Inventory of the California Prison Letters of Stephen W. Winter SPC.2021.033
Jesus J. Padilla
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
2021-11
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
archives@csudh.edu
Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: California Prison Letters of Stephen W. Winter
Creator:
Winter, Stephen W.
Creator:
Winter, Helen
Creator:
Winter, Andreas M.
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2021.033
Physical Description:
1 box
(95 letters, plus a few ephemeral items and seven pages of manuscript poems)
Physical Description:
.21 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1965-1969, 1975
Language of Material:
English
.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Biographical / Historical
Stephen Wade Winter was born to Helen Barton and Andreas M. Winter in January 1948 in Bexar County Texas. He enlisted to the
Marine Corps in the mid-1960s but was later arrested in 1966. The details of his arrest are unclear, but he spent the next
two years in prison and was released on parole in March 1969. In 1975, he received an official pilot's license from the FAA.
Preferred Citation
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Jesus Padilla in November and December of 2021.
Scope and Contents
The California Prison Letters of Stephen W. Winter Collection (1965-1969,1975) contains one box and .21 linear feet of letters
sent from Winter to his parents, Helen and Andreas M. Winter, as well as a few other letters sent from his mother, his friends,
prison officials, and his lawyer. The majority of letters were sent during Winter's time in the California State Prison System.
The letters begin in 1965 during Winter's time in Marine Corps training at Camp Pendleton and continue with his time at Marine
Corps Air Station at El Toro in Southern California. These early letters include his experiences on and off base, as well
as his attitude about the Marine Corps. After Winter's arrest in San Diego, CA. in December 1966 he spends two months in San
Diego County Jail and writes one letter to his mother while incarcerated there. In late January of 1967 Winter is transferred
to the California Institution for Men in Chino, CA. There he spends nearly five months writing about his daily activities
and life in prison. He also writes about information his lawyer has been getting to him, and about a letter received from
a Major Bond at El Toro. In June 1967, Winter writes from Deuel Vocational Institution near Tracy, CA. in San Joaquin County
as he has officially been assigned to stay there for the remainder of his time in prison. The letters from Deuel consist of
his experience in different vocations, the personal growth and maturity Winter has experienced as a result of being in prison,
and his life plans after his release. Although all the letters written by Winter in this collection are to his parents, Winter
also mentions family and close friends Betty and Cindy who are in recurring communication with him during his incarceration.
A common subject is also Winter inquiring about friends and possible girlfriends from his past. In all his years spent in
prison, Winter only mentions his arrest in a few letters but never in great detail. The very last letter in this collection
was by Winter to his parents in 1975, six years after his parole from prison and gives an update on his last known situation.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Incarceration
Marine Corps Air Station El Toro (Calif.)
San Diego (Calif.)
Chino, (Calif.)
Camp Pendleton (Calif.)
Parole
Prisons
California Institution for Men
Deuel Vocational Institution
United States. Marine Corps
box 1, folder 1
Letter from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
April 18, 1965
Scope and Contents
Stephen writes to his mother Helen and father Andreas, expressing excitement that he is 15 days away from seeing them. At
the time of writing the letter, Stephen had just finished 8 weeks of mess hall duty. His parents are visiting from their hometown
of San Antonio, TX to see him graduate as U.S.M.C. Private First Class on May 4th. (April 18. 1965 indicates the day letter
was stamped at the post office)
box 1, folder 1
Letter from Helen Winter to Stephen W. Winter
June 10, 1965
Scope and Contents
Helen writes to her son Stephen, as she is excited that he will be arriving in San Antonio in 3 days. She is preparing for
his arrival by charging his razor and preparing his clothes. She normally writes to update him with news from back home, but
expresses that this time the most important news is that he will be coming home. Stephen's address according to the envelope
is Camp Pendleton in Southern CA.
box 1, folder 1
Letters from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
October 1965 - November 1966
Physical Description: 8 items
Scope and Contents
This group of 8 letters was written from Stephen to his parents between October 1964 and November 1966. In the first letter,
Stephen angrily reacts to news that a man from his old neighborhood was killed by a person of Asian descent. Stephen writes
about potential career paths, living in San Diego, and purchasing a new car. After January 1966, the next letter on record
is written in October 1966 where Stephen writes about his love for a girl named Gaylynn who he plans to marry when he leaves
the "green machine" (Marine Corps). The very next month in November 1966, Stephen then writes that he's recently met a new
girl named Beverly and is happy to have hit it off with her.
box 1, folder 1
Letter from Gaylynn Duncan to Stephen W. Winter
December 16, 1965
Scope and Contents
This letter is written by love interest Gaylynn Duncan expressing her love and admiration for 'Steve'. She misses him dearly
and hopes to see him in San Antonio during her holiday break from school. She is in Corpus Christy, TX. but hopes to see him
before he returns to California. Date recorded is the date stamped on the letter's envelope.
