
any expectations I might have
had. I came for the TRUST
(Teaching Responsibility Utilizing Sociological Teaching)
food sale in May. I was invited
by a professor I met at San
Francisco State, a volunteer
with the TRUST for over a
year. A food sale is quite an
experience, watching the hard
work of the prisoners and the
many volunteers. The men in
TRUST asked me a lot of questions. Many wanted to know if
prison was what I’d expected.
My response was that I had
little in the way of expectations,
surprising some. Partly because
I’ve seen very few prison stories on television in the first
place. In addition, I try not to
judge people without good reason. Forewarned about the type
of men I would meet, I really
enjoyed the experience of
working side by side and talking with them. I learned a lot,

about both prison and them.
The next time I came to San
Quentin was for a TRUST general body meeting. Since that
meeting I’ve been coming in
twice a week, participating in
the weekly Thursday workshop
as a co-facilitator. The topics
that we cover can apply to anyone’s life, and I even learned a
great deal during these workshops myself. It’s great to hear
the men’s perspectives on the
various topics and issues that
come up during the sessions.
What’s even more impressive is
that the men actually facilitate
the classes themselves; watching their weekly preparations
and planning is amazing. The
men of the San Quentin TRUST
have greatly impacted my life.
My coming to San Quentin is
more than luck to me. I’ve
learned a completely different
side of the prison, one rarely
portrayed in the media; a side
that more people should know
about.
―Erica Duggan, Volunteer

The library, located for the
past year in the south end of the
old laundry building, also features four daily newspapers and
44 monthly and weekly publications on topics as diverse as
trucks to tennis and boating to
parenting. The library caters to
almost all mainline inmates,
including Condemned Row and
the Security Housing Unit program, and is open Monday thru
Friday from 12:30 – 3 P.M.,
and evenings from 6-9 P.M. It’s
also open on Saturday from 7
AM ‘til 3 PM.
Fantasy and Sci Fi are most
popular among the library’s
users, according to Brobst who
guesses that the shelf life for a
popular paperback is about one
year. In the library’s future is a
planned move to the new hospital building currently under
construction and scheduled for
completion in about two years.
The move will almost double
the library space.
The library’s patrons had to
wait to get their hands on the
recently purchased books until
passage of the state’s budget.
Now, the books are being
marked, cataloged and placed
on the shelves.
A good deal of the library’s
purchases are made through
Barnes and Noble, which offers
the prison library a 25 percent
discount. But the library will be
struggling to replace its most
prominent book supplier, Ingram Books. As a result of the
state’s chronically delayed state
budget approval process and
subsequent late payments, Ingram, which offered the library
a 40 percent discount, has decided that it will no longer do
business with California’s
prison libraries. Ingram was a
valuable resource for the li-

VIDEO
LITERACY
PROJECT
The Video Literacy Project
will begin airing half-hour
weekly episodes on SQTV beginning Nov. 1. Host Judy
Breen will interview SQ readers
and writers, along with an occasional outside guest, about
books for recommended reading. With a focus on great
reads, the interviews, filmed by
members of the SQTV production crew, will cover topics as
diverse as science fiction, fantasy, self-improvement, books
by living writers, prize-winning
books, best-selling books and
will occasionally explore the
guest’s own writing.
The series is produced with
the co-operation of the San
Quentin Library, and the materials reviewed and discussed
during the program can be
browsed and checked out on a
special shelf in the library. A
mail box will be set up to collect subject matter recommendations from viewers.

