PUP

SQN Johnson earns first Master’s Degree in 10 years

March 10, 2020 by Timothy Hicks

Striving for a good education has its challenges for anyone, but for incarcerated students those trials and tribulations are greater. However, one incarcerated man has persevered and has become the first student to earn a Master’s of Business and Administration (MBA) degree at San Quentin State Prison in almost a decade.

Michael Johnson, 37, earned his MBA with an emphasis in “Leadership” from Adams State University of Colorado, where the motto is “Great stories start here!”

“He is the first guy to receive that level of a degree since I started overseeing the education department in 2013,” said Michael Wheeless, the principal of San Quentin’s education department. Wheeless is in charge of handling educational tasks and the overall education responsibilities, plus keeping track of who receives AA degrees and BA degrees.

There are other outside correspondence colleges active at San Quentin, as well as the Prison University Project that offers face-to-face classes and awards Associate Degrees upon graduation.

“For an incarcerated person to achieve any accomplishment in education is remarkable,” Wheeless said.

“Since Proposition 57 was implemented in November of 2016, there have been plenty of instances when inmates have earned time off their sentences for achieving AA and BA degrees, but this is the first time under the San Quentin rules of Prop.57 that I’ve seen a Master’s earned.”

Smiling while leaning back in his chair and beaming proudly, Wheeless continued,

“I’m impressed with Mr. Johnson’s educational achievement, at having earned an MBA degree while incarcerated. It means even more to have earned it while in prison rather than being on the streets.”

However, Johnson is modest about earning the MBA during his prison stay. Although he received his bachelor’s degree while at another prison, the challenges there were much greater to overcome.

“I treated my prison time as if I was away at college,” Johnson said, “I did my time and did not allow the time to do me.”

Johnson took such courses as Managerial Accounting and Business Management along with a laundry list of other business classes– and emerged triumphant.

He maintained a 3.86 grade point average, earning “A’s” and “B’s,” grades that he could not imagine earning back in Woodland, California where he was born.

“When I was in the fourth grade I could not even read; I was like in what they call, “slow learning classes,” said Johnson. He was a late starter and said that he actually started learning after he got to high school.

“I was determined to learn, though,” said Johnson.

Other SQ residents stopped by to congratulate Johnson even during this interview, but he modestly accepts compliments on his achievements from his peers. His wish is that he can encourage other guys in prison to pursue their dreams like he did.

Johnson understands the challenges an incarcerated person can face while in prison. During his humbling six year prison experience, Johnson was not always on the right path to education. It was a life-altering experience with a family member that sparked his desire of higher learning.

“My first year in prison my grandmother passed away,” Johnson recalls, “Her name was Mary Rita Moncrif. She was my inspiration to do better. She raised me and when she passed, it pained me that I could not be there for the funeral.”

He somberly sank back in his seat at the memory. So, in honor of her memory, Johnson wanted to do something that would make his grandmother proud of him. For Johnson, education was the best way to show his appreciation to his grandmother for raising him.

Throughout his life, Johnson has been familiar with loss in many other situations. Due to alcoholism he lost his wife and other assets. “Now I know how to appreciate the things that really matter in life, like family and loved ones, not the material things, the superficial things.”

He credits his Aunt Elizabeth for supporting him financially and helping him achieve his education goals.

“Feels good to be the first one to achieve this milestone at San Quentin,” Johnson said.. “I encourage other guys to go ahead and do it, too.

“If the government would focus more on education instead of just locking people up, I believe that would help communities out there a lot better.”

Prison University Project’s Annual Open Mic

February 20, 2020 by Juan Haines

The Friday after Christmas, two former San Quentin residents returned to a jam-packed Catholic Chapel to mingle with old friends and perform at the Prison University Project’s (PUP) Annual Open Mic.

“Be encouraged to write your own reality in the sense that if you want freedom and liberation, you have to find it in the confines that you have and let that open the gates for you,” Antwan “Banks” Williams said after returning to San Quentin 64 days after getting out.

Williams was joined by Eric “Maserati-E” Abercrombie, who got out of prison about a month before Williams did, said, “Everything I do going forward, I do it for you. The change in my life affects you. We will spread this like wild fires. We’re changing the culture from in here.”

First Watch Producer Jesse Rose hosted the event. The program opened with Gregory “White Eagle” Coates on wood flute, Timothy Young on classical guitar, Courtney Rein on violin and accompanied by Mark Kinney on keyboard.

Brian Asey and Dre’Quinn Johnson showed a short film they produced, Teaching & Learning PUP Style. PUP students talked about the impact that an educational opportunity gave them. Teachers talked about the power of education.

Poetry, spoken word and personal essays dominated the event and the comedy routines got lots of laughs.

James Jenkins’ routine on passing gas rolled the audience the most.

“Don’t go in the cell with James,” he said about the ru- mors about himself. “He’ll gas you out.”

Raphael “Nephew” Bankston rapped about life from an incarcerated person’s perspective with Tim Young strumming his guitar as accompaniment.

It’s kind of hard to see what we see, but the sun you see is the sun I see.

I see oppression and empathy being abused.

Stu Ross read an excerpt from his novel, Going Bad Doesn’t Make Men Less Attractive.

When the barefooted Ronell “Roach” Draper took the stage, he said, “I don’t know what I’m going to do. Maybe this doesn’t make sense, but I understand that’s a barbed wire fence.”

(Back) Eric “Maserati-E” Anbercrombie, Philippi “Kels” Kelly, Antwan “Banks” Williams, Thanh Tran, (front) Aaron Taylor and George Mesro El-Cole

Nevertheless, the audience seemed to enjoy the humorous performance as there was generous laughter and applause as he walked off the stage.

Harold Banks read a poem, From Grape to Raisin. It’s interestingly about shifting narrative, beginning from the perspective of a child, then a mother and then a father. The poem is about the source of happiness and love and the cycle of life.

