I did not want to hurt this guy. I was going to hurt people if I had to. I was sent to the hole, but I earned my respect. Contact: davidwilliamreeve (at) gmail.com, DAVID WILLIAM REEVE is a writer + photographer from Southern California who documents the lives of young people at risk. CALIFORNIA YOUTH AUTHORITY The California Youth Authority (CYA), the largest youth correctional system in the United States, houses approximately six thousand juveniles and young . Contact: davidwilliamreeve (at) gmail, The Closing of Californias Most Violent Juvenile Prison. I held knowledge about gangs because I was a shot-caller, so they didnt want me to have any contact with other gang members. In the morning, thered be a piece of paper on your cell window. So the Legislature authorized continued building a 1,200-bed youth training school, the O.H. I only cut him one time by his ear. . did the night rounds and knocked on my door. Since publishing the story The Closing of Californias Most Violent Juvenile Prison, survivors of YTS have come forward to tell stories of daily life inside. These changes to the system are a result of Senate Bill 823, which Gov. Criminal Justice Journalism in the Public Interest, a mind-numbing level of controversy and scandal, phasing out the states youth prison system, Gladiator School: Stories from Inside YTS, signed into law on Sept. 30, legislationto close, What Really Happened To My Kids? I had 3 solid homies that I would ride with. Upon his release, he was deported to South America where he earns $6 a day working in the fields. Im showing you who is in control right here. Ya baby 58158 checking in. In this episode, Jeff (aka Huerito) is short timing when he leaves the comfort of Ventura Youth Correctional Facility to arrive at Fire Camp. She said, I cant believe this happened to me. Her whole body was shaking. Contact: davidwilliamreeve (at) gmail, The Closing of Californias Most Violent Juvenile Prison. If I could change time, I would have never done what I did. YA made me the person that I am. If you didnt display violence, you are going to become a victim of it, and we see it from the wards and the guards.. School Type: Youth Authority Facilities: Educational Program Type: Information Not Available There were actually rougher places in my opinion. Just before i graduated from Oxnard community College, a number of female wards started coming up pregnant. My legs were hurting. There I realized I wasnt going to make it. Losno Says Goodbye. I knocked again for my toilet paper. She just disappeared one day. You knock on the door one more time Ill beat your ass. I was walking in slow motion, like a zombie. The C.O. Snoop himself spent time inside California's notorious "Youth Authority" - the CYA - which in recent years has come under court order for abusing and failing . 44 32276 4430013. Ill give you the toilet paper when I want to, not when you need it., I was a little bit scared. I got the gun. Sir, why did you hit me? I was crying. It closed in 2010. I would have to do push ups to stay warm. in preston, a 90 day observation could turn into a 10 year stay depending on how old you was. CEA Santa Cruz Co. School. If the governor's plan is approved by the state legislature, it would end the brutal legacy of a youth prison system in California that once housed as many as 10,000 youth and teens. 2. He died within a minute. The Collapsing Circus & California Government Violence and Murder | Christopher Maffei. He gave me a .38 and I hid between two cars. I went to my room and got a toothbrush, put a razor blade on the toothbrush, and went to the laundry room where Sam was. I only cut him one time by his ear. They sent a therapist in to talk to me. I knew how to speak Nahuatl. NRCC and Holton, saw it change from 89 to 90 when they banned smokes lol. I heard footsteps and keys the officers carry a lot of keys. In 1978 my Mom and Dad reconciled and got back together. Theres so much abuse that Id been through. Riots kicked off every week. Find out what works well at California Youth Authority from the people who know best. He punched me in my ribs. In one fight, the former CYA ward said he was given two black eyes. I wanted to speak to the superintendent. ELO-Program Enrichment Specialist will work with an assigned group of students, student to staff ratio is contingent upon CDC guidelines and grant requirements. The inmate population of California, in 1977, was 19,600. Arrested 1983. At Fire Camp, somebody stole my shoes and money, and nobody would admit to it. Each tattoo means something to me. 327). I got those keys on my belt and felt, my god, how things have changed. I couldnt register that what I was seeing was true. Im not eating because theres a lot of things happening, and I dont know who to talk to. I told him everything that Id seen. In this episode, David Sanchez, a 19-year old with few options in life, takes a job as a corrections officer at YTS, where the willingness to fight was the only experience needed. He was there for murder and was 24-years-old. I needed some toilet paper to use the bathroom and I knocked on the door, calling for the C.O. This is not a duplicate comment -I have never seen this website until today. He starts telling us a story that the Department of Juvenile Justice was moving out of adult prisons and into a health and human services category in the state, Reeve said. From inmates to staff to visitors to religious volunteers. In 1941, the state legislature created the California Youth Authority (CYA) as a "completely new method of dealing with youthful criminals," according to the Healdsburg Tribune, Aug. 13, 1943. But mostly a learning experience. I said to them, Ten years ago I was sitting in the same place you are sitting.. We was back on lock down. This is not YA. Whoever stole my Tres Flowers fuck yer mom, fuck yer dead homies.. The Youth Authority had been created in 1941 (ch. You cant just have this tattoo; you have to earn it. They put me on home probation and said I could no longer live with my Dad. I used to get love letters and stuff like that. We took off and were hanging out inside an apartment building nearby. I was sensitive pretending to be tough . The California Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), previously known as the California Youth Authority (CYA), . I figured if nobody is going to follow the rules of an institution, Im going to relax the rules, too. I did my time from the halls to arc to nelles then to yts. In August of 1996 a counselor was killed in YTS (Youth Training School) in Chino, California. It went from a handful of us in that unit to 30, 40 of us. I went to prison in Atwater, CA in Terre Haute, Indiana in Oklahoma too. California Youth Authority. The