The system is not set up too well for people
leaving death row alive
May 7th - At about 9AM this morning Steven Ainsworth was sentenced
to life without parole (LWOP). Father Matthew Regan and I went back to the main
jail just after 1PM expecting to visit with Steven. After standing in line
for half an hour the deputy told us we could see him at 5PM. Neither
of us were free at that time so I plan to go down first thing in the morning.
I've never had a problem when I've gone down at 8AM.
GeoCordially, Georgia Lyga
"7 May 2002. At 9:03 AM this morning my original death sentence of 30
Jan. 1980 was modified to life in prison without parole (LWOP), or as I put it
death by imprisonment. Obviously, I have not quite adapted to the idea of
wandering among the living again. No doubt it will take me a few months to
adjust and forge a new direction
Steven
May 20th - "Books are so scarce in here I started reading the
paperback Merriam-Webster Dictionary I brought back from the jail today! I read
all of the explanatory notes and "A to appetite" today. Reminds me of
when I read the Bible cover to cover during a brief stay in solitary at the
Marine Brig at the Jacksonville Naval Station in Florida way back in 1963. It
was the only book allowed in the cell...the circumstances are not unalike....
Enlightening nonetheless...check out the word: animadvert. Ever use it in a
sentence?"
Steven
May 29th - There is some confusion regarding my current classification status and what privileges I may or may not have. For instance, my visits are now behind glass and I am having some difficulty in ascertaining which canteen draw I am supposed to go to under the new convoluted canteen program in the East Block. I think I'm supposed to draw with the non-condemned now...but am housed with the Grade "A" Condemned until I leave San Quentin. The system is not set up too well for people leaving death row alive!
As Maria suggested to me in a letter last week, I am like the
dog who caught the car! I got a mouthful of bumper and do not know what to do
with it? I have been told that the "paper work" has caught up with me
and preparations are being made for my D.R.B. appearance.... I now expect to be
here in the transitional state for 1 to 6 months.... Kinda like Limbo, eh?
Take care—Steven
June 1 - On Wednesday, 29 May 2002, I turned in my non-expendable handicraft materials (a two-hole pencil sharpener and a pair of crayola plastic safety scissors) and donated the remaining art materials I had (some colored pencils, and lead pencil stubs, a Grumbacher watercolor set, 3 dried up ink pens and a few sheets of drawing paper) to the San Quentin handicraft program in exchange for a record of my recent handicraft sales and an informative chrono indicating my 19 years of participation in good standing in the San Quentin handicraft program. Since not all new California prisons have viable handicraft programs and handicraft sales stores and I do not know where I will end up after I leave her, I am thinking: travel light, start anew.
On Thursday, 30 May 2002, I attended a full-fledged Institutional Classification Committee (I.C.C.) and was referred to the Departmental Review Board (D.R.B.) which will determine my future placement. The I.C.C. did not make a strong recommendation as to where I should go, but did not seem to think I was a problem inmate and would likely be able to deal with any level four mainline California prison. The D.R.B. decision should be back from Sacramento in 4 to 12 weeks...a long summer of suspense.
In the meantime, I have stripped my property to a minimum under my: travel light, start anew premise and will keep you all abreast of details as they present themselves....
Peace- Steven
3/16/00
