
WRITTEN BY THE INCARCERATED - ADVANCING SOCIAL JUSTICE
San Quentin, California 94964
Population: 3,696

SHEB ISBELL, BEADING GURU EXPLORES NEW DIMENSION WITH EACH CREATION
By Edwin Chavez
Through arts and crafts, many incarcerated people have found ways to express themselves and have found ways to communicate their creative endeavors with the outside world. Beadwork has existed since early humans hung shells around their necks and beads used in arts and crafts remain popular to this day. Sheb Isbell, a new arrival at San Quentin, brought with him a new level of innovation … Read Full Article
Additional Recent Stories
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
By Edwin Chavez
David Hernandez re-purposing everyday scraps into art gems All art has unique ingredents. San Quentin resident David Hernandez creates sports logos and handbags from common materials that anyone else would consider useless and throw away. He has adopted the concept of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle as an artistic credo. “I learned these techniques so that I can stay busy and my time goes by … Read Full Article
SAN QUEN-TOONS, Tips For Cell Living – August 2023
By Jessie Milo

NO MORE ‘INMATES’
By Steve Brooks
For a long time we have allowed our reporters and contributors at the San Quentin News to use their own discretion when it comes to using the term “inmate” to describe someone who is incarcerated in a jail or prison. This has led to a lack of unity in our messaging and a lack of unity among our media center personnel here at San Quentin. I believe that continuing to allow this word to be … Read Full Article

MAN WITH MANY HATS
By Charles Crow
OUR BEHIND THE SCENE AND TRUSTED RESEARCHER STUART WAGNER The masthead of the San Quentin News lists Stuart Wagner as one of its 13 “Advisers.” While the newspaper’s staff esteems its advisers’ advice, in Wagner’s case the title is a less than adequate description of his contribution to the publication. The newspaper does not have internet access. To overcome this obstacle, Wagner serves … Read Full Article

TUTORING PROGRAM RETURNS AFTER COVID HIATUS
By Edwin Chavez
After a long pause, Berkeley students have returned to San Quentin to teach incarcerated students to read, write and solve math problems, working side-by-side with the assistance of San Quentin instructors. Spring of 2023 marks the return of the Teach in Prison program, which the pandemic had shut down in 2020. TIP has brought hope to many incarcerated students who feel helpless in their … Read Full Article

FATHER-DAUGHTER DUO RIG UP TRUCK DRIVING CORRESPONDENCE COURSE
By Juan Haines
A telephone conversation between a father a nd h is d aughter took a n u nexpected turn that resulted in the creation of an opportunity for San Quentin’s incarcerated residents. In August, 50 residents will begin a four-part, correspondence course leading to certification as truck drivers. As the fi rst g roup m oves i nto t he s econd module, another 50 will enter module one, and … Read Full Article

SQ CELEBRATES 4TH WITH FOOD, MUSIC, FLAGS AND FAMILY
San Quentin Visiting program administrators have hosted another successful Fourth of July celebration. Visitors and residents were treated to an extraordinary day of visiting thanks to the contributions of visitor donations and the arrival of two very special guests. On the day of Independence, decorations of bright red, white and blue hung from all over the visiting room. No … Read Full Article

PREPARING TO GO HOME
MT. TAM resource fair offerstools for a successful reentry Over 100 San Quentin Prison residents descended on the Catholic chapel to collect valuable information about how to prepare for reentry and how to succeed when they are freed. It was a first-ever resource fair arranged by SQ's Mt. Tamalpais College. Formerly and currently incarcerated worked together to offer resources for those … Read Full Article

ANNUAL GET ON THE BUS EVENT UNITES FAMILIES
On June 15, multiple San Quentin residents were gifted with the opportunity to visit their children and grandchildren — some of them for the first time — thanks to the Get on the Bus program. The popular program helps families with children visit their loved ones in prison by providing transportation free of charge. Get on the Bus is operated by the Center for Restorative Justice Works, a … Read Full Article

DONNER ELU’S CANINE COMPANIONS PROGRAM OFF TO GREAT START
By Dante Jones
Canine cuteness and tail-wagging were on display at San Quentin, thanks to a new service dog program introduced April 27. Canine Companions®, a non-profit organization, has a mission to provide highly trained service dogs to people with disabilities at no charge, according to trainer Paige Mazzoni. Four incarcerated men were selected as trainers for the first two service animals … Read Full Article

TOWN HALL HELD TO ADDRESS SQ TRANSFORMATION
ADMINISTRATORS ANDRESIDENTS SHARE VISIONS,ANTICIPATE CHALLENGES Residents of San Quentin packed the prison’s chapel on June 9 to hear what administrators had to say about the governor's plans to transform California’s oldest prison into an innovative rehabilitation center. As part of the town-hall-style meeting, Warden Broomfield and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Alison Pachynski also … Read Full Article

PEACE REIGNS ON THE LOWER YARD
By Edwin Chavez
SAN QUENTIN TRADITION PERSONIFIES POSITIVE CHANGE, NEARS HOLIDAY STATUS The San Quentin community hosted its annual Day of Peace on July 1. Peace, love, and unity permeated the air as residents, staff, program volunteers and community members gathered to enjoy the sun, music and camaraderie. The event commenced with the SQ Color Guard flag-presentation ceremony followed by resident … Read Full Article
Additional Featured Stories
Additional Recent Post
TUTORING PROGRAM RETURNS AFTER COVID HIATUS
By Edwin Chavez
After a long pause, Berkeley students have returned to San Quentin to teach incarcerated students to read, write and solve math problems, working side-by-side with the assistance of San Quentin instructors. Spring of 2023 marks the return of the Teach in Prison program, which the pandemic had shut down in 2020. TIP has brought hope to many incarcerated students who feel helpless in their … Read Full Article
FATHER-DAUGHTER DUO RIG UP TRUCK DRIVING CORRESPONDENCE COURSE
By Juan Haines
A telephone conversation between a father a nd h is d aughter took a n u nexpected turn that resulted in the creation of an opportunity for San Quentin’s incarcerated residents. In August, 50 residents will begin a four-part, correspondence course leading to certification as truck drivers. As the fi rst g roup m oves i nto t he s econd module, another 50 will enter module one, and … Read Full Article
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