Your comments are welcome. The usual rules of libel and common sense apply.
Persons wanting to contact inmates need to do so through the CDCR website, not this website. Go to http://www.cdcr.ca.gov. At the top of the page, second tab from the right, click Visitation. On that screen click Inmate Locator. That will guide you to connecting with an inmate.
Inmates and staff are especially happy to hear that the paper is useful in schools and other institutions. If that’s the case for you, please let us know in the comment section below.
Karen –
At the newspaper we don’t have access to San Quentin’s records of the kind that you need. A long-shot would be to query the Public Information Officer, Lt. Sam Robinson. His email is samuel.robinson2@cdcr.ca.gov. He is exceptionally busy, so we wouldn’t expect a quick response.
I have been trying for years to find information about my grandfather, who was divorced from my grandmother shortly after my father’s birth in 1928. I have reason to believe he may have been in San Quentin prison around that time, according to census reports I have seen. I have spent alot of time and money trying to find out more about him, but have hit a brick wall. Would any of you be willing to do a little searching to see if you could find any of his records. I’d really like to know what crime he committed, if he was ever released, and possibly where he relocated to if he did get released. His name was Francis (or Frances) Guest. Thanks so much for any help you can give me.
Hi Steve, Thanks for responding. I found an email address for the Ombudsman and wrote to her.two day’s ago. I have not had a response yet. I’m going to give her a couple more day’s then I’ll try to call her. Hopefully the problem is just slow mail! I’ve sent picture’s, stamp’s, and envelope’s. Also included was a phone number with an offender connect phone account already set up that is time sensitive that will close in 90 day’s from the day I opened the account if it is not used!!! Is that the right type of phone account? It’s a little nerve wrenching waiting, waiting, and waiting some more!!!
Andrea
We would love to sell appropriate advertising to help pay our printing bill, but state regulations do not allow it.
Does the SQ news allow outside companies to advertise in their newsletter?
Andrea-
I spoke to the inmate newspaper staff this morning and they offered these thoughts: First, the San Quentin mail system is notoriously slow. Seven weeks with no response is on the slow side of that, but not unheard of. If you go to the CDCR website there are a variety of ways to contact an inmate. You can call the prison and asks to speak to a counselor. However, unless you are a family member and there is an emergency, that route is not likely to work. Lastly, in the S.Q. News there is boxed story that runs every issue calling attention to a website that offers help to families of those incarcerated. The website: http://www.PrisonPath.com. Good luck.
Steve McNamara
Adviser
S.Q. News
It has been 7 week’s since first starting writing to an inmate and still have not had a reply. Does it really take that long? Who should I contact to see if this person is receiving his mail?
M. Scott. Rest comfortably knowing that prisoner health care and nutrition are controlled by the United States Constitution and international humans rights treaties, not by the San Quentin News. The News, on the other hand, demonstrates the high level of grammar, punctuation, and written expression that can be achieved by prisoners eager for the opportunity to come out of prison better than when they went in.
M Scott, please rest easy. Neither your tax dollars nor anybody else’s go to pay for the printing of the San Quentin News. Nor do tax dollars pay for this website or the newspaper’s Facebook page. Those expenses are covered by private donations.
I am utterly appalled that my tax dollars goes to publish this news letter. If our prisons are so in need of everything else including officers right down to office supplies and we are spending money on this publication that shows an inmates life (which by the way they have made it) shocks me. They are inmates for a reason. People need to know that they have better health care than a senior citizen that has never committed a crime against society, they are also fed. People in this state including kids go hungry but inmates don’t. You try to give them a job inside prison and they don’t want to work, doesn’t matter, they still eat and still get to see the doctor for free!!!!! Whats wrong with this picture. The people who publish this paper should be ashamed that they are taking money away from keeping society safe and glorifying what an Inmate goes through. Inmates are Inmates. Go visit a prison in green and see how they act!
Send me your new address and I will take care of it.
Steve McNamara
Jim Chivers –
Members of the San Quentin News inmate staff say that paroled inmates must indeed provide their own clothes. If they don’t have any, the prison provides sweats and a shirt, for which it charges the inmate out of the $200 gate money. The charge can be about half of that gate money.
Send change of address information to:
stevemcnamara@me.com
Hello! I cannot tell how to give you my change of address, so I receive the next edition of the paper. Please tell me how to do that?
Heard about you on Peter B.Collins newscast.Looking forward to reading your site.
Saw a program on the tube about SQ and it stated that during the intake and evaluation process inmates have to mail their cloths home. We all know that about 90% of the residents there are not going to have a home to go to when they get out. So do they just dump you guys out on the street in your underwear when they release or parole a person?
Rocio – You cannot connect with an inmate through this website. Instead, go to http://www.cdcr.ca.gov. At the top of that page there is a lineup of tabs. Second from right is Visitation. Click on that. On the page that comes up, click on Inmate Locator. That will guide you to connecting with an inmate.
I really enjoyed meeting the staff of the San Quentin News today, quite impressed with the great work you are doing. I mentioned it in my podcast today, and urged listeners to browse here on the website.
That’s amazing that Jonathan was released. It was Joey Mason who I saw on the news. Regards to all of you actor/artist/writers inside. Keep on keeping on! I look forward to the next performance.
Linda –
I found out today that there were two Joeys in Twelfth Night and the Joey you refer to was probably Joey Mason. That’s the thought of Luke Padgett, who was a principal in the production. Joey Mason has not been released. However, Jonathan Wilson, who also was in Twelfth Night, was released yesterday.
– Steve McNamara, Adviser, SQ News.
