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Struggling To Be A Better Man
S.T.B.A.B.M-Part-2
And he started to fall apart all over again. It was time for him to talk to his 2-year-old son De'von,he knew that he didn't know what was going on. Shit, no one did. All he could say "is he wished,he was a better father, and he wanted him to be a better man than he was". He told De'von that he loved him and missed him and will be home soon.
Tonya, retrieved the phone,and again asked him," what can she do"? He said," he needed to find a lawyer that specialize in illegal arms dealing and drug trafficking. Cause that's what he was arrested for.
Kendrick, really didn't know specifically, what he was charged with. But he knew it was something like that. Overhearing conversations while he was getting booked and fingerprinted detectives and DOJ members talking about the amount of drugs that were found, and the firearms that were retrieved. Tonya repeatedly said,she loved him, and that everything was going to be okay. She'd repeatedly reassured him throughout the telephone conversation. But Kendrick was lost, and exhausted because of the days of events. Kendrick was ready to go lay down and rest. So he told Tonya he loved her and will talk to her tomorrow. She said she loved him too unconditionally and again reassured him that everything would be okay.
Kendrick went to his cell and as he was making his bed,he began to contemplate the last 48 hrs of his life. Everything seemed to flash back at him, pushing him deeper and deeper into his thoughts. Finally, he had a chance to lay down and try to relax. He laid there looking up at the ceiling in his cell adrift. And then he out of nowhere began to pray. He hadn't done that in a long time. He had picked up a few good vices from his parents. They were religious people, but the life they lived made it hard for them to make it more than practicing religion. He hadn't thought about them for awhile neither all this had made his emotionally go wild. Kendrick just began to pray.
"Father God,forgive me for my wrongs, for the things I've done to bring me to this place. The destruction. The selfish deeds. The greed. I need you to watch over my family, while I take this walk. While I face these challenges. Surround me with your wise's Angels and see the best in me. We haven't talked in a long time. He had been in the streets on the grind, doing the devil's work, living a life of crime. And I know I was wrong, and I will be better. So I asked that you keep your hand over my family, bring me to peace with all my enemies, and let me start to live this life the way you deem necessary. I beg for mercy. I beg for understanding. I'll beg for forgiveness. For my known and unknown sins. I apologize for not hearing while you spoke to me. I'm here now and I'm asking for a chance, for a new beginning, and a relationship with you. Lord, if I should die before I wake,please have my soul to take. Amen!!
The conversation seemed so refreshing to him while he was talking to God. But he knew that there was no time to put all in front of him on religion. That was out. It ain't no time for self-pity, or despair. He had to establish his strength and find a damn good lawyer. It's 10 toes to the floor when you're trying to climb up out of those trenches.
Kendrick didn't even know it was morning,he had fallen asleep. He was jarred awake, by a sheriff voice shutting out that it was "Chow time"and that if you're eating get up and get in line." He had just spent his first night in the Santa Rita county jail and didn't even notice it.
November 17,2004.
It was time to get up and get to the phone. Make some calls. Off top call, Tonya and see about getting up out of here. Pushing for bail. Shit,something. It's time to battle.
