Box 1

Scope and Contents

This collection of 6 letters were written by Stephen to his parents throughout February 1967. These letters mark the first record in this collection written from the California Institution for Men in Chino, CA. Throughout these letters, Stephen writes about his budget management in prison, girls from his past, and letters received from his lawyer, Howard A. Muhleman, and an old superior in the Marines, Major Bond.

Scope and Contents

Howard A. Muhleman, Stephen's lawyer from Hoy, Adams, and Muhleman law firm in San Diego, expresses to Helen Winter that he does not yet know Stephen's next court date. He plans to get some things to Stephen if Helen wishes to send any.

Scope and Contents In 2 letters written on March 19 and 20, Stephen writes to his parents with updates. He is 2 weeks away from his next court hearing and hopes that Judge Abernathy grants him probation. He knows he does not want to stay in the service as that is not what he has been "looking for in life", and instead Stephen intends to get a college degree. It all depends on if the Marines will discharge him, so Stephen asks his parents to contact Major Bond at El Toro Marine Base for discharge...

Scope and Contents

Chaplain of the San Diego County Jail, Robert D. Youmans, writes to update and reassure Stephen's parents of the situation. Stephen is in good health but disappointed with the court proceedings and plans to appeal. Youmans claims that the facilities at the jail are all high quality and he believes Stephen will mature and "find meaning and purpose in life". Letter also indicates that Stephen W. Winter's inmate number is #302148.

Scope and Contents

This set of 3 letters is the first record from Stephen written at the Deuel Vocational Institution near Tracy in San Joaquin County, CA. In these letters, Stephen writes about the various books he has been studying about language and sciences. He lets his parents know that he has officially been assigned to stay at Deuel for the duration of his sentence. Stephen has also been assigned to be the Physical Training Coach of the guidance center.

Scope and Contents This set of 6 letters are all from Stephen to his parents. One of Stephen's priorities is getting his parents to contact one of his old friends, Carla Larson from Tustin, CA, who has his belongings from El Toro. Carla is willing to mail them wherever Stephen wants them. In prison, Stephen has become a baker's apprentice and has spent 105 hours over 3 weeks in that practice. On August 25th, Stephen inquires about people from his past: Lee Ann, Charlie, Tommi, and [Jean]. He also seems...

Scope and Contents

In this letter to his parents, Stephen seems to be reaching his breaking point. He begins by saying that it is not bad in there if you have no family, but quickly turns to expressing his true emotions. He has given up faith and all he does now is worry because he believes that having hope doesn't change your situation. He goes into a description of how prison eventually breaks people down. Presumably, Betty has recently been to visit him.

Scope and Contents There are 8 letters from Stephen to his parents dated in the month of September 1967.He reminisces about all the good things he's had going for him in life. Stephen knows he'll have a board meeting soon but does not want to get his hopes up and instead expects to recieve another year before being able to re-apply for parole. Stephen finds out that one of his parents needs a hearing aid and have been tight on money, leading him to feel bad for all the money his parents have sent him while in...

Scope and Contents This set of 9 letters was written between October 12 and November 29 of 1967. Stephen finally recieved word from the Marine Corps as a Captain Golden has informed Stephen that he is getting an "Undesirable Discharge". In late October, Stephen also recieved the guitar he ordered and expresses that playing it has helped improve his "oppressive moods of anxiety" he sometimes has. Stephen knows he has a board meeting in late November and wants to have a career plan ready for the meeting, but is...

Scope and Contents

The letter was typed on November 1, 1967 but mailed weeks later as the envelope is stamped on November 20. It is a general letter meant for prisoners to send to their mail recipients regarding the upcoming Christmas gift policy. It goes into detail on the types of gifts prisoners are allowed to recieve, and the exact amounts they can recieve. Also provided are details on how to send the gifts.