El direction principal es cdcr.ca.gov. O le puedes exceibir al Warden, San Quentin Prison, San Quentin, California 94964
DOCRJR .la verdad esque no me entero en la pagina que me has dadola direccion,jajaja,que torpe que soy,entre que el traductor no traduce bien,y que no encuentro nada para contactar con los presos ni nada de eso,esa opcion no la encuentro o no existe,pero bueno,no se si tu sabrias indicarme como hacerlo,si fueras tan amable…por favor¡¡
docsr,gracias.
Para contactar presos por Internet: cdcr.com o cdcr.gov o sanquintin.ca.gov. Buena suerte.
Linda –
Thanks for the additional information. We’ll check on whether Joey or any other Twelfth Night cast members have been released. And your high praise for Luke Padgett as Hamlet will be passed along to him.
doctor manuel,su respuesta essobre richard ramirez?,cual es la pagina donde se puede contactar con los presos?,alguien me puede dar la direccion?se lo agradeceria mucho.
Senor, no vale la pena.
Esta en San Quentin en “death row” esperando el la muerte. No lo conozco pero lo vi una vez durante un tour.
Hi, referring to my notice about seeing news of possible release after 3 strike repeal, the news I saw was on one of the SF TV Stations, not SQ news. I recognized one of the guys. It was Joey who played guitar in Twelfth Night. I just wondered what ever happened about that. Did any of the guys get released? Whatever happened?
Also, I told the head of Marin Shakes (Leslie Currier) that I nominated a couple of the actors in Hamlet for awards. But I’m not sure enough SF Critics saw the performance, so it may not have gotten to the final ballot. Still, in my estimation Luke Padgett was the best Hamlet I’ve seen in a long time. And I directed a production of it at my own theatre several years ago with a Welshman playing the role.
como me puedo poner en contacto con richard ramirez?gracias
hola¡¡,nose quien lle esto pero bueno,alguien sabe algo de richard ramirez,jejeje,quisiera decirlo algo,a ver si alguien me contesta,soy de españaaa.
Linda -
Do mean they were interviewed in the San Quentin News, or another news outlet? And by “release” do you mean they were to be released from prison?”
Thank you
I heard of a place that has/had an archive for SQ News. I can check through interlibrary loan–if you don’t have access to that at a University.
In last year’s news, about repealing 3 strikes for certain offenses, I noticed on the news a couple of cast members from Hamlet & Twelfth Night that were interviewed for possible release. Whatever happened with that? I know such things take time and move very slowly.
I wrote a column for the News when a student at Boalt Hall. It was a kind of question and answer column. I believe I wrote the column in 1970. Can you tell me where I could find those back issues on line?
Thanks and best wishes. Judge William Sheffield
For Susan–Not sure what you’re looking for spec. for Frank Morgan. But you may want to seek out Berkeley’s Ed Reed–a jazz singer. He is a very nice man who happened to be in SQ back in those days. He was interviewed for a doc I did. I don’t recall how much he knew Morgan. Also, there’s a book (in French!) on the SQ jazz band out there–I spoke to Morgan before he died, but he was very soft spoken and reticent to talk much–. Best,
Susan –
Sorry to say we don’t have copies that go that far back.
Steve McNamara, adviser
Question: do you archive “San Quentin News” papers from the early 1960′s? I am looking specifically for mention of Warden’s Band aka San Quentin All Stars. Frank Morgan was a sax player with them then. Thank you for any info you might have.
Nancy –
Sorry, but our records don’t go back that far. We have one issue from the 30s, but that’s it.
Hello, I write to you from Scotland. My father was in SQ in 1932. I wonder if your in-house news goes back that far – I have a feeling it might not. But could you tell me if the prison would have archives going back to that time? It may be that my father wrote something – he had won a prize for a story as a youth – and left a record of some kind. His name was Carrol Osborne, prisoner number 51547, received Feb 10, 1932 for a sentence of 1 year and 15 months (for 2nd degree burglary).
We sure did!! I sent you an email with our thanks. It was posted here. We are very great full and using them almost daily. I also responded to UCB who also enjoys your newspaper for instruction on correctional policy. Thanks again
Dr. Roman –
Did you receive the papers we sent for your students last week?
West Hays, UC Berkeley,
As a Professor at Sierra College, I agree with you, my students love the SQ newspaper and the related assignments.
Jake — We asked about your question today at a meeting of the San Quentin News staff. However, the article you mention was 56 years ago and there is nobody around who was at the prison back then. Also, we don’t have copies of the papers published back then. Sorry, but we can’t help.
Related to the Nov. 19th, 1957 prod. of Waiting For Godot at San Quentin. Was trying to see if any old-timers knew the writer for the SQ News that signed off C. Bandman. Have tried for some years to figure out who he is/was. Wrote a magnificent article on that performance. one of those mysteries…
Every year I take my Criminal Justice corrections class from Sierra College in Rocklin (north of Sacramento) on a tour of SQ. The students are always impressed by the inmate welcoming committee and the good work that some inmates are doing to “get it together” prior to release. Your newspaper is an excellent source of informative which I use in the classroom. It is well written, fair and objective.
The older copies that we have are now wearing out from use. Is there a possibility of receiving 45 copies of your newspaper? They would be very helpful in educating students on what actually happens inside SQ. Our mailing address is: Sierra College, Attention: Dr. Manuel R. Roman, Jr., Professor, Administration of Justice Department, Rocklin, CA, 95677. Any copies you could donate would be much appreciated.
Thank you,
Dr. Manuel R. Roman., Jr., Professor of Criminal Justice
Good catch! It’s fixed now, we think.
Page 13 is missing in the online version of the December 2012 SQW News issue. Page 14 is posted twice. Can that be fixed?