Standing with his back to the audience, Timothy “T- Bone” Hicks read “I am a Human Being.” He said that it was inspired by PUP teachers who were determined to get the students out of their cells for class.

Philippi “Kels” Kelly and Steve “Rhashiyd” Zinnamon performed a hip-hop rap that spoke truth to power from “unlikely” characters.

Andrew Grazzeny read a personal essay about his years of incarceration.

“I sleep because it is too painful to live. The sunrises and forces one more day. I find myself caught in life, like in a rip tide. I never learned to stop struggling.”

Isaiah Love read Carrots, Coffee & Eggs, an inspirational poem about self-confidence, reaching one’s potential and living one’s dreams. “It’s what I fall back on when I too in- spire to build to create,” Love said.

Wade read My Penal Reality, which described his experience in Pelican Bay Prison.

He wrote the piece more than 12 years ago as a “pretty angry” person, but “calm came over me,” he said.

Brandon Terrell gave a mo- tivational and self-confidence performance, Believe.

“If you believe deeply that there is no failure, then your belief would come true,” Terrell told the audience. He walked up and down the chapel aisle, encouraging the audience to believe in themselves and that everyone should believe in their destiny, believe that they would be successful and get out of prison.

Will Bondurant San Quentin PUP teacher Alex Naeve

Aaron “Showtime” Taylor performed a comedy routine that left the audience rolling in laughter as he played guitar and sang parody about being on a halal diet and eating “state bologna sandwiches.”

Andrew Wadsworth read a poem, 16 Bars, as Aaron Taylor accompanied him on guitar.

A spoken word piece, 16 Bars, addressed Wadsworth’s turbulent life that began going bad at 16 years old. He talked about becoming a dope dealer, running the streets and living a negative life. The narrative shifts to understanding what it means to be accountable for one’s actions and realizing that the meaning of life is love, not hustling, stealing and violating other people’s rights.

Steve “Rashiyd” Zinnamon AKA “RawLMNO” performming a hip-hop rap

Anthony “Habib” Watkins read Fatherless Child. The poem was about understand- ing the power of education and literacy as well as living honor- ably and respectfully.

Richard Lathan read two poems. The first addressed the way people communicate through their actions:

Is there a way to speak with- out opening your mouth?

A young woman, who lost her life, inspired the second poem.

Gerry Sanchez Muratalla and Berny Marroquin entertained the audience with Spanish music. Muratalla’s guitar brought hand clapping and whooping with some people dancing in the aisle and a standing ovation.

Deavon Torrence read a poem, You Made It. It was about being successful and overcoming obstacles of discrimination in a racist criminal justice system.

• Raiveon “Ray Ray” Wooden read a poem about finding self-confidence while being persecuted.

• Derry “Brotha Dee” Brown’s Dancing to Praise God had the audience standing and clapping.

• George Mesro El-Cole read a fantasy piece that was extremely descriptive.

• Thanh Tran performed a hip-hop piece about moving forward in life.

Participar en programas educativos cambio su Persepción de la Cárcel

July 10, 2019 by Juan Espinosa

Profesores de PUP Laura Wagner and Paco Brito

Prison University Project (PUP) está localizada en una de las prisiones más notorias en el mundo: La Prisión de San Quentin en California. PUP incluye un selecto grupo de profesores, tutores, y voluntarios de varias universidades prestigiosas como U.C. Berkeley, Stanford, San Francisco State, San Jose State, y varias otras universidades locales y de alrededor del mundo.

Estos participantes son una parte esencial en la educación y rehabilitación de los hombres encarcelados en San Quentin.

Dos de esos profesores voluntarios son Paco Brito y Laura Wagner. Ellos son major conocidos por los estudiantes por su primer nombre en lugar de su apellido.

Paco y Laura comparten una historia interesante. Ellos se conocieron por primera vez en una protesta por el alza de pago en colegiaturas en la Universidad de Berkeley y desarrollaron una conexión personal.

Los dos comparten la misma idea de que todas las personas deberían tener la oportunidad de tener una educación.

“Empezamos a organizar eventos juntos en la universidad,” Paco explicó en una reciente entrevista. Laura agregó que su intención era hacer cambios en la cultura de los estudiantes.

“Comencé a ser voluntario de PUP en el 2012 porque recordé cuando la educación era una prioridad en California”, dijo Paco. “Después de la noche al mañana cambio a la construcción de prisiones”.

Laura se enteró de PUP por una amiga. “me hice voluntaria para enseñar un curso de inglés”, dijo ella. Laura enseño varios cursos de inglés y, en una ocasión, compartió las aulas con Paco enseñando una clase de investigación avanzada. Laura dijo, “Cuando empecé a relacionarme con mis estudiantes, mi perspectiva cambio porque fui capaz de ver su humanidad”.

“Ms. Wagner es una per- sona especial”. Dijo Steve Brooks, un preso quien tomó clases con Laura. “ella es at- enta, cordial, y siempre ani- ma a sus estudiantes”.

“Como profesora es excepcional”, dijo Brooks, “Ella es muy consciente y todo el tiempo trata de que los estudiantes se envuelvan en las conversaciones en clase. Y cuando estos no quieren participar les da un pequeño empujón (figurativamente hablando) para que sientan más confianza”.

Paco enseño inglés y español, él dice, “Me sorprendí cuando los estudiantes retaban y cuestionaban todo”, dice Brito, “Me gustó el intercambio de ideas entre los estudiantes y profesores”.

“Paco es un profesor excelente”, dijo Carlos Salmón quien enseño un curso de español con él. “Su forma de enseñar es fácil y eficiente”.

Richard Richarson un estudiante de PUP quien tomo clases de español con Paco, dice Paco hizo el aprender español muy fácil aun para las personas como yo que no teníamos idea de cómo escribir español y mucho menos lo hablábamos. “Nos enseñó a conjugar los verbos en una forma fácil de entender”.

Richarson dijo, “Paco es una persona muy buena, atenta y es muy difícil no llevarse bien con él. Y lo que siempre me llamó la atención es que siempre está contento”.

