San Quentin Inmates Speak Out Opinion is divided within the San Quentin community over the Supreme Court’s ruling about overcrowding in California prisons. Random interviews with 20 members of the community were conducted: 10 men in blue (5 from … [Read more...]
Archives for July 2011
Centering Prayer in the Catholic Chapel
Every Monday night in the Catholic Chapel, men of all faiths come together to practice the art of centering prayer. The guidelines are as follows: 1. Light a candle to represent God’s presence. 2. Sit in a comfortable position; close your eyes and … [Read more...]
Violence on Lower Yard Ends in Fatality
Violence erupted at the bottom of the stairs leading to the lower yard when the resident pack of rats living under the old modular building faced an uninvited intruder. The intruder, Big Fatty, a vicious looking grey rat usually seen in the area of … [Read more...]
Hancock’s Bill Proposes Voter Decision
The bill to allow voters to abolish the death penalty was authored by Sen. Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley. The legislation, SB490, was approved in July by the Assembly Public Safety Committee and moved to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. If … [Read more...]
EDUCTION CORNER
Death Row student Craigen Armstrong wants kids to hear his voice and avoid his fate. He envies the access general population outreach groups have to at-risk youth. He has had an epiphany, and wants to share. He thinks that kids would listen to him, … [Read more...]
July 2011 News Briefs
SACRAMENTO – More than 10,000 offenders are serving their sentences in private prisons outside of California, in four states. That number could grow to 15,000 by 2013. The transfers were ordered in an October 2006 state of emergency proclamation … [Read more...]
New Group to Focus on 3 Strikes
One of the ways to help reduce prison overcrowding would be to modify the Three Strikes Law. A Field Poll in June found 74 percent of voters would support giving judges more discretion in sentencing persons convicted of a third felony. The San … [Read more...]
Back in the Day
Selected Stories From Past Issues of The San Quentin News JUNE 1981 – The prison bake shop has immediate openings for experienced bakers. Pay ranges from $14 to $21. JUNE 1981 – At Deuel Vocational Institute a race riot between black and white … [Read more...]