We don’t have copies of the San Quentin News that was published in the 70s, but we connected with Robert Ayers Jr., who began his 40-year career with the California prison system as a guard at San Quentin in 1968 and retired as the highly-popular warden in 2008 (he is the person who revived the San Quentin News). Ayers’s email response to the “chopper” question:
“Good to hear SQ News is generating dialog and questions. I remember that in the 60s and 70s S.Q. had a Vocational Auto program which refurbished junked cars and sold them at auction to help fund the program. I remember seeing the cars and auctions. They did some pretty nice work. People got good cars for a pittance!!!!!!!! I can’t remember seeing any motorcycles or choppers. Not to say they weren’t done. Just can’t recall seeing one. I know CTF had a small engine repair program but it mainly serviced lawn mower type things. It is very possible that the chopper in question came out of the SQ program. I just can’t remember seeing one.”
–Steve McNamara
hi my name is steve my uncle was in your prison in the 70s what year dont know he and a couple other inmates had built a chopper mottor cycle his name was albert fay latanzio i was woundering if you had any info of this i remember seeing the prison news papper he showed me is any of this info available? hope to here from you thanks steve
The News is unable to access certain prisoners, and Richard Ramirez is one of them.
Jason –
We’re a bit confused. The “Painted Ladies of San Quentin” is an interesting phrase, and the drawings are compelling, but where does the history of San Quentin fit in? Please tell us more about what you are doing.
San Quentin News
Ive been working on a fictional depiction of the San Quentin Prison in 1850. I thought you all might enjoy keeping up with the work, it’s about 25% done. Enjoy, and if you want to do a write up with me, Id love to do an interview.
http://www.jasonlenox.com/category/painted-ladies-of-san-quentin/
Could you guys PLEASE do a write up about Richard Ramirez?
We will be printing a corrected calendar, in color, in the January issue.
How do I get a calendar?
The first version of the 2013 calendar was certainly embarrassing!
But the updated version now on this website corresponds to reality.
Once the calendar errors are corrected, how can I get a calendar? Dr. Roman, Sacramento, CA
The December issue is informative as always. But the artistic 2013 SQ Calendar will give fits to those trying to figure their release dates, what with a March 80th; no August 31st; a September 31st; and a November 31st!
The lockdown that we’re immediately aware of concerned the annual restriction of inmates to their cells on part of one day while the families of COs and administrative staff could have a “visiting day.”
Why is san quentin in lockdown and how much longer will this be in effect? Someone I love is in west block and confined to a 5′X10″ cell with another inmate. This is cruel and inhumane treatment of these men! They are human beings, NOT ANIMALS!
Inmates should be given everything as per Title 15, California Code of Regulations. Further, they should be allowed to vote.
We are sorry to hear that your husband is having such a terrible time. If he has not been given soap or a shower, your frustration is warranted.
However, the San Quentin News is written and produced by inmates who are housed in the prison, with first-hand knowledge of the inside conditions. According to them the article in question is accurate. Also, there are several different housing units at San Quentin. The article in the paper is representative of the Main Line, including North Block, H-Unit, West Block and the lower tiers of Donner section in South Block. The only section of the prison that has been suffering from lockdowns is South Block, which is the Reception and Administrative Segregation (The Hole) housing units.
As for being treated humanely, there is no argument on this end. Your loved one should file an inmate appeal (Form 602) if he is in fact not allowed soap and is being deprived of showering.
I was recently informed of a situation at San Quentin State Prison and I am very upset about it. I am the wife of a current inmate there at San Quentin and he has sent me a news article clipping in regards to the PIA soap issue. It was stated that they were given bars of generic soap, and that is a lie. The PIA soap was recalled, but the inmates were not given any generic soap or soap at all. They have now gone 2 plus weeks without a shower and on lock down since Feb. 2012. This is inhuman and unjust. Those men are in there serving their debt to society and deserve common respect and the ability to take care of there hygiene needs. As stated in title 15. Please take a look at the error that was posted in the news paper, when miss-informing the public with wrong information.
Would you please examine an unusual idea for promoting prison reform by improving the news media?
—–
The news media must be persuaded to publish an annual series of reports that is written for both children and adults. Then the public will be supplied every year with basic facts and statistics for every major department of our federal, state, and local governments. As a result voters should become much more aware of issues like prison overcrowding and police brutality. Your website address could also be published every year in your state and local newspapers so people could get information from you instead of the usual experts. —– Investigative journalism on prisons and jails could also become more effective by using a divide and conquer strategy in the annual seven day series of reports. With every newspaper self-assigned to investigating just one committee in either Congress or their state legislature,,, the biggest will investigate one Senator’s fiefdom and the second biggest will investigate one Congressman’s and the smallest will investigate the wannabe’s, there will always be at least one group of newspapers that is working continuously to report on prison abuses and reforms. Even small newspapers that publish only one issue per week can reprint stories about abuses uncovered by other newspapers. And then there will always be a small but significant group of voters that can force their governor and legislators to never forget about people who have always been forgotten. As a professor of journalism, you should know how the weakest special interest groups are treated when the strongest special interest groups demand and receive another set of tax cuts.
