On 8/13/15, Sgt. Mannix, Bill Barnickel, Darshan Sing and twelve Irving Street Merchants embarked on a field trip to San Quentin State Prison located in San Quentin, Marin County. The Merchants were very interested in the daily activities of a prisoner and as well as the lives of a Corrections Officer at work.
The Merchants received a guided tour of facilities starting with the main yard where there were hundreds of inmates working out or participating in sports. The group was then allowed to visit “death row” where the old gas chambers are still located. They rounded off the tour with information about all the programs in use to help rehabilitate the prisoners.
San Quentin opened in July 1852 and it is the oldest prison operating in California. San Quentin is also the home to the state’s only death row and has housed many notorious inmates. The prison has been featured on books, films, videos, television shows and has even hosted concerts.
More pictures to come!