Paco y Laura están de acuerdo en que los estudiantes encarcelados de colegio son diferentes a los estudiantes de colegio tradicionales. “estos tienen la disposición de cuestionar el proyecto y se envuelven en este,” dijo Laura. “Yo encontré formas diferentes para enseñar mi material y para que fuera más relevante”.

La pareja recientemente se movió para el sur de California en donde Laura consiguió un trabajo en un colegio comunitario. Laura dijo, “estoy muy emocionada de comenzar mi carrera oficial como catedrática”.

Jesse Vasquez, SQN former editor-in-chief paroled

July 9, 2019 by Kevin Sawyer

Jesse Vasquez, 36, former editor-in-chief of San Quentin News, paroled in late May from San Quentin State Prison after spending all of his adult years in prison and a little more than half his life.

Vasquez paroled with a different state of mind from the one his 17-year-old younger self arrived with in 2001.

“When I was a teenager, I knew I was already being formed for prison,” said Vasquez. “When I came to prison it wasn’t a surprise to me. I wasn’t bitter, angry or sad.”

“My mother used to tell me if I continued down that lifestyle I’d either end up dead or in prison for the rest of my life.”

A drive-by shooting, attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon confirmed his mother’s warning and Vasquez was eventually convicted of those crimes. He once told a tour visiting the prison that he came to prison with a destructive past and no future.

Somewhere along the way, Vasquez became his own man and decided to change his life. “In the course of serving my time, I realized there was a better way to live,” he said. “It wasn’t always about trying to fit in with the crowd.”

In 2010, Vasquez earned his GED and never looked back. “It was more about finding purpose for myself,” he said.

Vasquez transferred from Folsom State Prison and arrived at San Quentin in November 2016. He frequently told the story about reading San Quentin News at Folsom, thinking it was “fake news” and the programs were not real.

Once Vazquez arrived at San Quentin, he immediately became involved with the rehabilitative programs. He joined the Journalism Guild, the newspaper’s farm team, and in April 2017 was hired as a staff writer for San Quentin News.

“My direct supervisor, Lt. Sam Robinson [San Quentin’s public information officer], was more like a mentor than a cop,” said Vasquez.

Four months later, Vasquez became the newspaper’s managing editor, and by August 2018 he was its editor in chief. “The guys in the newsroom accepted me for who I was, and I was able to grow because of it.” he said. “They’re family to me.”

“When I arrived at San Quentin, I started realizing how important it was to be open to other perspectives and cultures,” said Vasquez. “When I started working for the newspaper, I started to see the world from a completely different perspective.”

Vasquez recalled a time at the News when the former guild instructor, Yukari Kane, told the class to look at circumstances and events objectively because personal feelings might taint what we see.

“My direct supervisor, Lt. Sam Robinson [San Quentin’s Public Information Officer], was more like a mentor than a cop”

Having a different outlook, Vasquez enrolled in the Prison University Project (PUP) to broaden his horizon further. “I didn’t think I was close-minded,” he said.

He said that Amy Jamgochian, PUP’s project director, always challenged his thinking. “Every time I would try to explain to her my predicament in prison and how I felt powerless, she would have some smart remark about power dynamics, and how knowledge is liberating because it opens up your mind to a bigger world.”

“I thought I was open-minded, but because I was raised in prison I’d gotten stuck in that ‘it-is-what-it-is’ mentality,” said Vasquez.

The problems Vasquez faced in and out of prison, he said, could have been avoided if he’d taken the time to listen to people who were trying to warn him as they observed him take the wrong path.

Vasquez served his time at Folsom State Prison, Wasco State Prison, Calipatria State Prison, Ironwood State Prison, Centinela State Prison, and San Quentin.

With an eye on his uncertain future, Vasquez started completing a number of rehabilitative programs such as Restorative Justice, Non-violent Communication, Criminals and Gangs Anonymous, Green Life, Celebrate Recovery, Life Skills, Anger Management. He also learned trades, such as carpentry.

In August 2018, Gov. Brown recognized Vasquez’s rehabilitation and commuted his two life sentences to 15 years to life. He later appeared before the Board of Parole Hearings in February 2019 and was found suitable.

Vasquez is planning to earn a BA in psychology and to work with at-risk youth. “I plan on attending California State University East Bay and getting certification as an at-risk youth counselor,” he said.

Because of his time as the News’ top editor, Vasquez said he would also like to continue writing. He plans to stay connected to San Quentin News and is interested in covering issues at the front end of the criminal justice system—issues such as poverty and childhood trauma.

“I think, eventually, I’d like to write a screen play about what drives prison and how it’s almost impossible for people without a support group to succeed because all of the transitional housing programs offered by the state are in crime ridden, drug infested neighborhoods.”

In the past two decades of imprisonment, Vasquez said he learned a lot about himself. “I think my biggest take away from the whole prison experience is to admit it’s okay that you don’t know everything and to ask for help.”

PUP grads take center stage

August 14, 2018 by Kevin Sawyer

PUP graduates Darin Williams, Harry Hemphill, Jose Rivera, Nathan McKinney, Craig Johnson, Gerald Morgan and Claudius Johnson with their Associates of Arts degrees

“Pomp and Circumstance” played and everyone stood to applaud the Prison University Project’s (PUP) class of 2018 as they took center stage in San Quentin State Prison’s visiting room in June.

Nine men graduated and received their Associative Arts degree from Patten University.

One of the graduates, Gerald Morgan, welcomed his 98-year-old aunt, Juanita Stone, to attend the ceremony.

“I’ve been to many graduations,” Stone said. “Patten University at San Quentin has been a category, well organized

“I couldn’t be happier for Gerald’s great achievement.”

A sign read “Room Capacity 200” in the rectangular visiting room with its mismatched tiles in spaces on the floor. An array of orange, blue, black and rose-colored chairs methodically lined the crowded room.

Inmate James King, the college program clerk, welcomed everyone.