Page 6

QUARTERLY PACKAGE UPDATE
For North Block inmates
with questions concerning quarterly package delivery, C/O
Plagman will answer your questions. For H Unit inmates, C/O
Moore handles your questions
and the delivery of your packages. Regardless of your location in the institution, all packages are dispensed through the
package window which is located on the Lower Yard near
the Education complex.
North Block residents will
find the package window open
for them on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings, usually beginning right after count
clears and continuing until everyone on the list has been
served, typically about an hour
to an hour and one-half. Package lists are posted in multiple
locations on the walls in North
Block.
For those in H Unit, Tuesday
and Thursday evenings are designated for your quarterly package deliveries. The dorm officer
will notify those on the package
list during count time, and you
can report to the package window during the program release
time at 6:20 P.M..
According to both officers,
the most commonly asked question they are faced with is
“Why isn’t it here yet?” There
are three main reasons which
delay a package, according to
Plagman. Those are: 1. It was
not ordered when the you
thought it was. 2. The vendor
delays shipment pending the
restocking of a particular item.
3. The package is returned to
the vendor after arriving at the
SQ warehouse in a damaged
condition.
Packages are held for delivery for a period of two weeks
after their arrival at SQ. A
package unclaimed after the
first week is listed on a supplementary list, and held for an
additional week before being
returned to the vendor. A package arriving up to five days into

a new quarter will be credited
to the previous quarter. All
packages should be verified for
content while you are at the
package window. Inmates receive a copy of the package
invoice against which the contents are checked. If there is
anything missing from the
package, Plagman or Moore
will contact the vendor and
have the item shipped.
Books ordered from authorized vendors, two books per
envelope, are delivered through
the package window, and will
not count as a quarterly package.
If you mail anything home,
make certain that there will be
someone there to accept delivery of the package. Inmates
must provide an address for
delivery, a post office box number will not be accepted! UPS
will attempt delivery three
times before returning the package to the institution. Any returned packages will be donated. Mail-outs can be done
during open window. The box
must be brought to the window
without being sealed, and be
accompanied by two filled-out
trust withdrawal slips.
“Special Purchases” can
include any electronic device
(fan, TV, radio, hotpot, etc.),
and are authorized once per
year. You are allowed 12 CDs
per package, and must turn in
previously owned CDs in order
to stay under the 12 CD per
inmate limit.
All electronic devices are
recorded on your property card.
Do not throw away nonworking electronic devices!!!!!
Return them for removal from
your property card so that you
may replace them at some time
in the future.
Both Plagman and Moore
ask for your patience when
dealing with package delivery
issues.
―David Marsh

EVEN EDITORS
NEED HELP
The Patten University College Program is currently teaching a
beginning journalism class. The class includes all inmates listed as
being a part of the San Quentin News. The mission of the SQ News
is to report everything to the population that will help make informed decisions for those in prison. Mistakes happen in “real”
newspapers every day.
We have put out requests for help from the population, as well as
the journalism class, and it has been answered on many fronts. An
Advisory Board has been formed, and is now meeting with the
fledgling news editors. Its members include: Steve McNamara ,
former owner of the Pacific Sun, Steve Cook, former reporter for
the Marin Independent Journal and San Francisco Examiner, and
Joan Lisetor, a former writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, and
previous advisor to the SQ News during its earlier operation.
Our mentor is John Eagan, retired Associated press writer, and
former chief editor of the Novato Advance and Petaluma Argus
Courier. He is also the former publisher of the Marinscope Community Newspaper. Eagan is looking over our shoulder, and using
his years of wisdom to get the SQ News back up to what it once
was - an award-winning publication. It’s NOT there yet, and we
know it. We hope and expect continued improvement, and appreciate your future support and input.

