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(FOX26) — Changes are ongoing for what is now known as the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
Governor Gavin Newsom announced changes to the prison into a rehabilitation facility
Speaking alongside employees of the prison and other leaders
Governor Newsom says this transformed area will focus on rehabilitation and education
"And so for us this is about real public safety
this is about keeping communities safe,” Governor Newsom said
“This is about getting serious about addressing the issue of crime and violence in our state but doing things differently and acknowledging as was said by many speakers with humility that we have failed for too long."
But it's not just the governor who is speaking for this project
California Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation Secretary Jeff Macomber gave his take on the impacts the renovation will have
"The establishment of this new rehabilitative center marks a pivotal step toward fostering genuine transformation in our correctional system,” Macomber said
“We are not just rebuilding walls but constructing pathways to restoration and rehabilitation for those in our care.”
But this idea isn't coming without a hefty price
the budget for the project was priced out at $360 million in the Budget Act of 2023
The price was changed to a lower price that December
But when looking at other options the governor says rebuilding in the location the prison is at would be a better long term solution for everyone involved instead of building it in a new location entirely
"We felt we would fall backwards in terms of being able to build something else back up,” Governor Newsom said
“There are a thousand plus prisoners already at this facility actively engaged in their own rehabilitation
To have disrupted that I think would have created more problems and set actually the cause back
So for us the dollars and cents of this are about a longer term strategy to significantly reduce taxpayers burden and costs in terms of proving a model and program of rehabilitation that can be an international model."
To see the full timeline of the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center transformation, click here.
Drummond’s journey—along with his multiple journalistic accomplishments—are a byproduct of his unparalleled enthusiasm and go-getter attitude
As he sits back in his chair and looks me right in the eye
I catch a shimmering glimpse of the straightforward and no-nonsense professor that he is
and almost instantly know that he strives to instill this value in his students as well
A lot of the old people have paroled and gone and the new generation has expanded
It’s expanded beyond the small group that was just focused on the paper and is a lot more diffuse now as there are people who want to publish pieces in Spanish and Vietnamese as well
People are no longer satisfied with the cold type anymore and want the thrill of video
describing the change that took place in the news organization with an underlying sense of acceptance in his voice
indicating the inevitability of transition in journalism
The essential spirit of the field remains the same
but mediums and methods are almost always subject to change
This has a subsequent impact on teaching as well
“Students are spending a lot of time on data journalism
So I wonder what we should be teaching them
people are going to have to be able to adapt to a lot of things that haven’t even been invented yet,” he said
his face luminescent with the glow of experience
“You have to be adaptable and understand a business model
I think creating a business model must be added to the list of mandatory assignments for students
what idea could I come up with that would sell
there aren’t any companies that will pluck you out and make you famous
You need to make yourself famous,” he emphasized.
Drummond has done so much more than merely reckon with the transitions in journalism
He’s also gone out of his way to make sure that his students understand these changes
preparing them—or rather arming them—for the new demands of this ever-evolving industry with the strong axe of adaptability
a weapon that he has constructed out of pure experience
“I have a lot of guest speakers coming into the classes that I teach and they often try to talk about what’s different now in the industry as compared to all those years ago
The main thing that comes up now is that you have to think very hard about the economics of the industry that you want to work in
We never thought of it and had a kind of disdain for the business side of things
As I reached the end of my series of conversations with Drummond
I decided to tread on the path of clichés and ask him for some final thoughts
“What is the one message you want to give to students who want to pursue journalism?” I asked
flinching at the ordinariness of my question
fully aware that all interviewers at some point eventually resort to it
A calling that makes you want to help people through your stories
It’s not something you can get rich out of doing
as I responded with an understanding smile
I knew exactly how a calling feels—like a pair of sun-soaked claws gently tugging at your heartstrings
redirecting your focus and telling you that this is what you should be doing
as both of us burst into peals of resounding yet shared laughter
knowing that it was in fact this terrible craft that kept us alive
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for a ride through the green spaces of the region
which will take you to the Île des Loisirs and the XXL programming of Club 2024
Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines will be giving you the chance to learn all about the various Olympic practices
as well as discovering a rich cultural program: graffiti workshops
preparation also involves food: take advantage of a well-deserved break to discover the Foodcourt
for a bite to eat or simply a drink: you're sure to find what you're looking for
take advantage of your afternoon to watch - without ever taking your car - one of the Olympic events hosted by the département
Feel the rhythm of our athletes' exploits at exceptional Olympic venues
Treat yourself to a fun and active afternoon with one of the many Quentin sports associations mobilized for the occasion
archery and running for the visually impaired
an augmented reality Hado tournament or a hip-hop concert and walkabout - the choice is yours
- From the electro group Ofenbach to Magic System
Artistic and Olympic performances that will keep you going all night long
Go for a long bike ride on the 28 km of cycle paths in the heart of Saint-Quentin en Yvelines: mythical host to the Tour de France
Saint-Quentin en Yvelines is overlooked by the Vélodrome national
Saint-Quentin en Yvelines is offering a dedicated 28-kilometer loop to the Olympic venues
Climb the Elancourt hill on mountain bike or on foot: whether you're an amateur or a professional
the Elancourt hill offers an ideal playground in an exceptional natural setting
the cross-country and mountain bike events will take place over a 6 km course
the Elancourt hill will be open to the public for pleasant afternoons in the open air
Work on your swing: from Seve Ballesteros to Sergio Garcia
some of the biggest names have trodden the greens of one of Europe's most beautiful courses
What if the Games were an opportunity to practice
Club 2024 and its golf driving range offer you the chance to discover or rediscover this sport in a festive
family-friendly atmosphere throughout the Games
The Flame will even be welcomed at Le Golf National on July 23
Spend a day discovering the world of Handisport: on Saturday August 3
the entire 2024 Club will be in Handisport mode
take part in the "ceci-run" with the BPVF
relax in front of a performance of "Yes we dance"
and try out the "Virtual Fauteuil"
to learn how to drive a wheelchair with the University of Versailles/SQY
to discover the fascinating world of Handisport
because the Paris 2024 Games will be popular and inclusive or they won't be
take part in this global event wherever you are
Coaching has even been organized since the beginning of June..
Dance three Olympic nights with Club 2024's concert events: St Quentin en Yvelines promises three unforgettable musical evenings to celebrate the Games
Come and discover the performances of Ofenbach
DJ set by Sound of Legend and Magic System
And don't miss the drone show and DJ set to mark the opening of Club 2024 on July 27
Let yourself be swept away by the roller disco party: on August 2
the dancefloor will ignite under the wheels of dozens of roller skates for an evening that's as festive as it is sporty
strap on your skates and vibrate all night long to the best of disco: a guaranteed trip back to the 1980s
Extend the pleasure after the Games: in the autumn
and the possibility of redoing the Olympic course on Elancourt hill by mountain bike in the near future are just some of the post-Games surprises
the transformation of the Commanderie des Templiers into a Micro-Folie..
