Nolen (December 13, 1943 – January 13, 1970)[1] was an American convict who co-founded the Black Guerrilla Family in San Quentin State Prison in 1966 along with George Jackson.

[8] In 1966, Nolen co-founded the Black Guerrilla Family (BFG), in San Quentin State Prison, along with George Jackson.

[2] The BFG was founded on Marxist and Maoist ideology[2] and had the goals of eradicating racism, maintaining dignity in prison, and overthrowing the U.S. government.

Nolen on January 13, 1970, began an incredible chain of tragedies that led the California prison system to disaster.

In the 19 months following the January 13 incident, at least 40 persons were murdered as a result of events and circumstances in the California prison system.