San Quentin News
THE PULSE OF SAN QUENTIN

VOL. 2008 NO. 5

DECEMBER 10, 2008

SAN QUENTIN, CALIFORNIA 94964

POPULATION:5,435

Warden
Ayers
Prisoners Give Back
Says
Farewell
To
To the Community
San Quentin
By KAMAL
SEFELDEEN

Community Development Associations receiving checks from prisoners and Joint Venture
By MICHAEL R. HARRIS
Managing Editor &
KENNETH R. BRYDON
Editor in Chief
More than $35,000 from
San Quentin prisoners’ salaries has been donated to three
Marin County charitable organizations at a ceremony on
Nov. 6, 2008.
Prisoners

working with Joint Venture
gave 20 percent of their earnings to this purpose; a program working to benefit several very different causes.
As a result of 1991 legislation allowing private businesses to come into the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
(CDCR), Labcon has been

Appeals Court
Upholds Death
Penalty Delay
By ALY TAMBOURA
The 1st District Court of Appeal refused to overturn a Marin
County judge’s ruling resulting
in additional delays of executions at San Quentin State
Prison.
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation completed construction on a new
execution chamber at San
Quentin, prompting a Marin
County court to find that the
governor and prison officials
failed to open up public hearings to California’s changes in
the methods used to administer
the death penalty, in violation
of state procedures.
The current execution procedure is part of a lawsuit filed by
condemned inmates, who maintain that the method is inhumane under the U.S. Constitution that forbids cruel and unusual punishment. The case
was ruled on by U.S. District
Judge Jeremy Fogel in 2006,
when he described the state’s
execution method as “broken.”
In the ruling Judge Fogel made
recommendations to the state to
improve the execution standard
while addressing the concerns
of the humane termination of
condemned prisoners. The state
in response implemented a plan
to improve training and supervision of execution officers and

the construction of a new execution chamber. The construction project, which critics say
was completed in secret, is the
catalyst for the Marin County
judge’s ruling.
Earlier this year the U.S.
Supreme Court heard a similar
case from Kentucky in which
the constitutionality of lethal
injections was challenged. The
Supreme Court’s ruling upheld
lethal injection as a “legal
method of execution.” The
ruling will no doubt have an
impact on the California lawsuit, according to legal professionals.
The state has the right to
appeal the recent ruling,
further exacerbating the delays in a solution to the execution concerns.
In addition, the state will likely
have to open the execution
methods up to public scrutiny, taking months if not
years to complete, say attorneys for death row inmates.
The result of all of the legal
wrangling will further delay
executions in California
where more than 670 prisoners wait for an outcome.
The already three-year delay
has kept some men alive
who have exhausted all their
options in the appeals process.
See Death Penalty Page 6

employing San Quentin prisoners for over 17 years.
Workers are paid minimum
wage by these for-profit businesses and, after 20 percent is
taken for Victim Restitution
compensation, and another 20
percent for room and board,
the remaining 60 percent is for
the prisoners’ use.
See Giving Back Page 2

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After a long career in the U.S. military and 41 years in
California
corrections,
Robert
L.
Ayers, Jr., 61, is leaving his command post
as the 33rd warden of
San Quentin State
Warden Ayers (left) with former
Prison.
prisoner Willie Rahman Green
When Ayers became the warden,
As one of the lifer inmates
many inmates and staff had
mixed expectations. His critics puts it, “When you approach
would point to his Pelican Bay the warden with a question, he
era while acting warden, but would shake your hand and
his supporters pointed to his look you in the eyes and give
heroism in rescuing an elderly you full attention.”
“Even to the last days in
fisherman,
which
earned
office, he defies the term
Ayers a Medal of Valor.
Slowly, assurance and en- ‘Lame Duck,’ and gives full
thusiasm replaced the skepti- attention to the establishment
cism. Inmates and staff came of the San Quentin Museum. I
to find him approachable and shall miss him.” says Don
his administration has marked DeNevi, who has been authoran era of encouragement to ized to write the history of San
grow. Good ideas grew as mi- Quentin.
“If there was a Hall of Fame
cromanagement diminished,
vague rules gave way to sensi- for wardens, Robert L. Ayers,
ble and workable practice. Jr. would be inducted on the
Volunteers found a listener in first go-around. His overall
the warden. Programs arose knowledge and experience in
that were never heard of in managing prison operations is
San Quentin, like the Inmate astounding. Staff that have had
Film Program endowed by the the opportunity to work sideDiscovery Channel, Victim by-side with him have benefited greatly. As a leader, he
Offenders and Stand-Up.
The warden is a striking instills pride, integrity and has
figure as he walks unescorted a great sense of vision,” says
around the prison, dapper in a John Curzon, associate warPanama hat, civilian coat and den.
See Warden Ayers Page 8
tie.

Court Ruling Expected
On Overcrowding
By DAVID MARSH
Testimony has concluded in
a landmark federal court case
where a three-judge panel will
decide if chronic overcrowding
in California’s overwhelmed
prisons is the cause of unconstitutionally poor levels of medical and mental health care.
If the panel of three federal
court judges rule against the
state, another trial will convene
early next year to determine
remedies. Attorneys for prisoners in the class action lawsuit
want the court to reduce the
inmate population in the state’s
33 prisons to no more than
104,000 prisoners. Their plan
would require the early release
of 52,000 prisoners over a two-

year period
into treatment
centers,
county jails
or on parole.
In order to
prevail in the
case,
the
plaintiffs
(inmates and
their
attorneys)
must
prove
that
The SQ gymnasium overflowing with prisoners
overcrowding
is the leading cause of the sub- took shape as a battle between
standard medical and mental prison and health care experts
health care. There is no indication testifying for both sides. The
of how soon a decision in the state adamantly denies that the
case will be handed down.
overcrowding itself is the priThe civil rights case opened mary cause of the poor level of
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008 in a San care.
Francisco courtroom and quickly
See Court Ruling Page 3

Page 2

DECEMBER 10, 2008

SAN QUENTIN NEWS

California Lifer Is Going Home
One Man’s Journey to Freedom
Through the California Prison System
By ALY TAMBOURA

office refused to review his case
a second time, thus securing his
release.
After many hugs, his eyes
full of tears of joy, Pertsoni
departed SQSP Nov. 24, es-

Born in Kosovo in 1954,
Pertsoni lived a simple life on
After serving 27 years, 4
his family farm. In his adolesmonths in prison for a firstcence he became involved in a
degree murder conviction, Ali
humans rights movement which
Pertsoni has been released from
held demonstrations against the
San Quentin State
repressive Communist
Prison to return to his
government. His acnative country of Kostivism against the govovo.
ernment led to him
Before
being
being a wanted man.
granted parole, PertBelieving his life was
soni went before the
in danger, Pertsoni
Board of Prison Hearfled to Austria, staying
ings (BPH) 11 times in
in a refugee camp until
as many years. Re1975 when he received
jected the first nine
political asylum in the
times, Pertsoni was
United States.
found suitable by the
“I love my home
board in 2006, only to
country. I didn’t come
have the governor’s
here (America) for a
office overrule the
better life, I came here
board’s decision, deto save my life,” said
nying him his freedom.
Pertsoni.
“At my second paIn the United States
role hearing one of the
Pertsoni met and marboard members told
ried his wife of 33
me that I would probayears, Yuri Pertsoni,
bly die in prison,” said
who has been beside
Pertsoni. “I heard the
him during his 27
Recently released Ali Pertsoni in front
mean words of the
years of incarceration.
of a map of his home country Kosovo
prison official ringing
The Pertsonis’ have
in my ears when I suffered a corted by immigration officers. been a fixture in the SQ visiting
He will spend a short time in an room for almost a decade. It is
heart attack in 2005.”
After his heart attack, and immigration holding facility in the visiting room that all who
the 2006 parole denial, Pertsoni until the long airline flight to know Pertsoni witnessed his
spent the following two years his family home in Gjakova, love for life. Always with a
appealing the governor’s ruling Kosovo, a nation which earlier smile, quick witted Pertsoni
in federal court. Ultimately it this year gained its independ- embraced us and our families
was the BPH, re-evaluating his ence from Serbia.
with a caring heart that will not
“I am a free man, returning be forgotten.
case in an en banc hearing, that
resulted in a unanimous deci- to a free Kosovo after 35 years.
“I have watched so much
sion, which granted his parole. I am really going home,” said happen in the visiting room.
Furthermore, the governor’s Pertsoni.
I’ve seen marriages, divorces

We would like to announce
the first ever “Health and Wellness Corner” column here at San
Quentin News. Each month, a
University of California, San
Francisco health professional
student will answer questions
that you submit about health issues. Inquiries will be answered
in the next month’s paper. Feel
free to ask us questions about any
medical concern that you have,
and it may be answered so that
everyone can benefit. If you
have a question, put it in a USave-Em envelope addressed to:
“Health and Wellness Corner,”
UCSF Doctors (Dr. Shira
Shavit) – Medical Box. If you
include your name and number,
they will be kept confidential. Note that this column is
for general medical questions. Here are two examples of questions that we
would be able to answer in
the column:
• I have Hepatitis C and was
wondering, can I pass it to
my partner when I get out?
• Does the flu shot really
cause the flu?
If you do not feel well or
have an URGENT medical
concern, fill out a 7362 request for services form to see
your housing unit medical
staff.