“There’s nothing like a graduation,” he said. “By any standard you can think of, these men are exceptional.”

Host James King providing the welcome speech

King gave the example of graduate Craig Johnson, a U.S. Navy veteran who served during the final days of the war in Vietnam. Johnson started with PUP in 1996, but was transferred to other prisons for 10 years before returning to San Quentin.

“Ever since I served in the Navy, I’ve been fascinated with the stars and the planets,” Johnson wrote in the PUP graduation program. “So when the opportunity presented itself, I signed up for the astronomy class.”

Wilhelmina Johnson with son Graduate Claudius Johnson holding his great nephew

Before the ceremony, Claudius Johnson said he felt a little anxious. He started taking classes h PUP in 2014.

“I made it,” he said after the ceremony. “I feel great. I still feel empowered.”

He said an inmate named Johnny Willis once told him about PEACE — Proper Education Always Corrects Error.

“I shed tears,” said Wilhelmina Johnson, Claudius’s mother. “He’s worked hard.”

“This (degree) is my reward,” she added holding it tightly. “He’s the first generation(after herself).

“That’s the fourth,” she said, pointing to her great-grandson, who was held by his mother. They travelled from Los Angeles.

Coordinator Jeese Rothman with Graduate Darin Williams

Darin Williams started with PUP in 2012 shortly after arriving at San Quentin. He’s wanted to graduate college since finishing high school.

“It’s been a lifelong goal,” he said. “It’s easy to stop, especially when you get older. But that’s part of the transformative process, to achieve the goals we set for ourselves.”

“I’m very impressed with the Patten program,” said Ron Broomfield, San Quentin’s chief deputy warden. “This is like the pinnacle of rehabilitation.”

Broomfield started working at the prison in December 2017. This was his first PUP graduation.

“This is another great day at San Quentin,” S.Q. Warden Ron Davis added.For entertainment, the all-inmate band San Quentin Blue performed for the audience. Richie Morris sang and played guitar on cover and original songs. He was backed by musicians Dwight Krizman, Charlie Spencer and Lee Jaspar.

Family friend of Graduate Gerald Morgan commemorates with daughter-in-law Oreisha Morgan

“By any standard you can think of, these men are exceptional”

“This is about you,” Morris said to no one in particular. His song Sometimes Love appeared to situate the listeners in a reflective mood.

Project Rebound Director Jason Bell giving the keynote speech

“You cannot talk about re-entry without talking about higher education,” said keynote speaker Jason Bell, who is formerly incarcerated.

Bell earned his B.A. and M.A. in sociology after paroling from prison and is currently the director of Project Rebound at San Francisco State University.

He told the graduates, “I respect your hustle. Just like you, I had to figure out my way through the education process.”

Bell also encouraged the graduates to stay connected to people who will help them continue their education.

Jose Rivera presents his salutatorian speech

Angel Falcone, the 2017 Valedictorian, introduced the 2018 salutatorian, Jose Rivera, to give a speech. The 2018 valedictorian, Jeffrey Williams, was not available to attend the ceremony.

“There was a stubborn refusal to let this opportunity pass us by,” Rivera said. “I learned in prison. I’ve had my eyes opened. I’ve been exposed to ideas and concepts that I couldn’t imagine.”

Rivera acknowledged all the help given to him by volunteers and staff. He said they care and are “impossibly patient” with the students.

“We should continue to learn through words, books and instruction,” he said. “Give of yourself while doing it.”

Harry Hemphill has been enrolled in PUP on and off since 2011. When he enrolled in The Last Mile’s Code.7370 computer coding program, he said he had to back off from school. He graduated from coding in 2013.

“I continued my Patten education because I knew I needed both,” he said.

Chaplain Mardi Jackson celebrates with Harry Hemphill

Although Jens Brazwell was not able to attend the ceremony, in the graduation program he wrote, “Don’t forget to be good to others, even when it pains you.”

Amy Jamgochian, Ph.D., PUP’s Academic Program Director, said her colleagues make it look like it’s not hard work and thanked volunteers and donors.

“Your generosity fuels this program.” She said, also offering some of the graduates’ own words to the audience. She said Nathan McKinney wants everyone to know “the race for a degree is not a sprint.”

“It feels good to graduate but the mission isn’t accomplished yet,” McKinney said. “I want to get an advance degree.”

Patten University president Thomas Stewart, PhD. told the graduates “Your accomplishments are impactful to your families and communities.”

Morgan had a lot of support from other family members in attendance beside his aunt, who said she “brought him

Patten University President Thomas Stewart, Ph.D. speaking

home from the hospital when he was born.”

“This made (my father) become a better person,” Gerald Jr said.

“He needed this.” Oreisha Morgan added, “He completed some things people on the outside don’t do. I’m honored to be his daughter-in-law.”

Executive Director Jody Lewen celebrates after the ceremony

In closing remarks, Jody Lewen, Ph.D., Executive Director of PUP, acknowledged the graduates, teachers and PUP staff.

“I have no idea what it’s like to be you,” she said to the inmates’ families. “This is also your accomplishment.”

For more photos see below.

PUP 2018 Graduation

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) aids programs

July 25, 2018 by Kevin Sawyer

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) will provide grant funding to the Prison University Project (PUP) and Ear Hustle, an award-winning podcast. Both organizations are based at San Quentin State Prison.

PUP offers more than 350 inmates the opportunity to earn their Associate of Arts degree inside prison. Ear Hustle allows inmates to share their stories about what it’s like to live in prison on a daily basis.

“We are thrilled to support Ear Hustle’s efforts to connect with more listeners, and the Prison University Project’s plan to create new educational opportunities for people in San Quentin,” said Ana Zamora, criminal justice manager at CZI.

“These programs are breaking new ground by helping incarcerated people tell their own stories and make positive change in their own lives and in the world.”

In a statement, CZI said PUP “has been the site of a unique and unprecedented educational enterprise, providing excellent higher education to people at San Quentin,” and it acknowledged how the college program “supports increased access to higher education for incarcerated people across California.”