Kendrick,called Tonya when she picked up, he immediately said,good morning My love and how are you doing? She said, fine,good morning and I'm worried about you. Kendrick, reassured her that he was ok,and he could hear the kids in the background. So he asked,"how are the kids doing? Tonya expressed that De'von was still having toothaches. But he was doing fine, as was their daughter. Tanya called Ericka to phone. Kendrick's Babygirl said,"Good morning Daddy" so cheerful that it put a smile on his heart and face. "Good morning Babygirl," he responded. Give the phone to your lil brother. De'von,took the phone from his big sister and yelled into the receiver, "Good morning Daddy," and then he started rambling baby talk. "Good morning,son Kenderick, responded. Then he heard his kids start to wrestle each other for the phone. It made him smile. After a couple seconds of chaos, Tonya retrieved the phone,and it had accidentally got switched to speaker. And he could hear them both his kids screaming in unison, "good morning Daddy,I love u,"and miss u." Kendrick spoke back with so much emotion," I love and miss you both to soooo much,be good for Mommie. Then Tonya and Kendrick, got down to business. The conversation switched to since he's been locked up that they had been looking for a high-powered attorney, hopefully to attend Kenderick's arraignment and bail hearing. They were trying to figure out if it was wise or beneficial to hire an attorney before the arraignment or the bail hearing. But that would have been a waste of money. So Kendrick showed up to his arrangement and bail hearing with a P.D. (public defender), and at the hearing his bail was set at $1,000,000. Which means he and Tanya would have to come up with $100,000 in cash, to post bond. Or a million dollars in legitimate collateral/assets. It was very discouraging. Because on top of that,they had to watch out for the FBI and now also the ATF's that were going through their lives with a microscope. So if they paid that bail. How would they prove the money was legitimately clean and not criminally accumulated? Kendrick had never worked a legit job in his life to prove he could come up with such a substantial amount of money,like that for bail. And Tonya was just about to finish up nursing school at Holy Names University in Oakland, California. She had started at Laney college in Oakland. But she never did finish. She had gotten pregnant with De'von, and the experience of the difficult pregnancy with their daughter, made Kendrick not want her to work or exude herself. When they had found out that she was pregnant with De'von. Her doctor had said it was fine for her to continue in nursing school as long as she wasn't over stressed. But Kendrick's,wasn't having it. He had forced her into bed rest. So they had to watch out. They didn't want to lead the DOJ to their money. But this is going to be difficult, because they needed the best attorney and he wanted to be free to fight his case. They agreed, by his preliminary hearing that he would have a lawyer sufficient enough to fight if he went to trial. They had continued to get references by individuals of adequate attorney's to assist them and after two months of patience and deep seeded searching,they had found one of the best attorneys in Northern California. A guy named J.Tony Serra out of San Francisco California. A rogue attorney. Known for being rebellious, going up against police departments,and the law. Standing for his civil liberties. U couldn't go wrong with a lawyer like that. Kendrick was fighting the police as Tony Serra has. Kendra needed to win, and Tony Serra loved to win.
Kendrick,had sat in the county jail fighting his case for about 2 years. He never even tried to make bail. They thought it was best that he didn't. He talked to the kids and Tonya everyday. He was determined to continue to build on and try to maintain his relationship with her and their kids as his world continued to crumble around him. They were growing up fast and he wasn't there. They were in school now, mingling around, building their own lives, making friends. They were excelling as kids. Tanya, had graduated from nursing school in 2005. And was now a RN working at Alta Bates hospital in Berkeley,California.
On July 24,2006, Kenderick's was found guilty by a jury of multiple chargers of drug trafficking and gun running. He had been sentenced to 27 years for the drugs and 10 years for the guns. Plus hit with several enhancements.
Kenderick's kids were persistent. They consistently asked him when he was coming home every visit to the county jail,or when they saw him at court. But he had no answer. He just got sentenced to 37 years for the crimes he'd committed and 15 years in enhancements.
On July 28,2006. He was transported to San Quentin California State Prison,in San Quentin,California. Which is in Northern California,to begin serving his sentence. San Quentin State Prison is mainly used to house "Death Row" prisoner's,short term early releasers, or a reception Center for those individuals convicted in a Northern District Judicial Court in Northern California. But also, sometimes in the Central District of California. There are four Judicial Districts in California. And 4 reception Centers. Two in No.Cal and Two in So.Cal. It's not often that a new prisoner would be permanently assigned to a reception Center. You have to earn the privilege to stay in one.
