Ulysses Belardes - San Pasqual Kumeyaay
Retired
Ulysses Belardes has been the Native American Advisor at Centinela State Prison since October 1995. Ulysses has developed a great working relationship providing religious services to all of those incarcerated at Centinela State Prison. One of the many tasks of managing and providing chapel services, religious studies, as well as studies regarding narcotics and alcohol additions and providing wood for sweat lodge ceremonies.
Ulysses has been the consummate professional in his duties at Centinela State Prison. The Native American inmate population is well served with a full day of sweat lodge ceremonies every weekend as well as cultural study time at five facilities.
Though facing a lot of opposition from those that oppose having religion in the California Department of Corrections, Ulysses has served the Native American population with resilience and dedication to the work at hand.
Ulysses is a Native American Southern California Kumeyaay Indian. He is a tribal member of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians.