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CALICARCERATIONG: Doing Time Under The Life-Term Umbrella 1 Ve #* COMICTARY * 2011
INTRODUCTION As a term-to-life prisoner, it is of great importance that I shed some fight on the sub- culture part of our society known as the California Incarcerated Population -~ CALICARCERATION - a gated community overflowing with inhumane conditions, misery and despair. In California, there are two types of Lifers; the Three Striker and the Serious/Violent Lifer. To the unknowing public, once the prison industry became big business, the line between the two coincidentally got blurred. Harsher sentences combined with high recidivism created the perfect conditions for an over-crowded prison population. Calicarceration is a collection of comics that range from doing many years in prison and the effects it could have on a prisoner, to dealing with the prison board trying to obtain well-deserved freedom. Many times, prisoners forget the impact going to prison has had on loved ones, and a life sentence with no sure exit date, welghs heavily on everyone. 1 draw comics about prison because in these tough economic and war-driven times, many people are struggling to make ends meet and could possibly be one paycheck away from doing hard time. When local governments are taking money from schools to fund “public safety projects” the real victims are the kids. This Is not to say that the victims of crime should be forgotten, but uneducated students will likely end up in someone’s private or state prison. Thank you for taking the time to read my comictary. Please enjoy. ~ Marcus A. Bedford, Jr. ~
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o = ‘SavIA ALWIH) YA oy Tmag 53 jvaLog LroQ L A {3 9| Wv3dC L) 00 | [+ nuuwawwflVj‘ 2z
_CALL[AKEBEEW_—— 1 GuAsauTee , THAT IF You [Eveat L I Cocaes ?flow. ”’fi Prcon) The Ovvessiveness O b1 A WouD Z z [Have Mac The. Cmmw ! ) 7 O30 TS 15 WHAT AGBITRARY | iot) Feers Live . 9 /| q / 7 /
ARCERA —— CHecK h’ flu’r Homeaol IF You Come. P Clean Ay THE BoarD | Q?I THEYiLDuN éa “Mms EARS mcuum:ern%rmvl L2l i
C aucarcenaTion === — 7 lLueeaL Aud UnconsTmuionar. I TTHOUGHT PN AFFCNG Was (Tue Lwimep Smares,.
CALI(A&LEMTIN.\ = Areart You Excrmen, Yoo FasAcy Wous j A Parove Gaaur Arren 35 Yeans! Iy WKE Poumies OFTen TiMes DicTate. Cousr Ourcomes, 11 Save MY EmoTions Foe Wrea [ Walk Our Those Gares |
C.ALICAELEMT\DM ]o W‘;l mfi% Mus th esse a The T mei. !mhm ulIl [T U I} 1 1 L= DCOMS pE-coT ik 1]
CAL[(A&LEMTIM n —— Dontr You Feer Gooo, Bro, 1 Ser. A Few Lirers— Wrose. Famies Can Aeoro) Lawrens - Hir The: Bricks. Makes The. Orven 5% Or Us Feel Gooo Too! |
C ALICARCERATION 1z Pevnr OF The Ho 16 Viohe BeLIEVBLE , An Acop LAYING As A Poumcians On A SoLmioan At On e ? AAT’s A Towsn One Sinke ey BoTh TewL e AVDENCES Sove Faumastic Lies! V_IUU
/3 C ALICARCERATION 15 Tene A Scence To Gerruc A Faim TeiaL Wiew Toe DA, Auo Your PD. Ave Colene Buonies ? T 3 T fiw ‘E‘:NM feopLe.