Kendrick had remembered seeing the prison on a reality Tv show called, "Love after Lock up." To be there physically was crazy to him. He had been transported from the Santa Rita County Jail all by himself in a Patty Wagon bus, shackled from head to toe in one of the four steel cages mounted into the vehicle. He was happy to stretch his legs and be out of that little ass cage. His knees hurt. As he was being escorted through the processing area another prisoner asked him, "wassup? Were you coming from? Where are u from? And what are you in for?" Kendrick just kept walking and didn't respond. All he kept thinking after that was,"was that guy serious?" The Sheriff's that transported him handed him,his and personal property literally over to another officer in a green jumpsuit. He was placed in another cage and given a bag lunch. Kendrick had remained right there for the next 4 hrs observing everything. Watching, listening and evaluating his surroundings. It was impossible for him to just sit there and not take it all in. This was going to be his life for a while now. He had to unfortunately admit the obvious. At the sametime Tonya and the kids came in to mind. Kendrick could feel himself getting engulfed with a layer of depression. For some reason, during all the chaos and misfortune in his life for the last 2 years, Kendrick had begun to learn himself and recognize pretty quickly when he was about to lose his grip on reality,or shift moods. Both where uncontrollable. He had found out during trial that he was Bi-Polar. But also,suffered from PTSD and Acute Anxiety disorder.
He was deep into his thoughts when he heard his last name called out. An Officer had waved him over. "Have a sit son." "This will only take about 15 minutes and then we'll have u housed."U will go to committee in about 30 days to 2 months,which then you'll be put up for transfer to a facility that fits your criteria." Until then stay out of trouble and do something to better yourself." The officer gave him papers to sign. And told him his CDCR prisoner identification number then called the inmate that asked him all the gang questions. And told him to grab a hygiene kit and bedding. Kendrick was then escorted to Badger Section. Or it can be called East Block.
When he came through the door of Badger he couldn't help but to look up. SAN QUENTIN STATE PRISON was the oldest prison in California. It was right across the water from the infamous Alcatraz State Prison. San Quentin had tiers. 5 tiers to be exact. "Man,this is crazy." Kendrick whispered under his breath,looking up wondering how many people had fallen,gotten thrown off or possibly jumped from up there. Wow!
An Officer informed Kendrick of the cell number he'd be housed in. Another prisoner that was the Porter of Badger section (a porter is like a janitor) had been informed by the officer to direct Kendrick's to where his cell was and to introduce him to his cellie. As Kendrick's and the porter/prisoner we're walking to a cell they got to know each other. The porter's name was Den-Den, and he was from 85th street in East Oakland. After further conversation they found out that they were part of the same organization/affiliation 415 KUMI. They we're still getting acquainted when they made it to the cell door. Den-Den immediately started to introduce him to his cellmate, which Kendrick at that moment found out was also one of his rad's. His cellmate name was ICE. He was from Richmond and was doing time for murder robbery with a sentence of 25 to life in prison. ICE, welcomed Kendrick into his cell by stepping to the side so he could pass and showing him where his property goes that he had been able to bring with him from the Santa Rita county Jail. But it's time the red Indian said he had to go do his job and ice and Kendrick were left to get to know each other.
ICE told Kendrick how long he had been in San Quentin and was informing him of the daily routines facility and their 415 KUMI organization obligations. Furthermore, who was in charge, who was on the chain of command, the educational program and the workout regimen routines. But also informing him of the number of conrad's they had, also identifying and introducing those that appeared at their cell door. ICE, also ran down their list of allies, associates/sympathizers and who their enemies were.
Remember Kendrick had never been to prison,so all this was new to him. He had become a part of this structure on the streets as a kid. Even though 415 KUMI was formed in prison. The dynamics of the organization functioning in prison was clearly set up differently in many aspects on the streets. It carried more structure in prison. It had to be correlated to prison politics and much more. Which as on the streets one could roam freely and check in at times with headquarters in East Oakland or call in. In prison Kendrick was learning that he didn't know 25% of what he had committed himself as a kid and that he needed to educate himself further and that's on many levels.
He spent his days walking around with ICE and Den-Den, getting to know the rad's in his section and throughout San Quentin. He had counted 34 rad's in Badger and 28 in West Block. West Block was another section in the prison that held prisoners. It was for prisoners serving less time than Kendrick.