“The Prison University Project works to transform the U.S. criminal justice system by empowering incarcerated individuals to become leaders and change agents,” said Jody Lewen, executive director of PUP. The college program works “to break down harmful biases that dehumanize the image of incarcerated people in the public imagination.”

“According to a RAND analysis, every $1 invested in such [inmate] education generates at least $4 in economic return,” reports Fast Company.

“The state typically spends $71,000 a year to house an inmate. It costs about $5,000 total to help put one [incarcerated] student through community college”, reports Fast Company.

“The grant came in at an unbelievable time,” said Nigel Poor, co-host of Ear Hustle. “We didn’t have a big plan when we started. That’s only sustainable up to a point.”

Inmate and Ear Hustle co-host Earlonne Woods said the high-profile grant will show that their work is important. “Ear Hustle has to rely on grants,” he said. “I’m appreciative of CZI in assisting us in our struggles for funding.”

Jody Lewen at the 2018 PUP graduation

In October 2015, Dr. Priscilla Chan Zuckerberg and husband, Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, toured San Quentin to get a first-hand look at the programs inside the prison and to talk to inmates.

Aly Tamboura, who paroled from San Quentin in 2016, received his AA degree from PUP and learned computer coding in the Code.7370 program. He now works for CZI as its technology & program delivery manager and was instrumental in the grant funding going to PUP and Ear Hustle.

Poor, who is a tenured professor at California State University Sacramento, taught History of Photography at PUP in 2012 when she first met Tamboura, who was then an inmate-student. “He was a really good student,” she said. “He was really serious.”

After Tamboura paroled, he remained interested in the criminal justice system. While working for CZI, he proposed the idea of grant funding to organizations doing work to improve the criminal justice system.

Poor said she saw Tamboura at a Human Rights Watch conference, and then at a PUP brainstorming conference. Later, he escorted her into the CZI conference room in Palo Alto, California, to discuss a grant for Ear Hustle.

“It was wild,” Poor said. “It’s so uplifting that someone who was incarcerated is now responsible for funding Ear Hustle. If I hadn’t been teaching at PUP, I would’ve never made the connection.”

“A lot of people get out of prison and say what they’re going to do,” Woods said. He said Tamboura didn’t say he would do anything. “But he did. I’m just appreciative of a guy who looked back.”

“CZI’s generosity will allow us to grow in beautiful ways,” Woods said. “We usually hear about the great criminal justice reform work that groups like CZI do and only dream that this sequestered population could directly benefit … well, that dream has become a reality.”

Poor said she believes CZI wants to give voice to people who are voiceless. Through Ear Hustle, stories told by those living in prison are produced inside San Quentin and broadcast to the world with more than 12 million downloads.

In 2016, Ear Hustle won Radiotopia’s Podquest when it was chosen from more than 1,500 contestants from around the world, and it has been in the number one spot on Apple Podcasts.

The Prison University Project delivers the opportunity to the incarcerated to benefit from education in the liberal arts and to use their learning, talents and life experiences to make important academic and collective contributions. It provides training and mentorship to emerging educational programs that provide higher education in California and nationally.

In recognition of its impact and for providing education opportunities to the incarcerated, PUP was awarded the 2015 National Humanities Medal by President Obama.

At its 2018 graduation, Lewen said, “There are people out there that care about the things we care about.”

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is a philanthropic organization that is working to build a future for everyone. It uses traditional grant making, advocacy, storytelling, impact investing and engineering to help drive change at scale. Its criminal justice reform program focuses on power building in communities traditionally excluded from policy making and agenda-setting in criminal justice.

PPI’s “Correctional Control: Incarceration and Supervision by State” is the first report to aggregate data on all types of correctional control nationwide.
https://sanquentinnews.com/san-quentin-podcast-wins-international-contest/
http://sanquentinnews.com/100th-edition-celebration-recognizes-san-quentin-news-community/

Prison University Project wins ethics debate

CBS’ Ted Koppel visits Ear Hustle

A look inside the bustling San Quentin prison library

June 11, 2018 by Forrest Lee Jones

Senior librarian Douglas Jeffrey and Gabriel Loiederman

Every day, the San Quentin State prison library is bustling with activity. Inmates might be ordering books from the clerks at the counter. Other inmates might be sitting at tables, reading books and talking among themselves.

The windows in the librarians’ offices provide a glimpse of San Francisco Bay as well as the mountains.

In the legal section, inmates pore over law books, which they can order from a slot through a window. They can also sit at a computer to research legal statutes or write briefs at one of the tables.

The library might look like many others outside of the walls, but it serves a particularly important function at San Quentin, where it is considered a space to help educate and rehabilitate prisoners.

The prison is well known for its programs such as Prison University Project (PUP) and Restorative Justice, but they are often full and have long waiting lists.

In such cases, the library allows the men to study independently. “The library begins where the classroom ends,” said Senior Librarian Douglas Jeffrey, who is a member of the prison staff.

The idea of using the library as an educational and rehabilitative tool began nearly three decades ago with San Quentin librarian, Herman Spector, who used reading and writing to reform inmates through a program called “Bibliotherapy.”

“According to a RAND analysis, every $1 invested in such [inmate] education generates at least $4 in economic return,” reports Fast Company.

“The state typically spends $71,000 a year to house an inmate. It costs about $5,000 total to help put one [incarcerated] student through community college”, reports Fast Company.

“Books for Spector were the deathless weapons of progress by which prisoners could be paroled into the custody of their better selves,” wrote Eric Cummings, author of The Rise and Fall of California’s Radical Prison Movement.

One of the most popular sections has always been the law library. Glen Mason, the lead law clerk, said patrons become so knowledgeable that some are able to get their cases overturned through their research findings.

“There have been many inmates that have used the law library to research issues regarding their cases,” said George “Mesro” Coles-El, a recreational clerk, who has worked at the library for five years.