4 The Board Going before the board to try to get a date is a tricky situation, and at times it seems like it’s a game for some of them. Any Lifer that uses his prison sentence to educate himself, remain discipline-free, and acquire practical working skills, is obviously serious about trying to obtain his freedom. There are many obstacles that you can’t even begin to prepare for, when facing a biased panel. You can only hope you’ve put all the important factors on record to give you something to fight with in court, somewhere down the line. 1n all fairness, being on a parole board panel, trying to determine the dangerousness a prisoner may pose to society, Is no easy task. But job security and a hatred for prisoners should not factor in the decision process as to whether a man will die in prison - even though he wasn’t sentenced to death.
Ny CALILAFLEEATDM [TSee Yoo Five Ums \rlau Fon YourseLF, Yous P Seemt Pren ons Einaih Eafem Foume 0ARD OF PanoLe Artenoace. R [Dow’r e UFT DR 5 B Evmumu Lam RfiTPN?E:‘ Z\mm‘&y\’% 15 Wo Wod i 15 Mor A Deawar |
CONVICTS AGAINST CANCER Each year, nearly 200,000 children throughtout the cured with the immediate and effective treatments children, are in countries where meaningful care i Convicts Against Cancer, intends to ease the burd cancer—families desperate to save thelr children. There are many forms of death sentence. The crue those who couldn’t deserve them less. No singlo s touch the lives of every single person on this eart! affiicting them, a friend, or a loved on This very special effort Is one which enllsts the jo: societies across the state of California’s prison sy aim to bridge the gap between pain and smiles for and all yam crafters who’d like to provide new kn¥ scarves. To cover the balding heads, of hospitaliz chemothrapy. Founders of www.deathrowinmate.org, Michael FI prisoners at San Quentin, Their grassroots human e-thinking prisoner’s welcome mat— a | redeeming qualities and a venue where like-minde (DR1), sprouts out of Infancy. Since our inception, we have planned to become meet The Better Business Bureau’s "Standards of comprehansive evaluation of charity governance, Convicts Against Cancer, Is the voice of socially ¢ community and a tribute to the living memories « detroyer of life, and most importantly, those whos us to stand united against the disease of a thousa 1f you have a short story of survival or loss that y¢ oniine, please submit a non-original as we’re unat Commited to life and research, we’re looking for b normal contributions to get the word out. Please I The DRI Project oma clo Convicts Against Cancer 3298 North Glassford Hill Road - Suite 104/PMB 154 e Prescott Valley, Arizona, 86314
globe, are diagnosed with cancer. Most can be Unfortunately, more then 80 percent of these improbable. ons and fears of familles facing childhood lest ones fall squarely upon the little lives of re covors all of human complexity. Cancer will at one time o another, elther by directly nt participation of all members of knitting stems, beginning right here at San Quentin. We children, collaborating with any goods such as colorful beanies , and d children, who have or will los thier hair to aner and Spencer Brasure, are condemned rights social network is a 21st century platform from which to showcase one’s d pursuits are coming online with frequency as 501c_(3), non-profit organization, proud to Charity Accountability”. Including a fundraising practices, and solicitations. onsclous rehabllitative giving senses of f those who’ve endured the ravages of the > bravery and dignity have continued to inspire nd faces. u’d like to have considered for publication le to retum the submission. loggers, chatroom users, tech-savvy folks and t your heart lead the way. i: thedriproject@gmail.com 7.deathrowinmate.org v.facebook.com/convictsagainstcancer