At the end of every day he talked to Tonya and the kids. He had been worried since he got locked up how his family, especially his kids would function without him. His kids are deep into their schools and the school activities. Ericka,is 6 and a mini cheerleader. De'von,is 4 and he's in performing arts. He loves music. Kendrick thinks he'll be a singer or something of that nature. Tonya, has been working at Highland Hospital in East Oakland since graduating nursing school. She loves it. Their home life seems settled and blessed. The only thing that's missing is Kendrick's. Tonya doesn't allow many people around the kids. She has an older sister named Nicolette, that has a 7 yr old daughter and a 5 yr old son that the kids have grown up with and still maintain playdates and get togethers with. They also attend Golden Gate elementary school in Emeryville, California together. Kendrick went to that school himself. He tells them stories about it over the phone all the time. They laugh. Then they ask daddy when he's coming home and then they cry. It depresses him. But he deals with it. Ge really has no choice.
Time had flown by in San Quentin as Kendrick's was getting acclimated to prison life and being away from his family.
He had been there for 4 months now and next week he was going to committee and getting put up for transfer to Pelican Bay State Prison, in Crescent City, California right next to the Oregon border. The counselor had informed him by calling him to his office and breaking down all his criterias for placement in another prison. He's stay at San Quentin was about to be over.
He was nervous. He had heard so much negative stuff about Pelican Bay. And that included the Officers,inmates and the encouragement/programs in the facilities. But who cares about what he's heard? None of that mattered. He had no choice.He was going their one way or another. That made him laugh under his breath. As all he could continue thinking about was, damn a new environment, situations, associates and learning a new structure. The prison world seemed more of a psychological locker box,than a physical place delivering punishment. One can adapt to being locked up with all the little things of life. Especially if the person never had much of nothing. It's the psychological element of being locked up that brings the suffering. A person making themselves want this and that, knowing it isn't possible because it's not physically obtainable. Like wanting to use the phone that second, but u cannot get out the cell cause there's no door knob and your call is at 7 pm that you signed up for by prison rules. But it's 5:35 pm. Psychologically, you feel defeated.
Kendrick was getting better in tune with all aspects of Psychology. He had started researching it in the county jail after his attorney Tony Serra experienced an outburst during a cross-examination of a witness, he recommended Kendrick to a psych evaluation. And they had found out he has a few mental illnesses. So he has continued to seek assistance for balance and to make him more knowledgeable of it while he's been locked up.
It was December 13,2006 when Kendrick landed at Pelican Bay State Prison in Crescent City California. This prison was extremely different from San Quentin. First, it was newer. San Quentin had been built in the 1800's. And this place had been built in the 90's. Plus there were only 2 tiers. And walls that separate the building into pods. And on the wall over the pod door it said in bold letters, english and spanish, "No Warning Shots." Kendrick couldn't help mumbling things to himself. It was shocking at the least what he'd read,how morbid the place felt,and how the doors had several holes in them. One could literally see everything inside the cell with the light on. He wondered,damn do they shoot through the doors? He couldn't wait to tell Tonya about this place.
Kendrick had been placed on the upper tier. Cell 201 Right up against the wall. Perfect. He could see almost everything. He didn't have a cellie this time. So he got settled in on the bottom bunk. He was exhausted from the ride from San Quentin,his legs hurt from being shackled almost 10 hrs and sitting in one of the bus's steel cages. They weren't really made to be comfortable, he thought to himself sitting down on his bed chuckling a little what a day. What a day. He laid back putting his head on his pillow and he was out. He knows now that someone that is black will come ask him all the political and personal questions about him. It's protocol he learned from his stay in Quentin. And it was exhausting.
Kendrick was woken up by a black porter prisoner letting him know that he had a kite under the door. He was bewithered because he didn't know anyone in Pelican Bay or did he? The
Porter prisoner name was Nate. He was from Pittsburgh California and later Kendrick found out that Nate was also one of his rad's. He got up and grabbed the kite and sat back down on his bed. Opening the kite he knew from San Quentin it was a roll call. His rad's had in San Quentin some how got in touch with the ones in Pelican Bay and he was being informed to check in and whom to check in to. The kite read salutations Loveone,nice to meet u and welcome to r family. My name is Mike Mike. I am the MOD on this yard and so it as u know is my duty to embrace u and get that song from u as soon as possible, on top inform u of your chain of command,count of rads,
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And he started to fall apart all over again. It was time for him to talk to his 2-year-old son De'von,he knew that he didn't know what was going on. Shit, no one did. All he could say "is he wished,he was a better father, and he wanted him to be a better man than he was". He told De'von that he loved him and missed him and will be home soon.
