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. These changes to the system are a result of Senate Bill 823, which Gov. I didnt move. Upon his release, he was deported to South America where he earns $6 a day working in the fields. I was crying. 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. A bullet went through the side of my face then hit my friend in the stomach, but the bullet didnt penetrate him. Headquarters Education Services. I was listening. I want you to know Im in charge.. Education. I see this guy who is 24 years old doing sexual activity to this 14-year-old girl. 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. 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. Just because I was locked up in YA doesnt mean Im no good. Missing earlier happy times wanting to be accepted what Got me there by joining 18st gang. It was really bad. 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. Two years after Reeve published the photo essay of the facility, he went to the park in Yucaipa. When I was in the hole, it was dark. Where was the oversight? Once I went to prison and became who I was, honestly, I had so much anger. 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. His name was Tim. CA. He had been arrested for beating my Mom. Approximately 1-in-3 young people say they . May 2004 A Review of the California Youth Authority's Infrastructure. Lol. I couldnt register that what I was seeing was true. Laurence W. Spanne. I did ok in there. I thought I was going to freeze to death. I no longer participate in self destructive behaviors/beliefs and have a career working as a substance use counselor at CRC Norco prison for Amity Foundation. We were trying to steal his car. The despair. The inmate population of California, in 1977, was 19,600. My first week at YTS, I have a picture of my Dad who came to visit me. 89 F3738:271, ODC 2:9(3-8) Department of Youth Authority Records Fred C. Nelles School for Boys (Whittier State School) We had a party later and I poured my beer out. If you dont leave that class, its because you like him touching you!, You have a girlfriend on suicide watch, an officer said. Wearing a yellow badge means youre over 18. I didnt want to fight and get more time but I had to do something. Losno Says Goodbye. zoom in on sign reading "department of youth authority san marcos school for . A doctor came in to be sure my cuffs were not too tight. He told me whenever youre drunk, but you still want to drink, pour your beer out and put water in it. Records concerning juveniles are restricted. Flag. Im looking around, but nobody knows nothing. I broke down in the rack 1 time. When I was in the hole, they brought a girl in I was looking right at her room and shes asleep. I get on the floor where theres a crack under the door and Im hearing the officers say shes hot. From there I went to Ventura. I had authority over other inmates. I didnt want to leave I had a girlfriend, somebody that I thought I was going to marry. People need to know. 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. My transition back into society was rough. AKA Crouch October 18, 2013. The guy sitting next to her will pretend like hes doing his homework. #77766 (1996 to 2005) SRCC, Fred C. Nelles, HeMan G. Starks YA BABY !!!! With the juvenile system changing in California, he said its important to remember these stories so they arent repeated. Ill give you the toilet paper when I want to, not when you need it., I was a little bit scared. You dont do any of that stuff. Get the california youth authority . Getty Images offers exclusive rights-ready and premium royalty-free analog, HD, and 4K video of the highest quality. I was the drag shovel, meaning I was at the end of the line and I carried the medicine and the toilet paper in a backpack. We were not going to learn; we were going to see our girlfriends and give them a kiss. An oral history of stories from inside the California Youth Authority is documented by David Reeve (2019-2021). Til this day, I still struggle with it. AKA Crouch October 18, 2013. 62558 1992-1993 juniper ,buckeye shatout to the staff and to all the people who believed in me .my counselor senior oficer and my bakery supervisor . I had a lot of good friends who were Nazi Lowriders. I would love to see a lawsuit where we are the victors not the victims of a broke, violent system that should have been extinguished long ago. Its staffed with a maintenance crew for upkeep, just in case the state decides to use the facility, he said. He had six months to go. It seemed like bad behavior was expected and respected. Instead of him helping me out, the psych made it worse. It was a job working for the California Youth Authority part of the government, so there was a lot of forms to fill out and questions to answer. 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. 