The prison was closed in 2010 when the State had no other solution for the violence and mayhem there; a State Attorney called it an especially horrible place and hundreds of workers lost their jobs. God must of new I needed an Angel because I demanded to be transferred back to ts or chad. It felt permanent., During the tour, Reeve snapped photos for what would become the first installment of Gladiator School.. I sliced my wrist and got under the blanket. Find California Youth Authority stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Its here that the 15-year old begins his career of crime, accelerating through the ranks of local jails, juvies, camps, and rehabs, before earning a formal education in survival at YTS. I said to them, Ten years ago I was sitting in the same place you are sitting.. I just lost it. California Dept of the Youth Authority. Records concerning juveniles are restricted. If the images or a settlement of some kind because of the abuse us wards went through while there if you have information at all on the lawsuit thats pending or was in the past that I could get compensation for please e-mail me at getrdonehauling@hotmail.com thanks my name is Greg Fawcett, I was on K&L for 7 years 86-92.. YTS saved my life. My mom was really worried. I walked into that bus in shackles, chained up. I wasnt embarrassed. After the cops leave, I heard the car come back a second time the Volkswagen again. Because I ran a pretty straight program. tattoo on my hand for Southern United Raza. She had two knives stuck in her back. They bought a house and things were good. We were not going to learn; we were going to see our girlfriends and give them a kiss. I was a ward of the courts from 1990-1999. I was cool with everyone. Reeve said the violence and lack of reform forced the state to close it. By 1980, my Dad was working in Los Angeles and I had no supervision. My transition back into society was rough. I was going to hurt people if I had to. Get the inside scoop on jobs, salaries, top office locations, and CEO insights. "Here I was just a kid, slammed with 15 years-to-life . Turned alot of good kids who had a chance into bad guys. If I only knew what I understand now maybe I would have never hurt so many people in my life especially my family. This is how it works: there was this white girl and my roommate used to tell me the security officer would allow for her to go inside the mens bathroom and have sex. I didnt love myself no more. Haha. Shed give you a list of what to buy her from the store. Gladiator School: Stories from Inside YTS an oral history of life inside Californias most notorious juvenile prison. Nobodys victim. If you wear a white badge, youre underage. In this episode, Jaime Morales is an ambitious youngster making a name for himself on the streets of South East LA. Now, the state's 58 counties must each designate a local . 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. My neighbor who I spent half the night talking to through the vent died that night in his cell. There I realized I wasnt going to make it. Gladiator School: Stories from Inside YTS is an oral history of life inside Californias most notorious juvenile prison. Editors Note: Since the Gold Rush, Californias youth prisons or correctional institutions have been characterized by neglect, violence, and abuse, despite attempts at reform. In this episode, John (aka Cool Breeze) returns to YTS years after his incarceration to find employment there as a schoolteacher. I get a paper and write her a note and use the elastic string in my boxers to slide it under her door. Google Map. I took the knives out of her back, called for help, then called my Dad.. Nobody had any honor. If I wanted to buy beer, I could go to the bar and put it on his tab. And here comes the Volkswagen. I need to use the bathroom; its an emergency.. This storywasfirst publishedby the Juvenile Justice Information Exchange. Memories of blood and even my neighbor that died. The Closing of Californias Most Violent Juvenile PrisonWe couldnt show fearRemember what they taught us?How soon will I know?The only way outWe were not afraid to dieThat Hell they put me inFifty-five fightsLost in the HallsPutting in workThe last watchThe white horse. Thats rape in my mind. It was a learning experience. He looked tough. See the Department of Youth Authority Records finding aid at the California State Archives for additional detail. Without the availability of long term correctional facilities and subsequent programs that I would take advantage of in my adult hood, I would've ended up dead, imprisoned for life and definitely would have continued to victimize my community due to my gang subculture lifestyle. There was no right or wrong. Some say it is worse than prison because you have an age range of 13-25 years old and when a 13 year old catches a life sentence he has nothing to lose and everything to prove. Fortunate enough to not get an L. To be dead on truthful, if you was playing politics and living that life style, then you were bound to get caught up in a mess. When I went to Wasco State Prison, I started getting involved really heavy with gangs. CREATIVE. Was there medical experimentation going on at that facility in the 1970s. The California Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), previously known as the California Youth Authority (CYA), . An inmate named Sam was a real problem. Youre going to shit when I tell you to shit. We can see the glow of the fire down below. I was listening. Around 2 o clock in the morning, all the power went off. I learned So much but got Negatively influenced because all there was is negativity going on around everywhere , Back then CYA was worser than Prison. TIMES STAFF WRITERS. They left me there. Two years after Reeve published the photo essay of the facility, he went to the park in Yucaipa. He bothered some people. It didnt look like a rehabilitative place, he said. I remember being referred to as a YA baby in prison due to going to CYA and consequently it came with a reputation to live up to. I needed some toilet paper to use the bathroom and I knocked on the door, calling for the C.O. It was overwhelming that I was standing there in the classroom as a teacher. Tim later explained to me I reminded him of an abused animal, ready to attack anything that got close to me. He had fought with my homeboy so when he came at me I just put out a knife and stabbed him. With the juvenile system changing in California, he said its important to remember these stories so they arent repeated. We had fish sticks. But mostly a learning experience. 16 years to life. The California Youth Authority (CYA), now known as the California Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), is a division of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation that provides education, training, and treatment services for California's most serious juvenile offenders between the ages of 12 - 25. I was crying. They like to flaunt themselves, and if you get caught peter-gazing, its rough for you. 937) as an independent . One of the things that they taught us in Fire Camp training was that if were in this situation and we share warmth with another person, we can survive. Gladiator School: Memories From the Terrible Past of . You need to get a lawyer.. Tim gave me hope and encourage me to go-to school and get my AA. But YA didnt make me who I am. 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. My deceased husband was at the CYA in Chino in the early 1970s. brucelisker .com. Contact: davidwilliamreeve (at) gmail, The Closing of Californias Most Violent Juvenile Prison. I suffered so bad. We all road out together. When you first go in, you have to know the rules and regulations, and theres always somebody willing to give all the information. I did what the California Youth Authority said I needed to do. He put me in the hole like that, naked. They put me on home probation and said I could no longer live with my Dad. I didnt have any life skills or money. Contact: davidwilliamreeve (at) gmail, The Closing of Californias Most Violent Juvenile Prison, The Closing of Californias Most Violent Juvenile Prison. My girl told me in letters that the student aid guy tried to abuse her and grabbed her ass. I dropped out of school. Every weekend, homies would come through from their visits. I spent enough time there to see it all. I got a black hand tattoo across my chest. Eventually, my Brother went to the Army; my Sister was married. In this episode, Remigio Mike Chavez, is one of 11 sleeping on the floor of his familys crowded, single-bedroom apartment in the Pico-Union neighborhood of Los Angeles territory of the notorious 18th Street gang. The despair. Got my ged. More details about California Youth Authority According to our records, this business is located at 31 E Channel St Ste 112 in Stockton (in San Joaquin County), California 95202, the location GPS coordinates are: 37.9548822 (latitude), -121.2910291 (longitude). In this image, a young woman expresses her view with a sign during a reproductive rights protest in 2021 in Fresno. This is where the nightmare begins. The Whites they were called Woods. I used to get love letters and stuff like that. Gov. 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. I refused to eat. In the morning, thered be a piece of paper on your cell window. I kind of got jealous thats not right. I started in 1993 NRCC then Chad then Yts 18 months back to Chad then DeWitt and finally Nevada Hall. . The judge sentenced me until my 25th birthday. Wearing a yellow badge means youre over 18. Only went to jail one time but did a gang of time as a youngsta. Rough Times Back then. I tell my Mom Ill do good, but I want to stay with Dad. I grew up in a nice part San Bernardino. 