courts figured I was still in Walnut, but I stayed with him. I started attending church, and it started changing. (Experience in California state service applied toward this requirement must be at a level of responsibility not less than that of a Youth Correctional Officer or Youth Correctional Counselor. This series will relay and respect their stories: Juvie told by the ones who were there. Whites didnt have gangs. The time I served there would be the building blocks that developed many behaviors that I would have to unlearn as an adult to earn my freedom once more. Im a small guy, so I push the couch under the TV and reach up to turn it off. Yolo I am a rehabilitated productive ex gangmember in society. In this episode, Adrin (not his real name) ascends the ranks of La Eme The Mexican Mafia as he trades violence as currency in seeking shelter from the swelling corruption he witnesses within the California Youth Authority. CREATIVE. Visit davidreeve.net for more. A source told the outlet that producers tried to rectify the situation but they . I sliced my wrist and got under the blanket. In a facility, the Captain, Youth Authority, is responsible for the administration of the security section and security-related activities of facilities where (1) the youthful offender population ranges between 300 and 800, and (2) the security staff is less than 100 employees. He wants to provide former wards, guards, teachers, and administrative staffat YTS the space to tell stories, some of whom have never had that chance, he said. After all, it took some convincing for the group to make an exception for him. Its a way to communicate codes we speak when we dont want officers to know. . Well that was 40 years ago. Even the California prison system is managed by scoundrels. Its staffed with a maintenance crew for upkeep, just in case the state decides to use the facility, he said. But it really hit hard right here in YTS. At Ventura, half of the unit is for guys and half of the unit is for ladies. I went back to prison with the Youth Authority attitude, fuck this shit! Gang affiliations defined enemies and allies on the street and in prison. I was one of them real one who didnt tell and I did the time for something I didnt even do. Mexicans vs whites. I heard that if youre in for murder, you cant go. Mrs. Vicky Contreras. It came back and around and stopped, then the shooting started. Closed in 2010, Youth Training School (also known as Heman G. Stark Youth Correctional Facility) had a reputation for mayhem, violence, and murder that earned it the name Gladiator School. We had fish sticks. I explained to them I was aware of them reading my file so you know why Im here (I was sent to YA for 1st Degree Murder). Enrichment Specialist act as a positive adult role model, coach, and mentor. Theoretically, that was accomplished. If you were a female you went to Ventura. But Parliament's gain was a loss to a string of men. the author helped turn the entire CYA into a single school district and hired a superintendent of education to manage this aspect of the program. We got a rule if youre a member of this organization. Ibwas on ironwood at Preston and KL at yts the auto mech instructor was called Doc we even developed a friendship after I was out. Box 6000, Rockville, MD 20849-6000, United States. Legislation transferred all three schools, placed under the jurisdiction of the Department of Institutions in 1921 (ch. All youth who have not yet completed a GED or high school diploma are required to attend school. Fire Camp was a whole different atmosphere. I left with two other friends of mine who were in the same cottage in Ventura. I programmed. I did ok in there. You either take mess or you dont. I was listening. One thing that place taught me was move first or be moved on. And absolutely someone should be held accountable. I fought like a man. Now, the state's 58 counties must each designate a local . North Hollywood Boy reflects on years in gang, juvenile hall and California Youth Authority (pt1) Sexual assaults in CYA. When you go to YA and get out, its like you went to war. My Dad said, you should never be involved in gangs, even though he was an outlaw biker. Jesse Ferguson, a 22-year-old from Richmond, has been at N.A. AKA Crouch October 18, 2013. The Crips and Bloods were separated. They was tim was able to engage me was life changing. Coming of age,puberty. Wearing a yellow badge means youre over 18. 1. You rinse off, and then youre done. When members of the gang came out of jail, we always looked up to them. Than if you wanted the rest of your hour out your cell you can go outside in a cage and just get some fresh air and freeze your ass off.. ( I could talk for hours)Most people I was in there with are in prison or dead. On August 9, 1996, Youth Counselor Baker, who was also assigned to C/D Company at the facility, worked a 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. shift, as shift coordinator. She would have sex with guys in exchange for $100 worth of commissary. In this episode, 14-year old Luis Ortega arrives in Los Angeles, lonely and vulnerable, before looking to South Centrals notorious 38th Street Gang for protection. These men who survived should tell their stories any way they can. After doing time in YTS CYA I went right to prison with a LIFE sentence for a gang related shooting and gang enhancements. Cutting Sam was a felony the only way out of there was to get to adult prison. He would leave me money. The High School at N.A.Chaderjian Youth Correctional Facility in Stockton was stripped of its accreditation in May 2005 by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. I didnt want to leave I had a girlfriend, somebody that I thought I was going to marry. These grant funds were awarded for the incorporation of California waste tire products into multiple youth facilities throughout the State. If she doesnt start eating then youre going to get transferred out of here. Pretending to be very concerned to search after a visit for drugs by asking to spread cheeks and take long silent looks speeding my cheeks and not knowing how long or whats he up to. Youre not going to slice your wrist anymore, are you?. Reading all these comments brought back memories, I was at Preston and yts they saved my life i was a active gang member and was giving a chance when i was at yts i was in the automotive trade and was selected to go to Fred c Nellis to work on county vehicles..i was driving County cars and trucks we fixed them. Sucks but its true. They like to flaunt themselves, and if you get caught peter-gazing, its rough for you. by Fat Back. Here I am 14 years old. C. Hood 64961. 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