/% Bnafm PAROLE HEARINGS Lm\fi(fie XPeCTIG A TS m mm Pl Tiis HEARLG, R Assessment Seems A Brr Tbo Excs’flve For A Psm THEPT 3-Smavkey E" atman
19 QALLCA&(.E&AIM—__ Mav 1 ot On Tie Recond Some lssues Recaroma MY Puents A Tiis Hearine ?
20 CAL\(AP’LEMTIMA AT Ko OF PeoRecensa o K D Pmeaos Mg Yo, 1, B B0 1o State Your Abmae ;For The ReComD. PAROLE. HEARMIGES
2/ e R Fom Neats T Fulo Some Seir-Hevt A.un PRocAMMMIBG For Lirers, But Tieae’s Ao Auy Avawagie Tasr Vou Haver/T CompreTen. So We’le Ceat Youn ParoLe For A Few Years Ok More Unmie CDCR Buoeers [Fo Sonte._Procaunts . Grooo Luakt To Yoo b 3 B.AH.
22 CALICARCERATION THS FEELS MORE LIKE A FILBUSTER, THAY A PAPOLE. HEARING. BOARD 5} OF o PARDLE % .fi. S R r_-l‘ ="y
232 CDCR OAL "Secret meetings concerning ?risoner regulations create corruption, in which leaves the population with no rights."
Caucapcensmon 21 lWere Lookuis uts Ann CDCR Waste. [EVERYEODY QUIET | Toe Govemaion 15 More. Smer BOARD oF PAROLE HeARWGS [TeY Have Tomued MY [Bowo Herpincs b A [Hostree Srrummon ! o ° 9) i
ChucaRcensTon TFIGIRED SINCE. THESE. PEARNGS ARE 5D EMOTIONALLY CHARGED), | WOULD APPRORCH THS OIE. LIKE A J08 INTERAVIEW . SELLING MYSELF WTH ENTHUSIASM AND FACTS, FoR O Pt THE BEST ToB EVEW HEARINGS
2¢ Passing Time Every year that passes, small pieces of hope fade for a Lifer, after being denied parole. And, to make matter worse, Lifers are tormented by the enactment of new, contradictory laws and regulations. Lifers that have spent twenty and thirty years in prison, don’t just lose their youth, but sometimes, also their grip on reality. America often tells other countries how they should respect human rights, but with some of the conditions in the prisons and the many due process violations, it’s about time for us to take a look at the treatment that we give ourselves.
27 Caucarcerations —— s — g — i HBAEEAJ\.,‘;:& % Racks — V God, o Lonis, \ [Teus Dude Been Downs?) R - & a L&y
o "CIOY 09| M3] Y SVH (VOLLOLLISTO) ] $300) | *L5109) N8R Y ] DWLVADILYY GOy of) SWINV3SG) 49) I Y3 3Ly 199 1T [ — NTIVY SLHIIY MW Y Ly OMISA0Y) vy u;a;dgF 30 WO O LHIWY AW STIGOHIXT 9y Ay 199 | _-_——WWWWT
CALICAP\(EKAflw 29 X A Very Brrres-Sueet! Farvers DAY i
C How Do %u fiow Wren Yoo’ve Beeny Downs Too Lowas? IF Yoo Age Sri Tevwe To Rerost o Youn Work Assigument Wi Youlse Pur Du S-Tive. WHar Aze You Doime? Dowr You <5, | PAROLE I Less Tuan 43-Hooms | Y a0 -Chew TooLs sbomen e
In Closing My name is Marcus A. Bedford, Jr. I’ve been in prison for over sixteen years and during that time I have educated myself, become a writer and turned my experiences In prison, into the art form of comics. While doing time, it Is easy to lose yourself in the pools of hopelessness or you can go the other route and re-invent yourself. The fight for freedom is ongoing and will continue upon release. This is the battle that I look forward to. Most Lifers that understand the wrongs they have committed, do not look for sympathy, but rather, a chance to prove that people change. Marcus A. Bedford, Jr. K-00220 Y-Wing 204L Central Facility P.0. Box 689 Soledad, California 93960
C AucARCEAATION South Chicago ABC Zine Distro P.O. Box 721 Homewood, IL 60430
CALICARCERATIONG:

Doing Time Under The Life-Term Umbrella

1

Ve

#* COMICTARY * 2011
INTRODUCTION

As a term-to-life prisoner, it is of great
importance that I shed some fight on the sub-
culture part of our society known as the California
Incarcerated Population -~ CALICARCERATION - a
gated community overflowing with inhumane
conditions, misery and despair.

In California, there are two types of Lifers; the
Three Striker and the Serious/Violent Lifer. To the
unknowing public, once the prison industry became
big business, the line between the two
coincidentally got blurred. Harsher sentences
combined with high recidivism created the perfect
conditions for an over-crowded prison population.

Calicarceration is a collection of comics that
range from doing many years in prison and the
effects it could have on a prisoner, to dealing with
the prison board trying to obtain well-deserved
freedom. Many times, prisoners forget the impact
going to prison has had on loved ones, and a life
sentence with no sure exit date, welghs heavily on
everyone.

1 draw comics about prison because in these
tough economic and war-driven times, many people
are struggling to make ends meet and could
possibly be one paycheck away from doing hard
time. When local governments are taking money
from schools to fund “public safety projects” the
real victims are the kids. This Is not to say that the
victims of crime should be forgotten, but
uneducated students will likely end up in someone's
private or state prison.

Thank you for taking the time to read my
comictary. Please enjoy.

~ Marcus A. Bedford, Jr. ~
CAuCAELE&AflcM

The Prisow Svstem Has Taen A Toan For Toe Wokoe.]
low lo Thar
IEMBER HM\' LensT lluz TERaon) [lfi uET{ KnEN

Lzm'flm Gmmflewv‘fimm’mau
/X

)

o

_Cummm____._

W T u PuGHT U
You're Pherty Geoo m\uv_ W CWNM%&

e Vf_\«lmffl'fi Moz Ti
o 1 Maw, On Tee Nnn&m ISWERY

An UDhemed
Toe. Cpeston How Her (D Dep Misteaiousiy 2
Msmm Toel Ger Tme Seaven. Tve
Gers 5-To-LiFe fon A
fi ferry Wrrw & Pricess.

5

T

K}

o

=
‘SavIA ALWIH) YA oy Tmag 53
jvaLog LroQ L A
{3 9| Wv3dC L) 00 | [+

nuuwawwflVj‘

2z
_CALL[AKEBEEW_——

1 GuAsauTee , THAT IF You
[Eveat L I Cocaes ?flow. ”'fi
Prcon) The Ovvessiveness O b1 A WouD

Z z

[Have Mac The. Cmmw !
) 7 O30 TS 15 WHAT AGBITRARY |

iot) Feers Live .
9
/|
q

/
7
/

ARCERA
—— CHecK h' flu'r Homeaol IF You Come.

P Clean Ay THE BoarD | Q?I
THEYiLDuN éa “Mms EARS
mcuum:ern%rmvl

L2l

i

C aucarcenaTion

=== —

7

lLueeaL Aud UnconsTmuionar. I

TTHOUGHT PN AFFCNG Was

(Tue Lwimep Smares,.

CALI(A&LEMTIN.\

= Areart You Excrmen, Yoo FasAcy Wous j
A Parove Gaaur Arren 35 Yeans! Iy
WKE Poumies OFTen TiMes DicTate.

Cousr Ourcomes, 11 Save MY EmoTions
Foe Wrea [ Walk Our Those Gares |

C.ALICAELEMT\DM

]o

W‘;l

mfi% Mus th

esse a The

T
mei. !mhm

ulIl

[T

U
I}
1
1

L= DCOMS
pE-coT

ik
1]

CAL[(A&LEMTIM

n

——

Dontr You Feer Gooo, Bro, 1 Ser. A

Few Lirers— Wrose. Famies Can Aeoro)

Lawrens - Hir The: Bricks. Makes The.

Orven 5% Or Us Feel Gooo Too! |

C ALICARCERATION

1z

Pevnr OF The

Ho 16 Viohe BeLIEVBLE , An Acop LAYING
As A Poumcians On A SoLmioan At On

e ?

AAT's A Towsn One
Sinke ey BoTh TewL
e AVDENCES Sove

Faumastic Lies!

V_IUU

/3

C ALICARCERATION

15 Tene A Scence To Gerruc A
Faim TeiaL Wiew Toe DA, Auo Your
PD. Ave Colene Buonies ?

T 3
T fiw ‘E‘:NM feopLe.