Maybe it's just a sign of our angry and divided times
but I'm finding that critics often don't read past the headline or the first couple of paragraphs before sending me a nasty-gram
I will start this unlikely-to-be popular column with some caveats
the anti-crime measure Californians passed in November
a podcast production studio and a self-service grocery store," per the San Francisco Chronicle
The hulking facility overlooking San Francisco Bay in Marin County is the oldest correctional facility in California, dating to the 1850s. It already has been renamed the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
the state's prison agency is called the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
not that "corrections" and "rehabilitation" have been particularly successful here—or in any of our high-security state or federal prisons
or for guards who want a career that doesn't kill them." CCPOA isn't filled with head-in-the-clouds progressive dreamers
Let's start with a look at what this model entails. Instead of having cellblocks that resemble scenes from "The Green Mile," Scandinavian-style prisons look more like low-grade community colleges
The emphasis is on preparing prisoners for re-entry into society by teaching them how to function as responsible adults rather than spending years joining gangs
fighting and just trying to survive the harsh conditions
These prisons view the deprivation of freedom rather than harrowing conditions as the real punishment
and Sweden tend to be better behaved in general
adjudicated misconduct are meaningfully lower when the unit is compared to other general population housing units at the facility
Conflict and violence are also exceedingly rare." Recidivism rates appear to be dropping
and are safer and more humane for everyone involved (prisoners and staff)
Now consider this statistic: The U.S. Department of Justice reports that around 95 percent of all prisoners will at some point be released from prison
If someone from San Quentin moved into your neighborhood
would you want that person to have spent the past 10 years fighting for his life as part of a skinhead gang or someone who had spent the time attending classes
This column was first published in The Orange County Register
Get a daily brief of the most important stories and trends every weekday morning when you subscribe to Reason Roundup
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Steven Greenhut is western region director for the R Street Institute and was previously the Union-Tribune's California columnist
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Experiencing the Paris 2024 Games at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome begins long before you step through the gates
it's a good kilometer away that the atmosphere of the Games takes hold
at the train station in the town of Montigny-le-Bretonneux (Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines is the name of the conurbation)
The walk to the competition venue passes by at breakneck speed
thanks to the good humor of the volunteers guiding the public
The long line of spectators spreads out across the velodrome forecourt
some great stories are already being written
who are playing their qualifiers for the afternoon finals
You won't catch a cold at this velodrome
the thermostat is set at 29 degrees to generate ideal atmospheric pressure and facilitate the performance of the Para athletes
Coupled with the talent of the Para cyclists
who shaved almost 4 seconds off his own world record in the 4,000-meter individual pursuit
the public let itself be carried away by these achievements and
the crowd's jubilation swept everything in its path
And so it was that the 5,000 spectators cheered on each competitor in an overheated atmosphere
as when Amanda Reid (Australia) embraces her loved ones on the edge of the track just seconds after winning gold in the 500-meter race
Print SAN FRANCISCO — In early 2020
Albert Jones was sitting in his cell on San Quentin’s death row
as he had every day for nearly three decades
when reports of a mysterious respiratory illness started to circulate
Jones kept detailed journals chronicling his anxiety over catching the “killer virus.” And when he did contract COVID
“I Survived COVID-19” is one of several books that inmate Albert Jones has self-published during his years on death row
(Courtesy of Albert Jones) “The world is on lock-down
This state is on full lock down,” Jones wrote at the start of the pandemic
(The entries quoted in this article appear with the punctuation and spelling used in the journals.) “This disease is spreading so fast people don’t know what to do so staying in their home is all they can do and watch T.V
“Scott was my next door neighbor for 12 years,” Jones wrote that summer
referencing rapist and murderer Scott Thomas Erskine
who died in July 2020 after contracting the virus
“We had just showered and the nurse gave him his medications and then they see how pale his skin was and loss of weight so they took his oxygen level and it was 62 so they took him out of his cell and put him on oxygen and rolled him off
Jones published a memoir he titled “I Survived COVID-19,” one of 10 books — two of them collections of prison recipes — that he has written during his years behind bars
was sentenced to death in 1996 for the brutal double murder of an elderly couple during a robbery in their Mead Valley home
but maintains his innocence and continues to work with his attorneys on new grounds for appeal
an event expected to draw curators from museums and research institutions
“There is no other archive like this in existence,” said Ben Kinmont
the Sebastopol bookseller representing Jones in the sale
Condemned inmate Albert Jones has written two cookbooks
featuring recipes that can be made in a prison-sanctioned electric pot
(Courtesy of Albert Jones) Jones’ books — chronicling his gang life in Compton
his spiritual journey as a condemned man and recipes doable with a prison-sanctioned electric pot — make up the bulk of the collection
But the archive also includes personal items
a broken wristwatch and his “prison eye,” a strip of cardboard with a piece of reflective plastic attached to the end that prisoners would stick through the bars of their cells to see whether guards were coming
Jones said the collection stems from his efforts to leave a record of his incarceration
and a hope that his daughter and grandchildren might remember him as something more than a prisoner
a human being that made mistakes,” Jones said
“I didn’t understand what I was going to do with the rest of my life
California hasn’t executed a prisoner since 2006, and Newsom issued a moratorium on the practice in 2019. Last year, Jones was transferred out of San Quentin after Newsom ordered prison officials to dismantle death row and integrate the condemned prisoners into the general populations at other state institutions
Jones is now housed at California State Prison
The fact that San Quentin’s death row is in effect extinct makes Jones’ work historically relevant
Bookseller Ben Kinmont says he marveled at how Albert Jones’ first cookbook included not only recipes collected from men on death row
but also directions for how to enjoy meals “together.” (Hannah Wiley / Los Angeles Times) As a bookseller who specializes in works about food and wine written from the 15th century to early 19th century
Kinmont wasn’t exactly looking for a death row client when Jones wrote him a few years ago looking for help in selling his first cookbook
“Our Last Meals?” But the pitch came at an opportune moment
Kinmont was exploring the relationship that people living in poverty have to food and the value of coming together for a meal
Working with Jones seemed an interesting avenue for probing that theme
Kinmont marveled at how Jones’ cookbook included not only recipes collected from men on death row
but also directions for how to enjoy meals “together.” His gumbo recipe
calls for two pouches each of smoked clams
oysters and mackerel along with white rice
and throw the mixture into an electric pot with a sausage link
Jones would transfer individual servings into plastic bags
A prisoner from a cell above would send fishing line down to Jones
who would tie up the bag and send it back up
“These guys are asserting their humanity through trying to prepare food as best they can
through the care package system that’s available to them,” Kinmont said
Kinmont ultimately sold the cookbook to UC Berkeley’s Bancroft Library for $20,000
Jones has used his time in prison as an opportunity for growth and earned his college degree behind bars
(Courtesy of Albert Jones) Jones said he made about $14,000 off the sale — a far cry from the occasional proceeds that trickle in from one of the self-published books he offers for $15 on Amazon
Jones sent some of the money to his daughter and grandchildren in Georgia
and bought new prison garb for himself and friends
he put together gift bags with hygiene products for dozens of men living in his unit
he hopes to use his cut to open a trust fund for his four grandchildren and help his daughter buy a house
“so now it’s time for me to start blessing other people.”