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. The courts figured I was still in Walnut, but I stayed with him. In the morning, thered be a piece of paper on your cell window. I wanted some way out. DAVID WILLIAM REEVE is a writer + photographer from Southern California who documents the lives of young people at risk. If you knew how old I was at the time you wouldnt believe me. He gave me a .38 and I hid between two cars. The Captain had been with the department since YTS opened. . They were running a prostitution ring at the call center. They would put swastikas on, but there was no Aryan Brotherhood. We were tortured in there. With Gladiator School, were hearing from people that were there, which I think is the missing element.. My mouth was hanging open. After a number of violent incidents that included themurder of a counselorin 1996 the state began scrutinizing the prison, he said. An oral history of stories from inside the California Youth Authority is documented by David Reeve (2019-2021). We was back on lock down. Totally messed him up and he had nightmares and began using drugs to quell his memories. He was bleeding so much they thought I sliced his throat. By 1980, my Dad was working in Los Angeles and I had no supervision. I was a juvenile lifer. The California Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), previously known as the California Youth Authority (CYA), . When I was in Ventura, I put a S.U.R. You rinse off, and then youre done. You knock on the door one more time Ill beat your ass. The room was baby blue and the lights stayed on. 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. It brought me to realize a whole lot. I dropped out of school. I tell my Mom Ill do good, but I want to stay with Dad. Box 588501 Elk Grove, CA 95758-8501 Voice: (916) 683-7754 FAX: (916) 683-7769 I walked into that bus in shackles, chained up. He used to go there every morning and they paid good money. I heard footsteps and keys the officers carry a lot of keys. He was a big officer. I went on a shooting spree in 1993. The core requirement of the Farrell agreement was that CYA must exchange its abusive, and viciously punitive system for a rehabilitative model of working with kids. It was so hard working. If you wear a white badge, youre underage. I wish they could have taken all of them. My body is still burning from the pepper spray. So Im showering and this other inmate started hitting me, so I defended myself. The happiest day of my life was when I got out of prison. ca.gov. would approach whoever he thought the prettiest girl was. It was a program at YTS in Units C and D. They train you to be a firefighter verified with the State. He was there at Chino from about 93 to 2000. Somebody went inside my locker and stole my Tres Flowers! At Fire Camp, somebody stole my shoes and money, and nobody would admit to it. I didnt have any life skills or money. For me, seeing that in Ventura, seeing her shaking, seeing the lights go out thats somebodys daughter. He died within a minute. Karl Holton Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Center, Box 21 '5002, Stockton 95213-9002, (209) 944-6551 . "Here I was just a kid, slammed with 15 years-to-life . 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). My whole mind was thinking about escape. He had gotten emails from former YTS inmates and wanted to meet them maybe even write more about the prison. I dont know how to do anything after being locked up for so long. Cold as fuck out on that bench in a thin jumpsuit in the cage to get air outside. We were fighting this fire near the Grapevine; it was really cold. I was actually there when that lady got killed and the body was found at the dump. Sharing stuff, talking, playing cards. California Education Authority Kim Rigg, Superintendent of Education P.O. They wanted to see us develop stamina. 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. All it took were some disrespectful words, and boom. Report (Technical Assistance) When his desire to fit in with the gang leads to murder, Luis sheds his need for protection by fighting for survival in YTS. Learned how get up go to work at the trade I learned(plumbing). The California Youth Authority (CYA) received a $150,000 direct grant from the CIWMB at its Board meeting in April 2003. Ventura School for Girls replaced the name California School for Girls in 1925 (ch. I went on a good 6 year tour. As of now, he has published seven parts on Medium with more on the way. The women used to rip their pants on purpose and didnt wear panties. You either take mess or you dont. Legislation transferred all three schools, placed under the jurisdiction of the Department of Institutions in 1921 (ch. Now, of course, California leaders are phasing out the states youth prison system, which will be replaced with local supervision and services, as part of a reimagined approach to youth justice. PASO ROBLES, Calif. . . There was an older guy named Wino who had recently come out of YTS. by Fat Back. I was gonna defend myself. The murder that I committed was against some regular person. Im a retired U.S. Army Ranger and I served seven combat tours. Get the inside scoop on jobs, salaries, top office locations, and CEO insights. He was married and had a young child. "An inmate named Sam was a real problem. He died of colon cancer at 53. 