San Quentin (SQ) Tour

Warden Robert K. Wong


Stats on SQ from Expedia
Location: San Quentin, California
Status: Operational
Capacity: 5,222 as of FY 2006/2007.
Opened: 1852
Managed by: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Director (Warden): Robert K. Wong

On Sunday, after we attended church in Rohnert Park, we went to Lani's brother's home at San Quentin. Lani's brother, Robert, is the warden. Robert started his career in California Corrections some 27 years ago, after he returned from his mission in Indiana. The above picture is the picture posted on the walls of the prison, right under the Governor of California, and on the official web sight for San Quentin. The below posted pictures were not taken on the tour, but from Robert's yard, his house is on San Quentin property. He overlooks the prison, and the Bay. The view was to die for! We were not allowed to take in cameras or cell phones, and we had to wear certain type of clothing, which excluded blue jeans. The tour guide included the assistant warden, Chad the employee who mistook Lani for Robert the night before at the Luau, and a Sergeant who gave us some great insights to the murals painted in the mess hall. We went into certain dorms, but of course not the maximum security or death row. Robert told us the inmates would cooperate, would NOT cat call or cause any trouble during our tour, and if the worse would be cat calling, and that would be dealt with. We walked into the prison, after being ID'd and stamped. Robert came with us on the tour. There were like 24 family members present, including several very pretty nieces. We went through the entrance, into a small yard area where the chapels are located. It was Sunday, and they said they have chapel and services for any type of religion, including Native American Indian, Mormons, Catholics, Protestants, and even devil worship if requested. Although he never said if anyone had requested that worship service yet. We then walked into a dorm of the work release prisoners, they are not released outside to work, but are allowed to work inside. Robert said these guys are trusted, and they will not cause any trouble as they are mainly close to getting out. And sure enough, not one thing was said or done while we were there. A lot of them did come out to check us out, but they were very respectful. I was impressed that Robert went and talked to some of them, asking them how they were, even asked one if they had a good visit as he came out of the visiting area. All the guards and the inmates very respectful towards Robert, and always addressed him as "Sir". We all went inside, and most went into a cell to check out how very small they are. The men could not even stretch their arms from one side to the other. There are a set of bunk beds inside, and small sink, and that is it. No TV, no radio, and a small light, which a lot of them turn off as they make a lot of heat inside the small cells. The guide said they turn off the lights a lot to hide stuff too, like smoking, which is not allowed period, and tattooing, and he said he doesn't understand how they tattoo in the dark.


This is a picture of the mural in the Mess Hall. It was painted in the 1950s by Alfredo Santos, an inmate who won a contest to paint the mural. It is remarkable. You can check out an article at: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/19/arts/design/19hall.html?_r=1
Here you can see an article on Santos and what it took to make this mural.
What they don't tell you is that certain parts of this mural move as you walk from one side of the room to the other, and the hidden demons he put in to tell the story of the demons he sometimes felt.


We then went into the yard of the prison, there were several inmates playing baseball, basketball, and tennis. Some were running, and some punching a punching bag. Some of the inmates playing basketball, stopped playing to watch us while we were there. The guard told them not to stop, and to not mind us, but one just could not resist making some cat calls and some inappropriate jestures. It was just seconds, when two guards approached him, one from each side of the yard, and from where I do not know, and the Warden in the middle between them. Robert approached him called him to the side, and they had a little chat. The tour guide said, "Well I'll have to deal with him on Monday." He is one of the principals who handle disclipine to the inmates, or official he is an Adjustment Officer. He was also recognised by some of the men there as a spokesman for the reality show, LOCKUP. Guess I'll have to check out that show now.

While on the yard, the assistant Warden told us of the baseball team, The Giants. The field was actually donated by the SF Giants. You can read an article on the team at: http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0702/p20s01-ussc.html#
He likes to joke that they are undefeated at away games..

The Assistant Warden also told us that this prison has more volunteers than almost any other prison anywhere. They get up to 3000 requests for volunteers, and have to turn people away.

This is from Robert's backyard, and in the background Tower 1. You should see the guns the guards carry there. They have to walk around the walls of the prison, as they can not bring guns inside the prison. They walk along the walls and roofs to their posts. They showed us where the guards shot the inmate who shot 4 guards in the 70s, after his lawyer snuck in a gun to him. He killed guards, and the wall guards killed him before he could escape. Tragic to say the least, and the attorney is to blame.

This is a good picture of Tower 1 from Robert's backyard. Robert says they watch his home from this tower.



Here are David, Tracy, Michael, Billy, and Lani in the backyard overlooking the prison.



This picture is the top of the yard at top of the building, for Death Row. We saw a basketball bouncing up every once in a while, wonder who was playing?

The boys looking into the prison area.
Flags at the entrance of the prison.
After the tour, and before returning to Robert's home, we were able to go inside the private San Quentin Museum on sight. It was very interesting, and we all came back with a better insight of the prison, Robert, and life in prison. Don't want to be there for sure.... Those guards have BIG guns.. they look like giant machine guns.. Thanks Robert, and your staff for giving us such a great tour and insights, and keeping us all safe. We are so very proud of your acheivements and hard work to be where you are today.