One of those users is Ronald Chatters, who frequented the law library for two and a half years and is working on a brief to argue for a parole hearing under Proposition 57, which can give him an early parole consideration.

“The two years that I have been researching law has made me literate enough to help others with their cases,” Chatters said.

Coles-El, who works as the lead circulation clerk, said even recreational books can be a valuable educational tool.

“Reading affects your thinking,” he said. “When you read, your thinking changes, which affects your behavior.”

Coles-El himself has been changed by reading. “Before I spent time in the library, all I did was walk around and think negative thoughts, thinking about how I could get over on people,” he said. “But then I read a book entitled ‘Loving What Is’ by Byron Katie. Reading her book helped me to discover that most of the stress in our lives comes from being jealous of what others have.

Patrons working and looking up legal cases on the computer

“Her book influenced me to better thinking, which changed my behavior,” Coles-El added.

Joseph Krauter, lead administrative library clerk, was also changed by a book. “Four years ago, I was an emotional wreck and going down in flames,” he said, adding that he was on the verge of giving up on himself, his program and getting out of prison.

That’s when his grandmother sent him a book called “Neuro-Tribe,” by Steve Silverman, about the history of autism.

“The book showed me through pain and suffering that I can succeed and make something good of my life,” Krauter said. “It helped me to focus and to immerse myself in programs that helped me better myself. Because of this book, I found hope.”

Krauter described the library as a place where inmates can change their perspectives and thinking, and find books full of wisdom to help them do so.

Another librarian and prison staff, Gabriel Loiederman, said the library provides a space for forming positive relationships, which is an important component of rehabilitation

“Whether it’s two legal researchers discussing the merits of a case, or two students helping each other with algebra, the library is there to provide a free environment that can foster these kinds of constructive interactions that contribute to rehabilitation,” he said.

SQ’s Law Libraries Serve All

Formerly incarcerated reduces violence in Richmond

March 19, 2018 by Rahsaan Thomas

James Houston used what he learned in San Quentin Prison to help reduce the murder rate and mentor young men in Richmond, the city across the bay.

After paroling in 2013, he took on the job of program coordinator for the Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS).

“According to a RAND analysis, every $1 invested in such [inmate] education generates at least $4 in economic return,” reports Fast Company.

“The state typically spends $71,000 a year to house an inmate. It costs about $5,000 total to help put one [incarcerated] student through community college”, reports Fast Company.

The organization was started by DeVone Boggan in 2007. He believed that the worst offenders needed to be hunted down, not to arrest, but to transform.

When the program began, Richmond had the ninth-worst murder rate in the United States with 45 killings per 106,000 people. By 2013, the rate dropped to 15 per 100,000, according to a 2014 Mother Jones Magazine article by Tim Murphy.

Boggan met Houston when he visited the Richmond Project at San Quentin State Prison. From inside, Houston worked to make Richmond safer while serving 15-to-life for second-degree murder.

As the chairman of the Richmond Project, he led incarcerated residents from rival Richmond neighborhoods in a think tank that met with city officials. They posed solutions to street violence.

“Because San Quentin and Richmond are so close, and there was all that violence going on, especially when it was formed, it made sense to connect with the community,” Houston said. “It made sense for men who have created or furthered the problems in prison, to give solutions and let them (the youth) know the consequences of their actions.”

The meetings with community members like Boggan and Gail McLaughlin, the former mayor of Richmond, now a City Council member, resulted in a curriculum, Public Service Announcements with the flair of positive hip-hop videos, an essay contest asking the youth, “What would you do if you were the mayor?” and other ideas.

“Some 70 million Americans have a criminal record – a number equal to Americans with a college degree,” according to the Brennan Center for Justice. NEW YORK TIMES July 25, 2018 “Zero Tolerance for Zero Tolerance”

The San Quentin administration shut down the Richmond Project in 2016.

In the Richmond community, Houston seeks out young men who are active firearm offenders to present credible alternatives to violence. Some of the Office of Neighborhood Safety techniques involve street outreach, transformative travel and both referring the youth to different resources, walking them through the process of obtaining help, and paying stipends for meeting life goals.

“Every day I go out into the neighborhood and look for ways to support them with resources,” Houston said. “I enjoy what I do. From the men (inside), I’ve learned that we have a responsibility—whether it’s just to your blood relatives—we have a responsibility to hold ourselves with integrity, to show the young men in our community. Even if they’re just seeing me from a distance, it’s important to show integrity.”

On the transformative trips, they take rivals to places as far as Africa to show them the world is bigger than Richmond, and their beefs. A recent trip to Tahoe paired five young men from North Richmond with five rivals from South Richmond.

“Transformative travel gets young people to see something different,” Houston said.

Young men who have been in the program for at least nine months can receive a stipend between $300-$1,000 for reaching milestones on their “life maps,” a list of goals set to achieve a productive life. Sacramento is now adopting the program, Houston said.

A self-help group that helped prepare Houston for his walk is Victim Offender Education Group (VOEG).

“From my perspective, VOEG is a restorative justice program,” Houston said. “It helped me understand the trauma that I went through, and it changed who I was. I never knew the impact my trauma had on my life on a day-to-day basis or the impact that trauma had on others’ lives and my community.

“One of the main things was I grew up with a single mother: I had no male figure. So what I thought was a man was totally opposite to what I learned inside. I (used to) overreact and had a lot of anger. It could never be too much violence. Violence, that’s what a man does, so that’s…what I lived by…I didn’t want you to get close, because…I was in fear…of being hurt.”

Now Houston understands that anger is a secondary emotion fueled by pain and sadness.

“To release emotions like that in front of men…was life-changing,” Houston said.

He currently works with the Insight Prison Project (IPP) to create a VOEG curriculum for the youth in Richmond.

“It’s a little bit different: some of the youths haven’t committed a crime,” Houston said. “I’m focused on some of the things that they consider normal that aren’t normal—like losing one of their peers. It’s not normal for a 14-year-old to go to a funeral for another 14-year-old that’s been murdered. You come away with something, a sense of a lack of security in your community.