Visiting Rooms
Upgrade To
Digital Photos

Giving
Back
Continued from Page 1
Once these amounts are
withdrawn, 20 percent more of
each check earned must go into
a savings account that the inmates receive, and, if there are
family members to support, another 20 percent must be sent
directly to care for their needs.
The remaining 20 percent
still exceeds the possible earnings from any other prison job.
Each year, the San Quentin warden decides which Victim’s
Services program will receive
the funds, and Warden Robert
Ayers, Jr. selected this year’s
recipients to be three Bay Area
programs: Marin Abused
Women’s Services ($10,851),
Bay Area Women Against Rape
($10,851), and Sunny Hills Services ($14,468).
Marin Abused Women’s Services and Bay Area Women
Against Rape focus on violence
against women while Sunny
Hills Services provides protection and assistance to abused
children.
The San Quentin Labcon does
assembly work, packaging over
a million disposable pipet tips a
week that are used in laborato-

and watched many children
grow up right here in this
room,” said Pertsoni.
When asked how he felt
about being paroled, Pertsoni
lights up. “It is my faith in
Allah, my wife and my focus
in doing the right thing that
has kept me going all of these
years. Some prisoners get
rejected by the BPH and give
up; instead of staying on track
they use drugs and get caught
up in prison politics and violence. Not me; I never gave
up. I learned a trade
(vocational dry cleaning), I
didn’t use drugs, and I stayed
away from trouble. It was a
sacrifice sometimes to do the
right thing, but I knew in my
heart that this day would
come.”
Pertsoni gives a lot of
credit to the self-help and
community-based programs
at SQ for aiding him in his
successful bid for parole. He
attended
and
completed
classes that include: Trust
Fellows, Mankind, New Leaf,
Victim Offender Education
Group, Coaching Process,
Attitudinal Healing and many
others in his stay at SQ.
“There are so many
volunteers and staff members that I want to thank,
so many that didn’t give
up on me and the other
men here at San Quentin.
Thank you, thank you,
thank you,” said Pertsoni
in his farewell.

Health
and
Wellness
Corner

By KENNETH BRYDON

Labcon employee’s posing with donated checks
ries all over the nation. Employing 30 men in blue, the business
is headquartered in Texas and
owned by Tipton Golias, says
Glenn Alexander, who supervises the work crew.
Representing Labcon at the
event was Jim Happ, president
of the company. Happ finds the
arrangement with CDCR and
San Quentin very good. Alexander says that the workers average $400 every two weeks.
Prisoner Robert Lott uses some
of the money to pay for his
wife’s visits from Alaska.
As opposed to the customary
$200 “Gate Money,” having an
account waiting with a sizable
sum of money provides a sense
of accomplishment walking out
the door. Many who parole with
minimum resources find themselves returning to the “fast
money” of crime. Building a
good work ethic and having
enough money for living ex-

penses until work is found improves a parolee’s chance of a
successful parole.
“You get used to punching a
clock,” said Lott, talking about
how it helps to improve a person’s worth ethic. “It’s a product that you have to get out on a
schedule.” The San Quentin
Labcon employees feel that their
contributions make a real difference to those their donation will
help, and the money earned will
help them start a new life.
At the presentation were representatives from all three recipients. As the checks were handed
over, each Victims Services’
representative expressed their
great appreciation for the hard
work of the men. They said that,
in this time of tight budgets,
these large amounts will help
them to continue their vital services. They shook hands with
the many employed prisoners,
thanking them again.

Film for Polaroid cameras
has become a thing of the
past, and the San Quentin visiting room is now using digital cameras and color photo
printers.
The digital age has delivered crisper images and larger
photos. “It takes a little
longer,” says visiting room
Officer P. McNabb, “but is
worth the wait.”
The Men’s Advisory Counsil worked with the San Quentin administration to bring
about the new system.
All three visiting room
areas are equipped with their
own cameras and printers. The
digital cameras arrived in the
visiting room in November.
Other than a change in cameras, everything else remains
the same; photo ducats are
still purchased through the
prison canteen for the same
price.
McNabb explained that
two pictures are taken and
then the cameraman offers a
choice of which one to print.
The camera is brought over to

the small color printer at intervals, and in approximately
20 minutes the photos are delivered. McNabb also said
that since the arrival of the
new camera the number of
photos being printed has doubled in the North Block visiting room.
Condemned Row Visiting
Officer M. Bock says that
taking photos for the condemned has greatly improved.
Aiming the digital camera
through the access port of the
visiting enclosures is very
easy with the camera’s large
viewing screen.
Photos have the option of
being printed with the date on
them. Future developments being worked on are finding a way
to allow visitors to pay for the
photos and, when requested, the
placement of the digital photos
on the internet. Visiting Room
Lt. K. Evans said that most other
prisons in CDCR have yet to
change over to the digital format
and continue to use Polaroid
film. So far, everyone interviewed about the new system
gave high praise for the quality
of the photographs.

DECEMBER 10, 2008

SAN QUENTIN NEWS

Page 3

1940: Clinton T. Duffy Orders
San Quentin Reforms (Part 2 of a 3-part series)
On Monday morning, July
15th, at 6:30 a.m., ClintonDuffy entered the office for
his first day as warden. By 9
a.m. he had fired six guards
and banned the use of loaded
canes, whips, straps, rubber
hoses and other forms of corporal punishment.
He then directed the inmate painting crew to obliterate the nine-inch circles on
cell block floors where prisoners were forced to stand for
hours at a stretch without
moving or talking.
In the same order, he abolished the head shaving of new
arrivals since he felt that entering a prison was humiliation enough; he refused to
perpetrate the added indignity
of a medieval practice inherited from early California
Spanish days. In addition, the
stenciling of large black numbers on the backs of convicts’
clothing was eliminated.
The orders issued by the
acting warden during the first
hours of his new administration were a shock to the older
guards, especially those who
remembered Clinton as Officer Bill Duffy’s mischievous
kid running around the residential areas. Gossip, rumors
and comments of “meddling
amateur, he’s issuing orders
right and left” and “he’ll get
his ears pinned back soon
enough” filtered through the
prison that morning. Just be-

fore noon, five guards
stomped into the warden’s
office and resigned. “You’re
turning San Quentin into a
playground,” one of them
said, “and we don’t want to
stick around for the riots that
are coming.”
Duffy rose from his chair
behind the large desk and said
simply, “I’m much more interested in the reactions of
men who cannot march into
this office to speak their
piece.” With that he walked
out and across the small parking lot into the old three-story
parapet structure which
served as the control point for
the “inside.” Duffy told the
half-dozen officers assembled
there that he was going into
the big yard alone.
To the horror of the tower
officers, Duffy crossed the
gardens and past the battered
Spanish cell block and hospital and strolled into the large,
uncovered concrete yard.
Years later, in his 1950 autobiography, Duffy wrote,
Thousands of men
swarmed over the stone flats,
shifting and turning to loosen
the press of bodies, men doing
nothing, men going nowhere.
Their clothes were shapeless
and dirty gray; they walked
with a slouch and some talked
from the corner of their
mouths. I stood there for a
moment, watching the gray
pattern, the light faces and

