Overall, it’s better than I imagined.
I was moved from Lancaster State Prison near Los Angeles to Solano State Prison six weeks ago. It was a 370-mile drive north with just one stop for gas. It’s very different here, to say the least.
We stayed mainly on interstates, so I missed the Bay Area 🙁. Where do I start with the pluses and minuses? I was able to keep most of my personal property when I arrived, which is great because I’m a bit of a pack rat—I hate throwing away letters and photos. This pod living (Level II) is new to me: six bunk beds in each. My Native American friend and I have no one above us. There are two Asians, two Mexicans, two young Black men from Oakland, and two older Black men—ten in total. Most are respectful and quiet. It’s different for me, as I’ve been in a cell for the past 20 years. We each have our own TVs (I get 44 channels, including four PBS!), hot pots, and fans.
There are 250 men in this building, so it feels a little crowded, but there’s a lot more freedom and fewer guards. We can come and go as we please, and we get to stay outside until 9 PM. There’s lots of grass, a relaxing running path, and pretty rolling hills to the west with a lookout point on top. Travis Air Force Base is nearby, so we see a lot of planes coming and going. Sacramento International Airport is about 20-25 miles away. The yard itself has a lot to look at, and believe it or not, there’s even a tennis court!
Unfortunately, there are prison politics here that I can’t get into, but being older helps me stay out of the mix. You know how it goes—certain areas are for each race. Lancaster didn’t have that. I’ve attended Catholic and Buddhist services so far and plan to sign up for more groups, but I want to settle in and observe my surroundings first. Overall, it’s better than I imagined.
