San Quentin Rehabilitation Center

Have you ever seen this thing?

Yeah, it looks like San Quentin.

San Quentin.

On

a bad day.

Jane took Anton to San Francisco restaurants like Ernie's, Trader Vic's, and the Blue Fox.

Anton escorted Jane to the dark parts of the Bay, abandoned brickworks near San Quentin Prison, dilapidated mansions, empty of human life but full of tragedy from past generations.

Anton described himself as being Jane's sorcerer on call.

That's a quote.

Enjoy.

Welcome to San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, better known as San Quentin State Prison, a place where even the walls have stories they'd rather forget.

This isn't just any prison.

It's the end of the line, a fortress of despair that has housed some of the most notorious criminals in history, including infamous names like Charles Manson, and Richard Ramirez.

So in today's episode, Alan and I cover growing up in Canada during the Depression, doing radio drama and theater in Toronto, how he got involved with the Actors' Workshop through volunteer office work, his initial reaction and confusion when he first read Waiting for Gatto.

teaching acting classes and helping out with the San Quentin Drama Workshop, being involved in the early days of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, what success has meant to him, and mentoring young actors in the theater, plus a whole lot more.

And Alan also shares some direct acting notes from Samuel Beckett himself on Waiting for Gatto, so don't miss that.

Having great mentors and access to outstanding teachers can make the difference in your career.

Born in Toronto, Ontario, he was involved with all kinds of roles in radio and theater in Canada.

Through a series of fortunate events, he became part of the Actors' Workshop in the 50s in San Francisco, which really helped launch his career in the U.S. and introduced him to the works of and person Samuel Beckett.

He was co-founder of the San Quentin Drama Workshop at the prison with the inmates.

He was general manager for both the Actors Workshop and the repertory company of Lincoln Center, working with dozens of fantastic actors and directors over the years, including several times with Philip Bosco, whom we paid tribute to earlier this season.

And they said that was the worst punishment.

The guys that I spoke with that got convicted told me, Deputy Romero, I can't wait to go to Death Row, to San Quentin, to the other state prisons in Northern California.

They said, I've made my peace with God.

The three guys that I talked with, At least they were talking like people of faith, like they discovered Christ.

Again, there's still Catholics out there that will say the reason the death penalty isn't necessary now is because of our massive prison system.

Well, one of the things to put me over the edge was a long time ago I was watching a National Geographic documentary, National Geographic, very anti-death penalty documentary.

But I was watching a National Geographic documentary on San Quentin Prison.

That's one in Northern California that opened after they closed Alcatraz.

Bakaria was at the beauty parlor.

Over the past three years, I have sat down with inmates and prison staff inside San Quentin, Folsom and Solano state prisons to see what's changed.

Tonight, we break down the biggest issues facing California's prison system and ask both candidates for governor what they would do if elected.

Roughly 30,000 people leave California prisons each year.

out, Johnny? Let me tell you, it hasn't.

It also includes dismantling death row and expanding rehabilitation.

Recently, San Quentin built an 80,000 square foot learning center offering educational opportunities and job training.

Aren't some of those guys lifers? Yeah, why are you giving them hammers? At Solano State Prison, inmates learn trade skills including welding and plumbing to help prepare them for work after release.

She was age 60.

Douglas Clark remains on death row at San Quentin Prison.

In spite of numerous appeals, he continues to await his fate.

Hanging out at the pool is great.