PUP graduates class of 2019 On a sunny June morning over- looking the bay, 12 incarcerated scholars were honored at the 2019 Prison University Project (PUP) graduation. University instructors, staff, classmates and family of the graduates gathered in San Quentin’s main visiting room to celebrate the conferring of Associate of Arts degrees in liberal arts to the men in blue. Graduate Sumit Lal and family As “Pomp and Circumstance” sounded, the 2019 graduates began their procession, and PUP Board Chair Maddy Russell-Shapiro’s eyes were … [Read more...] about San Quentin’s college class of 2019
SQ Garden Chapel hosts Christmas banquet
Opera Singer Sanet Allen “Jesus is not only the reason for the season – but for all 365 days a year.” The gospel song “Lord, We Praise Your Name” rang loudly throughout the San Quentin Garden Chapel as the prison choir greeted more than 300 inmates and guests to celebrate its annual Christian Banquet. Pastor Tom Pham praying with Vietnamese Bible study group The May 11 event brought fellowship, food and festivities to honor the hundreds of volunteers who have steadfastly shared the love of Christ with the inmates throughout the … [Read more...] about SQ Garden Chapel hosts Christmas banquet
Get On The Bus unites families at SQ
Families eating, playing games, and enjoying GOTB 2019 The laughter, tears and warm embraces of family reunions filled the San Quentin visiting rooms during the day-long Get On The Bus (GOTB) event on Friday, May 31. Daughters, sons and grandchildren reconnected with their incarcerated fathers and grandfathers after years—even decades—of separation. Get On The Bus supports family relationships “It’s amazing—it’s finally happening!” said 57-year-old inmate Nathaniel Sparks. “Today I saw my daughter and wife together for the … [Read more...] about Get On The Bus unites families at SQ
Bread & Roses presents tribute to honor Audrey Auld
Audrey Auld singing for Day of Peace on lower yard in SQ A parade of San Quentin musicians entertained about 100 inmates while honoring the late folksinger Audrey Auld, a favorite performer at the prison. “She opened up her heart; she brought her music. She was amazing!” guitarist Richie Morris said of Auld. “Audrey’s final performance at San Quentin was the performance of a life- time—the show to top all shows. She left exhilarated. It’s an example of the healing power of music,” said Lisa Starbird of the music organization Bread … [Read more...] about Bread & Roses presents tribute to honor Audrey Auld
Veterans’ toy drive is “all about the kids”
Toys collected for the Veterans’ Toy Drive in the SQ visiting room It was toys and smiles all around as dozens of children came to visit their dads in San Quentin State Prison at Christmas-time. “It’s all about the kids,” said Tony Burch, vice chair of the veterans group that sponsored the Toys for Tots event in its thirtieth year. “I just love to see the expressions on the faces of the kids,” said Army veteran Garvin Robinson, long-time secretary and treasurer of the Veterans Group at San Quentin. Robinson admitted that sometimes … [Read more...] about Veterans’ toy drive is “all about the kids”
10th annual San Quentin CARES “Walk for a Cure” builds community
Community members, volunteers and San Quentin inmates joined forces the first weekend in October to fight breast cancer at the 10th Annual “Walk for a Cure.” The two-day event featured live music, personal messages, poetry and prayer to entertain and inspire about 100 participants. SQ CARES - Volunteers and organizers on Lower Yard The inmate-run program San Quentin CARES (Compassionate Accountability Responsibly Expressed through community Service) organized the “Walk for a Cure.” SQ CARES is a committee of a dozen inmates and four … [Read more...] about 10th annual San Quentin CARES “Walk for a Cure” builds community
Pastor Pham’s message of love in and outside of SQ
Decades ago, in the midst of preaching the gospel, Pastor Tom Pham exited the podium, hopped onto a motorcycle and escaped the scene as the Vietnamese authorities approached. If caught preaching, he would face incarceration for violating laws prohibiting religious services. Now, he sits in prison, once a week, with his colleagues sharing the gospel with the men inside. Pastor Pham said God called him to San Quentin five years ago. He came to San Quentin’s Protestant Chapel as a guest and met several of the incarcerated Vietnamese … [Read more...] about Pastor Pham’s message of love in and outside of SQ
San Quentin college students triumph over UC Santa Cruz in Ethics Bowl debate
PUP team Roosevelt “Askare” Johnson, Angel Alvarez and Randy Akins San Quentin inmates prevailed against University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) students in the second Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl match hosted by the Prison University Project (PUP). About 100 people, including PUP, gathered in the prison chapel for the lively debate on February 15. After two rounds of engaging discussion seeking resolution of ethical dilemmas, the judges narrowly decided in favor of the inmate/students on the San Quentin-PUP debate team. Combined … [Read more...] about San Quentin college students triumph over UC Santa Cruz in Ethics Bowl debate