Tonya, retrieved the phone,and again asked him," what can she do"? He said," he needed to find a lawyer that specialize in illegal arms dealing and drug trafficking. Cause that's what he was arrested for.
Kendrick, really didn't know specifically, what he was charged with. But he knew it was something like that. Overhearing conversations while he was getting booked and fingerprinted detectives and DOJ members talking about the amount of drugs that were found, and the firearms that were retrieved. Tonya repeatedly said,she loved him, and that everything was going to be okay. She'd repeatedly reassured him throughout the telephone conversation. But Kendrick was lost, and exhausted because of the days of events. Kendrick was ready to go lay down and rest. So he told Tonya he loved her and will talk to her tomorrow. She said she loved him too unconditionally and again reassured him that everything would be okay.
Kendrick went to his cell and as he was making his bed,he began to contemplate the last 48 hrs of his life. Everything seemed to flash back at him, pushing him deeper and deeper into his thoughts. Finally, he had a chance to lay down and try to relax. He laid there looking up at the ceiling in his cell adrift. And then he out of nowhere began to pray. He hadn't done that in a long time. He had picked up a few good vices from his parents. They were religious people, but the life they lived made it hard for them to make it more than practicing religion. He hadn't thought about them for awhile neither all this had made his emotionally go wild. Kendrick just began to pray.
"Father God,forgive me for my wrongs, for the things I've done to bring me to this place. The destruction. The selfish deeds. The greed. I need you to watch over my family, while I take this walk. While I face these challenges. Surround me with your wise's Angels and see the best in me. We haven't talked in a long time. He had been in the streets on the grind, doing the devil's work, living a life of crime. And I know I was wrong, and I will be better. So I asked that you keep your hand over my family, bring me to peace with all my enemies, and let me start to live this life the way you deem necessary. I beg for mercy. I beg for understanding. I'll beg for forgiveness. For my known and unknown sins. I apologize for not hearing while you spoke to me. I'm here now and I'm asking for a chance, for a new beginning, and a relationship with you. Lord, if I should die before I wake,please have my soul to take. Amen!!
The conversation seemed so refreshing to him while he was talking to God. But he knew that there was no time to put all in front of him on religion. That was out. It ain't no time for self-pity, or despair. He had to establish his strength and find a damn good lawyer. It's 10 toes to the floor when you're trying to climb up out of those trenches.
Kendrick didn't even know it was morning,he had fallen asleep. He was jarred awake, by a sheriff voice shutting out that it was "Chow time"and that if you're eating get up and get in line." He had just spent his first night in the Santa Rita county jail and didn't even notice it.
November 17,2004.
It was time to get up and get to the phone. Make some calls. Off top call, Tonya and see about getting up out of here. Pushing for bail. Shit,something. It's time to battle.