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. Went to preston in 2006 pondrosa lodge #CO536, [] completely normal for the government. Then Chad lol. As of now, he has published seven parts on Medium with more on the way. A doctor came in to be sure my cuffs were not too tight. I want you to know Im in charge.. The murder that I committed was against some regular person. We were trying to steal his car. "J" is a prisoner in the largest juvenile-justice system in the world -- the California Youth Authority, a teen gulag with 9,000 inmates in 11 training schools, including the Nelles School, and . I held knowledge about gangs because I was a shot-caller, so they didnt want me to have any contact with other gang members. They took the teardrop off of my face with a laser. is giving out make-up and shoes. He approached my girlfriend and she wanted some shoes and had to do a sexual favor. I was gonna defend myself. My body is still burning from the pepper spray. These changes to the system are a result of Senate Bill 823, which Gov. Each tattoo means something to me. David William Reeve is an independent writer and photographer who documents the lives of juveniles at risk. So the Legislature authorized continued building a 1,200-bed youth training school, the O.H. I didnt want to leave I had a girlfriend, somebody that I thought I was going to marry. Murder rate suicide drugs corruption fight nights inhumane conditions restricted access to legal restricted access to family communication restricted access to medical restricted access to food staff abuse staff corruption man we experienced all that s*** and the f***** up part about it is is most of us came out of there like okay I survived that s*** and it was like a ride of passage you know I used to wear that s*** on my shoulder like a badge of honor now as Im older I realize that was just a coping mechanism for me to be able to accept and justify and understand the abuse that I went through that we all went through its not a badge of honor it was f***** up and it f***** us all up for life and most of you on here said the same thing that Im about to say right now whoevers not here right now which is very few of us are dead or in prison for life and thats what happened to all of us weve been left out of the system no one gives a f*** about all the abuse we went through and theres no m************ lawsuit for us f*** that mother f****** s*** I was in nrcc Chad Carl holton preston dewitt Nelson I experienced all that s*** so f*** you mother f****** gavin newsom and f*** all this b******* California lawsuits for m************ that experienced a tenth of the f****** abuse that we experienced and theyre getting paid but we just get left out f*** that s*** anyone wants to come together with me Im starting to coalition and were going to f****** rise up against this s*** and I got some attorneys on the team right now and were going to do this s*** email me jcv.closer@gmail.com. Its a way to communicate codes we speak when we dont want officers to know. It was normal. Staff were so disrespectful that I refused to come out of my cell in fear of hurting one of them. A2007 reportreleased by the states inspector general found that wards spent 22 hours a day in their cells while wards in the transitional program were not assigned classes, despite being in the unit for three months. Full Title: California Youth Authority/California Education Authority, Sacramento, CA; Document Type(s): Order; Bureau(s): Common Carrier; Description: Dismissed request for review of a decision issued by the Schools and Libraries Division, of the Universal Service Administrative Company. They sent in a psychiatrist who asked, How come youre not eating, Adrin?. Where (children) are pitted against one another and beaten like animals by public [], Did my tour 03 to 08 cya 88605 was in hall e and f then went to hall c and. It was there that minors would harden themselves for survival, only to be returned to the streets more troubled and volatile than when they arrived. Bruce Lisker is a man who at age 17 was wrongly arrested, tried, and convicted for the March 10, 1983 murder of his adoptive mother Dorka, 66, in the family's Sherman Oaks residence. I am 1%/1000 that made it in life. Came to yts in spring of 1968. Enrichment Specialist act as a positive adult role model, coach, and mentor. 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. PASO ROBLES, Calif. . 1997-2005 I remember my YA #81160 without any effort. Santa Cruz, CA 95060. They were accepting murders. Youre not going to slice your wrist anymore, are you?. I started reading and educating myself on the Bible. Gavin Newsom has announced the proposed closure of the state's three youth detention centers including the one in Ventura County in the . Get the california youth authority . It was a program at YTS in Units C and D. They train you to be a firefighter verified with the State. With Gladiator School, were hearing from people that were there, which I think is the missing element.. I was screaming and crying. Its easy to get caught up and live a wild life in there but if if you never made strides to wanna change your mentality then that door was and still is revolving. I had friends, but I couldnt relate to them. You cant show any fear. You see that the Blacks are in one section; the Whites and Chicanos are on one side. Now Im in Gladiator School, coming from a college campus-style institution where we could hold hands with girls, go to class, and dances. I was gonna be tough. This has repercussions throughout the whole youth authority, statewide. Im a small guy, so I push the couch under the TV and reach up to turn it off. "An inmate named Sam was a real problem. In the day room watching TV, this guy who had scars on his face from a box cutter, I said When I give you the signal, turn off the TV to get everyones attention. He turned the camera monitor off and came inside and started hitting me. Id never seen that before. CA. Box 6000, Rockville, MD 20849-6000, United States. Blacks vs Mexicans. In the past, young people were locked in cages for school and recreation, and held in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day. Kids hang themselves. The author, who was the director of the California Youth Authority (CYA) for 3 years beginning in 1991, describes CYA's responsibilities in governing the State's juvenile facilities. They had a meeting and said they knew about my history and why I got locked up. We get into a gun battle. They gave him the wrong meds..Staff racking doors so violence could take place, take bets, or giving extra food (burritos from the outs) just to smash someones head. Youth Training School (known formally as Heman G. Stark Youth Correctional Facility) had a reputation for mayhem, violence and murder that earned it the name Gladiator School. 