John Owen Neblett
Family Nickname: Nonny
Age: 44
Paroling to: I hope San Francisco, New York City (home) or San Diego
Family: Robert Cecil Neblett, father. Christine O’Neill, mother.

Why did you join the T.R.U.S.T.?
To serve my community like my role models in the T.R.U.S.T.: Ernest, Daudi, Shahid and Rhino.

What does being a T.R.U.S.T. Fellow mean to you?
Being a helping hand to my brothers behind bars.

Since coming to prison, what have you accomplished?
Since the beginning, I took responsibility for my crime, murder in the 2nd degree, by confessing and pleading guilty. From 1986 to 1988, I attended college while incarcerated and obtained an A.A. degree in General Education via Hartnell College in Salinas, California. In 1989, I started attending a twelve-step program, and by following those steps on a daily basis. I have come to enjoy a clean and sober life. I continue my participation to this day even though I don’t believe myself addicted to mind/mood altering substances. From February 1991 to April of 1992, I was allowed to participate in a group therapy program where I learned my violence had its roots in my mal-adaptations to trauma that occurred in my life. From June of 1993 to September of 1997, I completed the Vocational Electrical Trades while simultaneously working as the Class Teacher Aide/Leadman (due to my USN experience in the Traderman” rating, which consisted of Flight Simulator Systems maintenance and repair- 1982 to 1985.) In 1995, I attended a “Kairos” retreat here in San Quentin, where I learned that there were still people who believed that Jesus’ example of love meant me too. It blew me away. It was my Damascus Road experience (Roads Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 9).

From September of 1997 to January of 2006, I worked as the lead electrician for Prison Industries S.Q., where I performed numerous projects installing electrical power to machinery; repairing and maintaining state of the art wood milling machines. In 2004 I started attending the T.R.U.S.T. workshops in San Quentin. As a result of a reawakening in my awareness of my history, culture and values, and because of role models I mentioned earlier, began auditing classes in Patten University S.Q. and writing poetry. I hope what’s posted is enjoyed. I’ve read so much lately I can see why a poet contemplating his novel is irritating. I try to make music. The two pieces of poetry that inspired me to write come from two very different personalities. First, I read Christopher Marlowes “Beauty” soliloque from the play “Tamburlaine the Great.” Part one in 2002. While reading “Paradise Lost” by John Milton in August 2004, the lines in Book III that begin, “and there was silence in heaven, on man’s behalf…” Milton has Christ give a speech, which moved me to start working on my own poetry. If Jesus could lay down his life, so could I, to write good poetry (I hope). God Bless you all, Shalom, Salaam, Peace.

What are some of your hobbies and interests?
Baseball. Poetry. Writing. Reading. Memorizing. Acting Shakespeare—King Duncan from Macbeth. Arts in Corrtections. Drama. Classical Music. Rock and Roll. Old school R&B. Some rap. Bible Study, especially Biblical Poetry (i.e. Job, Ps, etc). Running—1,000 mile club.

What programs are you involved with other than the T.R.U.S.T.?
Auditing classes in Patten University to keep writing skills honed, recently completed Math 140, Statistics with an “A” grade. Mankind- Anger Management via Insight Prison Project. 12 Step Group.

What kind of work do you do with the “inside” and/or “outside” communities?
Facilitated T.R.U.S.T. workshops for the “Purging Process.” Equipment manager for San Quentin Giants. Work all special T.R.U.S.T. events. Have performed at last 6 Patten University Poetry Slams.

How do you live up to the T.R.U.S.T. value system? How do you promote the ideals of the T.R.U.S.T. outside the workshops?
The “R” in T.R.U.S.T. means first Responsibility for self and second responsibility for community. Where I need help in my life, I ask for it. Where my community needs me, I serve.

What do you want to do after you parole?
Obtain my B.A. in English. Produce a “teaser” performance piece for a “MySpace” site, a 4-poem recital. Obtain my journeyman electrician rating from the union I.B.E.W. Visit all the Bay Area churches that came to visit me here.

What are your long-term goals?
Learn to play the lute, lyre, and maybe guitar. Get my poetry published. Work as an Anger Management instructor. Write and publish articles related to prison reform and ex-prisoner community re-integration issues. Write beautiful poems and songs.

Personal message to the outside community:
My actions 23 years ago were those of another man. My life now is in giving not taking. And I am modest enough to know that better men than I are not found suitable for parole, but I believe that better than 90% of the men I know with indeterminate terms are suitable and deserving of mercy. Please do not support this sham system. Re-election is the highest value political policy makers have in life. I am not Willie Horton but THEY would have you think we are. George Herbert Walker Bush beat Michael Dukakis in 1988, in a landslide via this racist bait and switch issue setting the stage for this government of ruin.