KidCAT’s Will VanBrackle and his wife, Kellene Will VanBrackle served his country in the U.S. Air Force. Now he serves the Bay Area youth community by helping the kids of incarcerated parents through Project Avary—and by volunteering as a KidCAT facilitator inside San Quentin. A troubled youth himself, VanBrackle faced his own life struggles before finding a path to being of service. “As a teenager, I spent a lot of time doing the wrong things in the wrong places, a whole lot of dumb stuff— the same kind of activities that lead guys to … [Read more...] about Air Force vet commits to working with youth organizations
Filmmaking team premierès College Behind Bars at SQ
Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) graduates celebrate at Taconic Correctional Facility in June 2017 Acclaimed filmmakers Sarah Botstein and Lynn Novick brought their latest effort, College Behind Bars, to San Quentin for a premierè screening organized through SQ’s Prison University Project (PUP) on Sept. 18. Shot on location inside several east coast correctional facilities, the documentary examines the struggles and triumphs of incarcerated students participating in the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI)—a college program much like PUP, under … [Read more...] about Filmmaking team premierès College Behind Bars at SQ
Former presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke visits SQ
Beto O’Rourke with Father George Williams (back), SQ staff (second from right) and SQ tour guides Presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke, who has since dropped out of the race, came to San Quentin Sept. 18 to witness firsthand the power of rehabilitative transformation. A small group of prisoners met with O’Rourke in the SQ chapel to speak about how they used their incarceration to become better human beings—fully cognizant of the harms they once caused society. “One of my big takeaways is that we are all capable of change,” O’Rourke … [Read more...] about Former presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke visits SQ
SQ veterans lose innovative facilitator Rebecca Haskell
Rebecca Haskell, an outside facilitator working with Veterans Healing Veterans (VHV), has impacted San Quentin’s incarcerated veteran community like few have before her. Haskell’s exuberant and immersive style of leadership training enabled SQ’s dedicated core of veteran facilitators to reach new levels of interactive communication— an essential skill to promote genuine healing. “Rebecca helped create a healthy environment where we could build a tremendous bond within our group,” said Reginald Cooper, a VHV facilitator who trained with … [Read more...] about SQ veterans lose innovative facilitator Rebecca Haskell
KidCAT members unite and bid farewell as leadership roles transition
Youth offenders and prisoners focus on incorporating the entire community The latest graduating cycle of KidCAT’s First Step curriculum marked the end of a distinct era in this ground- breaking program’s history. The youth offender support community celebrated and said heartfelt goodbyes on June 30 to four of its outside volunteer facilitators—and also to inside lead facilitator, Fateen Jackson, who was found suitable for parole and returned to society oct. 1. “It’s a bittersweet experience that several of us are leaving the … [Read more...] about KidCAT members unite and bid farewell as leadership roles transition
Dear KidCAT
My name is Jose Hernandez. I’m serving a 68-to-life sentence and have been incarcerated since the age of 16. I am now 25 years old and I want to reach out to all of you. I’ve currently been going back and forth to San Joaquin Juvenile Court, and I’ve had a chance to read the SQNews. Most importantly, and what has inspired me to write this let- ter, are the articles, projects and KidCAT Speaks that has given me more hope—as well as drawn my full interest for the last seven months. “Gangbanging on the groups and college courses SQ offers, … [Read more...] about Dear KidCAT
Finding your true self in a non-designated universe
Jonathan Rivas came to San Quentin, vowing to turn often participate in a coordinated “removal”— where a racial brand of prison politics. That means that those who willfully choose to remain housed among SNY inmates at a non-designated facility are putting their reputation in permanent jeopardy. “I know there’s gonna be consequences. I’m not scared,” said Rivas. “What I’m scared about is not mak- ing it home—scared of losing my family, my daughter.” Even at SQ, general popu- lation prisoners housed tem- porarily in the reception center … [Read more...] about Finding your true self in a non-designated universe
Coalition For Justice graduates exemplify commitment to community
San Quentin’s Coalition For Justice (CFJ) celebrated the completion of its latest graduating class—Cycle 15. CFJ’s primary focus in- volves providing its students with skills that encourage community building and so- cial responsibility. The July 25th ceremony also gave a distinct nod toward Cycle 15’s exceptional level of com- mitment. “We started off with a much bigger group, but it was you guys that stuck it out and came to the end—came every day,” said inside facilitator Allan Bennett. “Your deter- mination wasn’t just within this … [Read more...] about Coalition For Justice graduates exemplify commitment to community
PUP hopes to become nation’s first stand-alone prison campus
The Prison University Project’s (PUP) quest for independent college accreditation— and what that may mean, exactly, for the San Quentin community—inspired an active conversation at the July 29 town hall meeting hosted by PUP. With submission of its accreditation application complete in August, PUP’s transition from its partnership with Patten University to the nation’s first stand-alone prison campus moved a step closer to actualization. “To become independent, we’ll become a better school,” said PUP Executive Director Jody Lewen. … [Read more...] about PUP hopes to become nation’s first stand-alone prison campus
Power Source group commemorates first-ever YOP graduation
San Quentin youth offenders came together on their own—in a grassroots ceremony on June 23, to commemorate the first-ever graduating cycle of the Power Source curriculum. Institutional glitches delayed the officially scheduled graduation in May. But, the incarcerated members of BE-IT (Benefitting Each Individual Together) wanted to make sure this group of dedicated young men got the chance to fully celebrate their accomplishments. San Quentin’s first-ever YOP graduate class of Power Source “Here’s to rehabilitation!” Brian Holliday … [Read more...] about Power Source group commemorates first-ever YOP graduation