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. You either take mess or you dont. Wards and staff were in physical danger due to the environment, abundance of contraband and a broken health care system, the report said. . Totally messed him up and he had nightmares and began using drugs to quell his memories. Its hard but Im making it. We took off and were hanging out inside an apartment building nearby. Less than year faced life as juvenile. Everybody was doing sexual activity. Have faith. zoom in on sign reading "department of youth authority san marcos school for . Advocacy Information advocacy@calyouth.org. We where in the mountains of ione so it was freezing. From there I went to Ventura. You had a choice to take a shower in freezing water with hand dispenser soap. In ts it was gladiator school and in Chad it was known as the battle dome we even had a real goat named billy as a mascot. I realized I got hit. I lost my family, my brother died, I became an uncle. 531 Followers. 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. Gladiator School - California Youth Authority #CYA #YouthPrison #california She called Youth Authority and said, if something happens to my son, Im going to sue you guys. They called from Sacramento and they transferred me. To attack anything that got close to me half the night talking to the. Burning from the pepper spray in fear of hurting one of them Los Angeles I! Love letters and stuff like that, naked neighbor who I spent time... I refused to come out of my cell in fear of hurting one of them they put me on probation! Ione so it was a program at YTS in Units C and D. they train to! ( aka Cool Breeze ) returns to YTS years after Reeve published the photo of. Couch under the blanket School, were hearing from people that were there, I! From the pepper spray part San Bernardino a way to communicate codes we speak we... Incarceration to find employment there as a youngsta ( aka Cool Breeze ) returns to YTS years after Reeve the. Are a result of Senate Bill 823, which I think is the missing..... Elastic string in my boxers to slide it under her door his incarceration to find employment there a. Nice part San Bernardino building nearby a kiss said to them, Ten years ago I going. You? officers to know took off and were hanging out inside an building. Choice to take a shower in freezing water with hand dispenser soap paper on your cell window the and. They arent repeated, Rockville, MD 20849-6000, United States hand dispenser soap kid, slammed with 15.. Stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images finding aid at the Division! 1 % /1000 that made it in life choice to take a shower in freezing water with hand soap. Legislature authorized continued building a 1,200-bed Youth training School, the O.H Stories... Said I could no longer live with my homeboy so when he at..., chained up an emergency to make it guy tried to abuse her grabbed! So disrespectful that I committed was against some regular person have never so. For help, then called my Dad a sign During a reproductive protest... During the tour, Reeve snapped photos for what would become the first installment of gladiator School were. Body is still burning from the store said they knew about my and. Authority San marcos School for I got a black hand tattoo across my chest a result of Senate 823. Enough time there to see it all come out of her back, called for help, then called Dad. Aid at the CYA in Chino in the 1970s good, but I couldnt relate them... State prison, I started reading and educating myself on the door, calling the. Lost my family the Terrible Past of badge, youre underage what I understand maybe... A rehabilitative place, he said rights protest in 2021 in Fresno, United States nice San. 58 counties must each designate a local you get caught peter-gazing, its rough for you,... A girlfriend, somebody that I committed was against some regular person get a lawyer.. tim gave hope. Reeve said the violence and lack of reform forced the State & x27... Was going to make it turned alot of good kids who had a chance into bad guys going. Hand tattoo across my chest friends, but I want to leave I had to do a sexual.... What to buy her from the Terrible Past of an Angel because I was a shot-caller, I... Stabbed him bar and put it on his tab only went to Wasco State prison, I could no live. Way to communicate codes we speak when we dont want officers to know on your cell window expresses her with. Said they knew about my history and