Court Ruling
Continued from Page 1
The historic case began more
than 21 years ago when Jay Lee
Gates, an inmate at the California
Medical Facility in Vacaville,
filed a lawsuit in Sacramento
federal court protesting the quality of his health care. The Gates’
lawsuit was eventually converted
into a class action lawsuit and
combined with two subsequent
class action suits also over unconstitutionally substandard medical
care.
The three-judge panel is composed of District Judges Thelton
E. Henderson of San Francisco.
Lawrence K. Karlton of Sacramento and Circuit Judge Stephen
R. Reinhardt of Los Angeles.
Each of the three judges formerly
oversaw one of the three original
class action lawsuits which together formed the present case.
Each jurist was appointed to the
panel by the chief judge of the 9th
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
under provisions of the Federal
Prison Litigation Reform Act of
1996. It is the first time judges
have acted under the 1996 act,
which, ironically, was originally
designed to limit the power of
judges in prisoner rights cases.
The Act authorizes the formation of a special judicial panel
which may, in extreme cases,
order the early release of prison-

ers if the panel decides that all
other options have been exhausted.
Henderson and Karlton have
each already ruled that the state is
providing unconstitutionally substandard medical and mental
health care in violation of inmate’s rights. Karlton ruled in
1995 that the state’s prison mental
health system violated the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual
punishment. Henderson in 2005
made a similar ruling regarding
medical care and appointed a
federal receiver to take over the
medical system through a three to
five year rebuilding period.
In his 2005 ruling, Henderson
found that an inmate was dying
unnecessarily every six to seven
days as a result of poor quality
health care.
Attorneys for the state maintain
that conditions are improving and
they are quick to say that California now spends an average of
nearly $14,000 a year per inmate
on medical care, a figure among
the highest in the nation. Experts
in the areas of inmate health care
and prison operations are scheduled to testify for both sides.
“The state has put its money
where its mouth is,” said Paul
Mello, an attorney for the state.
He points out that state spending

who had murdered other men
for small change or just for
the hell of it. There were
probably no less than 200
knives, daggers, blackjacks
and other hidden weapons
somewhere in those thousands
of pockets and sleeves. I suppose I should have remembered that I was no longer a
clerk but a man who might be
worth kidnapping because I
could order gates unlocked
and guard fire withheld.”

But Duffy didn’t think of
these things. As demonstrated
time and again during the 11
years that followed, he saw
the men on that yard not as
strangers or criminals or even
numbers on file cards, but as
individual human beings
whose virtues and faults he
knew better than anyone else.
After all, he had studied and
prepared their case histories
for the parole board.
From the yard, the new
warden walked directly into the
mess hall and watched the last
men for lunch shuffle in and out.
Overhead, on the steel catwalks
stretching across and around the
200 foot hall, four gun guards
were marching their restless
patrols, their automatic rifles
prodding the air.
Then and there he decided
that since guns were not exactly
an appetizing influence, he
would ban them from where
men ate. Duffy then noticed that
the lukewarm beef stew being
served that day had little or no
beef in it. “Beef costs money,”
said the civilian steward. “Why
don’t you add dumplings to your
stew for a change?” asked
Duffy. “Can’t be done. Never
been done.” replied the steward.
“Tomorrow you serve stew
again. This time with dumplings and once a week thereafter,” Duffy ordered, deciding
the prison would soon have a new
steward. Furthermore, he would
increase the inmate food budget

of $.19 a day to $.75 a day.
To the officers’ infinite surprise, the new warden walked
leisurely back to his office unharmed. Duffy was secure in the
knowledge that unlike many a
prison reformer before him, he
was personally strong enough not
to confuse fairness with softness.
That afternoon, Duffy continued one of the most dramatic
housecleaning jobs in penal history. He tore up the previous warden’s list of prison stool pigeons
and stripped convict politicians of
their power.
Already a brutish captain was
gone as well as six other sadistic
“screws” and five disgruntled oldtimers who considered the kid
crazy. The dungeon was dead.
And so were the lashes, straps and
rubber hoses. Numbered uniforms
and shaved heads would never
again be seen at San Quentin.
Starting the next morning,
convicts placed in isolation would
no longer be fed from buckets. A
modern cafeteria would be installed as soon as possible and a
dietician in place by week’s end.
Duffy’s final order on his first day
as warden was to order the laundry to press all inmate shirts and
pants. “Such small things will
foster the rebirth of self-respect,"
he told his staff.

on prisoner health care has
jumped from $345 million in
1995 to nearly $2.2 billion today.
“There have been significant improvements,” he said.
Meanwhile, attorneys maintain
that three of the state’s 33 prisons
currently hold about 230 percent
more inmates than they were designed for, and that such overcrowding prohibits prisoners from
having jobs or going to educational and rehabilitation programs. Classrooms, gymnasiums
and meeting rooms have been
converted to dormitory space.
The state currently has over
5,000 male inmates housed in
private prisons in states such as
Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arizona,
and Tennessee in response to
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s
2006 declared state of emergency
due to prison overcrowding. An
additional 3,000 inmates are
scheduled to be shipped out of
state by the end of 2009, according to the CDCR website.
Attorneys for the inmates
played a clip of a television interview for the court in which
Schwarzenegger says “the situation is a recipe for disaster.” He
also said that he didn’t blame the
courts “for stepping in to try to
solve the (prison) health care crisis that we have, the overcrowding crisis that we have. For decades the state of California hasn’t
really taken it seriously.”
The Schwarzenegger admini-

stration maintains that steps are
being taken to reduce the population, including changing parole
policies and adding rehabilitation
programs in an effort to reduce
recidivism. They say that massive
spending has been approved to
add additional beds and space in
the prison system.
The Schwarzenegger administration has rejected recent attempts by the federal receiver
overseeing medical operations, J.
Clark Kelso, to collect the $8
billion he says he needs to build
medical and health centers and
improve existing facilities.
And all of this comes at a time
when the state is staggering under
a budget deficit which has ballooned to a mind-boggling $11
billion. As of Oct. 1, 2008, the
state owed $57.3 billion in outstanding debt in addition to another $78.2 billion that has been
previously authorized for borrowing.
If the state borrows all of the
money that the Schwarzenegger
administration has requested for
prison beds and additional medical facilities it will cost the state
taxpayers $1.2 billion each year to
repay the debt. The administration plans to finance the construction with a type of bonds that do
not require voter approval.
The three judges had originally
decreed that testimony in the nonjury trial’s first phase would conclude by Dec. 19, 2008, but the

quick pace of the much-watched
trial has surprised many courtroom observers. No date has
been set for a decision in the
trial. The judges have in the past
made numerous rulings sympathetic to, and in favor of, the
inmates’ cause.
The 9th Circuit Court rebuffed
the state’s strenuous attempts to
block formation of the threejudge panel, ruling it (the 9th
Circuit) had no jurisdiction in
rejecting the state’s appeal. Any
appeal of the three-judge panel’s
ultimate decision must go directly to the more conservative
U.S. Supreme Court. California
Republican lawmakers are preparing an appeal to the Supreme
Court in the event that the panel
orders an early release of inmates.
The powerful prison guards’
union, which went to court in an
unsuccessful attempt to block
the Schwarzenegger administration’s plans to transfer inmates
out of state, openly supports the
inmates’ lawsuit.
Attorney
Gregg Adam of the California
Correctional Peace Officers’
Association says overcrowding
increases tension and an atmosphere of violence behind bars,
and has a “dehumanizing effect
on correctional staff.”
California’s prisons currently
hold approx 170,000 prisoners
in a space designed for just over
half that number.

the darker ones, the tired eyes
of the old and the cold eyes of
the young. They knew I was
there. The news had already
swept across the yard and I
could see the solid mass ripple, like water kicked up by
the wind. I suppose I should
have considered that there
were men in that yard who
had no use for me or any warden; that there were also men

Clinton Duffy: Warden
1940-1951

(Researched and
written by Don DeNevi.
Part three will appear in the
next issue of the SQ News)

