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San Quentin, California 94964
Population: 3,243
David Roybal’s timeless pin-up style creations say it all
SQNews believes art is a universal language, a tool to explore our creativity and inner-self in the quest for betterment and understanding. For some of the artists we have featured, art is, even more, personal — it is part of their family tree. San Quentin resident David Roybal, 63, exemplifies this. As a little kid, he witnessed his late father recreating human figures before his own eyes. … Read Full Article
Additional Recent Stories
Isom finds therapeutic relief at the tip of his brush
Art contains hidden treasures. For some, this treasure is the use of their art as the raft to navigate the deep, raging rivers of their past in the quest for internal healing and reconciliation. Jeffrey A. Isom is uniquely willing to open up and share such hidden treasures and expose his vulnerability. Isom, 58, creates art for a number of reasons. One is for his own … Read Full Article
A MESSAGE TO OUR NATION’S INCARCERATED VETERANS:
We at San Quentin News would like to thank you all for your service to this country. No matter which branch you served in, or the length of your service, our freedom is dependent on the sacrifice of those brave men and women who are willing to put their lives on the line to defend and protect it. This Veteran’s Day, let’s all express some appreciation for our vets, both inside and … Read Full Article
David Roybal’s timeless pin-up style creations say it all
SQNews believes art is a universal language, a tool to explore our creativity and inner-self in the quest for betterment and understanding. For some of the artists we have featured, art is, even more, personal — it is part of their family tree. San Quentin resident David Roybal, 63, exemplifies this. As a little kid, he witnessed his late father recreating human figures before his own eyes. … Read Full Article
Isom finds therapeutic relief at the tip of his brush
Art contains hidden treasures. For some, this treasure is the use of their art as the raft to navigate the deep, raging rivers of their past in the quest for internal healing and reconciliation. Jeffrey A. Isom is uniquely willing to open up and share such hidden treasures and expose his vulnerability. Isom, 58, creates art for a number of reasons. One is for his own … Read Full Article
PAROLE BOARD: Jennifer Shaffer packs San Quentin chapel for face-to-face Q&A
Parole board’s Executive Officer offers powerful insights The Board of Parole Hearings Executive Officer Jennifer Shaffer visited San Quentin on Sept. 14 for a Q&A during Mental Wellness Week to discuss preparing for the Board. Shaffer, an attorney, has been with the Board of Parole Hearings for 11 years. Relying on notes written by the BPH’s Chief Psychologist Dr. Cliff Kusaj (who … Read Full Article
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: CHAMPS RETURN TO THE Q
The Golden State Warriors, champions of the NBA, sent members of their organization to San Quentin to support the incarcerated population and resume their basketball rivalry with the San Quentin Warriors. The visiting team won the Sept. 16 game, 83–65, and extended their series lead to 5–3. The team the GSW brought in to play was led by owner Joe Lacob’s athletic sons, Kirk and Kent Lacob, and … Read Full Article
Candidates for State Assembly visit San Quentin media center
The two top candidates for the 12th District State Assembly seat in California visited San Quentin State Prison ahead of the November 2022 election. Damon Connolly and Sara Aminzadeh, both democrats, stopped by SQ to hear about its rehabilitation programs and talk about their campaigns. Both are vying for the Assembly seat vacated by Marc Levine, who is pursuing the job of California … Read Full Article
Third annual Mental Wellness Week promotes suicide prevention
San Quentin celebrated its third annual Mental Wellness Week in September to promote suicide awareness and prevention through events aimed at encouraging, empowering and inspiring the residents of San Quentin State Prison. The week of fun-filled events concentrated on a variety of mental-wellness support systems and emotional check-in opportunities for individuals to support their fellow humans … Read Full Article
CELEBRATING OUR 150th EDITION
Struggles, tragedies and triumphs are what a good story and powerful dynasties are built on. SQNews is honored to reach another milestone by celebrating our 150th edition. This illustrious milestone was almost derailed by the deadly Covid- 19 outbreak that claimed 28 of our incarcerated peers’ lives. Seven SQNews staff also paroled throughout the Covid-19 outbreak, leaving a huge void in our … Read Full Article
Paul Stauffer finds purpose, release in his paintbrush
“I paint and I write because it gives me purpose,” said San Quentin resident Paul Stauffer. “It’s a release from tension, and it helps me to release an excess amount of imagination.” He says he’s appreciative of the art room at San Quentin, where he has the chance to socialize and collaborate with other artists. Stauffer, 65, considers himself a very passionate person. He says … Read Full Article
Native artist’s generational pain poured out on canvas
“Spiritually and mentally, art helps me escape from prison,” said Joseph “Jo-Joe” Salazar. “It is medicine to me. It is beautiful that my creator gifted me with this talent.” Salazar plays the guitar, harmonica, and drums — abilities, he says, that have kept him going during his incarceration. Art is deeper than just passing time, Salazar says. The 63-year-old says his artistic … Read Full Article
SQ residents observe annual Day of Peace
After 15 years, the event’s original legacy is in danger of being forgotten In 2006, Blacks and Mexicans rioted on San Quentin’s Lower Yard. As the chaos unfolded, Tung Nguyen and other members of a self-help group, TRUST, were leading a group of about 50 civilian volunteers to a Black History event on the Yard. When he noticed the danger, he redirected them to safety. Gerardo … Read Full Article
Additional Featured Stories
Additional Recent Post
PAROLE BOARD: Jennifer Shaffer packs San Quentin chapel for face-to-face Q&A
Parole board’s Executive Officer offers powerful insights The Board of Parole Hearings Executive Officer Jennifer Shaffer visited San Quentin on Sept. 14 for a Q&A during Mental Wellness Week to discuss preparing for the Board. Shaffer, an attorney, has been with the Board of Parole Hearings for 11 years. Relying on notes written by the BPH’s Chief Psychologist Dr. Cliff Kusaj (who … Read Full Article
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: CHAMPS RETURN TO THE Q
The Golden State Warriors, champions of the NBA, sent members of their organization to San Quentin to support the incarcerated population and resume their basketball rivalry with the San Quentin Warriors. The visiting team won the Sept. 16 game, 83–65, and extended their series lead to 5–3. The team the GSW brought in to play was led by owner Joe Lacob’s athletic sons, Kirk and Kent Lacob, and … Read Full Article
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