—–
But this proposal won’t happen if it isn’t profitable. So another proposal must also be advocated. Every government employee must be given a new paid vacation day that is on the Monday closest in the calendar to our average rate of taxation. (Google Tax Freedom Day) This new fringe benefit for the prison guards will make most taxpayers madder than an unregulated firecracker. Do you remember the bridge to nowhere? But their anger will also make it profitable for every newspaper, from the largest to the smallest, to publish an annual series of reports on our government. Which may explain why my Senators and Congressman have not been persuaded by my emails. Like the bridge to nowhere, the anecdotes and baseline budgets in the reports will force every federal, state, and local politician to line up in a circular firing squad and start a war of attrition against the undeserving special interest groups that voted for one of their colleagues. And the surge in demand from Taxpayer’s Holiday could also make it profitable for every news media company to sell a print on demand paperback book so the public could buy a photographic memory of their government is wasting their money. Children will probably love these books more than their parents because they will enjoy imitating their parents by reading the books and becoming an educated voter before they are old enough to vote. But if the warden is worried about the cost of another paid vacation day for government employees, his concerns could be resolved by rescheduling President’s Day as a Taxpayer’s Holiday. With only one holiday for promoting “patriotism and lower taxes,” some taxpayers will celebrate twice as hard and stimulate the economy. And I think George Washington would approve of No Taxation Without Justification.
—–
Stanley Krauter
Lincoln, Nebraska
—–
—–
P.S. In 2011, the average taxpayer paid 28.2% of his income in federal, state, and local taxes. So a Taxpayer’s Holiday could have been scheduled on April 16, 2012 because that Monday was the 107th day of the leap year’s 366 days. Every holiday should be scheduled twenty years in advance to make it easier for people to plan ahead. Any changes in our taxes or economy would be handled by using a twenty year moving average for calculating the average tax rate. This would reduce the volatility in the rate and make it easier to plan ahead.
Hi Carrie, I run the Facebook page and was communicating with you there. I emailed you 16 photos last Tuesday (in 2 emails), to jandcdumont@gmail.com. If you haven’t seen them, make sure you check your junk/spam folder. Let me know if you still have trouble, and I’ll send them again. Thanks for Liking the Facebook page!
Carrie –
Both your comments are excellent. I’ll pass them along to the newspaper staff at our meeting tomorrow (Friday).
– Steve McNamara
Adviser
San Quentin News
I loved the Opening Game Photos on Facebook. There wete some great shots of my husband. I posted my thoughts, and the person that runs the facebook page, asked if I would be interested in additional photos, as there were 150 taken and only 57 posted. My email is- jandcdumont@gmail.com.
I really wish that families were allowed to come in and watch these games. This program is something that makes my husband very happy, and I would love to be able to share in his experience. I think it would be great for the morale.
I recently got married at San Quentin, June 9, 2012. As happy as I was to marry my amazing husband, i did not have the support of my family and some friends. I think it would be really nice to include a few lines in your newspaper for weddings. Im sure not everyone would want their names and photos. Maybe make it optional with a small fee to generate money to afford this column.
Bill –
I think the problem may be with your browser. We have had trouble at some points in the past with Safari, but not with Firefox and Chrome. I don’t know about Explorer because I work with a Mac, not a PC. However, we have never heard of a problem using Explorer.
If it’s Safari that’s giving you a problem, download Firefox. It’s free.
Best,
Steve
P.S. I just looked at back issues with both Firefox and Chrome.
How do you access back issues of SQ News? I tried clicking on the month and year but it does not work. I would appreciate hearing on how I can access earlier issues. Thanks!
William Reeves, Litearcy Teacher, Burton Adult School, San Quentin
San Quentin news continues to keep the bar high as their quality of reporting and articles have been great since they again published in 2008. I always look forward to reading the paper as it catches the pulse of San Quentin and provides an imate perspective. Much thanks to John Eagan and the advisory board who continue to work with the newspaper staff and the Journalism Guild.
Sincerely,
William Reeves, Literacy Teacher, Burton Adult School
It seems to be working now. What browser are you using?
I cant open the links are you having a problem with your website?
Larry –
Thanks for the copy of Page 1 of the Wall City News! That certainly settles it. There was indeed a San Quentin newspaper before the San Quentin News. We have changed the “Background” page on this website accordingly. Thanks! – Steve McNamara, adviser.
Hello Steve:
if you could send me an e-mail address I could send you some scans of the Wall City News, it’s a little bit tattered 82 years but readable.
Best regards,
Larry Buchan
Larry, you may indeed be on to something. I spoke with Lt. Rudy Luna, who used to preside over the San Quentin Museum, and Lt. Sam Robinson, the current Public Information Officer. They both said that the Wall City News as a San Quentin Newspaper back in the Twenties or Thirties rings a distant bell. However, they can find no mention of it in the official records and no copies lodged in the museum. Warden Duffy, in his several books, spoke of starting the San Quentin News to give the inmates a voice. But I don’t believe that he said it had never been done before. So we seem to be left with this: Warden Duffy did start a San Quentin newspaper named the San Quentin News. Also, there may have been a predecessor publication named the Wall City News. Anybody out there have information on that? – Steve McNamara, adviser, San Quentin News.
My father Herman Buchan traveled to San Francisco in September 1930, he was a young man, 21 years old looking for employment, this was during the depression, and while riding a ferryboat he found a copy of the “Wall City News” above the masthead in red ink “The Only Newspaper in the World Published Within The Walls of a Prison.” Under the masthead is Volume 6 San Quentin, California, September 10, 1930 Number there is a large first line “EXTRA!” In red ink and the stories mention Shops When Tuggers War With Big Pull, Shops Victorious in Record-Breaking Meet, and Worden Holohan Thanks Visitors, also in red lettering in a box “AN APPRECIATION” referring to of the 17th annual field and track meet. In your Background you state your newspaper started publishing in 1940. Were you aware of this publication that predates your newspaper by 10 years.
Hi,
I write for an online newspaper in the UK. I would love to have some information which I would be able to publish. Is it possible to have some contact and some photos?
