After being on Death Row in San Quentin for 30 years, I’m enjoying the move to this new prison in Sacramento.
I’m now able to walk around without handcuffs and even see the moon. I can truly say I’m grateful to be out of that dark place. I’m still adjusting to the program here. I’ve learned this prison is different from the other Level 2s, because three of the buildings house Level 4 men.
They’re taking up a lot of the program time, and that’s the only thing I don’t like. I’m not getting the full Level 2 experience. So, I’m going to put in for a transfer to a real Level 2 yard where I can walk into the chow hall and come and go throughout the day. This place isn’t quite that. I’ve had the chance to participate in two of the yard’s very first events, the Juneteenth Celebration and the Holiday Celebration, and you can tell by my smile how much joy they brought me.
For the Christmas event, I went to the store with my own money and made 69 gift bags to pass out. It made me happy to see the smiles on everyone’s faces when they received their bags and goodies. At the Juneteenth event, I had the chance to share my story from San Quentin’s Death Row and talk about how I was able to write all my books. That meant a lot to me. Overall, the transfer has been good, for me and the other men because our increased freedom. But it’s still not a true Level 2, so I’ll be leaving later this year. I would have loved to stay, because this place felt like a blank canvas. Please keep me in your positive thoughts and prayers. I’m still working on my next book, FREE AT LAST, and hoping to enjoy some life here while I can.