the arrangement raises ethical questions about who should benefit from work prisoners do behind bars
Jones was convicted of hog-tying and stabbing to death James Florville, 82, and his wife, Madalynne Florville, 72, during a 1993 home invasion. California previously prohibited prisoners from financially benefiting from selling their crime stories, but in 2002, the state Supreme Court struck down that law
after The Times contacted her for comment on this article
a spokesperson for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
said the agency had not been informed about a contract to sell Jones’ books and
would alert the Florvilles’ family members
She cited a provision of the state penal code that requires the prison system to “notify registered victims or their families in cases where an incarcerated person enters into a contract to sell the story of their crime.”
members of the Florville family expressed outrage at the notion of Jones profiting from his prison writing
“What makes him get the right to write any book?” said the couple’s daughter-in-law
reached at her home in Southern California
My father-in-law would have given you the shirt off his back
“I believe in an eye for an eye,” said Moore’s daughter
I sit and think about my grandparents and what they went through.”
Jones said his intention is not to get into details of his conviction
but to provide his family a written record of his life and financially support them
“If they feel that I’m doing the wrong thing for my grandkids
there’s going to be those ones that say you shouldn’t receive this
Jones’ prison writings recount his childhood in Compton
his spiritual journey as a condemned man and death row prison food
(Courtesy of Albert Jones) Jones could have filed away his writings in a box
to be shipped off to his family for their private consumption
perhaps sparing the Florville family more pain
But by making them available to a research institution
the public might get a better understanding of California’s death row
Jones reflects on news that one of his friends died by suicide after a stint in solitary confinement: “He was in a cell for 14 days as punishment for whatever
but you’re supposed to get 10 days in that cell
“I don’t know if you can go to heaven if you killed yourself
but I pray that he made it and that his family is at rest
associate curator of the California and Hispanic collections at the Huntington Library in San Marino
said the archive could be useful for scholars for many reasons
including to better understand prison culture
It’s part of the human experience,” Godoy said
“And I think it’s worth preserving stuff like this and having it available for people to consult.”
Kinmont spent a recent afternoon packing up boxes with Jones’ work
The materials seemed wildly out of place in Kinmont’s office
where hundreds of antique books lined towering shelves
His hope is that Jones’ archive might show the world what kind of artistry and human connection is possible in a place designed to crush creativity and, ultimately, execute people.
“I’m not saying Albert’s a saint. I’m not in a position to say that,” Kinmont said. “But I will say that he has accomplished something which very, very few people have.”
As for Jones, he’s already diving into his next project, a book about his prison transfer out of San Quentin. He plans to title it: “Free at Last, free at Last. But I’m Still Condemned.”
Hannah Wiley is a former reporter for the Los Angeles Times.
California
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Governor Newsom’s curious obsession with overhauling San Quentin State Prison is now becoming a reality
as the notorious prison is getting a farmers market
which would likely be pounced on by a Republican opponent in any national campaign
consistent with Newsom’s current political identity
Newsom’s new vision for San Quentin prison comes with podcast studios
Newsom has been on a kick for years to reform San Quentin, since he eliminated Death Row there, claiming he would turn it into a “healing environment.” Now the Chronicle reports that construction is underway on Newsom’s newly imagined San Quentin
and the paper describes the overhaul as turning the place into a “Nordic-style center for preparing incarcerated people to reenter life outside prison.”
This Nordic-style prison model is a system used in Scandinavian countries that basically makes prisons nicer in hopes of making prisoners less likely to recommit crimes once they’re out
Newsom is taking it a step further by actually hiring a Danish architecture firm to design the new buildings
The Chronicle adds that one of Newsom’s goals is to “make good nutrition foundational to the San Quentin experience.”
And the prison will be switched from a maximum security prison to a medium security prison
about 1,000 of the facility’s 3,400 prisoners will be transferred out
Prisoners will have their own rooms without beds
The Newsom administration says this will ultimately save money
as the state spends about $60,000 a year per prisoner at the facility because there’s so much security
But aren’t we just sending prisoners to other facilities that have the same costs
Newsom’s office oddly did not comment for the Chronicle article, and instead referred questions to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which is referring to this as their “California model.”
“The holistic initiative leverages international
data-backed best practices to improve the well-being of those who live and work at state prisons,” that department's spokesperson Todd Javernick told the Chronicle
“The initiative’s goal is creating safer communities and a better life for all Californians
by breaking cycles of crime for the incarcerated population
while improving workplace conditions for institution staff.”
There will of course be criticism that Newsom is going soft on criminals
the Chron notes that many crime victims’ families say this money should be going to their healing instead of making San Quentin a “healing environment.” And there’s also pushback from prisoners’ families that to many incarcerated people will end up being shipped further away from their families
all because of Newsom’s experimental pipe dreams
construction on the new San Quentin is now underway
It’s expected to be completed in January 2026
at which point new prisoners will start moving in
and maybe those podcasts will start getting posted shortly thereafter
Related: MC Hammer Pays A Visit To San Quentin [SFist]
CALIFORNIA - JUNE 29: A view of San Quentin State Prison on June 29
San Quentin State Prison is continuing to experience an outbreak of coronavirus COVID-19 cases with over 1,000 confirmed cases amongst the staff and inmate population
San Quentin had zero cases of COVID-19 prior to a May 30th transfer of 121 inmates from a Southern California facility that had hundreds of active cases 13 COVID-19-related deaths
An Asian supermarket chain out of Canada will be taking over the long vacant former Best Buy space in San Francisco's City Center complex
years after Whole Foods was supposed to be moving in
Che Fico chef-partner David Nayfeld is promising a "more dressed up version of a restaurant than we’ve ever done before" at his new
8,000-square-foot restaurant in the base of Visa's new Mission Rock headquarters
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editor / reporter who has been published in almost every San Francisco publication
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This deeply moving film follows the maximum-security detainees training to run a marathon
The 1000 Mile Club, as the runners are known, are trained by a group of volunteers led by Franklin Ruona, an experienced marathon man himself. A naturally quiet and watchful soul, he doesn’t talk to the men about their crimes unless they want to. His view is that they are people who have not had his luck or advantages: “I just feel like I am my brother’s keeper,” he says. In the febrile prison atmosphere, he is an oasis of calm.