Kind regards,
William Mills
Gina Hamilton –
Our press run is 6,000 copies and the paper is distributed throughout the prison, including to inmates in Reception. Occasionally there are problems, mostly coming from Correctional Officers who don’t want to bother having the paper distributed in their area. We deal with those issues as they arise. The warden and other officials are supportive. At an event he attended last Friday (May 18) at San Quentin the head of the prison system, Matthew Cate, groused to his aide that he hadn’t received a copy of the paper at his office in Sacramento recently and told our editor, Arnulfo Garcia, that henceforth Arnulfo should send six copies directly to him. So we’re not lacking for support from the top. — Steve McNamara, adviser.
I just discovered this newspaper and would like to know if inmates have easy access to the newspaper inside. Assuming they are allowed to read it, how do they obtain it? Can I send a copy to an inmate in Reception? (Or elsewhere, once he’s out of Reception)? Thank you.
Dear Sirs,
I enclose a review of a BBC TV programme which was screened on 7th May 2012. This is how the television portrayed your prison. I have since looked at all your good works on your website, none of which was broadcast in that particular programme.
Kind regards,
William Mills
TV review-Louis Theroux’s visit to California’s San Quentin Prison
BBC 2 Monday 7th May 2012 10pm.
San Quentin prison, on the northern shore of San Francisco Bay, holding some of California toughest criminals, resembled a children’s kindergarten at times in this hour long documentary.
Theroux had gained partial access to this large prison holding more than 5,000 prisoners. However he was excluded from the ‘Condemned Unit’ or death row incarcerating some 600 inmates waiting to die by lethal injection, the largest such facility in the Western Hemisphere.
The prisoners interviewed included a transsexual called Debra who due for release, recounted how he had been in and out of prison for the last twenty years, a few months at a time for petty offences. Prison sounded like long term home.
This theme was taken up by another inmate who had been sentenced to an excess of 500 years by the US justice system. He had every thing he wanted in prison he claimed. A roof over his head and three meals a day.
Theroux visited the canteen to show himself eating with the prisoners. He made no observation of the fact that many were grossly over weight. Prisons in the past have trimmed the numbers by starving the inmates to death. Are the American authorities turning this on the head by practicing ‘death by chocolate’ instead?
[Indeed UK Moors Murderer Myra Hindley was allowed to chain smoke 60 cigarettes a day in her small cell. Did this hasten her end?]
The programme also interviewed a number of guards, but never explored the idea that San Quentin gave all of their lives a purpose. The notion of being unable’ to cope on the outside’ was given as justification for the failings of a correctional system that doesn’t correct.
The programme failed to mention that in the 1980’s the USA, under President Reagan, had a prison population of 200,000. A decision was also taken at that time not to have a nationwide healthcare system providing day care centres for the mentally ill. By 2010 there were 2.2 million behind bars with a further 5 million on parole or probation. The total is one in 31 adults of their resident population.
The USA’s prison population has increased tenfold in less than a life time by sweeping up all those who were simply unable to fit in elsewhere in society.
Theroux did finally touch on the subject when on the final day of their visit they interviewed a prisoner in his own wire mesh cage in the exercise yard. The prisoner was positive that because he was so bad all the prison security was necessary. Theroux asked if he had ever considered he might just be mentally ill?
The man cut quite a pathetic figure in his tiny animal cage deemed as too dangerous to ever be released. While on the other side of the bars the film crew enjoyed the freedom to stop off for a coffee or whatever, on their way to the airport.
George –
Thanks for the positive comments. No, we don’t do ads. But I’ll pass along your message to the guys on the newspaper staff and then get back in touch.
– Steve McNamara
P.S. Great website! Who did it?
Hello,
Great paper. We always read it.
We teach a Free To Succeed, Literacy, at San Quentin, five nights a week. Our website is = http://freetosucceedliteracy.com/
We want to better tell the inmates that we’re here – and we’re here to help whoever wants to READ BETTER.
To that end, we’d like to place an ad in the paper. How can we that?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
George Dykstra
Director, Free To Succeed
415.435.3119
We will pass along your generous comments to Lt. Robinson.
I would like to thank Lt. Sam Robinson and the inmates from the self-help group that provided us an excellent tour of San Quentin on April 9, 2012. The students found the self-awareness and insight of the self-help group members to be insightful, open and pain-fully honest. San Quentin does an excellent job of providing self-help groups to assist towards rehabilitation. However, more volunteers and additional funding are always needed. Finally, your tours provide an education that cannot be duplicated in any text or audio-visual. Thank you once again.
Dr. Manuel R. Roman, Jr
Professor of Criminal Justice
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA 95677
Many thanks for your incisive comment. We will run it in a next issue of the paper.
Very good newspaper! I personally agree with the content (the need for prison reforms like housing, health care, reduction of overcrowding and so on! I also saw a documentary called (Land hinter Gittern/country behind bars). I do hope that some day the US American prison system will change (at least a little) the way it is in Denmark, Norway or Germany. Greetings from Trier, Germany!
We tour San Quentin once a year as part of our curriculum. If I can get a monthly delivery of 2 copies that will be fine, as we can share. Our college is Sierra College in Rocklin, CA 95677. However, if approved, I can provide another delivery address. Thanks.
Prof. Roman –
Thanks for the inquiry.
Please tell us a bit more. Where is the college? What is the subject matter? How many copies would be needed?
How can I subscribe to the San Quentin News for my college class?
I am writing to ask if you have an archived copy of an issue from either February or March of 1983. The front page features a picture of a man holding a baby under the headline “Tuesday Night Visiting Resumes.” That photograph was very dear to our family and all other copies have been lost over the years.
