Gangs control what inmates call "prison politics." They have literally written rules and regulations and there are serious repercussions for those not following them.
One hardened inmate who was behind bars for nearly 20 years gets ready for release. In the process, he faces the harsh reality that for most inmates, leaving prison is just a temporary freedom.
Boredom reigns supreme for prisoners who spend endless hours, days and months confined to their cells. But some have devised creative ways to pass the time.
Conjugal visits provide rare moments of intimacy and rule-breaking. As a result, some visitors who come to San Quentin find themselves staying much longer than originally planned.
At San Quentin, the overpopulated prison must house a dangerous mix of inmates within close proximity of one another.Programs like the annual poetry slam help to avoid potential disciplinary write-ups and longer sentences.
