SAN QUENTIN INMATES WORRIED ABOUT PROSPECTIVE SALE

June 9 2009

San Quentin, CA – There are few prisons in the United States that have any kind of public profile never mind outright fame. Alcatraz, Attica, Folsom, and Sing Sing are among that handful of well known prisons, names that conjure the worst fears of imprisonment. Like a modern day boogeyman those famous prisons need only be
named and the fear they create sends chills into even the most hardened of criminals. Of all the famous prisons there is likely none that has the power of San Quentin, one of the oldest and most venerated in the country.

That status is at least part of the reason for the shock created by talk of a potential sale of the property. California, in the midst of its worst economic crisis ever, is reportedly considering selling the prison and land to a private interest in a deal that could net the state $2 billion. Built on prime waterfront property and only ten minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge, the prison has long been a source of pride and respect for the people of California and the prisoners within. The proposed sale though is not sitting well with many of the latter who fear that they may be forced to move to less hospitable surroundings.

“This is the first place visitors see when they come in,’ said inmate John Taylor, “Some places you go for punishment. Here, it's more rehabilitation. I just don't know why the governor would want to shut us down.”

Located right on the cusp of San Francisco Bay, the prison is not only a source of pride for the prisoners but also serves the surrounding community as one of the largest employers in the area. Housing the state’s death row facility, many fear that this crown of California will be lost in favour of short term economic gain.

“There aren’t very many places in the United States where the community is proud to house a prison but San Quentin is one of them. The prison has become a part of the
lives of the people living in the area not just for those who are employed by it, but also by local artists and educators. It’s almost as though the prison itself is a member of the community,” said Scrape TV Crime analyst Willard Weston. “It’s also one of the most sought after of prison assignments for convicts with people from across the state doing whatever they can to get transferred. It’s probably the only maximum security prison in the state with a waiting list. There have even been cases of people committing crimes in order to be imprisoned in San Quentin. There is a lot that will be lost with a sale of the property.”

Many prisoners spend their days gardening, painting, and playing for the prison baseball team, The San Quentin Giants. With the spectre of a sale of their beloved home hanging over them many aren’t having quite as much fun as they had hoped just as the long and lazy days of summer are about to begin.

“Governor Schwarzenegger needs to be very careful how he handles this situation. These prisoners have grown to expect a certain type of treatment and a certain standard of care and that is being threatened by this talk. The
state has budget woes just like average ordinary citizens but the reality is people get into prison because they don’t want to be ordinary people and have to worry about ordinary things. Now they are being forced to deal with the drama of the outside world and that could cause undue stress,” continued Weston. “I mean how can a convicted murderer be expected to pull weeds from the front garden while he’s got such a pressing thing weighing on his head? You wake up every day knowing just what life is going to throw at you. You become comfortable and then all of that is thrown into jeopardy because bureaucrats can balance their books. Sure these people are prisoners but they don’t need to be treated that way.”

Should the prison cell it is not expected that any current inmates will receive compensation for moving expenses, further compounding the issue.    

Mike Michaels, American Correspondent

NEWS > U.S.A. > SAN QUENTIN INMATES WORRIED ABOUT PROSPECTIVE SALE