Kendrick,called Tonya when she picked up, he immediately said,good morning My love and how are you doing? She said, fine,good morning and I'm worried about you. Kendrick, reassured her that he was ok,and he could hear the kids in the background. So he asked,"how are the kids doing? Tonya expressed that De'von was still having toothaches. But he was doing fine, as was their daughter. Tanya called Ericka to phone. Kendrick's Babygirl said,"Good morning Daddy" so cheerful that it put a smile on his heart and face. "Good morning Babygirl," he responded. Give the phone to your lil brother. De'von,took the phone from his big sister and yelled into the receiver, "Good morning Daddy," and then he started rambling baby talk. "Good morning,son Kenderick, responded. Then he heard his kids start to wrestle each other for the phone. It made him smile. After a couple seconds of chaos, Tonya retrieved the phone,and it had accidentally got switched to speaker. And he could hear them both his kids screaming in unison, "good morning Daddy,I love u,"and miss u." Kendrick spoke back with so much emotion," I love and miss you both to soooo much,be good for Mommie. Then Tonya and Kendrick, got down to business. The conversation switched to since he's been locked up that they had been looking for a high-powered attorney, hopefully to attend Kenderick's arraignment and bail hearing. They were trying to figure out if it was wise or beneficial to hire an attorney before the arraignment or the bail hearing. But that would have been a waste of money. So Kendrick showed up to his arrangement and bail hearing with a P.D. (public defender), and at the hearing his bail was set at $1,000,000. Which means he and Tanya would have to come up with $100,000 in cash, to post bond. Or a million dollars in legitimate collateral/assets. It was very discouraging. Because on top of that,they had to watch out for the FBI and now also the ATF's that were going through their lives with a microscope. So if they paid that bail. How would they prove the money was legitimately clean and not criminally accumulated? Kendrick had never worked a legit job in his life to prove he could come up with such a substantial amount of money,like that for bail. And Tonya was just about to finish up nursing school at Holy Names University in Oakland, California. She had started at Laney college in Oakland. But she never did finish. She had gotten pregnant with De'von, and the experience of the difficult pregnancy with their daughter, made Kendrick not want her to work or exude herself. When they had found out that she was pregnant with De'von. Her doctor had said it was fine for her to continue in nursing school as long as she wasn't over stressed. But Kendrick's,wasn't having it. He had forced her into bed rest. So they had to watch out. They didn't want to lead the DOJ to their money. But this is going to be difficult, because they needed the best attorney and he wanted to be free to fight his case. They agreed, by his preliminary hearing that he would have a lawyer sufficient enough to fight if he went to trial. They had continued to get references by individuals of adequate attorney's to assist them and after two months of patience and deep seeded searching,they had found one of the best attorneys in Northern California. A guy named J.Tony Serra out of San Francisco California. A rogue attorney. Known for being rebellious, going up against police departments,and the law. Standing for his civil liberties. U couldn't go wrong with a lawyer like that. Kendrick was fighting the police as Tony Serra has. Kendra needed to win, and Tony Serra loved to win.
Kendrick,had sat in the county jail fighting his case for about 2 years. He never even tried to make bail. They thought it was best that he didn't. He talked to the kids and Tonya everyday. He was determined to continue to build on and try to maintain his relationship with her and their kids as his world continued to crumble around him. They were growing up fast and he wasn't there. They were in school now, mingling around, building their own lives, making friends. They were excelling as kids. Tanya, had graduated from nursing school in 2005. And was now a RN working at Alta Bates hospital in Berkeley,California.
On July 24,2006, Kenderick's was found guilty by a jury of multiple chargers of drug trafficking and gun running. He had been sentenced to 27 years for the drugs and 10 years for the guns. Plus hit with several enhancements.
Kenderick's kids were persistent. They consistently asked him when he was coming home every visit to the county jail,or when they saw him at court. But he had no answer. He just got sentenced to 37 years for the crimes he'd committed and 15 years in enhancements.
On July 28,2006. He was transported to San Quentin California State Prison,in San Quentin,California. Which is in Northern California,to begin serving his sentence. San Quentin State Prison is mainly used to house "Death Row" prisoner's,short term early releasers, or a reception Center for those individuals convicted in a Northern District Judicial Court in Northern California. But also, sometimes in the Central District of California. There are four Judicial Districts in California. And 4 reception Centers. Two in No.Cal and Two in So.Cal. It's not often that a new prisoner would be permanently assigned to a reception Center. You have to earn the privilege to stay in one.
