El Biblioitecario
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If the narrator of FOLSOM PRISON 'shot a man in Reno,' why is he incarcerated in a California penal institution?
Confused by Johnny Cash-a question for corrections authorities
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Garland
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THE PILGRIM
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One of my great Uncles shot at least 3 men in Miss. But he was jailed in Tenn. The shootings were ruled to be self defense. He stole money from a woman in Tenn. No self defense allowed there for that!
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Yeah, but he shot the man in Reno just to watch him die...
I assume he is in Folsom Prison 'cause they did not catch up with him for the Reno killing but for some other crime(s) committed in CA.
captorquewrench
Member
Johnny Cash only ever went to jail for misdemeanors, not prison for murder. "Folsom Prison Blues" is just a fictitious little ditty for our enjoyment.
John's talkin' about Reno Junction, California...
Reno Junction, California - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Reno Junction, California - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It is just a song. Not a true story. Larry
Understood. But was it a real song, or did Johnny Cash just make it up?
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
It is a real song-I've heard it.
Alk8944
US Veteran
It is very common for states to trade prisoners, for any of several very legitimate reasons. Virtually every prison in the US has jnterstate transfer prisoners incarcerated. Most frequently the Board of Pardons of the state where the prisoner was convicted retains jurisdiction.
One frequent reason is a person on a life sentence in a state geographically widely separated from his home state. The prisoner could be transferred to his home state for the comfort and convenience of his family, so they can visit reasonably. The "system" is not inhumane. Usually this involves a trade of prisoners so there doesn't need to be financial considerations for either state. It also can be for the reason that a prisoner has a terminal disease, see last. Or it can be for the safety of the prisoner if his life is endangered by others in the population.
One frequent reason is a person on a life sentence in a state geographically widely separated from his home state. The prisoner could be transferred to his home state for the comfort and convenience of his family, so they can visit reasonably. The "system" is not inhumane. Usually this involves a trade of prisoners so there doesn't need to be financial considerations for either state. It also can be for the reason that a prisoner has a terminal disease, see last. Or it can be for the safety of the prisoner if his life is endangered by others in the population.
He wasn't a very good shot. The guy made it to South Lake Tahoe before he actually died. The cops and prosecutors in Nevada and California spent the next three days trying to convince each other who was stuck with jurisdiction.
Alpo
Member
Kingston Trio had a song about a guy that got doped up and killed his old lady. When he was arrested, one of the lyrics was "the Great State of Texas gonna pay your rent", which I took to mean he was gonna be in Huntsville, or someplace similar.
When Johnny Cash did that song he got "99 years in the Folsum Pen".
Guess Johnny just liked California prisons.
When Johnny Cash did that song he got "99 years in the Folsum Pen".
Guess Johnny just liked California prisons.
Wyatt Burp
Member
Reminds me of "Cocaine Blues" done by Johnny Cash and other guys...Kingston Trio had a song about a guy that got doped up and killed his old lady. When he was arrested, one of the lyrics was "the Great State of Texas gonna pay your rent", which I took to mean he was gonna be in Huntsville, or someplace similar.
When Johnny Cash did that song he got "99 years in the Folsum Pen".
Guess Johnny just liked California prisons.
"Early one mornin' while makin' the rounds,
I took a shot of cocaine and shot my woman down,
I went right home and I went to bed,
I stuck that lovin' forty four* beneath my head".
(* S&W third model hand ejector, 5" barrel, Wolf & Klar, nickel, checkered wood grips)
Artistic license. Just enjoy the song, which I think was his first big hit.
As others noted Cash never spent more than individual nights in local jails. On the other hand, Merle Haggard spent a lot of his "yout" in reformatories and did time at San Quentin for burglary. His song "Mama Tried" was semi autobiographic.
David Allan Coe spent even more time in juvenile and adult facilities.
Probably more than you wanted to know.
Alpo
Member
Wyatt, yeah, Cocaine Blues is it. Kingston Trio called it Bad Man's Blunder, but it sure sounds like the same song.
BAD MAN BLUNDER THE KINGSTON TRIO 45RPM CAPITOL RECORDS FOR TINK - YouTube
BAD MAN BLUNDER THE KINGSTON TRIO 45RPM CAPITOL RECORDS FOR TINK - YouTube
NFrameFred
Member
Yeah, but he did shoot Delia . . . .