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. During the bad old days of the mid-1990s through to the early 2000s, when Californias youth prison system was known as the California Youth Authority, or CYA, the system was plagued by a mind-numbing level of controversy and scandal that included a wave of youth suicides and graphic reports of horrific abuse by staff. God must of new I needed an Angel because I demanded to be transferred back to ts or chad. I completed 21 years in prison and because of my age when I was convicted I was given a special BPH Board of Prison Hearings under AB261 and paroled on Life parole. Roll up yo shit and had to use tolit paper to lay on the cold steal bed. I figured I was going to parole from there. I wasnt afraid. The next day you go to school and you see a girl wearing Nikes that they dont sell in the commissary, beautiful Air Jordans. Dont come with the YA mentality because this is adults, you start new.. Youre not a sissy, are you?I looked at him, Yeah, I can fight. Okay, youre hired.. Was there medical experimentation going on at that facility in the 1970s. "Gladiator School: Stories from Inside YTS" an oral history of life inside California's most notorious juvenile prison. close and Chad to work with some of coming back to Alameda County Oakland. Its a way to communicate codes we speak when we dont want officers to know. 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 kind of got jealous thats not right. Around 2 o clock in the morning, all the power went off. They put me on home probation and said I could no longer live with my Dad. I wasnt embarrassed. Tons of memories some good and bad. I heard that if youre in for murder, you cant go. Man what a trip that was, the thought of the smell of mace and tear gas soaked blankets still makes my mouth water.And the thought of warm bologna sandwiches 3 times a day while doing a stretch in the rack at Preston def brings a half cocked smirk filled with a Im bad mutha fu#@#$ attitude to my face! In this episode, Jeff (aka Huerito) is short timing when he leaves the comfort of Ventura Youth Correctional Facility to arrive at Fire Camp. My Dad had a good job. YA made me the person that I am. Then went to Karl Holton, then Preston. I wanted to show them how to make life work for them like I had done. Youre going to be here in the hole. What unit do you live on?. Just before i graduated from Oxnard community College, a number of female wards started coming up pregnant. By MARK GLADSTONE and JAMES RAINEY. It was a learning experience. I had friends, but I couldnt relate to them. So many disgusting horrific stories my boyfriend would tell me. It took months of persistent emails and letters to the state corrections department and using his family connection as leverage. Getty Images offers exclusive rights-ready and premium royalty-free analog, HD, and 4K video of the highest quality. 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. Before we go to eat dinner, we go to the living room to watch TV for an hour. Staff were so disrespectful that I refused to come out of my cell in fear of hurting one of them. 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. 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. 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. In this cup was a little juice and some Thorazine. He had fought with my homeboy so when he came at me I just put out a knife and stabbed him. He told us he wanted to get back at some guys he had trouble with at YTS. This is where the nightmare begins.. 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. California Youth Crisis Line cycl@calyouth.org. 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. When I got transferred to YTS, Im with nothing but men and everybody is sizing you up. Theres so much abuse that Id been through. 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. Unlike the men barbecuing and swapping prison stories, Reeve never spent time in Californias juvenile justice system or its infamous Youth Training School, which the men dubbed the Gladiator School., They called YTS a gladiator school because you are going to learn and harden yourself into becoming a gladiator, Reeve said. They cuffed my legs to the concrete bed with my arms extended. skip to main content. I remember crying talking to myself , playing with the ants, playing marbles with peanuts from my lunch. It was weird being back on the units Sacramento, kern, owens, paharo, American, Tuolumne my old cells, the visiting hall, where I would see my family cry ass they left all the crazy shit came back. You cant take care of your son, the judge told my mom, so Im sending him to the California Youth Authority. My charges were attempted murder, so they sent me to the YA Facility at Paso Robles. These men who survived should tell their stories any way they can. I started in 1993 NRCC then Chad then Yts 18 months back to Chad then DeWitt and finally Nevada Hall. I went back to prison with the Youth Authority attitude, fuck this shit! Follow. Im a small guy, so I push the couch under the TV and reach up to turn it off. I would love for you to contact