Convicts Dig Deep for 2 Young Victims of Violence

Dozens of inmates at maximum-security Folsom State Prison, apparently shocked by two senseless incidents of violence last month against innocent youngsters, have contributed $2,100 for the young victims.

A $1,686 donation, which prison officials described Friday as unusual in nature and unprecedented in size, was targeted for 3-year-old Carmina Salcido, whose father allegedly slashed her throat during a grisly murder rampage in Sonoma County.

In addition, the family of Los Angeles teen-ager Ramon Rios Jr., who was shot to death by a gang member on an RTD bus because of the color of his cap, will receive $413.

Folsom inmates, most incarcerated themselves for crimes of violence, scraped together anywhere from 50 cents to $5 each out of their meager earnings received from sweeping floors or manufacturing license plates to make the contributions, officials said.

“This is the first time in 25 years I’ve seen something like this,” said Edward McNair, a program administrator at Folsom. “I think the real motivating force is that they want to give something back to the community, even though most of their own crimes are very hideous.”

Inmate Eugene Allen, who has served 18 years in prison for first-degree murder, said in a telephone interview Friday that the effort is intended as a statement concerning the “innocent victims of violence.”

In the Rios case, Allen said, Folsom inmates who were once leaders of Los Angeles street gangs hope to send a message to their one-time followers.

“It’s my understanding that the guys in the streets look up to the people here,” said Allen, a Muslim sect leader. “Maybe they will get some incentive from this to do something positive.

“The guys in here came from a different era. When they were gang-banging, they’d go after the guy they were after. They wouldn’t just shoot into a crowd. The guys on the street now are a different breed.”

Rios, 17, was apparently randomly confronted by a gang member who declared that the blue Dallas Cowboys cap he was wearing was the color of a rival gang. The assailant proceeded to pull a handgun from his waistband and shot and killed Rios in front of 15 terrified bus passengers.

According to McNair, Allen and several other Muslim prisoners first came up with the idea to raise donations after learning of the brutal murders last year of two innocent Los Angeles teen-age girls in a mistaken identity shooting. The girls, Latonjyia (Nicki) Stover, 18, and Jamee Finney, 13, were killed by gang members allegedly seeking revenge over a drug deal.

In that case, prison officials said, the Muslim group raised $500 that they turned over to Jamee’s mother, Charlotte Austin.

The latest campaign, which cut across ethnic lines, began in the wake of the wine country massacre, in which Ramon Salcido allegedly killed seven people, including his wife and two of his daughters. Carmina, 3, found in a dump with her throat slashed, survived.

Allen said inmates, who earn between $40 and $100 a month if they are employed, were hard-pressed to make large contributions. But any donation made a statement, the Merced native said.

In his own case, Allen said, he gave $1 to each of the funds.

Allen, whose parole bids have been rejected five times, said, “My motivation for doing this has nothing to do with (parole).”

The Salcido donation was presented to a trust fund for the girl. The other check will be forwarded to the Rios family by V. G. Guinses, director of Sey Yes Inc., a Los Angeles anti-gang community organization.