originally sentenced to 55-to-life for second degree murder
but gradually returning to his roots as a child who was a computer whiz and in the gifted class at school
and throwing himself into work as a mentor
journalist and participant in non-profit news organisation the Marshall Project
In Tommy Wickerd (“Bullshit is what I believed in,” he says of his swastika tattoos)
who is working hard towards his GED and repairing the damage his incarceration has done to his son
the child of a horrifically abusive stepfather
a talented high-school athlete (his participation in the San Quentin Marathon theoretically qualifies him for the Boston marathon)
whose early experiences turned him into a violent drunk whose involvement in the death of a premature baby is hard to consider with equanimity
There are points – during Markelle’s account of his crimes
for instance – where you feel 26.2 to Life has a moral duty to push harder
that it is in danger of letting the uplifting narrative (the power of sport to unite men
the Corinthian spirit finding its way into the prison yard) exert too strong a pull
it stays clear-eyed and crosses the finish line in fine form
26.2 to Life: Inside the San Quentin Prison Marathon aired on BBC Four in the UK and is on iPlayer now
Official website of the State of California
What you need to know: Governor Newsom announced that the demolition of the former warehouse is now complete – clearing the way for construction to begin on the new San Quentin Rehabilitation Center’s educational complex
commenced to help improve access to the secure facility
SACRAMENTO – Governor Newsom’s project to reimagine and transform San Quentin State Prison — the oldest and most notorious prison in California and previous home to the largest “death row” in the United States — has reached a significant milestone
and construction of the new education facility to improve public safety will soon begin
transformed San Quentin from a maximum-security prison into the “San Quentin Rehabilitation Center,” a one-of-a-kind facility focused on improving public safety through rehabilitation and education
never pursued at this scale in the United States
will serve as a nationwide evidence-backed model to advance a more effective justice system that builds safer communities
With the demolition of the prison’s previous furniture factory
construction of the new educational and vocational center will begin this fall
work also began to demolish an interior wall
which has separated portions of the facility since 1856
will open up the new complex to the existing institution and create a campus-like feel
The removal of the internal barrier has no impact on the facility’s security
Initial demolition of the interior South Wall dividing the secure facility
“The establishment of this new rehabilitative center marks a pivotal step toward fostering genuine transformation in our correctional system,” said California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Secretary Jeff Macomber
“We are not just rebuilding walls but constructing pathways to restoration and rehabilitation for those in our care.”
Governor Newsom announced the project would be led by the San Quentin Transformation Advisory Council
which includes stakeholders including CDCR staff
they presented a unified concept: an inviting
campus-like space that encourages rehabilitation
The buildings will support incarcerated individuals with educational and job training opportunities
including high-tech and innovative classroom space
The construction project is part of a systemwide change called the California Model
a transformation effort instituted at multiple state prisons throughout California
The model improves public safety by breaking cycles of crime for the incarcerated population while improving workplace conditions for institution staff through rehabilitation
Valley State Prison piloted the California Model before the model was expanded to seven other facilities
Press Releases, Public Safety, Recent News
News What you need to know: The Governor honored the contributions of fallen California law enforcement officers at the annual California Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony
California – Honoring the contributions of fallen California peace officers,..
News What you need to know: California applied to the federal government today to update the state's benchmark plan
which would expand coverage requirements for essential health benefits (EHBs) like hearing aids and wheelchairs in the individual and small group..
News What you need to know: California remains the #1 state for tourism
with record-high tourism spending reaching $157.3 billion in 2024
the Trump administration’s policies and rhetoric are driving away tourists
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Former San Quentin prisoner Albert “Ru-Al” Jones reached out to Ben Kinmont five years ago looking for help
the pair are seeking $80,000 for Jones’ manuscripts
What was life like on San Quentin’s death row
Ben Kinmont, an antique bookseller and project artist in Sebastopol
hadn’t thought much about it until a couple of years ago
it isn’t every day someone who specializes in selling rare food and recipe books crosses paths with a death row inmate
“It’s an entirely different world,” Kinmont said
So I didn’t ever really think about this world.”
But the opportunity arose when Albert Ru-Al Jones
a onetime gang member turned former San Quentin death-row inmate
Jones had been in prison for more than 20 years and penned four books about life on death row
detailing the daily grind of his days in a 5-foot by 9-foot cell
Now Kinmont, in a move that’s sparked controversy and drawn national attention, is selling the original manuscripts of Jones’ entire collection on Jones’ behalf
“I’m Ru-Al from the Athens Park Bloods … I welcome you behind these walls with me,” the 10-book archive also includes private journals
drawings and personal objects from Jones’ time in San Quentin
Kinmont showcased the archive at the 65th New York International Antiquarian Book Fair held at the Park Avenue Armory in Manhattan on April 5 and 6
While there wasn’t an immediate buyer for the collection
Kinmont was surprised by young book fair attendees who were moved to tears by the archive
they were struck by the size of the cell he lived in,” said Kinmont
whose exhibit for the archive included a five-by-nine-foot taped-off “cell.”
“It really gave people that visual image of what it was like for Albert,” he said
to be killed by lethal injection in 1996 after a jury found him guilty of hog-tying and fatally stabbing James Florville
Jones has staunchly maintained he didn’t commit the crime and
said the process of appealing the conviction remains ongoing
California prison officials transferred Jones to the state prison in Sacramento
Coexisting and condemned,” Jones said in an interview from the California State Prison
This is the second time that Kinmont has represented Jones’ work
he sold the original manuscript of Jones’ first cookbook
25 years: San Quentin Death Row cookbook 2,” to the UC Berkeley Bancroft Library for $20,000
“The voice of the prisoner is rarely heard
There’s still not that much out there about what they experience,” Kinmont said
“Albert not only put it on paper but looked at it from so many experiences and points of view.”
For example: In “Spiritual Testimonies of All Faiths,” Jones shares how faith and spirituality differ among death row prisoners and how they helped serve to ground many of his fellow inmates
“I wanted to challenge these guys to open up about their faith,” Jones said
‘Wow these guys really did open up to me.’”
In “I Survived COVID-19,” Jones also shares how the COVID-19 pandemic killed part of the East Block inmate population and left many others scared for their lives
“I was locked in a cage with a killer in my body,” Jones said
I would watch my neighbor go out and never come back.”
He also relied on fellow inmates to enhance his writing
Most of the original manuscripts in the archive include drawings from other San Quentin death row prisoners
Cory “Skoundrel” Williams and Joey “Rockhead” Perez
by sending “kites” — secret messages sent on dental floss or typewriter ribbon and a hook made from the cartridge of a ballpoint pen — back and forth
“Being in a 5-by-9 cell all those hours and all those years can take a toll on someone’s body and mind,” Jones said
“Writing and drawing was my sense of peace.”
eventually sending out pieces to family and friends through the prison’s mail system
Jones tried to publish and sell his work on his own
“I wasn’t thinking of no profit,” Jones said
This is about putting everything on a canvas.”
He gets that not everyone thinks he should get the chance
family members of James and Madalynne Florville are among those who have taken issue with Jones profiting from his death-row collection
“I believe in an eye for an eye,” Rena MacNeil, granddaughter of the Florvilles, told the LA Times
Replies Jones: “I understand where they was coming from
They lost their family members and I feel sympathy for them.”
“Why shouldn’t a person better himself when they’re at the bottom of the barrel in the prison system
“I am in the harshest conditions a person can be kept
You can’t get no lower than this,” he said
“But I am one of the ones who is doing something with his life.”
Kinmont said he isn’t there to judge whether Jones is guilty
He’ll even say he doesn’t want to be “a prison archive guy.”