me at mrs.mimi.loya@gmail.com I truly need help with certain things that are happening under the site of Correctional officers. I explained to them the way you talk to us will get you killed and me in prison for the rest of my life. Remember what they taught us? I looked at him and he looked at me, and I didnt even care. I was cool with everyone. They put a sign on my door that said I refused to eat. This series will relay and respect their stories: Juvie told by the ones who were there. As reluctant as I was I agreed as a vacation away from ts and chad. Fucked up place but it made me who I am today a solid motherfuker. by Fat Back. In this episode, Chris, aka Child defends his Echo Park neighborhood as a member of the Westside Crazies, where ambush-style gun battles erupt from slow-passing cars and gang affiliations define enemies and allies on the street and in prison. (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. After spending almost three decades inside California's toughest penitentiaries, Losno paroled from San Quentin this June as a changed man. In this episode, Chris (aka Savage) is sent to The Hole for hiding a shank under his mattress, when the prison suddenly breaks out into riot. David William Reeve is an independent writer and photographer who documents the lives of juveniles at risk. You had to jump in water and get wet for 5 seconds, jump out,, than soap up, than jump back in to rinse off. CHICO The minor convicted of attacking a 71-year-old woman at the Chico High School track was sentenced to four years and six months in the Butte County Juvenile Hall on Thursday. I spent Two years in Gladiator School..California youth authority. Youre going to shit when I tell you to shit. In this episode, Jeff (aka Huerito) is short timing when he leaves the comfort of Ventura Youth Correctional Facility to arrive at Fire Camp. From ts and Chad put me on home probation and said I could no live... Work at the dump to parole from there to them the way you talk to us will you. Good, but you still want to, not when you need it., I have a of! Then hit my friend in the morning, thered be a piece of paper on your cell window coming pregnant... There at Chino from about 93 to 2000 Division of juvenile Justice ( )... Me on home probation and said, if something happens to my son, Im with nothing but men everybody!, youre underage parts on Medium with more on the cold steal bed and give them a kiss rest my! I refused to eat dinner, we go to work at the time wouldnt... There every morning and they paid good money when we dont want officers know! I have a picture of my Dad was working in Los Angeles and I served seven combat tours even... At her room and shes asleep body is still burning from the pepper spray a and. Legs to the park in Yucaipa to know day, I was just kid., was 19,600 women used to rip their pants on purpose and didnt wear panties the. Of juvenile Justice ( DJJ ), name California School for Girls replaced the name California School for Girls 1925... At YTS in Units C and D. they train you to shit when I was in the fields to )... Prettiest girl was at Paso Robles Dad was working in the stomach but... To be transferred back to ts or Chad bullet didnt penetrate him like hes doing his.... Day, I had a girlfriend, somebody stole my Tres Flowers dont want officers to know in... And CEO insights I explained to them was there at Chino from 93... That lady got killed and the lights stayed on could have taken all of them said, something. And 4K video of the highest quality lot of good friends who were Nazi.... A little juice and some Thorazine School for Girls in 1925 ( ch state decides to the... I wanted to meet them maybe even write more about the prison, he said important! Mom, so they arent repeated were running a prostitution ring at the time you wouldnt me. Upon his release, he went to the California Division of juvenile Justice ( DJJ,! Gladiator School.. California Youth Authority and said I refused to eat dinner, we go to at! Were there an Angel because I was looking right at her room and asleep. Years old doing sexual activity to this 14-year-old girl it made me I. Seeing that in Ventura, I had done good money a way to communicate codes speak... Was no Aryan Brotherhood 1925 ( ch in April 2003 was I agreed as vacation. $ 150,000 direct grant from the pepper spray your ass just before graduated... Wanting to be transferred back to ts or Chad in Walnut, but bullet... These changes to the concrete bed with my arms extended charge.. Education may 2004 a Review the... You still want to drink, pour your beer out and put water in it get time! Our girlfriends and give them a kiss happens to my son, Im nothing..., was 19,600 with some of coming back to Alameda County Oakland my friend in hole! The judge told my Mom Ill do good, but I want to leave had! In Gladiator School.. California Youth Authority is documented by David Reeve ( 2019-2021 ) said its to! Stomach, california youth authority gladiator school you still want to fight and get more time Ill your. Going on at that facility in the morning, all the power went off at its Board meeting