box 1, folder 1
Collection of manuscript poems by Stephen W. Winter
October 18, 1966
Scope and Contents
This envelope was addressed from Stephen to his mother and contains 7 pages of poems Stephen wrote under the pen name Elonso
Fantane.
box 1, folder 1
Letter from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
October 24, 1966
Scope and Contents
This particular letter stands out because Stephen is speaking relatively incoherently. He says that it's not long until he
faces the "most nerve racking" experience of his life but does not elaborate on what that might be. He says he's had feelings
that something dangerous will happen to the President of the United States. He states he's worried and would "get it over
with" if he could. Letter's envelope is stamped October 24,1966.
box 1, folder 1
Court Testimony from Stephen W. Winter
December 11, 1966
Scope and Contents
In a letter to his parents, Stephen adds a copy of his testimony from the court hearing after his arrest. This is the first
instance where his arrest is mentioned. In the letter, Stephen tells his parents that he does not know what will happen to
him, but expresses that he's getting so annoyed that he does not care. The date listed above, 12-11-1966, is the date on the
letter's envelope and may not be the date of his court hearing.
box 1, folder 2
Letter from Stephen W. Winter to his parents from San Diego County Jail
January 28, 1967
Scope and Contents
This letter is the the only letter in the collection that Stephen sent from San Diego County Jail. He expresses that he has
over 30 days before being sent to Chino (CA Institution for Men). He believes that Chino will change him, but he does not
know if it will be for better or worse.
box 1, folder 2
Letter from Helen Winter to Stephen W. Winter
January 28, 1967
Scope and Contents
In this letter from Helen to her son Stephen, she tells him that she has received all of his previous letters including the
ones sent to Betty. She is happy that Stephen is reading the Bible and consoles him for breaking down and crying in a previous
letter. She ends the letter expressing her belief in his innocence.
box 1, folder 2
Letters from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
February 1967
Physical Description: 6 items
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.
box 1, folder 2
Letter from Howard A. Muhleman to Helen Winter
March 14, 1967
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.
box 1, folder 2
Letters from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
March 19-20, 1967
Physical Description: 2 items
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 information.
box 1, folder 2
Letter from Chaplain Robert D. Youmans to Stephen W. Winter's parents
April 19, 1967
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.
box 1, folder 2
Letters from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
June- July, 1967
Physical Description: 3 items
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.
box 1, folder 2
Letters from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
August 1967
Physical Description: 6 items
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 frustrated
in that same letter because he does not want people to know he is in prison, and demands an exact list of people who know
where he is.
box 1, folder 2
Letter from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
August 30, 1967
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.
box 1, folder 2
Letters from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
September 1967
Physical Description: 8 items
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 prison.
Just days after finding out, he then asks his parents to send him $20 for a guitar he's been wanting.
box 1, folder 2
Letters from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
October - November 1967
Physical Description: 9 items
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 still
preparing himself to recieve another year delay before the next meeting. On November 29, Stephen writes to his parents that
he is very happy and thankful that the M.R.(Member and Representative) Board meeting went well as they only delayed his next
meeting by 3 months. In March he'll revisit the board and expects a date of release from prison.
box 1, folder 2
General Letter from Prison Warden
November 1, 1967
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.
box 1, folder 2
Letter from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
November 16, 1967
Scope and Contents
This letter from Stephen to his parents has a different tone than the previous letters. It does not seem that he is updating
his parents with information as much as it seems that he is speaking to himself and reflecting on the growth he's made as
a person. Stephen emphasizes maturity, trust, and the connection between these two things being the reason for him being in
prison now. Stephen expresses that being immature made him trust the wrong people, but now with maturity he shouldn't trust
anyone. Stephen emphasizes that he does not see this thought process as pessimistic.
box 1, folder 2
Letters from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
December 1967
Physical Description: 4 items
Scope and Contents
This collection has 4 letters dated in December 1967, from Stephen to his parents. Stephen is primarily updating his parents
with his expectations for the next board meeting in March. He is introspective about his past experiences and how meeting
different people has changed him over time. In the last letter of this set, Stephen thanks his parents for sending the Christmas
package earlier in the month and asks them to find out about Charlie, Lee Ann, and most importantly his "darling" [Lanna].
box 1, folder 3
Letters from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
January - February 1968
Physical Description: 8 items
Scope and Contents
This set of 8 letters ranges in dates from early January to late February of 1968. In these letters to his parents, a recurring
topic is his board meeting scheduled to be in early February. He transitions from having lots of faith in God and being ready
for the meeting, to admitting that it is very hard to keep faith in religion when facing reality. In mid February he gets
a concerning letter from a finance manager in Kansas City, MO to which Stephen owes money. The finance manager isn't fully
aware of Stephen's situation so Stephen asks his parents to contact the manager and postpone his debt until after prison.
Stephen's board meeting did not go as planned and he was given another year delay before his next board meeting, meaning he
won't be going home for at least a year.
box 1, folder 3
Letter from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
February 6, 1968
Scope and Contents
Stephen writes that he had lost hope of meeting the board with a clean record, as he spent 24 hours "in the hole". He does
not give detail as to what happened, but tells his parents that maybe one day he will tell them. Luckily for Stephen, he was
not found guilty of the incident and his record remains clean. Other than the board meeting, Stephen notes that he has gotten
into a coffee drinking habit. He drinks so much that any deviation from his daily routine can cause anger or depression.
box 1, folder 3
Letters from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
March 1968
Physical Description: 7 items
Scope and Contents
This set of 7 letters were written in March 1968. Throughout the month, one of Stephen's most pressing priorities, mentioned
in 4 of 6 letters, is the fact that he needs his parents to send him money for new guitar strings. Early in the month, Stephen
expresses a lot of enthusiasm for college courses in prison and obtaining a college degree when released. That enthusiasm
quickly fades away. He reminisces about girls from his past that he misses: Linda, Carrie, and Gaylynn. In a letter from late
March, he insults and berates his mother for suggesting that he give away some of his money.
box 1, folder 3
Letters from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
April 1968
Physical Description: 6 items
Scope and Contents
In this set of 6 letters written in April 1968, Stephen consistently talks to his parents about his guitar and a new passion/hobby
he has taken on, body building. Several of the letters go into detail about his routine lifting weights, his diet, and his
physique. The only letter that does not mention that is from April 17, where he instead mentions a girl named [Hannah]. She
seems to be a younger sister as he expresses that he wants to check up on her before he dies but does not want [Hannah] to
know she ever had a brother. Stephen also decides he wants a girlfriend and inquires about a girl named Connie and a girl
named Sharon Baker.
box 1, folder 3
Letter from JB to Stephen W. Winter's parents
May 6, 1968
Scope and Contents
In this letter, a man named J.B. expresses that he is really good friends with Stephen and knows him from his time in Tracy.
He is 21 years old and was originally arrested for DUI. J.B. is sorry to hear that Stephen's board meeting did not go so well
but hopes to see him in 1969. J.B. owns a landscaping business and used to work with Stephen in the bakery.
box 1, folder 3
Letters from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
May - August 1968
Physical Description: 6 items
Scope and Contents
From May through August of 1968 there are only 6 letters from Stephen to his parents. Significantly less than previous months.
In May, Stephen expresses that he does not believe that "Hellfire" is worse than prison as it has changed him physically,
mentally, and spiritually. Also in May, Stephen received his typewriter from his parents and the letters going forward begin
to be typed instead of handwritten. There are no letters dated in June 1968, as Stephen explains in a letter written in July,
the prison was on a 40 day "deadlock" where everyone and everything was shut down. In letters from August 1968, Stephen primarily
speaks about women he is interested in and his career plans after prison. However, there is one exception where he receives
updates about old friends.
box 1, folder 3
Letters from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
September - October 1968
Physical Description: 4 items
Scope and Contents
This set of 4 letters ranges from September to October. In these letters to his parents, Stephen mentions his physique, his
plans after prison, and also mentions specific details about the area in Los Angeles, CA where he once lived. One letter stand
out in October where he mentions the writings he's done while in prison and encourages his parents to listen to a song by
Porter Wagner called "Soul of a Convict". Stephen believes that song perfectly summarizes his experience in prison and should
answer any questions they might have.
box 1, folder 3
Letter from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
September 12, 1968
Scope and Contents
In this letter to his parents, Stephen begins by saying that he must admit his sins. Stephen consideres himself psychotic
and makes several statements regarding the United States justice system and its politicians. He mentions the night of his
arrest and still claims his innocence, stating that he is still a functioning member of society. The letter is written sometime
in September but has no specific date. The date of 09-12-68 is the date the envelope was stamped by the post office.
box 1, folder 3
Letter from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
February 20, 1969
Scope and Contents
This is the final letter in this collection that Stephen writes from prison. He labels it urgent as his official parole/release
is less than 3 weeks away. Stephen asks his parents for money to pay for transportation. He needs a bus to Tracy, CA, then
a bus to San Francisco, CA, and lastly a plane from San Francisco, CA to San Antonio, TX. There are no conditions for Stephen's
parole in CA, except that he update his parole officer on where he will be. Stephen hopes the same applies in TX.
box 1, folder 3
Letter from Stephen W. Winter to his parents
July 6, 1975
Scope and Contents
This is the last letter from the entire collection and is written over 6 years after Stephen's release from prison. Stephen
updates his parents on his current situation. He is working at a restaurant and owes a flying school $85 because he passed
his course and is receiving his pilot's license. His pilot's license will arrive at his parent's house but he wants it forwarded
to Gladys and Jean's house because he is currently living out of a YMCA but will soon start sleeping in his car. He ends the
letter admitting that he is sad living in loneliness and mentions a women's recent absence.