Page 4

DECEMBER 10, 2008

SAN QUENTIN NEWS

Insight Factor at Work SQ Addiction
The Graduates of “Victim’s Offender Education Group Next Step”

By DARRELL C. HARTLEY
& MICHAEL R. HARRIS
Staff Writer
Managing Editor
A group of violent crime survivors and perpetrators recently
came together for a remarkable
night of healing.
The Oct. 20 graduation event
began with the soaring majesty
of a choir, whose words of wisdom ultimately set the tone for
the evening in Our Lady of the
Rosary Chapel.
It was the concluding evening
of The Victim Offender Education Group (VOEG), a 22-week
course that covers such topics as
crime impact, self as victim,
cycle of offense, impact on victims and relapse prevention. At
weeks 20 and 21 the VOEG facilitators create a safe space for
dialogue with a panel of victims.
This allows victims of violent
crimes to share their experiences
and the profound effects that
crime continues to have on their
lives. It is an open dialogue with
the convicted men of the program, who are also given an opportunity to outline the impact
that their crimes have had on
themselves, their victims and
society in general.
The cases of the victims and
perpetrators are not usually connected. Instead the experience
serves as a medium for connecting people that remain in pain.
“This is a historical night in
San Quentin,” said Patrick
Mims, a co-facilitator of the program. Beginning in 2004, with a
class of 13, VOEG has graduated
79 people. Mims spoke for all
when he thanked The Insight
Prison Project Executive Director Jacques Verduin, Restorative
Justice Program Manager Rochelle Edwards, and VOEG facilitator Jack Dyson for their
foresight in creating this program
and Warden Robert L. Ayers, Jr.,
Deputy Chief Max Lemon and
Community Partnership Manager Laura Bowman for allowing
programs like these to become
commonplace at San Quentin.
Edwards took center stage
and first thanked her guests, the
survivors of violent crimes. She
also thanked The San Quentin
administration, IPP represented
by Verduin, IPP Program Director James Fox and Associate
Director/VOEG facilitator Jamie
Karroll, VOEG facilitator Jack
Dyson, VOEG co-facilitators
William Amos, Robert Frye,
Patrick Mims, Dennis Pratt, Leonard Rubio and Phillip “P.J.”
Seiler.
Finally she offered tearful,
heartfelt thanks to her husband
for his encouragement and support. Edwards spoke of the commitment and dedication the
graduates maintained during the
12-month course that went four
months beyond schedule. “We
were at the one year mark and
you were asking me when we
were going to graduate. In as
much as I wanted for you to
graduate, I just was not ready to
let you go. Now that you are
here, I want to let you know that

Counseling
Program

By DARRELL C. HARTLEY
Staff Writer

VOEG graduates with their diplomas
I am so happy that we had the
extra time. I am very proud of
you.”
Edwards went on to give special thanks to all invited guests
and Catholic Chaplain Father
Stephen Barber in his tireless
efforts in supporting Restorative
Justice Projects.
Guest speaker Brian Smith,
who paroled from San Quentin
in 2007, gave a moving, inspirational speech on how he does his
very best to be a force of change
to those who remain in the
clenches of negativity, selfloathing and addiction. Employed as an addiction counselor
at a local substance abuse center,
Brian said, “Change begins in
the here and now and not in the
hereafter. I changed my life because it was not just the right
thing to do; it was the only thing
to do. My change was not for the
parole board, not for family, not
for somebody else. It was for me.
It is up to you how you want
your new beginning to end. I
know that you can and will do
it.”
Several members of VOEG
Next Step graduation class of
2008 spoke of their appreciation
for the program, the facilitators
and group members.
Ronald Martin said, “Through
this program, my life is definitely
changed forever.”
Bobby Brown spoke of “the
opportunity to connect and find
growth in the process.”
Darnell Hill vowed that he
will “continue to do everything I
can to become a source of
change in the lives of those who
desire to do so. Don’t listen to
what I say, watch what I do.”
Steve Higueret said he is
“thankful and grateful for who I
am today and most assuredly
will never hurt anyone ever
again.”
Richard Lindsey added, “It’s
about doing the work!”
Greg Sanders spoke on how
VOEG has allowed him to
“become a better man through
and through.”
Albert Hernandez says that
VOEG has “taught me special
lessons that I can share for a lifetime.”
Juan Navarette thanked
VOEG for the opportunity to
serve others.
Harry Barton said that he has
“learned a great deal about my
crime, myself, and the lives of

others.”
Tuan Tran stated that VOEG
has “raised his consciousness to
understand the impact that I
caused in the life of my victim’s
family.”
James Houston stated that he
is most thankful that VOEG
“allowed me to become accountable and responsible for my
crime, to find the courage to
forgive my father and challenged
me to listen, speak and be
heard.”
Demetrius Daniel credits
VOEG for his “continued commitment and focus in being a
mentor to those who endure their
own difficult circumstances.”
Edwards, Dyson, Karroll and
Verduin presented diplomas to
each of the graduates of VOEG.
At the end of the diploma presentation, Verduin presented Edwards with a purple leatherbound journal from a group of
women in Nepal, which will be
signed on an individual page by
each VOEG NEXT STEP graduate.
Additionally, there was a
wide variety of commentary
from participants, administration
and guests.
Bowman said she was delighted on how well the event
turned out. “What a night! The
program was excellent. I am
looking forward to the next series of graduations.”
Fox commented on a personal
level how profound the evening
was for him. “Just take a look
around you; there is a great deal
of healing in this place.”
Former ARC/ACT I&II Director Claire Elizabeth DeSophia
said that she was impressed on
how well organized the event
was. “I appreciate how each
graduate spoke from the heart on
how the VOEG program has
changed their lives and how the
spirit of the choir in music and
singing rang through.”
Smith added, “What more can
I say? There is a great sense of
purpose in this place. I can see
and feel positive change here. I
was pleased to be involved.”
At the conclusion of this historic evening, the East Bay
Church of Religious Science
choir, graduates and audience
formed a circle and sang a song
of joy and healing.
Verduin summed up the evening in only one word:
“Awesome.”

The greatest quality an Addiction Recovery program can
possess is Unconditional Positive regard—the ability to accept everyone with love, compassion and respect. The program is under the direction of
Addiction Recovery Counseling Center Clinical Director
Rick Baez and the gold standard of addiction counselor
training in 42 countries and 38
states: CAADAC (The California Association of Alcohol and
Drug Addiction Counselors).
Additionally, the addiction
counselor educational requirements and responsibilities have
been enlarged to include greater
focus on pharmacology, skill
development in the selection
and use of diagnostic measures,
and proficiency in multidisciplinary treatment planning and
healthcare delivery.
As it relates to alcohol and
drug addiction, Warden Robert
L. Ayers spoke directly to the
issue of recidivism stating:
“This was an idea dreamed up
by the men in blue here; their
efforts have put this thing on
the map. These counseling re-

sources will be used to break
this vicious cycle. We are
taking additional steps to target the guys in orange, 60 percent of which have six months
or less and 20 percent are Reception Center violators.”
Inmate David Sievers, a
2007 ARC graduate, says the
program gave him “hope,
strength and courage to stay
clean and sober.”
Addiction counselor trainee
Clinton Avalos adds,
“Understanding addiction has
allowed me to never second
guess others who are taking
necessary steps in addressing
their pain.”
The ARC program has
screened 266 inmates with 218
intakes. A total of 175 began
treatment and 83 completed
the four month addiction treatment program. Currently, there
are 21 inmates in treatment.
The intense, comprehensive
process groups and informative presentations allow one to
endure the circumstances of
their trials with diversity being
the greatest asset to this philosophy. This equates to a preeminent program that is powerful in its impact to each participant involved.

San Quentin
Veterans
Help Santa
By ALY TAMBOURA
The Vietnam Veterans
Group of San Quentin
(VVGSQ) will be assisting
Santa Claus in the San
Quentin visiting rooms
where he will be giving
out gifts to the children
and young family members
of prisoners.
The gifts will be
handed out by Santa and
his elves in the visiting
rooms starting Dec. 12 and
will continue on Fridays
and weekends until Christmas Day. Children from
toddlers to 14 years of age
are able to receive gifts,
according to Santa. Santa
is also available for pictures, so please remember
to purchase your picture
ducats ahead of time in the
canteen.
The VVGSQ is celebrating its 20th annual toy
drive this year.
“Last year we handed
out over 350 bags of toys,”
says Eddie Renteria, who
is the only prisoner who
gets to talk directly to
Santa.

