PO Box 7500 D-2 122 SHU
Crescent City Calif 95531

February 4.14
Tuesday PM

Re. Went to the DRB Hearing (PLST)

Greetings.

As you know, I was waiting to go before the DRB Hearing that was postponed in December.

And that it was re-scheduled for today earlier this month. So it was expected that I would be called down there. The counsellor told me that it looks good in my favour, because I've been in the SHU for 37 years total.

So I was taken to this holding cell at the administration building. I was held there for several hours while another guy was being seen.

Then an official came out and told me that he's read my file and has some questions for me.

So when it was my turn I went in and saw a long table in the shape of a horseshoe with a lot of officials sitting there. I also saw a large table of cookies, potato chips, sodas etc for them to snack on. I wished I had one of them cookies. :)

So they introduces themselves and began to explain the stepdown program, and after I asked a few questions they began to talk about my [?] validation, the disciplinary history I've had throughout my incarceration, they asked me questions about my most recent disciplinary violations. One was for possession of a shank (knife) and the other was for assault on an inmate. I explained them the best I could.

They asked me about my possibility of getting out of SHU, how I would handle it.

I told them I am much older now. And am not the person I once was. I do not go out looking for trouble any more. But that I would not let anyone attack me, I would defend myself.

Because I've been in the SHU for so long, they wondered how it is going to be out of the SHU for me. And I told them it's going to be very different for sure, I was used to being in SHU all these years living alone, and having little contact with people, that it was going to be different, and take some getting used to. But I am willing to give it a try. I told them I'm an adventurer, I have always been glad to do and try new EXPERIENCES. This is no different.

They finished with their questions and agreed that they are willing to give me the opportunity to prove myself, and I told them that I am glad that they are doing this.

So when they asked me where I would like to go. I said I'd like to go to Salinas Valley State Prison.

They kind of flipped the scrip on me though, they said I have to do two years on the 180 yeard before I can go anywhere else. It is suppose to be a year, now they changed it, but I'll argue that later. For now I'm just glad to be getting out of the SHU.

As I write this, it kind of saddens me a little because I will be leaving some friends and the place that is like my only home I can remember. I've been in the SHU longer than I ever was growing up in my mother's house or any house. 37 years if half my life or more in the SHU.

Okay, so I will let you know how it goes. From SHU to the general population and the good and the bad of the transition.

So say posted.

I mst admit that I'm gona miss seeing some of these ladies that work here at PBSP. I just saw Granny today and will miss watching her walk up the stairs. Earlier I spoke with a nurse who I will really miss seeing to. I'm having second thoughts now of chooseing Salinas Valley. But after I'm done with my time at the 180 yard I will ask to return to this prison. I have a friend in Eureka that visits me once a month.