SAN QUENTIN HOPE FOR THREE STRIKERS

ACTIVITY GROUP

The San Quentin Hope For Strikers Activity Group (S.Q.H.F.S.A.G.) goes beyond the literal meaning of its name. Our mission and purpose is to not only provide coping methods similar to other therapeutic community groups, but also equip our members, by way of our extensive curriculum, with the requisite tools necessary for a meaningful rehabilitation and transition to society.

Inmates sentenced under Three Strikes are not afforded the same opportunities for reform as other lifers: Namely, good conduct credits, a comprehensive rehabilitation plan/criteria such as the “Matrix", programs or groups aimed at addressing their unique circumstances, psychological assessments to gauge suitability, and guidance from the Board of Parole Hearings in terms of expectations and requirements; in fact, Strikers are denied access to the board for a minimum of 25 years.

The absence of these vital resources coupled with the fact that no current group addresses the concerns of Three Strikers has increased a sense of hopelessness in most and rendered them unwilling to participate in San Quentin’s numerous groups or programs, at least in any significant numbers. We hope to change this trend by providing the motivation and substantive reforms that are so badly needed. Our curriculum will focus on instilling positive values, social responsibility, goal orientation, and breaking the psychological chains of criminal behavior that facilitates one in becoming a repeat offender.

This activity group, though created for the disenfranchised Three Strikers, excludes no one from participation since it is designed to provide support, education, and reform of the criminal mindset. We are unique in our approach —no other group is similarly situated to tackle the problem sets facing us· and we intend to be a positive influence on the general population, serving as a force multiplier in our performance of our functions. We also endeavor to bring about a more harmonious inmate/staff relationship and work towards establishing an environment conducive to spiritual and psychological growth.

Eddie J. Griffin

Chairman, H.F.S.A.G.

Sajad Shakoor

Operations Manager, H.F.S.A.G.

Mission and Goals of

Hope for Strikers Activity Group

Our mission is to develop programs which

tend to the special circumstance and

challenges presented by strike law

legislation.

These challenges include serving

it a mandatory minimum that far exceeds

any prescribed under any other statute

governing a life sentence with

the possibility of parole.

The exorbitant amount of time to be

served for non~violent and non

serious crimes also makes unclear the

expectations of parole boards

since the nature of crimes normally

dealt with by such boards are

drastically more heinous.

Due to the obscure circumstances in which

we find ourselves in regard to parole board

considerations we of the hope for strikers

activities group will develop a curriculum.

which addresses a much broader spectrum of

inmates concerns. It is our mission to provide

any understanding of learned behaviors, adaptation

skills, moral & social responsibility.