Photo By Eddie Renteria
The gift bags Santa
will be giving out contain
all sorts of goodies, according to Renteria. He
says last years gifts included games, basketballs,
footballs, action figures,
remote control cars and
much more.
“The declining economy
has had an adverse affect on
some of our corporate sponsors’ ability to donate this
year,” says Renteria. “But
individual donations from
people seem to be making up
the difference.”
If you wish to make a donation or have any questions contact Lt. Cramer at Ext. 5757

DECEMBER 10, 2008

Page 5

SAN QUENTIN NEWS

Arts & Entertainment
‘Brothers In Pen’

A new anthology of fiction
and creative nonfiction is being
written in an ongoing
writing
workshop at San
Quentin
State
Prison by 12 men,
mostly Lifers, all
serious writers. A
s tr o n g
the me
emerging
from
this collection is
the nature of violence and its effects on human
beings, and the kind of struggle
required to turn violence
around.
The subtitle of this anthology, “Tragedy, Struggle, and
Hope,” speaks to this kind of
vision. However, the seriousness of the subject matter doesn’t mean these stories are all

heavy and harsh. There is much
humor, wisdom, complexity
and hope to be found in these
pages.
You’ll encounter
struggles of temptation and forgiveness, soul-searching
inquiries into the
past, tragic love
stories, battle bots,
psychogenic amnesia,
first-person
accounts of Black
Power history, prehistoric
family
drama, gang ceasefires, tommyknockers, and much more.
The class had the honor of
Tobias Wolff visiting and contributing a foreword for this
book.
Proceeds from this book go
through the William James Association to support the program. To order go to: brothersinpen.wordpress.com.

By LYNN
That first Christmas that was so long,
long ago
Was part of a true story that all of us should
know.
Jesus, God’s Son, really did come,
To save us all and not just some.
Mary and Joseph knelt in reverence and awe,
While looking at the baby so holy and small.
The shepherds came from off the hill,
And all who are wise seek Him still.
The three kings traveled so long and so far,
Praising and thanking that God sent a star.
The angels sang and gave God the glory.
And just think, you are the reason for this story.

Snippets
&
Quotes

Third Anthology
By ZOE MULLERY

A Christmas Poem

The most shoplifted book in
the world is the Bible.

It used to be illegal to celebrate Christmas in the United
States. Christmas did not become an official holiday until
1870. Prior to this the Massachusetts General Court, in
1659, ordered a five-shilling
fine to be paid by any person
caught celebrating Christmas.
The law was revoked in 1681.

The

two robbers crucified
next to Jesus were Dimas and
Gestas. Their names are not
mentioned in the Gospels but
can be found in the Gospel of
Nicodemus, one of the many
books of Christian Apocrypha.

You can die from drinking
too much coffee. What is too
much? According to researchers, a lethal amount of caffeine
is about 10 grams. The average
adult would have to drink between 50 and 200 cups in a
quick succession to ingest 10
grams of caffeine.

Reprinted from: A New Perspective
Minnesota Correctional Facility-Oak Park Heights
Still Water, MN

A Single Footprint
By HARRISON MISIOKA SEUGA
Shallow waters, soft rippling surfs that wash ashore on tranquil sands – displacing the permanence of innocence, like unsettled lands…
Unsettling the world with a single footprint --- impressions of
progress implanted in her soil, displacing the cycles of nature’s
shores…
Rising seas – melting ice caps, tumultuous weather patterns,
and dying trees – a single footprint buried to the knee…
Carbon monoxide – ozone depletion, global destruction by
consumer production --- a single footprint, progresses induction… Acid rain --- acidic seas, oceanic sustainability overarching availability…
Over-population – over-harvesting – over doing it, in a suffocating concoction…
A single footprint buried to the knee, sustainability sacrificed
by industrialized greed --- progresses induction of global destruction --- a catastrophe in motion along rising oceans…

Each square inch of the averThe Ophir Prison Marching Kazoo Band

age adult’s skin hosts approximately 20 million microorganisms. There are more microscopic bugs crawling around on
a single person then there are
humans on the earth. Ewww!

San Quentin Receives
The German measles have
‘The Ophir Prison
their name because they were
Marching KazooBand discovered by a German.
& Temperance Society’ When I was a kid I used to
Bizarre events were happening in San Quentin. Warden
Robert Ayers, Jr., stepped up to
the microphone on the lower
yard and announced that the
California “State Prison” at
“Ophir” was closed, and the
members of the marching band
were transferred to San Quentin.
In a gesture of good will, these
newly arrived (volunteer)
“inmates” decided to put on a
concert on the lower yard.
On Saturday November 22,
2008, the band came marching
down the paved road from the
Garden Chapel area. The group
of misfits played their musical
instruments while Captain Rufus
T. Whizbang headed the procession. Rules must be totally
slack where these dudes rolled
in from, carrying contraband of
every sort, including a rubber
chicken. Hats which included
beer kegs set off a lax dress
code that no respectable convict
might wear.

Proudly dragging the rubber
chicken at the rear of the procession, the band marched to a
prepared stage. With a few
more bars of their marching
tune, the band ended with a loud
shout of, “Up yours!”
Captain Whizbang, wearing a
pith helmet with a huge windup
knob attached to the top, got the
gathering crowd going with
raucous talk of drinking beer.
The part of being a
“Temperance Society” seemed
to be from a time before they all
had slipped off the wagon.
The music was tight, playing
familiar tunes. A SQTV video
showed them on temporary
community release marching in
local parades. In the end, the
inmates were applauded loudly
by San Quentin prisoners. A
reversal in the transfer must
have come about, being that
they marched back up the hill
under heavy escort, never to be
seen again.
-SQ News Staff

pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized that the
Lord doesn't work that way so I
stole one and asked Him to forgive me.
-Emo Philips

SUDOKU

Only

two things are infinite—the universe and human
stupidity, and I’m not so sure
about the universe.

1

3

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8
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LAST MONTH’S
SUDOKU SOLUTION
7
6
9
4
2
5
3
8
1

5

8

-Albert Einstein

by George Lowe

5

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Page 6

DECEMBER 10, 2008

SAN QUENTIN NEWS

Tragedy, Struggle and Hope
A Reading From San Quentin’s Creative Writing Class
By RAPHAEL E. CALIX
On an overcast Sabbath
morning at San Quentin by the
Bay a very special reading was
taking place in a classroom.
Convicts and civilians gathered
to listen intently to what the
"Brothers in Pen" were about
to share on this special day.
The experience of men
making time work itself out
was quite revealing. It spoke of
the human spirit that strives
and yearns for expression,
serving as a survival tool as
convicts reach deep within to
discover the hidden meanings
in life.
A reading that captured
close attention was the experience of one particular brother.
Animated and passionate, he
made some others shudder and
listen more intently. His readings spoke to a tragedy of the
inner cities, where a little girl
had succumbed to the perils of
drug addiction. Michael “Harry
O” Harris, was caught up in
this struggle to save her, but he
himself was also a victim, because he was one of the players
to bring large quantities of
cocaine into her neighborhood.
His life had been a classical
duel between good and bad
inclination where blind ambition had won out and he had
become a "pusher man" to
young and old alike. Suddenly,
Harris woke up from what had
been a nightmare, 20 years of
dark dreams in a prison cell.
Another reading came from
Jeff Atkins, whose life inside
San Quentin was on installments. Most of his memories
focused in on his bouts with
drug addiction and the loss of
his family. The ups and downs
in his life must have made listeners feel dizzy. But his hope
for a better life was quite evident as he, too, made strides to
change and better himself.
Sadness and setbacks have a
way of bringing out the best
qualities in a man. Maybe this

What
Chanukah
Means
To Me
By CHAPLAIN HYMAN
It is light
in the time of
darkness. In
the Maccabee struggle
to worship as
they chose,
they showed
the courage to fight for their
values in the face of overwhelming adversity. The downside is
that victory is sometimes more
dangerous to the human soul
than defeat.
Human beings
don’t handle power well.

