THE EVOLUTION OF Arms Down, a self-help program at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center that addresses firearm addiction, culminated in the October graduation of its first cohort of men.
In recent months, the 26-week program has also captured the attention and support of prosecutors, the state Department of Justice, community-based organizations, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials and lawmakers.
“The concept of Arms Down is outstanding,” said San Quentin warden Chance Andes. “Sometimes we think everything is thought of, but this is huge. We owe it to our (prison) population to provide them resources.”
“This is San Quentin’s first firearm awareness group,” said Lt. Guim’Mara Berry, the prison’s public information officer. “I hope it spreads to all 32 CDCR institutions.”
In the last six months, Arms Down participants have engaged in dialogue with each other to examine subjects such as their first traumatic experience and their first involvement with a firearm.
“I’m blown away by what’s happening here,” said state Assemblymember Damon Connolly, D-San Rafael. He attended an Arms Down meeting in May. “I’m really impressed that San Quentin is taking the lead by creating a program for those who’ve used a gun — to better understand why they used guns, and the impacts. And just as importantly, how to impact society, and particularly the youth in breaking the cycle.”
Arms Down focuses on the minds of those who used firearms to commit violent crimes, and the harm done to victims. It also offers solutions to reduce gun violence.
“This is something that’s needed across America,” said Jemain Hunter, Arms Down founder and chairperson.
He said the group was started because other self-help programs did not help him, and to help others understand why they carried guns in the first place.
Looking inside for the answers
To approach firearms as an addiction, Hunter built Arms Down similar to Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Because everyone carried guns for different reasons, he often “shut down” in other self-help programs because he wanted to understand his reasons for carrying a firearm.
The program’s curriculum presented each participant with insightful questions so they will look inside themselves to ask, “What made it alright for you to carry a concealed weapon?” and “When having a firearm in your possession, did you feel complete?”
“My gun was part of my survival,” said Sammie Nichols. At Arms Down, he learned to challenge his belief system, and what it means to be a man. “We’ve got to start retraining ourselves. We’ve got to be part of the solution.”
“One night I decided to carry a gun,” said Damon Lewis, who emceed the graduation. “It was normal.” He said it was part of what he learned from his father, and that inter-generational normalization may have led to his daughter’s incarceration.
Other aspects of the Arms Down curriculum, developed by group members, examine male false-belief systems about manhood, carrying a gun for “protection,” pulling the trigger, alternatives to firearms, and lessons that teach self love, respect, the value of life, and how to forgive.
“I wanted to highlight why Arms Down is different,” said Muhammad Fasih, who spoke at an earlier meeting. He is the group’s sponsor and San Quentin’s Muslim chaplain. “What we want to create is a group that addresses people who went to guns to resolve their issues.”
“We are not against the Second Amendment,” Fasih said at the Arms Down graduation. He agreed with the group’s premise and said, “There is a gun addiction in this country.”
In May, public officials and community-based organizations attended another Arms Down gathering.
“This is a societal issue,” Connelly said. “Why do people decide to use a gun?” Jessie Milo explained, “Many of us have become apathetic after becoming victims.” He witnessed his first gun offense at age 6. For him, the graduation was about the men going forward in communities to make changes, including working with law enforcement.
“We are not against the Second Amendment. There is a gun addiction in this country.”
Muhammad Fasih, San Quentin’s Muslim chaplain
“I’ve been working on gun violence for 10 years now,” said Michael Redding, who attended an Arms Down meeting in May with two of his colleagues from the California Department of Justice.
Phil Melendez is formerly incarcerated and now works for the criminal justice advocacy organization Smart Justice California. He attended the May meeting to “help people get a better understanding of the root causes of violence in the community,” he said. “Arms Down is innovative. It wasn’t here when I was here.”
Changing the conversation
Attendees at the May meeting acknowledged safety from gun violence as being a serious issue. Emily Harris from the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights said she has worked to eliminate sentencing enhancements, but with so much violence portrayed in the media, changes at the state Legislature have become increasingly difficult.
Tiffany Sutton scouted the May meeting with one of her colleagues. She oversees special programs and projects for criminal justice reform for the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.
“A part of public safety is that when (the incarcerated) come home, you’ll be able to get a job,” she said. “That’s what brings me here, and also looking at ways we can support.”
“From a strategy perspective, Ella Baker Center can’t change the legislative process,” Harris said. “I think the answers are here.”
Connolly observed closely, listened to the men and said, “You’re talking about the right things.” In May, as with other Arms Down meetings, incarcerated participants sat in circles with guests from the outside. The men spoke candidly about their life circumstances and the trajectory that led to their offenses and imprisonment.
“After hearing your stories, I realize I need some healing,” said Tong Thao, who came to the May meeting from the state DOJ with colleagues. “I’m thankful to be here.”
Michael Redding came from the California DOJ’s Office of the Attorney General’s Community Awareness Response and Engagement. He said he appreciated the framing of “gun addiction” and referred to the men as an “untapped resource” and “credible messengers.” Then he asked the men a seemingly rhetorical question: “What did you need 20 years ago?”
In Arms Down, each session builds on its curriculum, previous meetings, introspection, and affirmation from guests and speakers.
At a July gathering, Fasih opened with a speech and introduced the Arms Down facilitators. Then he introduced and welcomed Brooke Jenkins, San Francisco’s district attorney.
“It’s time to learn from all of you what might work,” Jenkins said. She talked about young men who’ve said they do not feel safe without a gun and offered suggestions, including one to the entertainment industry. “Change our music to not tell our men that’s the way they have to be.”
Like her two deputies who attended previous Arms Down meetings, Jenkins listened and noted what she heard. Before she left, she told the men, “I’m here and I’m going to continue to support you all.”
There are many graduations that take place at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center each year. But Arms Down is probably the first to teach men to reflect on their past use of firearms as a solution to a national epidemic.
Or as Connolly stated, “They’re talking about the right things.”
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