“It makes you more susceptible to committing that crime; you’re just trying to survive. You’ll shoot someone over the smallest thing. It’s different in that we tailor the language to meet them where they’re at.”

Houston learned the value of community while getting his education through the Prison University Project, mentoring youth in the SQUIRES program, learning how to be a counselor in the Addiction Recovery Program and playing flag football on the San Quentin Lower Yard.

“I grew up playing Pop Warner,” Houston said. “Kids from different sides of the city all played on the same team. I had a good relationship with a lot of people from different areas. Even at SQ, it bridged a lot of gaps; people I wouldn’t have otherwise met, even though it’s such a small place.”

Houston talked about his views toward community before, during, and after his release.

Before: “When it feels like you’re not a part of the community, it makes it easier to paint the picture that like, the community is a target. You feel like you are alone, like no one cares about you. (You’re) not listening, and I believe it’s because they weren’t listening. When most people fear you, so they cross the street, you become that person that they fear.”

During: “The right kind of community is so important. You hear so much about people preying on each other. But when I was there, men who had done twice as much time as me were working toward helping me get my time reduced, pointing me in the right directions. It blew me away; I kept looking for the flaws. Men before prison came at me for a reason; they had an angle, something they were trying to get out of it.”

After: “Transitional place, each step to get my life back on course: The Last Mile, the men who went above and beyond to help me gave me the feeling that I hadn’t lost so much, that I was going to be all right.”

Houston, who is now married and has a son, has this advice for the men awaiting a release date:

“Come out knowing that it’s not the ‘pink cloud.’ Know that you still have to apply yourself and it’s going to be hard work; there will be hurdles. To the Richmond Project: if you ever get out, you know you got a job.”

—Katie Wolffe contributed to this story

Exclusive screening ‘From Incarceration to Education’

San Quentin News & Wall City Merchandise

Restorative Justice’s role in the #metoo movement

http://sanquentinnews.com/optionb-org-support-group-overcoming-effects-incarceration/

Education organizations trade ideas at national conference

February 16, 2018 by Marcus Henderson

Dmitry Orlov, Amy Jamgochian, and Allison Lopez

Exchanging ideas on how to create educational opportunities for incarcerated people and reentry services was the topic of a national conference held in Texas last November.

“It was a chance for our different organizations to support each other and think together on how to expand this field of prison education,” said Jody Lewen, executive director of San Quentin’s Prison University Project (PUP). “We challenged our understanding of what we think is possible and how things impact our students.”

Multiple forums and discussions were held at the Seventh Annual National Conference on Higher Education in Prison, ranging from funding challenges to going digital in the classroom and working with people who have harmed others.

Some of the debates centered on how to apply admission standards for state college programs inside prisons.

Some of the programs screen for age, length of sentence and committed offense before a student-prisoner can enroll, PUP does not.

Many of the programs do not have college preparatory classes. However, PUP provides college prep classes to prepare the student-prisoner.

Building a College Preparatory Program Inside was presented by Allison Lopez, PUP’s preparatory program coordinator, and Dmitry Orlov, program assistant.

“The state typically spends $71,000 a year to house an inmate. It costs about $5,000 total to help put one [incarcerated] student through community college”, reports Fast Company.

“We discussed that there needs to be a way for students (prisoners) to get into the college credit courses where they can build confidence and take on the identity of a student without the pressure of a grade,” said Lopez.

“We talk about breaking down math terminologies in terms that the students already know, because some students have fears and anxiety about math. Math is just as important as the other courses,” added Lopez.

Amy Jamgochian, PUP’s academic program director, presented Authority in the Prison Classroom.

“Some teachers think they are being radical by abdicating authority in the classroom,” said Jamgochian. “That can be damaging. They have responsibility for the class.

“It’s a lot of new college programs just starting. I’m grateful that we can pass on our philosophy along the lessons we already learned,” added Jamgochian.

Aly Tamboura, former San Quentin News staff member and PUP board member, shared his experiences and the complexities of journalism inside prison and after incarceration.

Bill Keller, editor-in-chief of The Marshall Project, and Kelsey Kauffman, former director of Higher Education Program for Indiana’s Women’s Prison, sat on the panel.

David Cowan, San Quentin alumni and PUP’s operation manager, moderated a panel on reentry services at the conference.

Cowan’s panel discussed best practices to support people getting out of prison and wanting to continue their higher education in society.

The films Life After Life and The Return were screened.

Life After Life portrays three men setting out to have successful lives after spending decades behind bars. Director and producer Tamara Perkins, who taught yoga and meditation at San Quentin in 2006, held a discussion after the viewing.

The Return focuses on California’s amended Three Strikes Law under Proposition 36. According to the conference pamphlet, the film features a variety of scenarios: prisoners suddenly freed; reentry providers helping with their transition; attorneys and judges wrestling with the untested law. After the films, PUP staffer Bilal Chatman and Cowan moderated a discussion.

The newly formed Alliance for Higher Education in Prison, a body of educators and organization executives, planned and hosted the Nov. 2-5 event.

“We need to hear more from the people inside,” said Lopez. “Especially when the system affects you.” She emphasized that inmates need to request these opportunities and urged them to “not just to be institutionalized.”

Lewen added, “…people around the country are fighting for you. You guys are a part of this movement of higher education. More guys are getting out and getting involved in the field of higher education.”

http://sanquentinnews.com/optionb-org-support-group-overcoming-effects-incarceration/

White House award to Jody Lewen

An evening of educational college entertainment

February 15, 2018 by Juan Haines

While playing keyboard AJ Gonzales sang “Roses Instead,” as an audience of prisoners and community members made their way inside San Quentin’s Catholic Chapel on Dec. 29 for an open mic event.

“San Quentin is the biggest program hub I’ve seen, since I’ve been in prison,” said Gonzales, 38, who has been in and out of prison and is scheduled to get out in about a year.