My husband is the man in the photo and he would be thrilled to see that picture again.
Thank you,
Emily Williams
Ella –
Imam Hossain had a phone system malfunction and the message you left was deleted. Can you please either call again, giving him your number, or contact him via email: quazi.hossain@cdcr.ca.gov.
Regarding CC – Did someone maybe naively receive a routine flu vaccine recently? I’d like to know.
I saw the San Quentin Muesum on Eye on the Bay, and I was going to put together a bus trip to visit the museum I thought it would be very interesting. So I went on the internet to check it out only to find out it has been closed. Is there any way that it could be opened for a tour group to visit. Let me know what the cost would be.
Thalnks
Pat
Perhaps you could assist …
I am trying to reach the San Quentin Museum Association to see if they would like to have copies of some of my families’ photographs and documents. My relatives are Gladys and Clinton Duffy – former Warden of San Quentin. In fact, I believe it was Clinton who actually started your wonderful newspaper – and made many other reforms.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. You may reach me at: Carlotta@CarlottaDavies.Com
Once again, I thank you.
As a former inmate 1960 to 1967 [A39029] paroled in 1970. I would like to know if back issues are available for that time frame? If so how can I obtain copies, would be glad to pay for them. Would also like to know if the 7th step program is
still operating? I give them most of the credit for my continued freedom [42 years this coming August]. I was considered a hard core convict until I met Bill Sands [Author of My Shadow Ran Fast} and former Warden Clinton Duffy. Was raised in the correctional system, never thought I could be anything else until I got involved with the 7th step program.
I hope there is a program similar that gives hope and direction to the ones everyone else gives up on.
Living proof that a person can change if he or she takes the opportunity.
Jim West, Bunkerville NV
gotta say I’m proud of my father Daniel Trevino for his contribution to this news paper and for the many accomplishments he strived for during his lengthy sentenced. I read his columns from time to time and its a blessing to hear his voice through his writings..
VINCENT C. TREVINO
I have a loved one in San Quentin and would like to keep up on the news, can I order the paper? If so, how much is it?
Hello, my name is Deimon and I have a business that provides transportation for families with Love One’s who are incarcerated. My business is ONE MORE CHANCE NOW, web site is onemorechancenow.com which tells about what I am doing. I would like to send you some flyers and posters so people can get the word out. I provide transportation from BART stations to the prisons and return them to BART. The cost for round trip varies on the miles to the prison. Please take a look at my website, then let me know if you want more information. I will check this site for reply or you can call Rex at the Telephone number on the website (510-545-6084 or 510-423-5967), or send email to onemorechancenow@gmail.com
Thank You
Deimon
Hi,
I’m a PhD student on revolutionary politics in the 70s and I’m wondering if anyone can help me find copies of the newspaper which preceded this one, The Outlaw. I’m also very interested in the inmate taught classes and discussion groups of the era but I have received no help from prison authorities, the CDC headquarters, or any of the public information officers so far. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Mike –
When did your father play?
I’ll ask at the prison if there is a way to access that sort of information, but it is probably not the case. Only within the past month has there been a plan to archive stories electronically so there is easy access.
Steve McNamara
Advisor
San Quentin News
Is it possible there is any history of semi pro baseball teams from San Francisco in any archives that I might look for my father when he played there?
Thanks,
Mike Jones
Jonesma6@suddenlink.net
Just wanted to say that the very idea of a prison newspaper run by inmates for inmates is kind of the coolest thing I’ve heard of in awhile. Obviously your situations aren’t ideal but to see this sort of effort to turn things around and to utilize this time for better is seriously dope.
You’ve inspired me to look into volunteering at my local woman’s correctional facility!
Good luck and God bless.
Linda – I agree. Let’s use direct email. You can reach me at:
james@prisonyoga.com
Thank you, James
For James Fox. so do you have an email I can send you the questions, directly, or do you want to do it through the SQ News feedback. I think it might be easier if we were to write directly to each other and then post the interview on the SQ News. What do you think? Can you see my email?
Linda – that sounds good to me.
Thank you, James
Sure, be glad to interview you. Can do this via email. I send questions. You answer the ones that you want. I’ll edit them. Check with you before printing the final version. How does that sound?
Linda – I have taught yoga and meditation at SQ for 9 years. I recently returned from Norway where I had been invited to assist in a project to bring these practices to prisons there. Arnulfo thought this would be a story of interest. Perhaps it could be done in an interview style. Thanks, James
Thank you for sharing this newspaper with the Samuel Merritt students. I personally find it interesting and refreshing to know that voices can be heard through this medium. I know that during some of the discussion yesterday it was mentioned that prisoners do not get fresh fruit or vegetables very often…. I was wondering if anyone has talked about starting a San Quentin garden where these items can be grown?
A message for James Fox. What kind of story for SQ are you talking about? Are you wanting someone to write one? Or are you talking about writing one.
Would like someone to contact me regarding a story for SQ News.
I was advised by Arnulfo Castro to post this message.
Thank you,
James Fox
Prison Yoga Project
Having volunteered inside folsom to work with men in recovering what they lost within themselves….and now reading that there are voices from the inside being heard outside of SQ via the SQN…I am encouraged that the “gold” hidden inside each man sitting inside each cell is being discovered and recovered and circulated to the “outsiders”. We need not become prisoners of the prisoners we have taken. We, each of us reading the SQN, benefit from hearing a voice from the otherside. Such a thought reminds me of Rumi’s poem about… “All this madness filled with do’s and don’ts. For ages I have been knocking on a door. It opens. I discover I have been standing on the inside.” Peace. Out.