OCTOBER 10, 2008

SAN QUENTIN NEWS

Opinion
FIGHT OR DIE!
A Legal Battle
Such hard words, yet very tion stated that the Attorney
true. I feel compelled to write General’s office has assigned a
this to all Lifers going to the total of 12 attorneys to the 700
Board. I am in no way, shape or Lifer cases that have been filed,
form speaking about physical contesting their denial of paviolence. Because I abhor any role. That is a down-right
violence that hurts another hu- shame that out of about 4,000
man being. However, as I am Lifer hearings held each year,
writing this piece, I thought of only 700 hearings are being
contested.
all
our
That
is
L i f e r
r e a l l y
brothers
something
that have
to
think
passed on,
a b o u t
never havw h e n
ing
had
you’re
another
sitting at
chance at
the
pifreedom.
nochle
Although
t a b l e ,
many will
while you
argue that
are playpoint, it is
ing basketnot
the
ball
all
freedom I
day,
or
am speakexerting
ing of. We
all of your
should not
Noel Valdivia
energy to
wag and
shake our heads when we hear make the baseball team. It is a
of another Lifer brother expir- sad statistic to see that more
ing. Rather, we should look at Lifers have died in prison than
ourselves and ask ourselves, have been paroled, when parole
“What am I doing to make sure is supposed to be the rule rather
that we spend our last days on than the exception. If you, felthe streets?” Living our last low Lifer, think that all the
days as productive citizens, and chrono-chasing is going to get
showing our community that you out, think again! Although
we indeed have changed. The you are doing the best you can
fight that I am speaking of is to show the Board that you
contesting the illegal practices have changed, do you really
of the Board of Prison Hear- think they care? Think again,
ings. The practice of illegally because the Board is not playdenying Lifers parole and in ing fair, nor do they care! After
turn changing our 15-year-to- reading many transcripts and
life and 25-year-to-life sen- seeing their reasons for denial, I
tences to a death-in-prison sen- know that they do not care.
If you are waiting for antence.
I opened my piece in this other Lifer’s case to make a
manner because recently a mo- landmark decision to let you
tion from the Attorney General out, think again. The truth of
was filed in a Lifer’s case that the matter, my Lifer brother, is
my bro is working on. The mo- that you either fight or, sadly,

you will die. Just marinate on
this. Recently in the Mike Ngo
case, evidence was provided
that in June 2006, out of 245
parole hearings, 243 prisoners
were denied parole because the
Board found that the crimes
were particularly egregious. If
you happen to be one of those
lottery parole date winners,
what do you think your chances
of ‘passing go’
are? With the Governor’s review? Think about it, when
there are only 700 Lifer’s cases
being litigated out of 4,000
hearings every year, don’t think
that 700 cases are actually being contested annually, some of
those cases may be carry-overs
from lower court denials. That
may mean that in two or three
years, out of actually 12,000
hearings, only 700 are being
contested.
When the time piece strikes
twelve of another Lifer’s life in
this world, do not wag or shake
your head, do not blame the
medical staff or any other entity. Rather, think about the
efforts you put forth to prevent
such an outcome. Think about
how much advantage you took
of all the programs and education programs that the warden
has provided us with, and then
in turn used that education to
win your freedom. For those
Lifers who have fought and
died, I salute you. However, for
us who are still alive, it is way
beyond the time to do something in the legal arena. You are
not dead yet, and it ain’t over til
it’s over. If you want help ask
around, there are many who are
willing to help you. Because
when it is all said and done and
all the excuses are used up, you
are either going to fight or die--or die trying.
―Noel Valdivia

Page 7

Schadenfreude
By BANJO
Webster’s definition of
Schadenfreude is, “Joy at the
misery of others.” In 1997 in
Haifa a seaside city in Israel, an
old Jewish man told me that it
was Hitler’s favorite word. I’ve
often wondered how a German
word made it into an English
dictionary. Whatever its origin,
it’s the word that immediately
sprang to mind when I heard a
few of my fellow felons discussing my friend Michael R.
Harris’ Parole Board appearance.
Harris was denied parole for
the third time on September
25th. The inmates I heard discussing, Michael’s case made
cavalier remarks about how
having a lawyer and money
doesn’t guarantee your release.
Astonishingly, they were laughing about it. Bad news seems to
travel fast at San Quentin.
Maybe it’s no different than any
other microcosm of society.
However this was devastating
news to me.
Michael was denied because
the board determined that he
failed to demonstrate insight
into his crime. One should acknowledge that they understand
the consequences of their actions. But what if for 21 years
you have maintained your innocence? What if the alleged victim shows up at your hearing
and declares: “He didn’t do it,”
is it possible to show remorse
or insight into something you
didn’t do? If you did claim
remorse wouldn’t it appear disingenuous?
I don’t know whether Mike
did or didn’t commit the crime
of which he was convicted. I’ve
never asked him. It’s not the
sort of thing you ask other inmates. But these circumstances
apply: a) he claims he didn’t do
it and b) the victim appeared at
his parole hearing and confirmed his innocence. Does the
Parole Board have a fiduciary
responsibility to ascertain that