Steve Emerick and Zoe Mullery with the Arts in Corrections Writing Group
is why the civilian guests were
eager to hear more.
The diversity of readings
made for a good exchange between the reader and the listener. From the concrete jungles to green hills, people are
the same wherever they happen to be.
Kenny Brydon read from
his memoirs. He spoke of a
funeral that had brought him
face to face with loved ones.
An event that was so emotional in the company of ones
that are so close. "A body lying in a coffin" was a striking
image for him to share,
prompting reactions in the
classroom that were stiff and
still. Brydon’s voice trembled;
perhaps the past and the present had become one for him.
All was done in the spirit of
reconciliation and forgiveness,

for himself and his family, or
so it did appear.
Troy Williams, aka
“Bones,” began his reading
from the pages of the book,
"Brothers In Pen." His words
enticed the listeners. Terrorism
and relevant issues of today
painted a familiar image. Police actions, resistance and
repression, violence and brutality, all held the audience’s
rapt attention. William’s descriptions came to life as his
characters struggled to survive.
Listeners were certainly living
in the moment.
Now it was Luke Padgett’s
turn. He spoke in a clear and
even tone: "How could being
in a cage not change a man?"
His expressive manner took the
form of a theater musing, the
classroom was a stage and
Luke was the performer in a

What Christmas
Means To Me
By PASTOR
MORRIS CURRY
On a winter evening
in England, a lady and
her son were driving as
it began to snow. As it
became heavy, the lady
couldn’t see, and she wound up
in a ditch. The mother and son
went and found a country home.
By FATHER
STEPHEN
BARBER
Christmas is the
moment in history
which unfolds the
intersection between

The lady of the house
invited her in, and
cared for her bringing
hot tea and food.
Later, the owner of the
home discovered she
had helped the Queen
of England and her son,
the heir to the throne. So, Christmas is a remembrance of a King
who visited.
divine human life. In
the words of Barack
Obama, “As God has
his hand on the arc of
human history. Christmas is the intersection
between God and
humanity in Jesus.”

play. "Natalie's" spirit came to
life through him, and everyone
began to know her almost as
well as Padgett.
Jerry Elster’s reading was
alertly given in light of his
current plight as a CDCR client. "Top Dog" was weaving
his way through the maze of
prison violence. In his reading
of “Naked Feet On Cold Concrete,” dodging shanks and gun
towers was an everyday occurrence inside and a survival
guide is what he was now sharing. Denials of parole piled up
as accomplishments rained
down. "Top Dog" was still in
the pen and his end was near.
William "Top Dog" Vanderbilt's body was dressed out to
his family one sad day.
Ronin Holmes began his
real life experience from the
tip of his pen writing on his

heart. "The loss of a loved one
inside leaves no room for
mourning." He had to move on
with his time in the joint. Love
is never ending. “Giving it is
better than accepting it.” Many
maxims lined his portrait of
love within the walls. His
thoughts cascaded into the
heads of his listeners: "I believe in the power of love,”
and so he was happy and
peaceful in the reading he now
delivered.
Michael "Charlie K Complex" Willis shared from some
of the horror stories inside the
psychiatric wards and institutions. He spoke of innocence
betrayed by the trusted and the
fight of the depressed to be
free. It was clinical, analytical
and sharp. "Charlie K Complex" accented what was a
masterful grouping and readings by the "Brothers In Pen."
After the readings, questions were thrown at the readers. Williams explained, "A lot
of our stories have their roots
inside of these places, and now
this is our way of telling people outside about the positive
side that makes us more than
prisoners or convicts." Larry
“Watani” Stiner spoke, "It provides the connection that will
one day mend our communities." Steve Emerick (Arts In
Corrections) noted that the
stories covered a wide spectrum of emotions. Zoe Mullery, Arts Creative Writing
instructor, expressed her reaction to the readings: "I was very
proud. It was a memorable time
for all of us. I love getting to see
them shine with all that's in
them. I get to see that often, each
week during class, but it's good
to have an audience from the
outside hear the words and ideas
from their hearts.” Zoe's eyes
were still glowing with pride. I
am certain that she was not
alone. San Quentin by the Bay is
a historic place where history
and historians are ever busy
making it shine!

Death Penalty
Delay Upheld

Continued from Page 1

Opponents of the death penalty
see this as opportunity for Californians to reevaluate capital
punishment, which was reinstated in the state in 1976.
The death penalty has been
abolished in all western countries except the U.S.
Critics of capital punishment
assert that in the U.S. at least
400 innocent people have been
convicted of capital crimes they
did not commit, of which 23
have been executed. As fatal
errors escalate, many voters
reconsider capital punishment.
In the U.S. there is declining public acceptance of capital punishment as a viable

deterrent to crime, say critics. This opposition is amid
pressure by the European
Union, whose members
have expressed deep concerns about the increasing
number of executions in the
United States. All the more
since the great majority of
executions since reinstatement of the death penalty in
1976 have been carried out
in the 1990s. Furthermore,
in the U.S. offenders who
are under 18 years of age at
the time of the commission
of the crime may be sentenced to death and executed.

DECEMBER 10, 2008

SAN QUENTIN NEWS

Opinion
A Room With a
View of Death Row
By ALI R. MUHAMMED
Contributing Writer
Where I lie there is despair,
but above what demons haunt
those who dwell there. As a
Lifer who resides in north
block, I often wonder about the
plight of those
condemned men
who live on the
sixth floor A section. known as
North Seg. (North
Segregation) a part
of
California’s
death row.
Albert Camus
once wrote, “What
then is capital punishment but
the most premeditated of murders, to which no criminal’s
deed, however calculated it may
be, can be compared.”
America’s death row residents are men and women who
walk the razor’s edge between
half-life and certain death.
These are America’s condemned who bear a stigma far
worse than “prisoner.” Life
there oscillates between the

banal and the bizarre.
Unlike other prisoners, condemned prisoners are not
“doing time.” Freedom does
not shine at the end of the tunnel. Rather, the end of the tunnel brings extinction. Thus, for
many here, there is no hope.
All death rows’
share a central
goal:
“Human
storage” in an austere
world
in
which condemned
prisoners
are
treated as bodies
kept alive to be
killed.
To such men
and women the actual execution is a fait accompli, a formality already accomplished in
spirit. The state concludes its
premeditated drama by putting
the “dead” to death a second
time.
To do justice for self, one
must consistently battle the
harsh reality that this is it and
what can I do for the future, a
day not yet dawned? Despair
not of the “Mercy.”

Journalism Taught
with Appreciation
By COMANCHE
The fall semester of San Quentin’s Patten’s Prison University
Project (PUP) offered a journalism
course.
As a student enrolled in PUP
for several years, the journalism
class was a welcome change of
pace. The time and effort Jody
Lewen and Jennifer Scaife put
into making this class available
was greatly appreciated.

My quest for more knowledge
is enhanced by their offering these
innovative courses. Journalism
has taught me how to write more
effectively and eloquently.
Our instructor, Nigel Hatton, a
journalism instructor and former
reporter is an excellent choice for
providing the students with the
best education available. Jody and
Jennifer, kudos to you for making
this student’s journey in academia
an enlightening experience.

H-Unit MAC Meeting
By DAVID MARSH
Present for the Administration: Capt. Dorsey, Lt. Ericsen,
Sgt. Taylor, CCI Morgan, Debra
Sheldon
Time/Location: Admin. Bd. - HUnit, Fri., 11-14-08
Topics of Discussion: Inmates
must be on the movement sheet
for 6:20 programs (Ranch will be
escorted). • Problem with lists
not making it to WP 13 was discussed. • Inmate/staff and staff/
inmate lack of respect – along
with incidents of inmates being
verbally abused by staff. • Possible staff retaliation for 602’s
(Capt. Dorsey gave personal
assurances that he would handle
any retaliation).
• Dorsey objected strenuously to
inmates submitting pre-typed/
mass produced 602’s (Dorsey
says that staff will respond with
pre-typed/mass produced replies.
• Administration says that religious services will be duplicated

and offered in H-Unit (has not
happened as of yet). • Staff
reports that in January portable units for medical services
will be set-up in the area below Tower 9. • Morgan addressed the issue of high control parolees leaving on Mondays instead of Fridays (issue
to be decided by inmate’s
agent).
• Dorsey says that
phones will be repaired
(dorms have reported subsequent improvement in number
of working phones). • Taylor
says that he will address the
problem of slow release from
chow hall in the morning (no
improvement has been noted).
• Council brought up the repair
of beds – staff response was that
work repair orders are as much
as a year behind
• Slow pace of pill call lines in
H-Unit was discussed (two lines
are now being employed with
some improvement noted). •
Meeting was adjourned

Page 7

The Doctor Phil Show
Films at San Quentin
By DARNELL HILL
Is there a doctor in the
house? San Quentin Utilization
of Inmate Resources Experiences
and
Studies
(S.Q.U.I.R.E.S.) has once again
been given the opportunity to
emphasize there are men here
who stand accountable for their
actions and are willing to do the
work it takes to give back to
their family, friends and communities. The Dr. Phil show
and the S.Q.U.I.R.E.S. program
established a collaborative effort to motivate two young
men, Chris, 14, and Brit, 18, to
change their negative attitudes
and behaviors before serious
consequences take control of
their lives: jail, prison or death.
Chris and Brit are two vibrant young men who are fighting the inner child within, while
trying to understand family
dynamics, unhealthy friendships and the right of passage
into manhood. Chris and Brit
arrived here in SQ around 9
a.m. on a Friday morning. The
camera crew and one of Dr.
Phil’s directors, Stephen Doran
came in. The doctor himself
was not in the house, but there
were eight “therapists” prepared
and ready to build some emotional and sociological motivation within these two young
men’s hearts and minds. As
Chris, Brit and the camera crew
came through the many gates,
bars and doors of SQ, they were
met by eight S.Q.U.I.R.E.S.
members: Ernest Morgan, Michael Taylor, James Housten,
David Monroe, Shaid Rouse,
Jerry Elster, David Pretzele and
myself.
As Chris and Brit shook our
hands, each had a façade of

assurance on the outside but we
were able to sensed their fear.
We quickly let Chris and Brit
know they are not welcome
here. As we began to walk
through the lower yard we
asked Chris and Brit to look the
men in the eyes. We wanted
them to get a feeling of the intensity and mixed emotions of
fear and uncertainty that comes
from walking for the first time
across the SQ big yard with all
eyes on you.
Once we arrived in the classroom we quickly began the
S.Q.U.I.R.E.S.
introduction,
which prepared Chris and Brit
to be open and honest. Each
S.Q.U.I.R.E.S. member gave a
brief introduction of themselves, what kind of crimes we
committed (murder, kidnap,
robbery), and how much time
we had spent inside. Between
the eight of us we had over a
hundred years served. More
importantly, we spoke about
getting to the point of no return
with irresponsible behavior:
drugs, alcohol and negative
influences. Chris seemed to be
pretty straightforward and open
and honest with us. With his
belligerent attitude and sarcasm, Brit thought he could BS
his way through the whole
process, but he soon realized he
was dealing with the best therapist he had ever met. Slowly but
surely he dropped the façade
and came to the surface of truth.
Chris described himself as a
teenager struggling with anger
issues. Brit was a seemingly
bright young man with arrogance and an ego so big that
you could smell the stench.
The experience and challenge
for the S.Q.U.I.R.E.S. members
was liberating and fulfilling. As

Haterism
By MUJAHID ASAD
Contributing Writer
Most of us here at San
Quentin have used the term
“hating” at one time or another.
And almost certainly, at one
time or another we’ve also indulged in the act of hating, either consciously or unconsciously.
In looking around me, it has
become apparent to me that
hating has reached an all-time
high over the past two years. I
feel compelled to address this
situation in the hope that it will
help some of us stop the hating
before it spreads further.
HA-TER (adv) i.e.: to hate,
to spew ill will towards something. Someone who is generally negative and in bad spirits,
someone who is constantly putting someone or something
down, always finding fault in
something, rather than seeing
the good. A person who feels
anger or jealousy for someone
who has succeeded in something they have worked hard
for. Someone who speaks badly
or takes negative actions in an
attempt to create problems for a

S.Q.U.I.R.E.S. members we
emulate the mode, “We don’t
scare straight, we communicate!” Our goal is not only to
share our experience, but our
hearts as well. We believe that
troubled youth are motivated
by examples that offer insight
and encouragement. Our hope
is that the kids we come into
contact with will learn from
their mistakes and make better
choices in spite of the effects
of dysfunctional households,
friendships and communities.
The end result of Chris and
Brit’s
experience
with
S.Q.U.I.R.E.S. was inspiring
for everyone. Chris learned
that his father’s insults
(stupid, worthless…) may be
reflections of how his dad felt
about himself. So Chris doesn’t have to take it personally.
Brit learned that although he
says he doesn’t care about his
mom abandoning him, there
are resentment and denial issues that are influencing his
abuse of drugs and alcohol.
Like many of us, Chris and
Brit are trying to find answers
to a never ending story — the
effects
of
dysfunctional
households. Although Doctor
Phil was not in the house, we
feel that some serious emotional healing took place. As
S.Q.U.I.R.E.S. members, once
again we accomplished our
goal through the planting
seeds of insight and offering
the gift of hope.
The Doctor Phil Show
should air Chris and Brit’s
story sometime in November
or December. Member’s of
the S.Q.U.I.R.E.S. hope that
those who read this article, or
see the show, learn from the
Chris and Brit stories.

What it Means to be a Hater

successful person.
“Hater” is a term that I originally heard some 15 or 20 years
ago. While watching a football
game with some friends, I heard
someone say something bad
about one guy’s team and he
replied, “You’re a hater!” At
the time I thought that it was an
appropriate term.
Since then it has expanded
into many different applications. Just as the applications of
the word have grown, so have
those that attempt to apply it to
others. For I see them everywhere I go.
It’s almost as if they are
being mass manufactured. On a
daily basis someone will say to
me “I don’t like him, or them.”
When I ask them why they feel
this way, they really have no
reasons. This all seems so crazy
to me.
I am sure that we have all
indulged in hater-ism at some
point or another. As we mature
and possess more knowledge, it
just stands to reason that we
would choose to discontinue
this behavior. To hate is a
wasted emotion that serves no
purpose. It will harm the one

who hates much more than it
ever could the one he hates.
More often then not when
we examine why we hate, there
is no basis for the way we feel.
Some of these haters will expose themselves occasionally.
They will allow it to reach a
level where they may verbalize
their hatred for you. Here is a
reply that I once used towards
hatred: “I’m flattered that you
have put so much of your time
into observing me. I really
wish I could do the same for
you; it’s just that I’ve got too
many things to do that are more
important.”
Here are a few questions that
you might ask yourself to see if
you have been engaging in hating: 1. When your homeboy is
going home, is your first thought,
“He’ll be back!”? 2. When
someone you know is getting a
visit; do you think or say “Why
would someone come visit him?”
3. Do you ever say something
behind someone’s back, purposely knowing they are going to
hear about it, but not from you?
4. Have you ever wished you
had something someone else had,
and that they didn’t have it?

