Warden Clinton T. Duffy tells how he brought AA into San Quentin Prison in 1941 and advancements since.
There may have been meetings in prisons in New York prior to that time but I think of his action as a turning point in the relationship between AA and the Corrections Community.
I have a book he wrote about his experiences growing up at the facility. His father worked there. Clinton's wife, Gladys or "Mama Duff", also grew up there. She was a key part of bringing the AA message inside the walls.
Warden Duffy also presented at the 1st AA International in Cleveland, OH in 1950.
It is difficult to estimate AA's debt to this wonderful couple.
If you love AA History, this is a goodie.
Warden Duffy was still active in bringing AA's meesage inside the walls in 1968:
Warden Duffy at Lubbock, TX 1968
NOTE: The recording has been remastered as best I can. There is a bit of an echo I could not remove.
The taper ran out of tape 1.5 minutes before the end of the talk.
