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
Ken Burns brings Country Music to SQ
Ken Burns, Julie Dunfey and Dayton Duncan hosting a Q&A for their PBS documentary Country Music Ken Burns came to the San Quentin chapel and delivered an exclusive prison screening of his latest American gospel, Country Music. The July 24 visit brought prisoners up close and personal with the legendary filmmaker and two of his Florentine Films teammates, writer and co-producers Julie Dunfey and Dayton Duncan. “I feel like I’ve met almost everyone here in this room,” said Burns to the roughly 150 inmates and staff. “This has been … [Read more...] about Ken Burns brings Country Music to SQ
ROOTS celebrates, tradition, inclusion and freedom
Roots graduate Javier Jimenez and Roger Chung San Quentin’s Asian community organized a festive and all-inclusive ceremony to honor “Super Cycle 5”—the latest graduating class of ROOTS (Restoring Our Original True Self). ROOTS Chairman Kevin Neang served as emcee and made sure the June 9 event reflected great reverence for history and tradition, while also keeping a positive perspective on the future. “I guess we’re really going to be Asian today,” joked Neang after he was thrown a bottle of Sriracha sauce instead of a microphone. “We … [Read more...] about ROOTS celebrates, tradition, inclusion and freedom
The sounds of Woodstock filled the Catholic Chapel
Courtesy of Tom Lapinski Kurt Huget’s guitar workshop for San Quentin inmates did it again—this time bringing the music of Woodstock to the SQ Cath- olic Chapel for a mostly acoustic ensemble perfor- mance. No one remembered ex- actly whose idea it was to celebrate the iconic con- cert’s 50 year anniver- sary—but they all agreed it was a perfect theme for their June 23 showcase. “Woodstock means a lot to the older generation,” said incarcerated guitar stu- dent Thomas Washington, age 74–a trained jazz saxo- phonist who has learned … [Read more...] about The sounds of Woodstock filled the Catholic Chapel
Getting a rare second chance in prison: How one youthful offender reclaimed his life with the help of others
Ryan Dietz and “Prison Daddy” Kenny Vernon Ryan Dietz arrived at San Quentin in 2016 ready to succumb to all the usual pitfalls that await youth of- fenders—substance abuse, cellphone activity and peer- pressured violence. Instead, the 19-year-old found a supportive community of mentors and positive role models that guided him onto a better path and a brighter future. Dietz paroled from SQ on July 7 with a heart determined to pay that forward. “Ultimately, prison gave me back my life,” Dietz told SQNews. “When I look back, I know I’m … [Read more...] about Getting a rare second chance in prison: How one youthful offender reclaimed his life with the help of others
California legislature advances bill to compensate victims of involuntary sterilization
Women Advocates of CCWP and CLRS supporting Bill Pending legislature aims to compensate victims of an old California policy that once resulted in forced or involuntary sterilization on individuals deemed unfit to reproduce. Under California’s eugenic sterilization program, state institutions from 1909 to 1979 legally sterilized certain disabled or mentally ill persons—without valid consent. Eugenics was the scientific practice of selectively weed- ing out inferior genetic specimens. “The sterilizations at the women’s prisons … [Read more...] about California legislature advances bill to compensate victims of involuntary sterilization
Program coordinator Heather Hart bids farewell to PUP
PUP coordinator Heather Hart taking a walk outside SQ San Quentin’s Prison University Project (PUP) waved goodbye to Program Coordinator Heather Hart on July 3. But she leaves intent on continuing her fierce advocacy goals in a potentially broader scope— through philanthropic influence. “After four years here, I started to feel like there was more I needed to learn, more skills I needed to ac- quire in order to get to a place where I could make the most impact,” Hart told SQNews. “Exploring this world of philanthropy, I want to see for … [Read more...] about Program coordinator Heather Hart bids farewell to PUP
Hamilton cast and crew visits San Quentin
Members of Hamilton cast and crew with SQNews advsiors Monica Campbell and Jan Perry The world proved wide enough for San Quentin prisoners and the San Francisco production of Hamilton to come together as one community. Donald Webber, Jr., Darilyn Castillo, Marja Harmon, and Sabrina Sloan At the invitation of SQNews adviser Jan Perry, members of the cast and crew welcomed the June 21 opportunity to take a quick tour of the prison while getting acquainted with some of its incarcerated residents. “Their visit totally … [Read more...] about Hamilton cast and crew visits San Quentin