an inmate is qualified to return
to society? Should they be
bound to using reasonable and
secular criteria to determine
this? The answer, of course, is a
resounding ‘yes’ on both
counts. The board knows you
were found guilty beyond a
reasonable doubt. Not beyond
all doubt, only the victim or the
defendant knows that. Therefore, asking one to express insight into a crime you claim
you didn’t commit as a condition of parole is in violation of
the U.S. Constitution.
There is plenty of other criteria to ascertain ones suitability for parole such as employment, housing, disciplinary
record, self-help programs completed, family support, education etc. There is no worldly
way to determine whether one
would recidivate.
Recently I had a discussion
with two long-tenured CDCR
(California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation)
employees whom I respect.
They told me that as correctional professionals one develops a sixth sense about inmates,
and can spot a recidivist a mile
away. Now I don’t know
whether I believe this or not,
but I do believe that they believe it. My point is that if the
Parole Board is made up of
individuals of similar backgrounds, it is apparent that such
non-secular techniques are being used. Was it not Shakespeare that once said that no
decision is void of self political
interest?
I can say without bias that
Michael Harris is suitable for
parole. His parole plans by the
board’s own admissions are
impeccable. Of the almost
5,000 parole hearings held in
2007, approximately 80 inmates were released, and most
of those were court-ordered.
Now either CDCR is doing a
lousy job of the “R” in their
acronym, or inmates aren’t the
only ones guilty of Schadenfreude.

A 3rd STRIKER’S SYMBIOSIS
I’ve now come to the realization that even as a three
striker, I can recommit myself
to our community, out there,
where the violence rears its
ugly head.
I joined Team Exodus Sept.
6, 2008, and this time, it wasn’t
for me. You see, I’ve been indulging myself on positive
groups at San Quentin, from
Non-Verbal Communication,
Keepin’-It-Real, Day of Peace,
and various college courses,
just to name a few. Team Exodus gave me an opportunity to
give back to the community.
I, as a Team Exodus member
and a reporter for the San
Quentin News, interviewed a
young man concerning what
might be done to stop the violence in our communities. My
subject was Paul, a 21-year-old

resident from West Oakland,
incarcerated for drug offenses.
Q: “What is the most important
thing that you need to maintain
a life free of violence?” A:
“Help like this, because out
there I don’t know where to go
for help. It’s hard to do the right
things I need to do if I don’t
know where to go.” Q: “What
curriculum have you taken at
SQ?” A: “The Bridging program. It’s a good program, it
helps me to learn to communicate with others as well as my
daughter.” Q: “What’s your
biggest fear upon being released?” A: “Not being able to
get a job.”
I assured Paul that the Job
Fair was designed to help him
realize his employment goals.
Along with that, I told him how
I once secured a job by volun-

teering to work for free. I told
the supervisor I had nothing
better to do but to hang out in
the neighborhood, that I’d give
him a free eight hours just to
stay out of trouble.
Well, I was told to go fill up
that wheelbarrow with water,
and that’s just not easy. At the
end of the day, the boss told me
to come on back, and that I was
hired. Paul listened with a smile
on his face and said, “I’ll remember that and use it if I have
to.”
I told Paul to do just that,
and, if by chance he wasn’t
hired on the spot, he’d certainly
be the first one that they’d call
in when an opening came up. “I
know they will,” was his response to me. And with that, we
returned to the rest of my questions for Paul. Q: “Paul, just