Monica –
I gave your message to Aly and he is happy to hear from you. If you want to write to him, here is his address:
Aly Tamboura F17843
CSP-San Quentin 4H60L
San Quentin, CA 94974
Know that mail takes a long time to wend its way in and out.
– Steve McNamara
was just listening to Johnny Cash singing San Quentin, remember it well. was an inmate there at the time he recorded his san quentin album. celebrated my 40 th year of being free from san quentin last month..i remember being told, you will be back.. thank god, i didn’t go back….still remember my number B-11097…. you can make it if you try…
A message for A Tamboura…I am sorry about what has happened, I was surprised when I learned. I do hope the writing of the articles and your classes bring you satisfaction and some happy thoughts. Your old Croatian friend.
We are fortunate to have established a relationship with the San Quentin News and Education Department at San Quentin. We have been receiving the paper for quite some time as well as they have been receiving our magazine. We see the influence our magazine has had over the writers and designers of the newspaper with the changes in article topics and format.
Amatuer reporting and writing can lead to great things. We are looking forward to our article in the paper soon.
Having spent two years in San Quentin (released in June, 2010) as a staff writer for the SQ News, I know first-hand what a struggle it is for the staff members to access hard facts and up-to-date information on current developments. There is no unfettered access for inmates to the internet, staff members or otherwise. The staff does a fine job with very limited resources. Go, SQ News! I am currently a weekly columnist for a local paper in the free world. Safe to say that I wouldn’t be in the position that I find myself today save for my experience on the SQ News staff. If more prisons had newspapers, not only would the inmates be much better informed on issues affecting them, but perhaps more just-released inmates could find a future in journalism in the free world, just as I have! It does work that way! Certainly worth pondering.
My review of your Stunning Production of Twelfth Night can be found here.
http://lindaayresfrederickforallevents.blogspot.com/
http://kedaradourforallevents.blogspot.com/2011/08/twelfth-night-is-full-fledged-riot-at.html
This is the review of twelfth Night.
Marina –
Glad you like the paper. At the moment we have no system for sending printed copies but we’re working on that. For now the online version is the way to go (it’s the same paper).
– Steve McNamara
I’m a volunteer for PUP and I absolutely love this paper. I’d really like to have it delivered to my home – how might I do that? I can be reached at marinab@uchicago.edu
I just got done reading a few issues of San Quentin News and am impressed with the quality of the work by inmates and staff to put together each issue.Thank you
Sure. I’ll get in touch when I’m back from a trip.
Sent from my iPhone
Hi, I’m a huge fan of the paper. I’m working on an article for the Progressive magazine about Jeanne Woodford and I was wondering if any of you are available for an interview. I’d love to hear inmates’ view of her while at San Quentin and her new position at Death Penalty Focus and I figure you guys have your finger on the pulse over there. I can be reached at justinesharrock at gmail
Thanks
Jean –
I’ll pass along your request to the S.Q. News staff members. You realize, I’m sure that there are a great many groups. Do you want the names of all of them? And you want to know what each of them does with the funds they raise?
– Steve McNamara
Request – The SQN frequently publishes articles about fundraisers conducted by various inmate groups. As an “outside” member of the SQ Restorative Justice Round-table, I like to share these “good news” stories. Could you provide me with the names of all such groups, and the recipients of the funds raised -example: Vietnam Veterans -
monetary prizes for essay winners; open to children of military families.
Thank you very much for taking the time to check! I appreciate it.
Yours truly,
Marianne
I have asked around but nobody can figure out how to find a copy of the 1957 review of Waiting for Godot.
Hi!
Like the previous commenter, I was wondering if there was a way to get a copy of the 1957 review of Waiting for Godot performed at San Quentin? I’m conducting research on prison theater programs. Thank you very much for your time!
Sincerely,
Marianne
Sandi –
Thanks very much for the supportive words, and most of all for the correction on recidivism in Switzerland. That five percent number did seem miraculously low. Your research is something that we should have done ourselves. A good lesson both for the newspaper staff and the advisers.
Thanks again,
Steve McNamara
I write to a gentleman on death row in your prison and he occasionally sends me copies of your paper. In the issue for September/October 2010 you carried an article which stated that the recidivism rate in Switzerland is 5%. I live in the UK and our government has prepared a Green Paper on Breaking the Cycle which is currently open for public consultation on how to reduce recidivism which in our country is very high rather like in yours. I read the article yesterday and thought that I would have a wonderful contribution to make to the meeting I was to attend today. This was of an organisation to which I belong which planned to discuss the Green paper so that we could put forward submissions to the public consultation. However, the 5% figure seemed so extraordinary that I felt I should check it out first and so I did on the internet. Your evangelical minister might be excellent at training future evangelical priests but unfortunately, he did not have the correct information for recidivism rates in Switzerland. Whilst I found that for some crimes the recidivism rate was very low and the rates are lower than in our countries, on average they are nowhere like what he said and you have printed. It always pays to check your facts before publication. You can find what I did here
http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index/themen/19/04/03/01.html
Apart from this, I would like to say that I have always found your paper to be a good and an interesting read and I am pleased that it is now available on the web.
The SQ News is on my Google alerts list, and I have been impatiently awaiting the latest issue. Finally, It arrives and I am rewarded with a 20 page paper!
I am always in awe of the quality of the writing, and this issue maintains your standard. I am a freelance artist\ writer, and I share the SQN with my writer’s group; they are impressed as well.
My comment on this issue is more of a suggestion/ question…
What, if any, leeway are the writers given to report on current, provocative issues? As in the fact that a Dentist from the prison in Avenal(?) was paid over $600,000 Last year, while the state universities cut spending, and the state cut other vital resources.
