Could the Conversion of Facility C to an Honor Yard Thwart the Zombie Apocalypse?
By Justin Coats
Rising Voices is a series of articles written by incarcerated journalism students at the California Institute for Men (CIM) in Chino, CA, in partnership with Chaffey College’s student paper, The Breeze. These students are working towards their AA-T degrees in Journalism through Chaffey College’s Rising Scholars Program. This series is dedicated to amplifying the voices of incarcerated reporters through accurate, ethical, and impactful journalism. Our mission is to illuminate lived experiences behind the walls and foster understanding across communities.
At the California Institution for Men, there has been an increase in violence and drug overdoses. Department officials openly admit “the department is not immune to the overdose crisis.” Navigating these obstacles has been difficult for college students and continues to have a negative effect on the incarcerated population, which is why Facility C should be converted to an honor yard.
Drug abusers and perpetrators of violence would be transferred to Administrative Segregation and then to another institution. Facility C will only be available for people who are two years disciplinary free and enrolled in college, in the dog program or peer-to-peer mentorship programs. Participation in rehabilitative groups will become mandatory for everyone. This will create a safer environment for college students to focus on their education and the incarcerated population to focus on their rehabilitation.
An important part of the recovery process is having a safe place to share, be vulnerable and make an investment in yourself.
Brian Lough, an incarcerated Chaffey College student, says he does not feel safe under the current conditions on Facility C and the “need to be able to focus on my work, but it’s impossible with all the people fighting.”
Lough feels that both he and his family would benefit from the transition of Facility C to an honor yard because then he could focus on his education, rehabilitation and the relationship with his family.
Furthermore, it is important for the incarcerated population to be able to focus on their reintegration into a non-carceral setting. If they are acclimated to a hostile environment prior to their release, they may fall back into the same pattern of behavior that led them to prison in the first place. The conditions in which they live today will set the stage for whether they are met by another failure or whether they are successful when they are released.
Lynn Harrison — the community resource manager for the honor yard at the California State Prison in Lancaster — stated that “you walk out on the yard and it’s relaxed.”
Harrison feels that the honor yard programs are beneficial to the incarcerated population, their families and the community because they reinforce good behavior and encourage prosocial relationships. Each community event held on the honor yard will strengthen the bond between the incarcerated population, their families and our neighbors in the community. Without the threat of violence and drug abuse, everyone in attendance could fully engage in these events.
The staff and correctional officers would have a much safer work environment without the violence and substance abuse. This would allow the officers and incarcerated population to maintain a working relationship and alleviate any unnecessary tension. Without the violence and drug abuse within Facility C, the correctional officers and staff would be more inclined to support and participate in community events.
There are many skeptics who believe that the conversion of Facility C to an honor yard would be far too expensive and create a financial burden that the taxpayers would be forced to pay. However, that would not be the case because the conversion of Facility C to an honor yard would not require any additional staff, upgrades, or expenses.
There are plenty of people in Facility C that are working full-time or working towards their degrees. These men have been able to address the issues that led them to prison and thus deserve an opportunity to rehabilitate in a more controlled environment.
In conclusion, it would be beneficial for everyone if Facility C were to be converted to an honor yard. The skeptics will see the irrefutable proof of the benefits because the benefits will reach far beyond the perimeter of Facility C. The judicial system and the California Department of Corrections have a set of guidelines as to how one person should treat another so perhaps it is time for a little leadership through example.
As Brian Lough has often stated, “People think our lives are irrelevant because we’re in prison but some of us are trying to make a difference and be the change that we are hoping to see because together we can make the world a better place.”
Image courtesy of Justin Coats.
About the Writer — Justin Coats
Justin Coats is currently enrolled in Chaffey College pursuing his AA-T in Journalism. He is currently serving time at the California Institution for Men in Chino.
Justin is passionate about art, music, sports and writing. He is a disciple of Christ and will go in front of the parole board in May 2027.