Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2015

From: Correctional Officer C.T.Smith

RE: People of the State of California vs. Edwin Jay Hutchinson
Case No. NA040270 LASC-South Dept. SOJ

Subject: Reference Letter in Support of Edwin Jay Hutchinson (CDCR No. P-68859)

To: The Honorable Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gary J. Ferrari

Your Honor,

Allow me to introduce myself to the court. My name is C.T.Smith and I am a 2nd Watch Correctional Officer employed at California State Prison-San Quentin for over twenty-eight (28) years. I first met inmate Hutchison shortly after his arrival at CSP-San Quentin on March 29, 2009.

As my duties call for me to have close interpersonal contacts with a variety of different prisoners, including those housed on "death row" as condemned inmates, protective custody ("sensitive needs") inmates, mainline general population ("GP") inmates, and reception center ("RC") inmates. This has provided me with an objective point of view when it comes to the conduct and behavioural patterns of these inmates. Although I cannot offer an expert testimony of the cognitive behavioural patterns of inmates on a clinical level, I do posses over two and one half decades of experience and interpersonal contacts with incarcerated individuals, which provides me with a solid foundation for gauging when an inmate is "authentic" and being "genuine" and when they are still "criminally-minded".

However, more importantly, since inmate Hutchison's arrival, here at CSP-San Quentin in 2009, he has had no disciplinary violations, whatsoever, and this demonstrates his willingness to "obey the rules". During our many conversations, he has often expressed and displayed evidence of his sincere remorse for committing the instant offenses of second-degree robbery in 1999, for which he is sentenced to a prison term of thirty-years-to-life under the "Three Strikes" law. In addition, it must be noted that inmate Hutchison is known as a "peacemaker" to the other inmates at CSP-San Quentin and has the respect of the CDCR prison staff, as well.

Based upon my personal observations, conversations and interactions with inmate Hutchison, I am of the strong opinion and am inclined to believe that inmate Hutchison is no longer a threat to society. He has addressed his past criminal behaviour, and substance abuse issues, and is fully prepared to successfully transition back into his community as a positive and productive member of society.

Therefore, I fully endorse the release of inmate Hutchison and submit this reference letter in support thereof.

If you have questions regarding inmate Hutchison, contact me at (415) 454-1460, ext: 3857 or 3432.

C/O C.T. Smith [signature]
C/O C.T. Smith 10/20/15