exactly what can we do to stop
the violence out there?” A:
Paul’s response was beautiful!
“Get myself together by getting
that job and then talk to the
kids, letting them know that’s
not it! Spend time with them;
listen to them. I really want to
do that because I grew up without pops, so I know how that
is.” Q: The last question was
“What do you do out there,
Paul?” A: “I sing man, and
R&B is my thang.”
And with that, we concluded
what had been my first interview as a San Quentin News
correspondent. I am grateful for
this opportunity to give back to
the community, and, in doing
so, I was able to reach out and
to encourage one young man to
make some positive changes in
his life, and perhaps even to

reach out and help others. What
is my benefit? The reawakening
of the humankind within myself
and the joy to me that it brings
Symbiosis.
―Monta Kevin Tindall
QUOTABLE QUOTES
We cannot force those we want to
forgive into accepting our forgiveness.
They might not be able or willing to do
so. They may not even know or feel
that they have wounded us. We can
only change ourselves. Forgiving others is first and foremost healing our
own hearts.
—Heni J.M. Nouwen
I imagine one of the reasons people
cling to their hates so stubbornly is
because they sense, once hate is gone,
they will be forced to deal with pain.
- James Baldwin
Education is the most powerful
weapon which you can use to change
the world.
- Nelson Mandela

OCTOBER 10, 2008

SAN QUENTIN NEWS

Inmate Transfers
What you need to know
Continued from page 1
Diane Trumpy is the assistant classification and parole
representative at San Quentin.
It is her job to identify and
screen inmates who meet transfer criteria from a list she receives from the COCF office in
Sacramento.
Trumpy cited institutional
security in declining to reveal
specific numbers of SQ inmates involved in the transfer
program, but acknowledged the
number is growing. “They are
part of a continuing process of
which SQ is expected to contribute its share,” said Trumpy,
who agreed to be interviewed
for this story.
Trumpy says that the eligibility criteria for transfers
changes with each new round
of transfers initiated in Sacramento. For example, the most
recent list that Trumpy has received from Sacramento contains the names of inmates
who, among other things, received no visits from May 2007
thru May 2008, and whose remaining terms range from a
minimum of six months to 30
years.
From that list, Trumpy deletes the names of non-eligible
inmates, including Lifers, high
security inmates (level 4),
minimum custody inmates
(level 1), and institutional critical workers. Validated gang
members are also ineligible,
unlike street gang members,
who are subject to transfer.
For those whose names remain on her list, the process
begins with a face-to-face notification from a Correctional
Counselor I that the inmate has
been selected for inclusion in
the out-of-state transfer program, and that participation is
mandatory. Inmates are then
offered an opportunity to meet
with a state-supplied attorney,

under contract to the state from
the George School of Law, who
will advise them of their appeal
rights.
Each inmate is screened for
both physical and mental health
concerns, according to Trumpy,
and then endorsed by the CSR
for a transfer to an out-of-state
facility. After being endorsed,
an inmate can choose to make
use of the specially expedited
602 appeals process.
At SQ, the three-stage appeals process is handled by
CCII R. Brau of the Inmate
Appeals Office. Brau, the inmate appeals coordinator, emphasizes that no inmates are
actually shipped out prior to
completion of the second level
of appeal. An incomplete third
level process will not prevent
transfer of an inmate, although
every effort is made to complete the appeals process before
the transfer, according to Brau.
Brau states that two inmates
have successfully delayed their
transfers on appeal due to
pending medical procedures. In
addition, he has several appeals
pending. Although many inmates have consulted an attorney, the number who filed an
appeal is quite low, Brau said.
Sensitive Needs inmates,
also known as Protective Custody prisoners, can elect to
transfer out-of-state, but there
currently are no out-of-state
Sensitive Needs Yards for inmate segregation. “That also is
about to change,” says Brau,
“and the new contract will include the development of Sensitive Needs Yards at the
COCFs.” When that happens,
sensitive needs inmates will be
involuntarily shipped out as
well, according to Brau.
Brau noted that the mix of
inmates at SQ, with its large
number of ineligible Lifers and
high security and minimum
security inmates, SQ has a rela-

