Return
to Prison
Shortly
after California became a state of the Union, San Quentin was
established as a site for a State Prison. The Gold Rush to California
in 1849 and 1850 attracted people of all types. Some were fortune
seekers, people of an adventurous nature, many respectable
individuals, but often some of low, unsavory character. Naturally
conflicts developed, and the heavy influx of people of all races,
types and character resulted in actions taken without regard to law
and order, or respect for the rights of others. Law enforcement was
haphazard and Jails' were inadequate or non-existent.
As
the state became organized and divided into counties and political
subdivisions, county jails were established. But these soon became
crowded and inadequate.
An
old sailing ship called the WABAN was converted into a prison ship
and anchored in the northern part of San Francisco bay, not far from
Point San Quentin. The ship soon became overcrowded, and its isolated
position made it difficult to keep the prisoners employed at useful
work. Supplies for the ship were also a problem, particularly food
and water.
On
July 14, 1852, this ship was towed to Point San Quentin. An old
legend says that during a heavy wind storm the ship dragged anchor
and was tossed on the rocks at San Quentin Point, but we have not
been able to confirm that legend. But it did arrive at the Point on
Bastille Day, July 14, 1852.
A
few days earlier the State of California had purchased from Benjamin
Buckelew, twenty acres of land for the purpose of establishing a
State Prison.
The
state adopted a policy of leasing the prison to private operators
under franchise, and the contractor took full responsibility of
caring for, feeding and clothing the prisoners.
The
contractor would "let out" the prisoners to do private
work, and would collect fees for their services. The first such lease
was made to James Madison Estell and General Mariano Guadalupe
Vallejo in 1851 while the prisoners were still housed aboard the ship
WABAN. The contract was for a ten year period. Early in the contract
period General Vallejo sold his interest to Estell. This contract was
in the most part unprofitable. The Contractor was primarily
interested in a profit, and food, clothing and facilities cost money
and were kept at a minimum. Escapes were many, and the contractors
kept his staff of guards very low as he had to pay their salaries. End
of Waban
Estell's
reputation as an administrator was a hectic one. He instigated cruel
practices and did not provide adequate security. In 1857 he sold his
contract to John F. McCauley.
For
a while, prior to McCauley, John McDougal, who had previously been
governor of California, was in charge under Estell. During McCauley's
reign, there was much dissent and the prison troubles caused great
concern among the legislators at Sacramento, as well as the nearby
residents of Marin County whose security was threatened. For a time,
the prison was placed under the jurisdiction of the Lieutenant
Governor of the State.
The
State of California eventually abandoned the franchise system and
took over the prison management in full, operating under the state budget.
Through
the years there have naturally been many wardens in charge at San
Quentin. The warden had quite a bit of autonomy and made many of the
rules that governed the prison and the routine care of the prisoners.
In later years, the direction was partly taken over by the Board of
Prison Directors. But the Board's principal duties were to set the
sentences that had been placed in the Indeterminate Sentence Class,
and to grant paroles. The warden was primarily a custodian but was to
plan and assign work for the inmates. Rehabilitation was not in the
plan, but the concept of punishment was always in evidence. The
warden controlled the employee personnel of the prison and had the
right to hire and fire.
Wardens
were appointed by the Governor, and a change in regime at Sacramento
usually meant a new warden. The job was attractive and usually given
by the Governor to a loyal supporter. Hale was succeeded by Martin
Augirre, a man of Spanish-Mexican decent, who was appointed by
Governor Gage. Augirre's regime was a turbulent one and he was noted
for cruel disciplinary actions.
Other
wardens were John W. Tompkins, who had been Chief of Police in
Oakland, and there was John Hoyle, John C. Edgar and James Johnson.
Johnson later became the warden at Alcatraz. Hoyle was a popular
warden and was responsible for some humanitarian reforms. Hoyle was a
hotel man and when he left San Quentin he operated a hotel in San
Francisco. Return
to Wardens
Author;
William J. Duffy, Jr.
Last Revision March 2001