4

The Board

Going before the board to try to get a date is a
tricky situation, and at times it seems like it's a
game for some of them. Any Lifer that uses his
prison sentence to educate himself, remain
discipline-free, and acquire practical working skills,
is obviously serious about trying to obtain his
freedom. There are many obstacles that you can't
even begin to prepare for, when facing a biased
panel. You can only hope you've put all the
important factors on record to give you something
to fight with in court, somewhere down the line.

1n all fairness, being on a parole board panel,
trying to determine the dangerousness a prisoner
may pose to society, Is no easy task. But job
security and a hatred for prisoners should not factor
in the decision process as to whether a man will die
in prison - even though he wasn't sentenced to
death.
Ny

CALILAFLEEATDM

[TSee Yoo Five Ums \rlau Fon YourseLF,
Yous P Seemt Pren ons
Einaih Eafem Foume

0ARD
OF
PanoLe

Artenoace.

R

[Dow'r e UFT DR 5 B Evmumu
Lam RfiTPN?E:‘ Z\mm‘&y\'%
15 Wo
Wod i 15 Mor A Deawar |

CONVICTS AGAINST CANCER

Each year, nearly 200,000 children throughtout the
cured with the immediate and effective treatments
children, are in countries where meaningful care i
Convicts Against Cancer, intends to ease the burd
cancer—families desperate to save thelr children.
There are many forms of death sentence. The crue
those who couldn't deserve them less. No singlo s
touch the lives of every single person on this eart!
affiicting them, a friend, or a loved on

This very special effort Is one which enllsts the jo:
societies across the state of California’s prison sy
aim to bridge the gap between pain and smiles for
and all yam crafters who'd like to provide new kn¥
scarves. To cover the balding heads, of hospitaliz

chemothrapy.
Founders of www.deathrowinmate.org, Michael FI
prisoners at San Quentin, Their grassroots human
e-thinking prisoner's welcome mat— a |
redeeming qualities and a venue where like-minde
(DR1), sprouts out of Infancy.
Since our inception, we have planned to become
meet The Better Business Bureau's "Standards of
comprehansive evaluation of charity governance,
Convicts Against Cancer, Is the voice of socially ¢
community and a tribute to the living memories «
detroyer of life, and most importantly, those whos
us to stand united against the disease of a thousa
1f you have a short story of survival or loss that y¢
oniine, please submit a non-original as we're unat
Commited to life and research, we're looking for b
normal contributions to get the word out. Please I

The DRI Project oma
clo Convicts Against Cancer

3298 North Glassford Hill Road -
Suite 104/PMB 154 e

Prescott Valley, Arizona, 86314
globe, are diagnosed with cancer. Most can be
Unfortunately, more then 80 percent of these
improbable.

ons and fears of familles facing childhood

lest ones fall squarely upon the little lives of
re covors all of human complexity. Cancer will
at one time o another, elther by directly

nt participation of all members of knitting
stems, beginning right here at San Quentin. We
children, collaborating with any
goods such as colorful beanies , and
d children, who have or will los thier hair to

aner and Spencer Brasure, are condemned
rights social network is a 21st century
platform from which to showcase one’s
d pursuits are coming online with frequency as

501c_(3), non-profit organization, proud to
Charity Accountability”. Including a
fundraising practices, and solicitations.
onsclous rehabllitative giving senses of

f those who've endured the ravages of the

> bravery and dignity have continued to inspire
nd faces.

u'd like to have considered for publication

le to retum the submission.

loggers, chatroom users, tech-savvy folks and
t your heart lead the way.

i: thedriproject@gmail.com

7.deathrowinmate.org
v.facebook.com/convictsagainstcancer
/%

Bnafm
PAROLE
HEARINGS

Lm\fi(fie XPeCTIG A TS m
mm Pl Tiis HEARLG,
R Assessment Seems A Brr Tbo
Excs'flve For A Psm THEPT 3-Smavkey

E" atman

19

QALLCA&(.E&AIM—__

Mav 1 ot On Tie Recond Some
lssues Recaroma MY Puents
A Tiis Hearine ?