Kendrick had remembered seeing the prison on a reality Tv show called, "Love after Lock up." To be there physically was crazy to him. He had been transported from the Santa Rita County Jail all by himself in a Patty Wagon bus, shackled from head to toe in one of the four steel cages mounted into the vehicle. He was happy to stretch his legs and be out of that little ass cage. His knees hurt. As he was being escorted through the processing area another prisoner asked him, "wassup? Were you coming from? Where are u from? And what are you in for?" Kendrick just kept walking and didn't respond. All he kept thinking after that was,"was that guy serious?" The Sheriff's that transported him handed him,his and personal property literally over to another officer in a green jumpsuit. He was placed in another cage and given a bag lunch. Kendrick had remained right there for the next 4 hrs observing everything. Watching, listening and evaluating his surroundings. It was impossible for him to just sit there and not take it all in. This was going to be his life for a while now. He had to unfortunately admit the obvious. At the sametime Tonya and the kids came in to mind. Kendrick could feel himself getting engulfed with a layer of depression. For some reason, during all the chaos and misfortune in his life for the last 2 years, Kendrick had begun to learn himself and recognize pretty quickly when he was about to lose his grip on reality,or shift moods. Both where uncontrollable. He had found out during trial that he was Bi-Polar. But also,suffered from PTSD and Acute Anxiety disorder.
He was deep into his thoughts when he heard his last name called out. An Officer had waved him over. "Have a sit son." "This will only take about 15 minutes and then we'll have u housed."U will go to committee in about 30 days to 2 months,which then you'll be put up for transfer to a facility that fits your criteria." Until then stay out of trouble and do something to better yourself." The officer gave him papers to sign. And told him his CDCR prisoner identification number then called the inmate that asked him all the gang questions. And told him to grab a hygiene kit and bedding. Kendrick was then escorted to Badger Section. Or it can be called East Block.
When he came through the door of Badger he couldn't help but to look up. SAN QUENTIN STATE PRISON was the oldest prison in California. It was right across the water from the infamous Alcatraz State Prison. San Quentin had tiers. 5 tiers to be exact. "Man,this is crazy." Kendrick whispered under his breath,looking up wondering how many people had fallen,gotten thrown off or possibly jumped from up there. Wow!
An Officer informed Kendrick of the cell number he'd be housed in. Another prisoner that was the Porter of Badger section (a porter is like a janitor) had been informed by the officer to direct Kendrick's to where his cell was and to introduce him to his cellie. As Kendrick's and the porter/prisoner we're walking to a cell they got to know each other. The porter's name was Den-Den, and he was from 85th street in East Oakland. After further conversation they found out that they were part of the same organization/affiliation 415 KUMI. They we're still getting acquainted when they made it to the cell door. Den-Den immediately started to introduce him to his cellmate, which Kendrick at that moment found out was also one of his rad's. His cellmate name was ICE. He was from Richmond and was doing time for murder robbery with a sentence of 25 to life in prison. ICE, welcomed Kendrick into his cell by stepping to the side so he could pass and showing him where his property goes that he had been able to bring with him from the Santa Rita county Jail. But it's time the red Indian said he had to go do his job and ice and Kendrick were left to get to know each other.
ICE told Kendrick how long he had been in San Quentin and was informing him of the daily routines facility and their 415 KUMI organization obligations. Furthermore, who was in charge, who was on the chain of command, the educational program and the workout regimen routines. But also informing him of the number of conrad's they had, also identifying and introducing those that appeared at their cell door. ICE, also ran down their list of allies, associates/sympathizers and who their enemies were.
Remember Kendrick had never been to prison,so all this was new to him. He had become a part of this structure on the streets as a kid. Even though 415 KUMI was formed in prison. The dynamics of the organization functioning in prison was clearly set up differently in many aspects on the streets. It carried more structure in prison. It had to be correlated to prison politics and much more. Which as on the streets one could roam freely and check in at times with headquarters in East Oakland or call in. In prison Kendrick was learning that he didn't know 25% of what he had committed himself as a kid and that he needed to educate himself further and that's on many levels.
He spent his days walking around with ICE and Den-Den, getting to know the rad's in his section and throughout San Quentin. He had counted 34 rad's in Badger and 28 in West Block. West Block was another section in the prison that held prisoners. It was for prisoners serving less time than Kendrick.