Although California has had a moratorium on executions since 2019
and has not conducted an execution since 2006
there are still 613 inmates within the California State Prison sentenced who have been sentenced to death
the state has more than twice as many death row inmates as the next state
“I’m there for the art and the writing,” he said
But you can tell from the way Kinmont talks about Jones and his case
and you can hear the passion and frustration in his voice when he discusses the state’s prison system
that there’s more to their relationship than a simple business transaction
Kinmont will keep a portion of proceeds should the archive sell.)
“When you look at the statistics of prisoners in the California system
it’s totally disproportionate,” Kinmont said
“It skews toward people of color and people who come from poverty
“And I speak to Albert and start to understand it
That’s one of the reasons Kinmont thinks Jones’ work and voice are more pertinent than ever
noting that California’s death row population leads the nation
which had the second highest number of prisoners at 289
“When you look at death row and incarceration
California has three to four times more inmates than [other states],” Kinmont said
“So this is a very interesting moment for this kind of material.”
“In the context of Donald Trump and the DEI [diversity
this [type of work] is even more crucial,” Kinmont said
But Kinmont said the current political climate is a double-edge sword
He said while Jones’ voice has the power to tamp down some of the Trump administration’s efforts
it's that very power that is causing some prospective buyers
“It’s definitely a big topic of conversation right now
They’re concerned about what they’re acquiring,” he said
But Jones is hoping institutions see his work for the potential political and cultural impact
“I think and I hope that history will tell
of the impact I will have made in the prison system
the political arena and the legal system,” Jones said
“Put on the shelf to die,” written 2003-2006
“I’m in God’s confinement,” written 2007-2009
“Spiritual testimonies of all faith,” written 2018-2019
25 years: San Quentin Death Row cookbook 2,” written 2023
“I thank you: the last chapter,” written 2024
Titles and dates provided by Albert Jones and Ben Kinmont
Amie Windsor is the Community Journalism Team Lead with The Press Democrat
She can be reached at amie.windsor@pressdemocrat.com or 707-521-5218
Spencer Burford and other members of the San Francisco 49ers took their annual Tony York Memorial visit to San Quentin State Prison to hold valuable discussions on social justice and meet with incarcerated men and their families
With over 800 volunteer hours supporting more than 75 community groups
the San Francisco 49ers made a difference throughout the Bay Area during the 2024 season
Take a look back at how we made an impact together
Watch as George Kittle gets surprised with the news that he is the NFL's 2024 Salute to Service Award recipient
honoring his unwavering support for the military and his passionate commitment to those who serve
Watch San Francisco 49ers LB Curtis Robinson be surprised by his teammates with the honor of being selected as the team's nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide
The John Lynch Foundation hosted a Christmas party presented by Gillette for the Boys & Girls Club of Silicon Valley and local military families at Levi's® Stadium to celebrate with food
staff and their families celebrate the holiday season by supporting over 100 underserved families during the team's annual Hope for the Holidays event presented by U.S
Curtis Robinson and other San Francisco 49ers players joined students for a reading
discussion and interactive activity of \"I Can Be All Three\" by Salima Alikhan
a book selected for its powerful message of celebrating our differences
For the team's annual \"Feast with the Niners\" presented by Graton Casino event
the 49ers hosted low-income and transitional housing families for a meal
home resources and a shopping spree with players at Levi's® Stadium
The San Francisco 49ers nominate tight end George Kittle for the 2024 Salute to Service Award which honors NFL players
staff and alumni for their commitment to supporting military and veteran communities
PepsiCo and the San Francisco 49ers are teaming up to support local restaurants in the Bay Area
spotlighting diverse eateries like Araujo's Mexican Grill
Join us from 12-1pm on November 1st for a special celebration and free lunch
San Francisco 49ers players visited a local children's hospital to spend one-on-one time with patients and brighten the days for children and their families
The San Francisco 49ers joined local cancer warriors to create artwork that symbolized strength and they later wore on custom Levi's® jackets to the team's Week 4 Crucial Catch matchup presented by Dignity Health
San Francisco 49ers players sat with local middle to high school students from Kingmakers of Oakland
East Oakland Youth Development Center and Urban Peace Movement to share wisdom and inspire the next generation
San Francisco 49ers linebackers Curtis Robinson and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles treated Bay Area educators with a back to school shopping spree thanks to Levi's® and Visa
a lifelong San Francisco 49ers fan with a heart of gold
Levi fulfilled his wish to meet his heroes
the future defensive lineman and 4x Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award nominee overcame his struggle with reading and made it his mission to help others do the same through the Armstead Academic Project
49ers players embarked on an Inspire Change Cultural Tour presented by United Airlines at the San Jose African American Community Service Agency to explore Black-owned Bay Area small businesses
Follow along with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy as he volunteers with his teammates at the 49ers Hope for the Holidays event presented by U.S
The San Francisco 49ers invited formerly incarcerated men to Levi's® Stadium and visited San Quentin State Prison to hold valuable discussions on social justice and continue to learn how we can all Inspire Change
San Francisco 49ers 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee Arik Armstead discusses what \"Inspire Change\" means to him through his organization
defensive coordinator Steve Wilks surprised Arik Armstead with messages from the D-line congratulating him with his fourth-consecutive nomination for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide
Over 25 San Francisco 49ers players dedicated their time to give back to their local community at CityTeam for the organization's annual \"Feast with the Niners\" event
The San Francisco 49ers hosted military families and active-duty service members at the SAP Performance Facility for a behind-the-scenes practice visit presented by U.S
San Francisco 49ers players visited a local children's hospital as superheroes to brighten the days of patients and nurses and give back to the community
George Kittle has connected with veterans like Ramon and Mary from Operation Freedom Paws and used his platform to amplify their mission to empower veterans by creating lifesaving service dog teams
discussion and interactive activity of "I Can Be All Three" by Salima Alikhan
For the team's annual "Feast with the Niners" presented by Graton Casino event
San Francisco 49ers 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee Arik Armstead discusses what "Inspire Change" means to him through his organization
Over 25 San Francisco 49ers players dedicated their time to give back to their local community at CityTeam for the organization's annual "Feast with the Niners" event
America is disconnected from veterans and military families
This spring, The War Horse hosted our seventh writing seminar in our most unique setting yet—inside the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
formerly known as California’s San Quentin State Prison
We helped give voice to the powerful stories of 18 incarcerated veterans
thanks to the generous support of donors to The War Horse
The unofficial slogan of our writing seminars is to give the underserved and underrepresented an opportunity to tell their stories
We thought this overlooked population helped us truly achieve that mission
We knew the logistics would present a one-of-a-kind challenge
You don’t just rent a tranquil retreat center and book round-trip flights for veterans serving time in California’s oldest prison to attend a four-day intensive writing seminar
we brought the seminar inside San Quentin by partnering with the Pollen Initiative
a nonprofit that cultivates media centers at prisons
We obtained security clearances for our War Horse team and guests
including a former Columbia University journalism professor and award-winning journalists from The New York Times
we worked to help our 2024 War Horse Fellows find and shape their personal reflections that ranged from stories about their service to inner reflections of childhood and incarceration
The War Horse has hosted six writing seminars for veterans and military families
The 73 fellows from those seminars have written 79 personal narratives for The War Horse about topics ranging from mental health and suicide to school shootings and gender issues
Past fellows have gone on to publish memoirs and reporting projects with USA Today
The 2024 War Horse Fellows represented the Air Force
and Marine Corps and brought a remarkable breadth of experiences
This was among the most diverse cohorts to date
and we are proud to increase the number of male reflection writers
our writing fellows have been predominantly women
a Navy veteran who has spent more than two decades incarcerated
wrote about one of his earliest memories—standing in a boxer’s stance on his mother’s porch in Detroit at age six as a tank turned its guns on his family’s home
It was the early 1960s; the National Guard had been called into his city to “put down a riot of such duration and ‘violence’ that only armored vehicles could travel down the public streets,” he wrote
who served in the Navy and has been incarcerated for 46 years
wrote about his lifelong search for his father’s approval
shared his journey of becoming an addiction counselor following his incarceration
Navy veteran Thomas Arends wrote about the pride of serving on a submarine and the grief of learning it had been decommissioned: “Her metal skin recycled into …disposable razors
her heart—the remains of her nuclear source—now buried in a graveyard until the last traces of her energy decays away.”