“The state typically spends $71,000 a year to house an inmate. It costs about $5,000 total to help put one [incarcerated] student through community college”, reports Fast Company.

A month ago, Gonzales settled in here by way of San Quentin’s reception center.

“There are so many opportunities that you can take advantage of, if you want to be a changed man,” he said.

Nearly 200 inmates and 50 outside guests heard Gonzalez sing at the annual Patten College at San Quentin Open Mic.

Lemar “Maverick” Harrison featured Gonzales on a hip-hop gospel “Oh Lord,” a song about the trials and tribulations of adulthood.

Lemar “Maverick” Harrison rapping

“I will call upon your name – to keep my head above the rain,” Gonzales and Harrison sang in the chorus.

Jason “Alias” Jones and Eric “Maserati-E” Abercrombie also featured Gonzales in “Can’t Keep Me Down.” The audience stood to the upbeat hip-hop piece and joined in the chorus, “You can’t keep me down.”

“According to a RAND analysis, every $1 invested in such [inmate] education generates at least $4 in economic return,” reports Fast Company.

Filmmaker Brian Asey opened the event.

“I can’t sing. I can’t dance. I can’t do anything but put a video together,” Asey said. “Hopefully it will give you guys some inspiration.”

The video, narrated by Nelson T. Butler aka Noble, described the self-esteem-building power that getting a college education gave him while incarcerated.

“There’s no better feeling in the world,” Butler said.

Other acts praised Patten College at San Quentin.

Philippe “Kells” Kelly featured host Anouthinh “Choy” Pangthong. The duo performed “High,” a hip-hop piece about the high spirits that going to college gave them.

Radio producer Louis Anthony Scott’s speech, “Value of Education” explained that earning a college degree from Patten College at San Quentin is an effective way to cut down recidivism rates.

Scott said that correspondence courses didn’t work because when he needed help there was no one there to answer his questions.

He credited his ability to structure radio stories to learning from the college program. He went on to talk about the award-winning journalists in the prison’s media center.

“We are men-in-blue competing against outside journalists and we are winning,” Scott said to an applause.

Mackey Michael’s “60 Bars or Better” was a rap with a deep bass sound that kept the audience on its feet clapping. One inmate got up dancing in the aisle and got encouraging applause.

Pangthong told the audience to “Turn to your neighbor and ask what you’re looking forward to in 2018?” The answers varied from “going home” to “seeing my mamma” to “more money” to “more visits.” One person even wanted “to get to a fire camp.”

Artistic Ensemble and Comedy

Jonathan Chiu performed standup comedy for the second time.

His “This Will Definitely Not Be as Funny as Last Year” made fun of Chinese culture as well as Chiu’s struggles in coping with prison life.

The dance moves by Markelle Taylor brought laughter, then applause, followed by whoops and hollers, concluding with a standing ovation.

Chris Marshall, Nate Collins, Juan Carlos, and Edmond Richardson performed “Uninvited.” The skit took place at a train station. It was a spoof, full of racism and sexism. It tackled mass incarceration, immigration, slavery, and xenophobia.

Susan Hirch accompanying White Eagle

White Eagle smoothing the crowd

Curtis “Rabb” Askins made fun of success and capitalism as he read,” He Got It Made.”

His parody is about the advantages of being homeless.

The sharp criticism lampooned the pressures of finding happiness in a consumer-based society.

Jesse James Smith’ hip-hop, “Dear Mister President,” featured Antwan “Banks” Williams. The rap is a parody about the Trump presidency.

“You care about the rich, but do you care about the poh?’… This is the United States.”

Spoken Word & Poetry

Fateem Jackson read “Finding Rapture.” Jackson spoke about his life’s journey in search of bliss and peace and happiness.

After the North Bay fires, Stanley Baer was inspired to write poetry.

“After seeing the faces of the people who died this year, I wrote this one,” Baer said before reading “Embers, Fire, and Flames.”

Musicians

Aaron Taylor and Abercrombie performed “Children of the Sun” on their guitars. The audience chimed in by clapping to the strumming of Taylor’s guitar, while Abercrombie accompanied on lead.

It was the first time performing before a live audience for Daniel Plunkett as he sat with a classical guitar and played “Greensleeves” arpeggio.

Gregory “White Eagle” Coates on flute and Susan Hirsch on banjo played a duo as an interlude to the show.

Noel Scott played a hard rock song, “Clearer.”

Storytelling

Seth “Venus” Rountree talked about meeting a Shoshoni relative of Sacagawea about 30 years ago.

The meeting taught her about her culture, leading back to the 1800s and the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Michael Moore read a short story, “The Rise and Fall of Freedom and The Wall.”

The story described how he escaped the woes of prison life, crammed into a housing unit with 800 men.

Moore talked about what it is like to walk to the prison yard.

“I’m certain people walk like they drive,” Moore said, hoping in the rush that no one would walk on his heels.

The story descriptively talked about a “bottleneck” as people made it to the yard, comparing it to freeway traffic.

Chan Park read “A Space Within Me.” He said learning English as a second language, and coming from Korea as 5-year-old boy, was a culture shock.

“Strange-looking people would come up to us, and I didn’t understand a word they were saying,” Park said. He added, “First grade was all joy. It didn’t matter if a person was Black, White, or Mexican.”

Anthony “Habib” Watkins read “An Ode to my Father,” which praised his father as his hero and role model.

“He gave so unselfishly,” Watkins read, “Every time I look in the mirror, I see you…there’s no precious jewels that could compare to you.”

Gonzales later said in an interview, “I’ve gotten older and my thinking has changed. I now realize that if I don’t change, I can be stuck inside here forever.” He added, “I have parents and a wife who I would like to reunite with.”

Oprah Winfrey visits Pelican Bay State Prison

California prisoners earning college degrees

Inmates Cheer Patten University’s Annual Open Mic Event

Exclusive screening ‘From Incarceration to Education’