One of America’s top writers gave some tips and advice to San Quentin’s Creative Writing Class recently. The speaker was Junot Díaz, author of Drown and The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, which won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. A writer … [Read more...]
Archives for June 2009
Berkeley Law Professor Lectures On Parole and Sentencing Reform
California needs a massive overhaul of its prisons and parole system to effectively cope with crime and repeat offenders, a noted law professor told a San Quentin audience. Jonathan Simon, an author and professor at the University of California Bolt … [Read more...]
S.Q.’s Imam Hassan Retires
Imam Rafiq S. Hassan, 67, retired after devoting more than 20 years of service to the San Quentin Muslim Community. “I will miss him, as well as his leadership skills,” said Protestant Chaplain, Pastor Morris Curry. Imam Hassan is a diligent … [Read more...]
A Close Look at the Three Strikes Law
California’s Three Strikes Law has flooded state prisons but has little effect on curbing violent crime, according to a professor who researched the impact reports. “California has over 7,000 more third-strike prisoners than any other state. … [Read more...]
Prison Sentencing Reform Proposal
Sentencing reform is among the hottest topics in California’s prison system, but despite the heat, not much is happening. I would like to get things moving and so respectfully offer my own proposal as a starting point. three-judge panel of Federal … [Read more...]
Parole Date Cancellations By Governor Devastate Prisoners and Families
When the governor rejects parole to a lifer, it’s devastating both to the inmate and his family. The family members become faceless victims. To illustrate the point, we interviewed three lifers who were found suitable for parole by the board, but the … [Read more...]
Happy Birthday S.Q. News
This edition of the San Quentin News marks the one-year anniversary of the resurrection of the inmate-produced newspaper whose aim is to tell what life inside the walls is really like. We have come a long way since that June 2008 paper hit the Print … [Read more...]
Project R.E.A.C.H. Hosts M.A.S.H. Actor Mike Farrell
Actor Mike Farrell says prisons need to do more to help people, such as the San Quentin R.E.A.C.H. program is doing to combat illiteracy. “My friend Nan Sincero invited me here to see this class,” Farrell said. “When Nan told me about the Marin … [Read more...]
June 2009 News Briefs
1. Hartford, Conn. — Republican Gov. Jodi Rell vetoed legislation that would have eliminated the death penalty in the state of Connecticut. The state Democratic-controlled assembly does not have the required two-thirds majority vote which would … [Read more...]
Back in the Day – Selected Stories From Back Issues Of The San Quentin News
April 25, 1980 - “The Phantom Diner” - S.Q. News’ esteemed “Restaurant Critic” reported that after sampling 26 meals over nine days in the chow hall, eight were poor quality, 12 adequate and six were good. Notably, gravy was cold and lumpy, while … [Read more...]