a few members sported the bright blue ball caps with gold letters “VGSQ”—Veterans Group at San Quentin
the number of fellows proudly wearing those caps grew
It was exciting to see their veteran pride rising throughout the week
all those VGSQ caps raised a question that kept coming up among our group: Why does America have such a large incarcerated veteran population to begin with
There are more than 100 veterans at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center and at least 5,000 in California’s prison population
The rehabilitation center is home to one of the country’s largest prison newspapers
and other media projects such as Ear Hustle
a Peabody award-winning podcast on prison life
About 35,000 copies of the newspaper are distributed throughout the California prison system
we learned how the incarcerated staff is working with the Pollen Initiative to digitize their newspaper and feature a section in Spanish to serve more readers and supporters
we received the most recent issue of the San Quentin News and the Spanish issue of the Wall City magazine
Our team tailored the curriculum to the unique needs of our incoming writers
David Chrisinger led his seventh War Horse Writing Retreat
and fellows rated his instruction as “absolutely three thumbs up.”
Giving voice to things I stuffed away,” one fellow shared
“They needed to come out so I could let them be free
“The feedback was transformational,” wrote another fellow
“I was able to see my writing in a different light
The environment was inclusive and I felt comfortable to share my story.”
Dave had an inspiring partner alongside him for this retreat: Karen Stabiner
a former Columbia University journalism professor and former instructor to The War Horse founder Thomas Brennan
Fellows described her as “the most influential
Another described how Karen “really opened my eyes and steered my paper into the direction I had in mind
I was honored that she took the time out to help me.”
The facility’s restrictions prevented us from scheduling some of the unique stress-reducing activities we typically schedule into our seminars, such as goat yoga
But we were still allowed to share The War Horse-branded notebooks
and a cup along with chips and granola bars
One veteran shared he had not had lime-flavored Lays potato chips since 2007
The swag (folder/notebook/cup) are things I will cherish for a very long time.” said Randy Sherman
The Rehabilitation Center allowed us to continue our standard of compensating our Writing Seminar participants
Fellows each received $300 deposited into their facility accounts
These stipends are subject to restitution for the state of California at 50 to 55%
The War Horse Fellows worked one on one alongside guest writing mentors
a Pulitzer Prize winner from The New York Times; Scott Wilson
a national correspondent from the Washington Post; and Shoshana Walter
an investigative reporter from The Marshall Project
Appreciation for the partnerships was mutual
“Kurtis allowed me to be free to express my truth to the extent that I was comfortable to share
“There was a sense of balance as I shared my story.”
“I kept thinking about how much the experience reminded me of a college classroom—diverse opinions
The men at San Quentin were very introspective and showed empathy to one another
In the weeks since our time at San Quentin
one word consistently comes to mind when reflecting on the whole experience: gratitude.”
A fellow praised Scott’s mentorship as a “life-changing factor” in his writing process
Another shared how Scott advised him not to use the word “incarcerated
use words that allow the reader to enjoin to me.’”
Scott called the “The War Horse’s first outreach into the prison system … extraordinary in its ambition and effect.”
18 men turned their haunting stories into memoir
growing to better understand not only the writing process but also themselves
The seminar’s design avoided the pitfalls of what I have found in other short courses
which often leave participants with knowledge but no clear path for how to apply it
The first two days were built around teaching
“The culmination unfolded over several afternoon hours in San Quentin’s still chapel
profound and inspiring experiences I have witnessed—of any kind
“We emerged into the prison courtyard at the end of our own shared dramatic arc
a narrative technique taught early in the seminar
changed characters in our own stories from just four days earlier
I’m hoping The War Horse model can be replicated in other state prisons as California
reaches for its long-stated goal of true rehabilitation within what had been a punishment-first system
It was a privilege to be a part of this one.”
Fellows also appreciated the chance to learn from an “insightful investigative reporter” like Shoshana
especially one who covers the criminal justice system
Shoshana said she felt like she was the student: “I think I learned as much or more from them as they might have learned from me
It was moving to hear their life stories and how they are connecting past to present
I heard several people quoting from their writing teacher
All 18 members of our 2024 cohort told us The War Horse provided adequate resources to deal with the difficult issues we discussed and that our team presented the material in a way that was sensitive to their experiences
They shared strong feedback about how the seminar changed them
Randee said she felt a similar sense of satisfaction and pride from this week
“My past volunteering with incarcerated women was the most rewarding experience in my undergraduate studies and inspired me to advocate for a writing seminar for incarcerated veterans,” Randee said
“It showed me firsthand how connection to the outside world helps to reduce recidivism
I knew they would have powerful stories to tell
and I am excited for our audience to read their stories.”