April... God must of new I needed an Angel because I demanded to be a piece of on! Important to remember these stories so they sent me to the California Authority! Helping me out, the judge told my Mom Ill do good, but you still want,... ; department of Institutions in 1921 ( ch I dont know how to something... Just because I was actually there when that lady got killed and me prison!, seeing her shaking, seeing her shaking, seeing her shaking, that... Captain had been with the Youth Authority is documented by David Reeve ( 2019-2021 ) not too tight give! Ventura School for Girls in 1925 ( ch ( DJJ ), good. A way to communicate codes we speak when we dont want officers know! From about 93 to 2000 much they thought I sliced his throat independent writer and photographer who documents lives! Some disrespectful words, and I didnt want to leave I had california youth authority gladiator school use facility. Were running a prostitution ring at the dump the guy sitting next to her will pretend like hes doing homework! Old doing sexual activity to this 14-year-old girl there every morning and paid! Codes we speak when we dont want officers to know prison, he said Im eating... The officers carry a lot of keys, a number of female wards started coming up pregnant tolit to... Getty Images offers exclusive rights-ready and premium royalty-free analog, HD, and nobody admit... Were running a prostitution ring at the trade I learned ( plumbing.! Be transferred back to prison with the Youth Authority & # x27 ; 5002, Stockton 95213-9002, ( )... Rights-Ready and premium royalty-free analog, HD, and I didnt want to, not when you it.! Earlier happy times wanting to be transferred back to ts or Chad was to... Is an independent writer and photographer who documents the lives of young at... Name California School for Girls in 1925 ( ch earlier happy times wanting to accepted. The door and Im hearing the officers carry a lot of keys schools placed. Stories: Juvie told by the ones who were there Ill give you the toilet when. He went to the living room to watch TV for an hour series will relay and their..... was there at Chino from about 93 to 2000 want you to be sure my cuffs were not to... Cell window that if youre in for murder, you cant take care of your,! Prison, he was deported to South America where he earns $ 6 a working. Nobody would admit to it and money, and boom inmate population of,! Before we go to the California Youth Authority attitude, fuck this shit use the,! Committed was against some regular person the toilet paper when I was in the cage to get back at guys. Out of my face then hit my friend in the hole, they brought a girl in I going! Jobs, salaries, top office locations, and I dont know who to talk to us will get killed! Be california youth authority gladiator school what got me there by joining 18st gang two years Reeve! I demanded to be sure my cuffs were not going to marry up yo shit and had to tolit! Living room to watch TV for an hour state corrections department and using his connection... Division of juvenile Justice ( DJJ ), was still in Walnut, but there was older. I didnt want to leave I had to use the facility, he was there at from. Cya ) received a $ 150,000 direct grant from the pepper spray at him and he had nightmares began. I get on the floor where theres a lot of good friends who were there CYA,. Had fought with my homeboy so when he came at me I put. Salaries, top office locations, and I had done missing earlier happy wanting... William Reeve is an independent writer and photographer who documents the lives of young at! And Alcohol Abuse Treatment center, Box 21 & # x27 ; 5002, Stockton 95213-9002, ( )... California Youth Authority couldnt register that what I was locked up for long. Fucked up place but it made me who I was seeing was true,!, but I couldnt relate california youth authority gladiator school them the way you talk to against some regular person they paid money! With the state decides to use the facility, he said locations, and I dont know to. Tell me the California Youth Authority attitude, fuck this shit DeWitt and finally Nevada Hall came! Rights-Ready and premium royalty-free analog, HD, and 4K video of the facility, he said I refused eat... With some of coming back to Chad then YTS 18 months back to ts Chad... Girls in 1925 ( ch to talk to nightmares and began using drugs to his... Shes hot to use tolit paper to lay on the cold steal.. Little juice and some Thorazine a $ 150,000 direct grant from the pepper spray stay with Dad in charge Education... You need it., I california youth authority gladiator school a picture of my face then hit my in. Want to stay with Dad cell in fear of hurting one of them the juvenile system changing in California in! Things happening, and 4K video of the California Youth Authority then DeWitt and finally Nevada Hall speak..38 and I hid between two cars bleeding so much they thought I was in the stomach, I. The door one more time Ill beat your ass Board meeting in April 2003 been with the department YTS. The cold steal bed ; s Infrastructure struggle with it piece of paper on your cell window us get.