Page 8

DECEMBER 10, 2008

SAN QUENTIN NEWS

Warden Ayers, Farewell!
Continued from Page 1
The following is a Q&A interview with Warden Ayers:
Q: There is common knowledge that you have a military
background. Would you provide the readers with a brief
history.
A: I entered the U.S. Army in
1966 and served Golf Company
50th Infantry (LRP). After my
discharge, I accepted a direct
commission to first lieutenant,
Infantry. For the remainder of
my reserve career, I was in the
91st Division, 7th PSYOP Battalion, and 104th Division, until
my final assignment as commander, 1st Battalion, 415th Infantry, 104th Division after
which I entered the Retired
Reserve and completely retired
from United States Army in
2007.
Q: Why did you choose to
come back from retirement?
Why San Quentin?
A: After my retirement in 2000
I continued to do some work
with the department. I simply
wasn’t ready to completely quit
working. In 2005 the CDCR
asked if I would be the interim
warden at Lancaster State
Prison (LAC) for 60 to 90 days.
That experience reminded me
that it really was fun being a
warden. Sometimes vexing,
sometimes exasperating, but
mostly fun. At the end of my
tenure with LAC, I was asked if
I would consider re-instating to
be the warden at San Quentin. I
knew SQ was experiencing
difficulties  everything from
keeping a warden to operational, personnel and litigation
issues. Having spent my first 18
years in the department at SQ, I
thought it would be a good
“parting shot” to do whatever I
could to help restore some dignity to SQ.
Q: What is your view on the
rehabilitation efforts emphasized by CDCR?
A: San Quentin is widely
known as the “program prison.”
Because of its location, history
and name there is no shortage

of people wanting to come into
SQ and help. Many of the program activities are evidencebased, scientifically designed
processes intended to address
behavioral, social or ideological
issues which make it difficult
for many men to stay out of
prison. I was disappointed that
SQ was not selected as a rollout
institution for CDCR’s efforts. I
know there are significant resources in CDCR trying to put
together comprehensive, state
of the art, evidence-based program models. I also know a
couple of sites (not San Quentin) have been selected to pioneer these models. When (if)
they are ever started, I would
hope to see an enhancement to
public safety. If we can do
something with incarcerated
people to reduce their proclivity
to, upon their release, create
new victims then we have done
something positive in furtherance of public safety.
Q: With the financial crisis
facing the state, in what stage
does SQ currently stand on
revamping the Prison Health
Care System?
A: The receiver’s efforts are
taking two slightly different
tacks: 1. San Quentin and 2.
Everywhere else. At San Quentin, building and staffing augmentation continue and are providing solid healthcare infrastructure. By the close of 2009 I
expect San Quentin healthcare
staff will be able to address 90
percent of inmates’ healthcare
issues on site. If attained, that
will be an unqualified success
for San Quentin and its inmate
population.
Q: Some of your critics believe that you maintain a liberal policy advocated before
your administration. What is
the major difference in San
Quentin
before
Warden
Ayers, and after, as a matter
of legacy?
A: I don’t know about “liberal
policy.” I go back to what I said
earlier about public safety.
About 80 percent of the incarcerated people eventually go
back to our communities. Do

San Quentin News
The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily
reflect those of the Administration, or 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, except for
articles reprinted herein from other publications.
Administrative Review……………....R. Luna
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Print Shop Supervisor................. .J. Wilkerson
Chief Advisory Board Member… John Eagan
Advisory Member…………….....Steve Cook
Advisory Member……………....Joan Lisetor
Advisory Member…….…..Steve McNamara
Executive Staff:
Kenneth R. Brydon ……...…... Editor in Chief
Michael R. Harris……….….Managing Editor
Aly P. Tamboura………...…Technical Editor
David Marsh………………….....Staff Writer

we want them to return with the
same values and thought processes they had when they went
to prison? I believe we should
do everything we can with incarcerated people to deter them
from re-victimizing society
(creating new victims) upon
their release. That is public
safety If that makes me liberal,
I guess I am guilty. The question of before and after is simple. San Quentin had built a
reputation of being what I described as the epicenter of anarchy. Peoplestaff, inmates,
volunteers pretty much did
whatever they wanted. If a policy or procedure was inconvenient or unpopular, people just
ignored it. Consistency was a
relatively unknown practice.
Those who did care about following policy and procedure
had largely given up as they
believed they were a minority.
My goal was simple: get people
to follow the rules  policy and
procedures. And fairness becomes a stable element in the
core of our day.
Q: There were many self-help
programs born in San Quentin during your administration. Would you highlight
some of these programs and
the measure of their success?
A: I think most of these programs have been here all along.
Our efforts were geared to
structuring them into a cohesive
and interdependent platform.
The most striking example of
this is the Stand Up program in
H Unit. San Quentin staff has
done this on its own. With such
significant success there is still
much to achieve. Equally important have been our attempts
to engage local communities in
these efforts. By building a continuum between the institution
and the community to which a
parolee returns, we strengthen a
parolee’s ability to succeed and
ensure a positive impact on
public safety.
Q: What do you see new for
Condemned Row in San
Quentin?
A: The funding has been approved. The building plans have

been finalized. The plans have
gone out to contractors for bids.
The tentative groundbreaking is
set for early spring 2009.
Q: Many of the prisoners fear
a major overhaul coming to
educational and self-help programs once you depart. What
assurance can you provide
them?
A: None. As of this date, Nov.
17, 2008, I have no idea
(honestly!!!!!) who the next warden will be. However, I would
expect the new warden to be
wise enough to study the terrain
carefully before setting off in
any direction.
Q: How did you manage to
work with the federal receiver
in light of a constant tug-ofwar between the receiver and
the state, especially with many
healthcare construction projects at stake in San Quentin?
A: We had and have a common
goal: improving healthcare delivery systems in a correctional
environment. We haven’t always
succeeded in that regard but we
have always been able to come
back around to our starting point
and get back on track.
Q: Is this a departure to another field, or trip to where the
fish are biting, and what advice do you have for the next
warden, and to the prisoners?
A: I suspect I will do something
in or around corrections. I am
only sure that it won’t be as a
warden! I will take my time and
see where I can be most useful.
Advice for the new warden? If
it’s a sound policy or procedure,
follow it consistently. If it’s a
bad policy or procedure, change
it. Don’t ignore it. Advice for
prisoners? Do your own time.
It’s that simple. We have far too
many inmates who think it’s
their business to get into other
people’s business and judge
them or tell them how to behave.
A bit less of that would do well
for everyone’s sense of wellbeing.
Robert Ayers, Jr., may say
that he doesn’t have a legacy,
it’s just all “common sense.” But
Robert Ayers, Jr., will, among
other things, be remembered as
the man who brought the San
Quentin News to life after two
decades absence.

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

5-H-42L
4-H-17L
5-H-09L
1-H-12L
5-H-29L
5-H-17L
2-H-60L
2-H-47L
3-H-33L
3-H-56L
3-H-98L
4-H-55L
4-H-46U
4-H-71L
4-H-72L
4-H-66L
4-H-68L
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

Chaplain Howard 1924 - 2008
Chaplain Harry W. Howard,
born Sept. 22, 1924, passed

We Want To
Hear From
You!
The San Quentin News welcomes and encourages inmates,
free staff, custody staff, volunteers and people and entities
outside of the institution to submit articles for this publication.
Please use the following criteria when submitting:
• Please limit your submitted
articles to no more than 350
words.
• Articles will be edited for content and length.
• The newspaper is not a medium to file grievances. Use the
prison appeals process.
However, we do encourage
submitting stories and/or articles which are news-worthy and
encompass issues that will have
an impact on the prison populace.
• Please do not use offensive
language in your submissions.
• Art work is welcomed (i.e.
poems, songs, cartoons, drawings).
• Letters to the editor should be
short and to the point.

Send Submissions to:
Education Dept. / SQ News
San Quentin, CA 94964
(No Street address required)

Harry Hagy, CDCR No. A53751, the oldest man in San
Quentin, returned to his maker,
Wednesday, December 3, 2008,
51 days short of his 86th birthday. Harry, died at Doctors Hospital of San Pablo, at 3:00 p.m.
He was not able to regain consciousness or breath on his own.
For those who knew Harry of 1N-22, there will be a religious
service at the Catholic Chapel on
Dec. 11, at 2 p.m.
away on Sept. 18, 2008.
Harry’s loving wife, Kay,
preceded him to Heaven in
1999. Harry is survived by
two sons: Howie and Steve.
Harry was devoted to his
ministry of spreading the
Lord’s word. He worked for
over 30 years in the California state prison system, and
was a father-like figure to
many prisoners. After retiring as a chaplain, Harry continued to volunteer at San
Quentin State Prison as well
as doing other prison ministry
work. We have been privileged to know him. Well
done, Harry.

East Block Advisory Council
J. Van Pelt
D. Carey
K. Lewis
B. Williams
R. Marshall
P. Henderson
W. Noguera

1-EB-75
4-EY-17
2-EB-76
4-EB-71
1-EB-65
4-EB-79
4-EB-77

Chairman
Yard 1
Yard 2
Yard 3
Yard 4
Yard 5
Yard 6

This publication is printed by the students in the San Quentin
Vocational Printing Program.