20

CAL\(AP'LEMTIMA

AT Ko OF PeoRecensa
o K D Pmeaos Mg Yo, 1,

B
B0 1o State Your Abmae ;For The ReComD.
PAROLE.
HEARMIGES

2/

e R Fom Neats
T Fulo Some Seir-Hevt A.un PRocAMMMIBG For
Lirers, But Tieae's Ao Auy Avawagie Tasr Vou
Haver/T CompreTen. So We'le Ceat Youn ParoLe
For A Few Years Ok More Unmie CDCR Buoeers

[Fo Sonte._Procaunts . Grooo Luakt To Yoo b
3

B.AH.

22

CALICARCERATION
THS FEELS MORE LIKE
A FILBUSTER, THAY A
PAPOLE. HEARING.
BOARD 5}
OF o
PARDLE %
.fi.
S
R
r_-l‘ ="y

232

CDCR
OAL

"Secret meetings concerning ?risoner regulations
create corruption, in which leaves the population
with no rights."
Caucapcensmon

21

lWere Lookuis
uts Ann CDCR Waste.

[EVERYEODY QUIET | Toe Govemaion 15
More. Smer

BOARD
oF
PAROLE
HeARWGS

[TeY Have Tomued MY
[Bowo Herpincs b A

[Hostree Srrummon !

o
°

9)

i

ChucaRcensTon

TFIGIRED SINCE. THESE. PEARNGS ARE 5D
EMOTIONALLY CHARGED), | WOULD APPRORCH

THS OIE. LIKE A J08 INTERAVIEW . SELLING
MYSELF WTH ENTHUSIASM AND FACTS, FoR

O
Pt THE BEST ToB EVEW
HEARINGS

2¢

Passing Time

Every year that passes, small pieces of hope
fade for a Lifer, after being denied parole. And, to
make matter worse, Lifers are tormented by the
enactment of new, contradictory laws and
regulations.

Lifers that have spent twenty and thirty years in
prison, don't just lose their youth, but sometimes,
also their grip on reality. America often tells other
countries how they should respect human rights,
but with some of the conditions in the prisons and
the many due process violations, it's about time for
us to take a look at the treatment that we give
ourselves.
27

Caucarcerations
—— s —
g —
i HBAEEAJ\.,‘;:& % Racks
— V God, o Lonis,

\ [Teus Dude Been Downs?)
R -
& a

L&y

o

"CIOY 09| M3] Y SVH
(VOLLOLLISTO) ] $300) | *L5109) N8R
Y ] DWLVADILYY GOy of) SWINV3SG)
49) I Y3 3Ly 199 1T [ —

NTIVY SLHIIY MW Y Ly OMISA0Y) vy u;a;dgF
30 WO O LHIWY AW STIGOHIXT 9y Ay 199 |

_-_——WWWWT

CALICAP\(EKAflw

29

X

A Very
Brrres-Sueet!
Farvers DAY

i

C
How Do %u fiow Wren Yoo've
Beeny Downs Too Lowas? IF Yoo

Age Sri Tevwe To Rerost o
Youn Work Assigument Wi

Youlse Pur Du S-Tive.

WHar Aze You Doime? Dowr You
<5, | PAROLE I Less Tuan 43-Hooms |
Y

a0 -Chew
TooLs

sbomen e

In Closing

My name is Marcus A. Bedford, Jr. I've been in
prison for over sixteen years and during that time I
have educated myself, become a writer and turned
my experiences In prison, into the art form of
comics. While doing time, it Is easy to lose yourself
in the pools of hopelessness or you can go the other
route and re-invent yourself. The fight for freedom
is ongoing and will continue upon release. This is
the battle that I look forward to.

Most Lifers that understand the wrongs they
have committed, do not look for sympathy, but
rather, a chance to prove that people change.

Marcus A. Bedford, Jr. K-00220
Y-Wing 204L Central Facility
P.0. Box 689
Soledad, California 93960
C AucARCEAATION

South Chicago ABC
Zine Distro
P.O. Box 721
Homewood, IL 60430