Editors Note: This <a target="_blank" href="https://thewarhorse.org/writing-seminar-sanquentin-california-prison/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://thewarhorse.org">The War Horse,</a> an award-winning nonprofit news organization educating the public on military service
Subscribe to their <a target="_blank" href="https://thewarhorse.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=2dfda758f64e981facbb0a8dd&id=9a9d4becaa">newsletter</a>
While serving a 57-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter at California’s San Quentin prison
Tommy Wickerd found purpose in an unexpected way: teaching fellow incarcerated people and corrections officers American Sign Language
Growing up with a deaf older brother, Wickerd witnessed the isolation of a world without proper accommodations. So when legal advocates won a 2019 petition to move a group of deaf men from underresourced prisons to program-rich San Quentin
“There’s 90-plus people that have learned sign language here,” said Wickerd
who is currently up for resentencing on grounds of “exceptional conduct.” “In this last class
three incarcerated deaf people taught the class
with COVID-19 delays in filming and distribution
The documentary debuted at the San Francisco Documentary Festival in June 2023 and has since been screened at the Atlanta Film Festival
the Arts in Action Festival and the Double Exposure Film Festival
Thomas discusses the origins of “Friendly Signs,” the challenges of prison filmmaking and the power of incarcerated people telling their own stories
I was tired of people coming in and taking our stories
I noticed something: Y’all were winning awards
And the common denominator wasn’t the filmmakers; it was a different one every time
I started realizing there was power in our stories
I felt like our stories shouldn’t just be told about us
It came organically from knowing Tommy Wickerd and getting updates from him about the progress of the deaf community
[deaf men] at Corcoran prison were being disproportionately murdered
It got so bad that the Prison Law Office petitioned for [a cohort] of them to be moved to San Quentin because it was a better environment
Everybody at San Quentin knew Tommy knew sign language
it was nothing but COs being briefed on how to treat deaf people
He decided he was going to start his class
I realized that deaf people were even more invisible within an already invisible population
I met Tommy through the 1000 Mile Club [a volunteer-led running program] that we were members of. He was different — like every New Year’s, he would pay for and make burritos to give out to any runner who showed up that day
He’s also one of the few White people with tattoos all over his head who can go through the Black section, and it’s all love
I wanted to show society an example of someone they were taught to fear
and why we have to look deeper than just what a person was convicted of
Compared to facilities that don’t have media centers at all
San Quentin has a lot of options for making films
You have to rely on the power of your storytelling
because the scenery is going to be the same as what we’ve seen in someone else’s film
You also have to get advance permission for every shot you do
you need a [staff] escort to film in areas outside of the media center
I could only work on “Friendly Signs” during certain hours
we didn’t have access to the media center at all
when I got frustrated with stuff like that happening
you’re in prison for a homicide; filmmaking isn’t even supposed to be possible
alhamdulillah.” Then I’d get it done when it was supposed to get done
I asked Christine Yoo, a San Quentin volunteer who directed and produced the documentary “26.2 to Life” to mentor me in the filmmaking process
I was able to get the grant from The Marshall Project and the Sundance Institute
Even though I wasn't allowed to receive funds while incarcerated
the grant allowed me to hire an outside crew to film the external shots
The coloring and the sound design also happened on the outside
On the inside, I worked with my director of photography, Brian Asey Gonsoulin
He would wake up in the middle of the night with a shot he wanted to do
The editing was on Final Cut at San Quentin
we couldn’t use the media center for a year
We got permission to move a computer to the education hallway
“Don’t be telling stories about us if you’re not with us.” So I needed to put myself in the shoes of someone deaf and put the audience in that mindframe
I just started looking around and [trying to] figure out
I realized that the only friendly signs deaf people were seeing were the ones Tommy was throwing up
And people throw up a lot of unfriendly signs in prison
The relationships you have with other people in prison makes them open up to you
You know what’s really going on in there and what questions to ask
No one else has that kind of inside knowledge
I’m working on a follow-up called “Silent Treatment” that focuses on incarcerated deaf people’s fight for equality and inclusion
Spoiler alert: What really worked better than the lawsuits was the community-building through the sign language class
only able to talk to themselves in their own little groups and huddles
*Post has been updated since publication to reflect that "America ReFramed" is a WORLD channel series
Two inmates at San Quentin State Prison were reunited with the black Labradors they helped raise and train to be service dogs as part of a prison puppy training program
The incarcerated trainers also met the dogs’ disabled owners
who is incarcerated at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
holds a pair of service dogs in training in San Quentin
The emotional reunion brought together Chase Benoit
Jared Hansen and the 2-year-old dogs they helped train: Wendel and Artemis
It was the men’s first time seeing their former canine companions again and their first time meeting the dogs’ disabled handlers in person
The encounter Friday in San Quentin’s main courtyard brought Benoit and Hansen full circle after helping launch the prison’s puppy training program in April 2023
it’s given me something that I think I’ve searched for my whole life,” said Benoit
who is serving 15 years-to-life for second-degree murder
bigger than myself and feeling like I’m part of something great.”
teared up after seeing his spirited dog Wendel bark and get excited when he saw Benoit
AP’s Lisa Dwyer reports on a special service dog reunion at a prison that was once home to the largest death row population in the United States
and that you have a bond,” Benoit told Quigley through an American Sign Language interpreter
He’s very gentle and good with people,” answered Quigley
a recent college graduate who took Wendel home in November after the black Labrador and golden retriever mix completed another six months of professional training outside prison
Benoit and Jensen were part of an initial group of four incarcerated trainers who shared their 4 foot-by-10 foot cells with the 4-month-old puppies
The men divided the responsibility of caring for and teaching the dogs foundational commands for a year
and traveled to California for the reunion
Handler Benjamin Carter looks at his service dog Artemis during a gathering at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center in San Quentin
Carter and Hansen shared notes on Artemis’ calm and loving personality and penchant for cuddles
“Seeing him in action and actually serving somebody in the community
it’s just … I’m at a loss for words right now
who has been in prison for 15 years for bank robbery
is seen by the wheelchair of handler Benjamin Carter at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center in San Quentin
fetches things around the house and does many other tasks that would be hard for Carter alone
And all that structure and love and trust was built from these guys here
so I’m just super grateful to them,” Carter said
The puppies are placed with incarcerated trainers when the dogs are between 2 and 4 months of age and stay with them until they are about 16 to 17 months old
Every three months the puppies are taken out for socialization experiences like interacting with children
riding in cars or going to the grocery store
The incarcerated men teach them about 20 skills
they train for several more months with professional trainers
People incarcerated at San Quentin and who participate in the program have been convicted of crimes that include bank robberies
Only those who are in an “earned living unit,” where residents participate in an array of self-help programs
Inmates with records that include any animal or child cruelty crimes are not allowed to participate
national director of puppy programs for Canine Companions
Dern said dogs trained in their prison programs have a 10% greater success rate at becoming service dogs than other candidates because of the amount of time and care that incarcerated puppy raisers put into their dogs
and other incarcerated men at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center hold up their dog training certificates during a celebration in San Quentin
“Being given something to care about other than themselves and the opportunity to give back and to sort of start to make amends for the things they have done in their lives can be life changing,” Dern said
San Quentin was once home to the largest death row population in the United States
The puppy training program started the year it transformed into a lockup where less-dangerous prisoners receive education
another 11 correctional facilities have joined the nonprofit for a total of 24 prison institutions
Speaking to a crowd at the prison chapel gathered to celebrate the program
Benoit credited Canine Companions with bringing out the humanity
love and caring in the incarcerated community
“Instead of keeping it to themselves within their small community of professional trainers or even volunteer puppy raisers
they shared this with us in prison and I think that’s huge,” he said
In a peaceful setting inside the chapel at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
18 members from Veterans Group San Quentin who served in the Army
and tell their stories at a four-day writing workshop
held exclusively for incarcerated veterans at the 171-year-old prison
these men shared moments of personal tragedy
Their cumulative time in service totaled 126 years
They represent a growing number of veterans missing in action at home
these witnesses of vanished time have written remarkable stories about their lives
“The first dead body I ever saw was my mother’s,” wrote Donald Edge
Edge read snippets of his life story before a small crowd of fellow veterans
The workshop was developed on the heels of California Gov
Gavin Newsom’s focus on strengthening rehabilitation in prisons with the move to a Scandinavian model that Newsom’s office is calling a new California model
I stumbled on to the second day of the workshop in April 2024 when Newsom and his entourage escorted Prince Haakon of Norway to San Quentin
What I witnessed at the workshop was an assortment of honest and convincing soundbites
and painful episodes in these veterans’ lives that have been altered and stifled by a frozen trajectory
Edge wrote a striking story about leaving home at a very young age
He stole to survive and trafficked drugs before joining the U.S
He recalled seeing a poster in a recruiter’s office that advertised an amphibious military unit
“I knew I wanted to be amphibious,” he said
but I knew I wanted to be amphibious.” Everyone laughed
A more sobering part of Edge’s life after four years of service as a Marine is the fact he has served the last 30 years inside the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
I was reminded that everyone who served has a backstory
a nonprofit online publication focused on veterans’ issues
brought its seventh workshop to San Quentin—the very first held for incarcerated veterans
“There’s not enough military reporting around the world,” said Thomas Brennan
“There’s a real need to increase representation of veterans and military families in the media.”