San Quentin News
USPS 4870-700
The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily
reflect those of the Administration, nor the inmate
population, and should be considered solely the
opinion of the individual author unless specified.
Permission is granted to reprint articles appearing in the San Quentin News provided credit is
given the author and this publication.
Administrative Review……………....R. Luna
Principal…...……………………..T. Roberts
Vice Principal….. ………...W. Reeves, Ed. D.
Print Shop Supervisor................. ..J. Wilkerson
Inside/Outside Advisor…………… J. Eagan
Executive Staff:
K. Brydon …………………… . Chief Editor
M. Harris ………………….Managing Editor
A. Tamboura ………………Technical Editor
D. Marsh………………………..Staff Writer
This publication is printed by the students in
the San Quentin Vocational Printing Program.
Thanks for all the
help from everyone!

tively low number of inmates
available for the transfer program. Those selected for transfer reside in North Block and H
Unit.
The ever-shifting criteria for
eligibility, says Brau, means
that inmates fresh from reception to the mainline are now
being diverted to the program
as well, increasing the number
of inmates at SQ that are eligible for transfer.
Inmates at SQ that are currently involved in various
stages of the transfer process
and interviewed for this story
have expressed misgivings as
to what awaits California inmates upon their arrival at one
of the COCFs.
An informational video released by the CDCR in 2006
shows state of the art facilities
featuring weight training equipment and roomy gymnasiums
and air-conditioned facilities.
According to the video, California inmates will not be allowed to smoke or use tobacco
products, and most CDCR rules
and regulations will still apply,
including rules for good-time,
work-time. Self-help programs
such as NA, AA, Anger
Management, etc. will be offered to inmates as well.
“California law requires that
inmates be housed in a suitable
place of confinement that will
maintain standards of care and
discipline comparable to those
of CDCR,” the video says.
An inmate transferred to the
North Fork Correctional Facility in Oklahoma wrote back
praising the 43 channels offered on TV, the fact that inmates can possess Playstations,
minimum 30 cents per-hour
pay numbers, and a variety of
other “perks” offered at the
facility.
―David Marsh &
Michael R. Harris

H-Unit MAC COUNCIL
A. Parker
L. Haskins
M. Andrews
D. Mairs
M. Le Melle
A. Setzo
M. Folwer
S. Maiden
G. Pineda
S. Byers
R. Henderson
P. Shields
D. Ansted
D. Hartley
J. Harris
J. Phillips
H. Hopkins
M. Brooks
D. Kaiban

2-H-42L
4-H-17L
5-H-42U
1-H-08U
5-H-29L
5-H-29L
2-H-37L
2-H-47L
3-H-98L
3-H-56L
3-H-98L
4-H-45L
4-H-46U
4-H-71L
4-H-72L
4-H-68L
4-H-24L
4-H-24L
4-H-06L

Chairman
Vice-Chairman
Secretary
Parliamentarian
Sgt at Arms
Rep.
Rep.
Rep.
Rep.
Rep.
Rep.
Rep.
Rep.
Rep.
Stand Up Rep.
Food Serv. Rep.
Canteen Rep.
Rep.
Medical Rep.

North Block Executive MAC Members
Johnson, S.
Sefeldeen, K
Mancinelli, T.
Tindall, M.K.
Pena, E

2-N-81L
1-N-96L
5-N-87U
4-N-37L
3-N-24L

Chairman
Vice-Chairman
Secretary
Parliamentarian
Sgt at Arms

Address Correspondence to:
Education Dept. / SQ News
San Quentin, CA 94964

Page 8

never knew his name…
I guess I never really knew
him, though for 2 1/2 weeks I
thought I had come to know
him well. But I’m very bad
with names, always have been,
so to me, he was ‘Bunkie’,
‘cause that’s what he was – my
Bunkie. And he always had a
friendly word for me, or anyone else for that matter.
Tonight in H Unit, while
coming out of the chow hall, I
hit the deck when the Dorm 1
alarm went off. I sat there for
awhile and watched the ambulance come and, finally, go.
Word came to us that it was a
“man down,” and that he had
stopped breathing. Thinking
back, I’m not really sure what I
thought about that, and maybe
I simply decided not to think
about it, then I went about my
business.
Only later did someone tell
me who had died, that it was
my “Bunkie.” That he had simply lain down on his bunk to
rest…and died. With two
months left on a sentence that
had inadvertently become a
death sentence.
And then it occurred to me
that…this man who I had taken
a liking to in the brief time that

I knew him, who always said
‘hello’ in passing, and I didn’t
even know his name. And as I
asked around of others who
had known him and had shared
greetings with him on a regular
basis, I came to realize that
none knew his name. He had
come and gone in anonymity.
Many had known him, however briefly, and many had
liked him. But none knew his
name.
It’s like that in prison,
many of us coming and going
all the time, with most never
leaving anything resembling a
permanent impression. And no
constants in out lives. And
sometimes, not even a name.
It’s possible that months
from now my Bunkie won’t
even be a memory for many
people. But I liked him, and
already I miss him.
Rick. His name was Rick.
Richard Simpson, or at least
that’s what the c/o told me my
Bunkie’s name was. Rest in
peace, Rick. You were a good
man, a good Bunkie, and at
least I oughta know your name.
Richard Simpson….2-1-58
― 9-23-08
―David Marsh

MY EXPERIENCE
WITH SQTV
It is an intense job; people
I am a Lifer employed at San
Quentin Television (SQTV) come from the inside and the
within San Quentin's Education outside with projects. Yet this
Department, where I have job supplies me with valuable
worked since late-September knowledge as to the ins and
2005, a month and a half since I outs of media production. Betransferred here from Pleasant cause of the generosity and
Valley State Prison. Prior to vision of Radical Media and the
being incarcerated, I already Discovery Channel, I work on
had musical skills in that I play equipment that video professionals use in
guitar,
key"real
boards,
and
I work on equipment that the
world" on a
bass and I also
basis.
had
strong video professionals use in daily
the "real world" on a daily For example,
computer
Final Cut Pro
skills. Unfortubasis.
is the industry
nately, I didn't
take advantage of these talents. staple, and with the many feaCurrently my title is “Video tures this software has, I can see
Production Coordinator”, and I why video producers swear by
work with four other people at this valuable tool. I would love
SQTV under the supervision of the opportunity to use the skills
Television Specialist Larry I am learning and developing
Schneider, as well as five on projects once I am again in
graduates of the Discovery the free world.
I believe there are an abunChannel Film School. My capacity is to coordinate and per- dance of opportunities in media
form camera shoots for the production (i.e. movies, music
many groups and programs here videos, etc.) and especially
at San Quentin utilizing high- freelancing, so I want to make
definition cameras. This en- my contribution out there. I
ables me to edit the footage on would like to let the public
one of the four Apple iMacs the know what rehabilitation can do
Discovery Channel donated to for someone formerly incarcerthe Film School. With this I an ated, but also to help spread the
able to create the finished prod- message to young people who
uct for internal broadcast on the live in a disenfranchised reality.
SQTV system and media for To teach them that they too can
various educational groups. I learn this marketable trade of
also create original music video production, and remove
scores for videos we produce themselves from the vicious
here, either solo or in collabora- cycle of unemployment that
tion with one of my co-workers, permeates their community.
“Blue” Wilder.
―E. Phillips

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