Jarvis Jay Masters was born on February 24, 1962, in Long Beach, California. Masters was placed in foster care as a child, where he reportedly endured abuse. By his teenage years, he was heavily involved in street crime, leading to repeated arrests and incarceration. In 1981, at the age of 19, he was sentenced to prison for armed robbery, landing him at San Quentin State Prison, one of the most notorious facilities in the United States. 

On June 8, 1985, Sgt. Howell Burchfield, a prison guard at San Quentin, was fatally stabbed by an inmate during rising gang and racial tensions in the prison. Investigators accused Jarvis Masters of having fashioned the weapon, a shank, that was used in the attack. While another inmate was identified as the direct killer, prosecutors argued that Master's’ role in constructing the weapon made him an accomplice to the murder.

Masters has consistently claimed his innocence since his trial. Throughout the years, he has gone through the California appeals process to contest his conviction. In 2019, the California Supreme Court upheld his conviction despite his ongoing claims of innocence.

He has presented evidence that supports his claims. Some of this evidence includes witnesses who have changed their testimony, a description from an eyewitness that does not match him, and a confession from another inmate. This confession was not revealed during his original trial and thus not considered by the jury.

While on death row, Jarvis Jay Masters became a practicing Buddhist and began writing extensively about his life and incarceration. Masters has written books and articles and shared his experiences. His autobiography, "That Bird Has My Wings," was selected by Oprah Winfrey for her book club in 2022, where she also expressed her belief in his innocence. Masters has become a notable figure in discussions about justice and the death penalty.

As of today, Masters remains on death row in San Quentin, continuing to write and appeal his case.