Merle returns to San Quentin Prison

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#realcountrymusic "I don't know too many people that moved on from a career in prison to the Kennedy Center Honors. I'd imagine that's a very short list." Jamey Johnson
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At age 20, after a conviction for armed robbery, Merle was transferred to San Quentin prison when he botched an escape attempt from Bakersfield Jail.
Johnny Cash had been playing shows in prisons and correctional facilities regularly since the late 1950s, and it was at one such show, at San Quentin on New Year’s Day 1959, that a 21-year-old Merle Haggard caught his act. Haggard had been in trouble with the law throughout his teens and ended up in San Quentin in 1958 after being sentenced for robbing a roadhouse and then trying to escape from his previous jail.
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Merle was actually released from San Quentin a year before Rabbit’s execution on November 3rd, 1960
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On March 14, 1972, then Governor of California and soon President of the United States Ronald Reagan officially pardoned Merle Haggard for all of his past offenses. Though Merle wasn’t facing any real legal jeopardy at the time, the pardon did help him with things like leaving the country on tour and such, and Merle was always appreciative for it. As some like to point out, Merle’s middle name was Ronald, so the two shared that as well.
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On Dec. 5, 2010, Merle Haggard was recognized during the 33rd annual Kennedy Center Honors. It was a career highlight.