The Public Memory Project Archive

Our vision is grounded in the desire to create space for, and find value in people who have been historically erased or devalued by exclusionary practices that have power over which narratives are told and which stories remain hidden. As Heather Ann Thompson makes clear in Blood in the Water, the “carceral state shapes our definition of what the archive is and who or what we think of as legitimate sources.” This archive is about people; people whose narratives were often ignored, diminished, and devalued as part of the historical record. These letters and videos are first-hand accounts of the daily-life and experiences that we often don’t know about; these primary sources offer us valuable insight into the conditions of the state prison system. 

As we build the oral history collection, several issues remain at the forefront to guide our work. 

  • When we think about the production, collection, and preservation of history in Southern California, how often are the personal stories of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people included in the historical narrative? 
  • How often are people with lived experience included in the decision-making process about policies that impact our communities? 
  • How can we move beyond identifying people with just a series of assigned numbers towards the goal of ending mass incarceration in the state of California and across the nation? 
  • Our work remains inclusive to the lived experiences of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people to provide a critical lens about the impact of the carceral state and reform policies in our communities. 

Following an unannounced visit to Soledad Prison in June of 1970, Senator Mervyn M. Dymally co-authored a Black Caucus report, Treatment of prisoners at California training facility at Soledad Central, and introduced Senate Bill 323 that would have formed a California Commission on Prisoner Rights. Dymally visited all the prisons in the state, and became a staunch advocate for programs that supported reentry efforts. In 1970, Senator Dymally was appointed as a member to the Sub-Committee on Criminal Punishment and Parole Practices to investigate the conditions of the state prison system. In a 1971 letter, Senator Dymally discussed Senate Bill 1610 and Assembly Bill 2904 regarding prison reform; and stated that the senate bill failed after it was determined by the Senate Finance Committee to be a fiscal problem. In 1974, the Student Parole Program, an organization that provided resources for formerly incarcerated to earn a degree in the CSU program, formed at Cal State Los Angeles. 

The history of healthcare in the United States is the history of exclusion to medical care due to inequalites, bias, and discrimination based on class, gender, race, ethnicity, and religion. The COVID19 pandemic impacted the state prison system, and nearly 50,000 incarcerated men and women endured the worst outbreak in the nation. In March 2020, COVID19 was detected at the California Institution for Men, and quickly spread to all California prisons due to overcrowding, inadequate conditions, and unvaccinated guards and staff.  The letters received by Project Rebound and the Los Angeles Regional Reentry Partnership were written during the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlight the conditions of the prison and the barriers to adequate medical treatment. 

View the Archive

Please be advised that some items in this archive may feature sensitive content. Viewer discretion is advised.

Interviews

Despite setbacks and struggles during the pandemic, Keila Bailey manages to find ways to cope, reflect, persevere, and continue to spread a positive message.

October 19, 2021

Jane Bond candidly describes her life growing up in the San Gabriel Valley and her experiences dealing with trauma and her mental health.

October 20, 2021

Joining a gang in her youth, Yesica Cambero was incarcerated and sentenced to 40 years to life. In this interview she shares and describes her journey, revealing the strength, perseverance, and attitude that has sustained her during her long journey. 

October 21, 2021

Jorge Estrada recounts his harrowing experience of being incarcerated while being infected with Covid-19. He describes the wariness towards prison officials’ actions, and the worry and uncertainty felt among the institution’s population at the time.

October 15, 2021

Despite battling substance abuse, and having a felony conviction on his record, Raymond Gonzalez continues to strive to achieve his goals and is dedicated to helping others find the best path for themselves.

October 25, 2021

Emmanuel Liamco reflects on the circumstances of his life, his goals, and the obstacles and challenges he faces and must overcome, all while he works to obtain his degree from Cal State Los Angeles.

October 18, 2021

Growing up in Los Angeles, Rafael Quiroz has experienced trauma and tragedy. He reflects on his journey and recounts the work and strength that was required of him to achieve success and attain his goals.

October 10, 2021

Rabia Qutab describes her life experiences and some of the barriers and risks she faced as an immigrant post-incarceration.

October 21, 2021

Correspondence