The California Prison System is a monster for thousands of young men held on petty crimes in sordid penitentiaries like San Quentin.    The 'Correction System' receives over $50,000 per inmate/year from the federal government. Over the past year despite their sentences ending and despite the reports of gross overcrowding, it appears that many prisoners are held beyond their court appointed release dates. Apparently the Correction system feels that those finally released will not contest this violation of human rights. Inmates are given a maximum of $180 on release, based on $1.10 per day of captivity. From this amount $38.00 is deducted for a new pair of gray sweat pants and sweat shirt which is the standard issue apparel for a prisoner returning to the outside world. Half way houses or re-entry programs are non-existent. Cities like Oakland reportedly run Parole sweeps on a weekly basis. Violations of curfews, alcohol possession, drug possession net hundreds per week and return them captive to a self-perpetuating system.  Last winter's Novovirus mini-epidemic in San Quentin affected Guards and Prisoners. An inspection by the Feds of San Quentin brought on by this found a newly installed electric hand sanitizers. Within days after the inspection prisoners report the prison staff removed these machines. NovoVirus is a sometimes lethal virus spread by exposure to Rat Feces.   Most of this information is second-hand gathered in conversation with prisoners who have ridden in my taxi on their release from San Quentin. The continuing corroborating stories from these different young and old men, Black and White I have found deeply shocking. Their 'rehabilitation' and 'correction' seems to be but a window dressing for a self aggrandizing out of control bureaucracy, a money making outfit that cares not a heart beat for the lives of these men who are here to atone for their crimes petty or serious.   (Anyone wishing to dispute or corroborate these statements may contact me and I will see that this information is published here)   Yes there are good men and women who work in the California Department of Corrections. Yes there are undoubtedly good intentions from many including Politicians.   Today's news of the 7.4 Billion Bill to increase the Prison Holding capacity seems like absolutely the wrong direction to take, despite the plans for more rehab programs there is much evidence that there is something really rotten with the system and these rehab programs are a mere window dressing. New expansive programs creating thousands of more 'prison beds' seems like taxpayer money thrown against the wall. It will certainly expand, enrich and entrench the Prison Bureaucracy and the state politicians are hoping it will keep the Federal Government from doing anymore prying into the dirty secrets that lie here in Sunny California.     Why not sentence all drug offenders to a real job before we send them to prison first?     Yes the problem is huge. Everything is connected in this world, Good Schools, a decent Environment, a sense of Optimism many things add up to a healthier Civilization.      Guy W. Meyer, Jr.                   May 4, 2007         San Anselmo, California               guy@lifesignsphoto.com