I am all for people being paid for their work…but there has got to be a better way to spend corrections money.
The idea that CA spends BILLIONS on a broken prison system that fails at a rate of over 70% should be front page news everywhere. As it stands, corrections in CA is the largest elephant in the middle of the room EVER!
I believe that the men and women who work insidev the walls are hard working, dedicated people who just need some backup from the lawmakers.
I know that money can be better spent. San quentin seems to have it going in the right direction, why not try and replicate what is being done there?
Keep it up, I look forward to more,
Jessie
Shelly –
There are currently nine San Quentin inmates with the last name Silva, but none of them with the first name David. Their first names are Daniel, Ruben, Jose, Luis (twice), Mauricio, Gregory, Paul and Anthony. One of them Mauricio, is on Death Row.
If you think this person’s name is Silver I’ll check that, too.
Steve
hi thanx for reading this …. back in 2008 louise theroux came in to the prison and filmed a documentray called Behind bars .. there was a guy on there named David silva or silver … he is never to be released and is serving a sentance of like 500 and something years ….. i have try to find the full address for him and his prison number…. i know its a big prison but i wish to start writing to him….
is it possible to get some one to contact me thru email asap …. with his details so i may start to write …. i live in australia and the system over here is alot different…. please let david know that i am interested in being a pay pay with him ….. my email is attached with this …. thanx you shell
Hi,
I need to get a copy of the November 28, 1957 issue; specifically, the article on “Waiting for Godot” that the San Francisco Actor’s Workshop performed there. I’m writing my dissertation on the company and would love to have the full review of the show. Please let me know how I can get it.
Thank you so much.
I have been following the SQ News since I found it while surfing. I appreciate this new website, as I no longer have to search for the paper within the CDCR website.
My comment is that I am dissappointed at the current lack of ssubstance in the paper. I remember when powerful stories were written, using verifiable research–now, I read stories about yoga that doesn’t tell me anything.
November 11 was Veteran’s Day, why wasn’t there a story about our incarcerated vets? And, don’t call that article across from the yoga an article.
Ms. Tupelo (above comment) hit the issue right on: how about more stories/ articles/ opinions discussing inmates’ views, ideas & solutions to California’s problems? As the lady said, the inmates have the knowledge…
It’s logical: if drug addicts want to get clean, they go to sober addicts for
answers. They don’t go to someone who has never had the same problems and
experiences. So, if CDCR wants to fix their decrepit, broken system and reduce recidivism and parolees committing crimes, ask the men & women who have made it out of a system programmed to keep them in.
Hopefully the SQ News will return to
having more depth and substance in the reporting. Perhaps reducing the sports section to make room for more opinions.
Otherwise good work.
I absolutely support you guys, just strive to get more substance nd your readership will expand, increasing the power of your voices.
Sincerely,
Dannie M.
Reno, NV
Hey guys,
I am in receipt of the new issue and it looks great. We are happy to provide our magazine to your institution and it looks like we may have some influence on your content. Looking to visit the institution in the near future.
Keep up the good work!
as the founder and director of the beat within.
i am thrilled to read and share the writings from you
journalist in san quentin.
thank you all!!
i hope you all will take the time to share my work with your peers, given, sadly many of our young writers will one day be in sqsp.
the beat within, a weekly publication of writing and art from inside juvenile hall and beyond. established in 1996.
take a look at our website… http://www.thebeatwithin.org
all the best,
d
This is a fantastic newsletter! Just saw a post about you guys on the DOC’s FB page. Keep up the great work!
Adam
http://www.writeaprisoner.com
The SQ News is a wonderful venue for exposing the public to the men and women we have thrown away and tried to forget. I am guilty of that myself; it wasn’t until my life became directly affected by the decades of tough on crime legislation that I realized what we had been doing.
It is long past time for change, and that change has got to come through a cooperative effort between the public and the prisoners who have managed – against staggering odds – to succeed within a system designed to defeat them.
I would love to see some stories centering on issues that the prisoners believe are of importance toward this change. In their own words, told by those who have been through the wringer, those who have the experience of what is necessary for rehabilitation to happen.
Lets hear what the prisoners ideas about how to fix the problems are. They seem (to me) to be eminently qualified to render an opinion.
Sincerely,
Dannie T.
As long as members of the community of life are locked in institutions made of concrete and bars we are all imprisoned. The challenge that we have is to create a world that really works for everyone and heals the wounds of our souls so we can do away with places that so insults the highest aspirations of our humanity.
Great that you now have a website. I shall visit it regularly.
Thanks, Kathleen.
A link from the TRUST website is a good idea.
Best,
Steve
Hi Steve,
Great that SQ News now has a website…a good on at that. I am going to create a link from the San Quentin TRUST website to the News as a number of the articles have been and are about TRUST Fellows and programs.
Thank you,
Kathleen
Thank you for the website and having access to your excellent newspaper. It’s an educational broadsheet that benefits outsiders probably more than anyone, as it reaches sensibilities and reduces fear. It brings humanity to the forefront and raises consciousness out here that you are there, living, breathing, working, and creating, and not just suffering. As we drive past the 12th c. SQ Fortress, it’s heartwarming to know the voices that are within are not different from the voices our here. Keep talking to us, and maybe one day we’ll get the message that it’s our insanity that keeps you on that side for much too long a period. Keep up the outstanding work. JG
Thanks! I’ll pass on your comment to the newpaper staff today. I know they will be proud to hear it. — Steve McNamara, adviser.
Of all the required reading we assign our students on prison policy and education, _SQ News_ is the only homework they don’t complain about. From all of us here at Cal, please relay our gratitude to your printers, editors, and especially Guild Writers.