At the end of every day he talked to Tonya and the kids. He had been worried since he got locked up how his family, especially his kids would function without him. His kids are deep into their schools and the school activities. Ericka,is 6 and a mini cheerleader. De'von,is 4 and he's in performing arts. He loves music. Kendrick thinks he'll be a singer or something of that nature. Tonya, has been working at Highland Hospital in East Oakland since graduating nursing school. She loves it. Their home life seems settled and blessed. The only thing that's missing is Kendrick's. Tonya doesn't allow many people around the kids. She has an older sister named Nicolette, that has a 7 yr old daughter and a 5 yr old son that the kids have grown up with and still maintain playdates and get togethers with. They also attend Golden Gate elementary school in Emeryville, California together. Kendrick went to that school himself. He tells them stories about it over the phone all the time. They laugh. Then they ask daddy when he's coming home and then they cry. It depresses him. But he deals with it. Ge really has no choice.
Time had flown by in San Quentin as Kendrick's was getting acclimated to prison life and being away from his family.
He had been there for 4 months now and next week he was going to committee and getting put up for transfer to Pelican Bay State Prison, in Crescent City, California right next to the Oregon border. The counselor had informed him by calling him to his office and breaking down all his criterias for placement in another prison. He's stay at San Quentin was about to be over.
He was nervous. He had heard so much negative stuff about Pelican Bay. And that included the Officers,inmates and the encouragement/programs in the facilities. But who cares about what he's heard? None of that mattered. He had no choice.He was going their one way or another. That made him laugh under his breath. As all he could continue thinking about was, damn a new environment, situations, associates and learning a new structure. The prison world seemed more of a psychological locker box,than a physical place delivering punishment. One can adapt to being locked up with all the little things of life. Especially if the person never had much of nothing. It's the psychological element of being locked up that brings the suffering. A person making themselves want this and that, knowing it isn't possible because it's not physically obtainable. Like wanting to use the phone that second, but u cannot get out the cell cause there's no door knob and your call is at 7 pm that you signed up for by prison rules. But it's 5:35 pm. Psychologically, you feel defeated.
Kendrick was getting better in tune with all aspects of Psychology. He had started researching it in the county jail after his attorney Tony Serra experienced an outburst during a cross-examination of a witness, he recommended Kendrick to a psych evaluation. And they had found out he has a few mental illnesses. So he has continued to seek assistance for balance and to make him more knowledgeable of it while he's been locked up.
It was December 13,2006 when Kendrick landed at Pelican Bay State Prison in Crescent City California. This prison was extremely different from San Quentin. First, it was newer. San Quentin had been built in the 1800's. And this place had been built in the 90's. Plus there were only 2 tiers. And walls that separate the building into pods. And on the wall over the pod door it said in bold letters, english and spanish, "No Warning Shots." Kendrick couldn't help mumbling things to himself. It was shocking at the least what he'd read,how morbid the place felt,and how the doors had several holes in them. One could literally see everything inside the cell with the light on. He wondered,damn do they shoot through the doors? He couldn't wait to tell Tonya about this place.
Kendrick had been placed on the upper tier. Cell 201 Right up against the wall. Perfect. He could see almost everything. He didn't have a cellie this time. So he got settled in on the bottom bunk. He was exhausted from the ride from San Quentin,his legs hurt from being shackled almost 10 hrs and sitting in one of the bus's steel cages. They weren't really made to be comfortable, he thought to himself sitting down on his bed chuckling a little what a day. What a day. He laid back putting his head on his pillow and he was out. He knows now that someone that is black will come ask him all the political and personal questions about him. It's protocol he learned from his stay in Quentin. And it was exhausting.
Kendrick was woken up by a black porter prisoner letting him know that he had a kite under the door. He was bewithered because he didn't know anyone in Pelican Bay or did he? The
Porter prisoner name was Nate. He was from Pittsburgh California and later Kendrick found out that Nate was also one of his rad's. He got up and grabbed the kite and sat back down on his bed. Opening the kite he knew from San Quentin it was a roll call. His rad's had in San Quentin some how got in touch with the ones in Pelican Bay and he was being informed to check in and whom to check in to. The kite read salutations Loveone,nice to meet u and welcome to r family. My name is Mike Mike. I am the MOD on this yard and so it as u know is my duty to embrace u and get that song from u as soon as possible, on top inform u of your chain of command,count of rads,
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