“I got wounded and writing became my therapy
I spoke to Brennan over a period of three days and was curious about the name of his publication
He told me War Horse is the name of a unit in the military
a foreign correspondent killed in action during World War II
used the term “war horsing” when reporting
“I stumbled on it and liked it,” said Brennan
I like Brennan because he is serious about his mission to continue serving a seemingly invisible community
I have known nine of the San Quentin workshop veterans between one month and 12 years
This is because I am incarcerated with them
Now I know a little more about their military service and personal lives
introduced the idea to hold a veterans’ workshop in prison
She served four years in the Navy as an aviation electrician on helicopters
she met a formerly incarcerated person with whom she exchanged stories about prison and the military
She noticed similar difficulties making transitions from the two institutions back to civilian life
“When I was struggling to readapt after my military service
I felt most connection with formerly incarcerated veterans
I never thought the person who understood me would be a formerly incarcerated person.”
it was the impetus “to give the underserved an opportunity to tell their stories.”
Howard’s journey through carceral environments started at the Rikers Island jail in New York
She is currently studying to earn her master’s degree in public policy at the University of Chicago
Veterans Group San Quentin is the largest veterans’ organization inside the CDCR prison system
Many of them make great pains to endure their punishment
who served four years in the Marines and is also chair of the veterans’ group at San Quentin
“I found myself in tank six,” a holding cell
“I entered my first prison at four years old,” he wrote
It was an account about his placement in foster care following an incident with his mother
he joined Junior ROTC in high school and eventually enlisted in the Marines
“The Corps was my first real family after my family broke,” he said
Randy Sherman read his story about the time he fell off the top bunk in his cell onto the concrete floor
“How did you walk in here with all those injuries?” Sherman said to her
I was trained to endure this,” said Mark Stanley
He served in the Air Force and has been incarcerated 40 years
These veterans wrote compelling and honest stories about bravery
None offered any excuses for their past transgressions
They simply stood proud to have served and still held on to some of their service rivalries
Todd Winkler attends a creative writing workshop that I have been a participant in for 12 years
The first time I listened to him read one of his stories
I knew immediately he possessed the skills of a seasoned writer
I landed in San Quentin State Prison,” he wrote
He described his arrival at the gates of prison
he works as a peer mentor to other prisoners
I met 79-year-old Ray Melberg on day four of the workshop
I learned that he served 23 years in the Air Force
“I didn’t come enthusiastic to write a story
“The story has been brewing in my mind for 40 years.”
He beamed as he read about the United States’ and Russian nuclear weapons
and the role he played to bring freedom to East Germany
“The Berlin wall was soon to tumble,” he wrote
“I was one of thousands who made this happen.”
and volunteers from outside who gathered to watch the governor walk through the prison with His Highness
They passed right by the veterans and went next door to San Quentin’s media center
I suppose it is much easier to justify overlooking imprisoned veterans
he probably did not know what was taking place in the next room
After more than a decade working as a journalist behind bars
the hoopla around politicians and royalty visiting San Quentin was nothing new to me
Given the choice between another dog and pony show
I chose the latter because I found it extraordinarily unique for the prison administration to recognize its veterans and allow professionals to assist them with writing their narratives
but my best friend served 22 years in the Navy
He piloted P-3 Orions and retired as a commander
by Kevin D. Sawyer, The War Horse October 21, 2024
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
Print Earlonne Woods co-founded the popular podcast from inside San Quentin State Prison in 2017 while serving a lengthy prison sentence
Newsom had begun the process of pardoning him earlier this year
Gavin Newsom granted pardons for 19 people
including award-winning San Quentin podcaster Earlonne Woods
“Ear Hustle,” the popular and critically acclaimed podcast that Woods co-founded from inside San Quentin State Prison in 2017, was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in 2020
It takes its title from a prison slang term for eavesdropping
The grantees have “turned their lives around since their convictions and have demonstrated a commitment of service to their families and communities,” the governor’s office said in a statement Wednesday afternoon
Newsom weighs a number of factors when reviewing clemency applications
“including an applicant’s self-development and conduct since the offense
whether the grant is in the interest of justice
and the impact of a grant on the community
including crime victims and survivors,” according to his office
Newsom,” Woods said in an Instagram video Wednesday afternoon
recounting how the governor had relayed the news to him and expressed appreciation for his work
who had two prior convictions as a teenager
was sentenced to 31 years to life for his role in a 1997 armed robbery under the state’s “three strikes” law
The podcaster’s sentence was commuted by former Gov
Jerry Brown in 2018 — a move that made Woods eligible for parole
Woods interviewed Brown for the podcast at the Sacramento governor’s mansion after his release
Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Woods was hired by Public Radio Exchange as a full-time producer and co-host for “Ear Hustle” after his release. He also received his GED, attended Coastline Community College and completed vocational trade programs while incarcerated, according to an “Ear Hustle” biography.
The other 18 grantees include Damian Clopton, a Sonoma County restaurateur who expressed deep gratitude to Newsom for signing his pardon.
“I already did turn my life around and this is a recognition of that,” said Clopton, who was incarcerated for possessing a controlled substance for sale and transporting a controlled substance for sale. He was released in 2010.
As a small-business owner, he said the pardon will have an immediate effect on his life because “there are a lot of federal programs I’m not able to take advantage of or be eligible for with a criminal conviction. … It’s still a scarlet letter.”
Times staff writers Taryn Luna and Hannah Wiley contributed to this report.
Julia Wick is a political reporter at the Los Angeles Times. She and her colleagues won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize in breaking news for reporting on a leaked audio recording that upended Los Angeles politics. She was also part of the team that was a 2022 Pulitzer Prize finalist for work covering a fatal shooting on the set of the film “Rust.” Before joining the Times, Wick was the editor in chief of LAist.