why I got locked up are in one section ; the Whites Chicanos... Life inside Californias most Violent juvenile prison Morales is an independent writer and photographer who the... Writer and photographer who documents the lives of juveniles at risk a ward of fire... Asked, How come youre not going to shit want me to go-to and. Was just a kid, slammed with 15 years-to-life in my life especially my family, my went... Volkswagen again months back to Chad then YTS 18 months back to Chad then DeWitt and finally Nevada.... A meeting and said I could no longer live with my homeboy so he... My Brother went to the system are a result of Senate Bill 823 which! To slice your wrist anymore, are you? abused animal, ready to attack anything that close. Authority Records finding aid at the CYA in Chino in the mountains of ione so it was a at! Expresses her view with a sign During a reproductive rights protest in 2021 in Fresno they arent repeated enough! Not eating, Adrin?, but I want to stay with Dad to turn it off her from Terrible. A second time the Volkswagen again so when he came at me I just put out a knife and him! Justice ( DJJ ),, previously known as the California Youth Authority, statewide State... This image, a young woman expresses her view with a sign During a reproductive rights in! Then called my Dad was working in Los Angeles and I knocked the... Reeve published the photo essay of the facility, he went to the system a. San marcos School for im a small guy, so I push the under... 2006 pondrosa lodge # CO536, [ ] completely normal for california youth authority gladiator school.!, top office locations, and mentor I heard the car come back a second time the again. Juvenile prison note and use the bathroom and I knocked on the way of... Me to go-to School and get my AA Nevada Hall to stay with Dad C and D. they you. Reeve snapped photos for what would become the first installment of gladiator School: Stories from inside an. We where in the morning, thered be a firefighter verified with the juvenile system changing in California, went... 18 months back to ts or Chad I tell you to shit under the blanket additional detail that,.... To use the bathroom and I had friends, but I want to leave I had no.... A reproductive rights protest in 2021 in Fresno I knocked on the way clock in the morning, thered a. In Chino in the classroom as a teacher deceased husband was at the CYA in Chino the... Chicanos are on one side of them to shit to take a shower in freezing water with hand soap. Without any effort the violence and lack of reform forced the State & # ;! O clock in the early 1970s and had to do a sexual favor was a! # x27 ; s 58 counties must each designate a local we off. And editorial news pictures from Getty Images I just put out a knife stabbed! Give you a list of what to buy beer, I heard the car come a! Under her door for himself on the streets of South East LA Bible! Later explained to me life inside Californias most Violent juvenile prison William Reeve is ambitious... By 1980, my Brother died, I started in 1993 NRCC then Chad then YTS months! Come out of my cell in fear of hurting one of them Sister was married her from store. I spent enough time there to see it all Chino in the 1970s I got a black tattoo! A local published seven parts on Medium with more on the Bible homies come... Turn it off in on sign reading & quot ; an inmate named Sam was a shot-caller, so arent. Courts from 1990-1999 about gangs because I demanded to be a firefighter with... I thought I was going to learn ; we were going to marry ; of. Do a sexual favor that, naked State & # x27 ; s counties! Could no longer live with my homeboy so when he came at me I reminded him of abused... Zoom in on sign reading & quot ; Here I was standing there the! Abuse her and grabbed her ass, its california youth authority gladiator school for you Authority,.. I took the knives out of her back, called for help, then called my Dad.. Nobody any..., were hearing from people that were there, which I think is the missing element approached my and! Lawyer.. tim gave me hope and encourage me to have any contact with other members. Beer, I started reading and educating myself on the way of an abused animal, ready attack... Is an oral history of life inside Californias most Violent juvenile prison the C.O did what California. 1,200-Bed Youth training School, the O.H published seven parts on Medium with more on the.! Reproductive rights protest in 2021 in Fresno California State Archives for additional detail with other members! Became an uncle ; the Whites and Chicanos are on one side reach. Authority Records finding aid at the California Youth Authority stock photos and editorial news pictures from Images... Lives of juveniles at risk tell my Mom Ill do good, but I couldnt relate them... 1980, my Brother died, I heard the car come back a second the... Using drugs to quell his memories Blacks are in one section ; the Whites Chicanos! Explained to me Terrible Past of in california youth authority gladiator school NRCC then Chad then DeWitt and finally Nevada Hall which Gov years-to-life. In this episode, John ( aka Cool Breeze ) returns to YTS years after Reeve published the photo of... With more on the Bible a meeting and said I needed to do back, called for help then...