San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón took the first step toward establishing a functioning information link between his prosecution team members and the people they send to prison. About a year ago, Gascón created a Formerly Incarcerated Advisory Board (FIAB), and on June 30, it met in San Quentin for the first time. The meeting brought formerly incarcerated men and women as well as San Quentin inmates together for face-to-face discussions with two dozen staff members from the DA’s office. Gascón said he hopes that … [Read more...] about San Quentin hosts fourth D.A. forum
Cesar Chavez’s grandson learns first hand about prisoners’ struggles
More than two dozen Spanish-speaking men had the chance to take off their machismo masks and speak from their hearts to the grandson of a worldwide icon because of a groundbreaking self-help program in San Quentin. Cesar Chavez’s grandson, Anthony P. Chavez, sat in on the May 27 session of Guiding Rage Into Power (GRIP). GRIP is a 52-week comprehensive offender accountability program that takes offenders on a healing journey deep inside themselves. Participants learn how to heal wounds originating in oftAen violent and fractured lives—wounds … [Read more...] about Cesar Chavez’s grandson learns first hand about prisoners’ struggles
Two journalism teachers combine their talents to guide their students’ voices to make an impact
In a criminal justice system that Gabriel Tolliver says encourages people to make bad choices, he co-teaches a journalism class to incarcerated men at San Quentin State Prison. “I teach journalism to prisoners so that the ‘each-one, teach-one’ philosophy would inspire people to help each one tell another’s story,” Tolliver said referring to the more than half Black class. “Gabriel taught me how to find my voice,” said Tommy “Shakur” Ross. “I learned how to come from my own perspective by writing an Op-Ed. I’m able to tell readers how I feel … [Read more...] about Two journalism teachers combine their talents to guide their students’ voices to make an impact
News Briefs
Sacramento — Matthew Beck, 26, suffered fatal head, neck and back injuries when a 120-foot tree uprooted and fell on him, Vice News reports. Beck was leading a crew clearing brush in the remote Hoopa Valley area of Northern California. Beck was convicted of burglary in 2014. He was serving a six-year prison sentence at one of California’s 43 fire camps. This October, Beck was scheduled for parole. Sacramento — A report, released in late March by the state Office of the Inspector General, faulted a “critical shortage” of doctors at California … [Read more...] about News Briefs
Celebration of fathers and family with GOTB
Dozens of children with painted faces posed for pictures to show men doing time in San Quentin what Father’s Day means to them. Thanks to Get on the Bus (GOTB), sons and daughters, mothers and fathers boarded buses on June 2 and traveled from cities as far as Los Angeles to visit their incarcerated relatives. GOTB, in conjunction with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), has held the pre-Father’s Day event for 17 years. Sara L. Smith and Tami Falconer from the CDCR Office of the Ombudsman stood in the … [Read more...] about Celebration of fathers and family with GOTB
Associate Warden Paul Baker, a man of respect, dignity and beloved by all
Paul Baker was an Associate Warden beloved by everyone and is remembered as a man who treated everybody he met with dignity and respect. He passed away peacefully on the morning of June 20 at the age of 44. On June 29, a celebration of life was held in Marin County. “Paul’s contribution to this prison, and to CDCR as a trainer in the academy, was tremendous,” Warden Ron Davis said. “The people he touched will have a lasting impression, whether they are just beginning their careers or they have many years of service. “Paul was the kind of … [Read more...] about Associate Warden Paul Baker, a man of respect, dignity and beloved by all
Public comments can help boost good-time credits
New plans to give time reduction credits for nearly every inmate statewide Thanks to a recent ballot measure, California will soon be drafting new plans to give time reduction credits for nearly every inmate statewide. Your voice could help shape those changes. “Once the draft regulations are published, there will be a 45-day written public comment period,” said Taina Vargas-Edmond, Founder and Executive Director of Initiate Justice (IJ). “All written comments submitted to CDCR (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation) must be … [Read more...] about Public comments can help boost good-time credits
Kurt Vonnegut’s take on a Shakespeare play
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. cleverly converts Shakespeare’s “to be or not to be” to 2BR02B, his version of the decision “to be or not to be.” Vonnegut’s futuristic world, “to be or not to be,” is relevant to population control. Earth now has a fixed number of 40 million people. And each person gets to independently decide for himself or herself: do you wish “not to be?” 2BR02B begins: Everything was perfectly swell. There were no prisons, no slums, no insane asylums, no cripples, no poverty, no wars. All diseases were conquered. So was old age. The … [Read more...] about Kurt Vonnegut’s take on a Shakespeare play
News Briefs
Alabama — Thomas Arthur, 75, was executed on May 25 by lethal injection. The majority of death sentences are handed down in 2 two percent of the nation's counties. The average time people spend on Death Row before execution has increased from six years in 1994 to 15. Nineteen states have abolished capital punishment or imposed a moratorium on executions. Sacramento — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a state law that gives prison authorities responsibility for establishing procedures for lethal injection … [Read more...] about News Briefs
SQ veterans pay tribute on Memorial Day
On Memorial Day, more than two dozen men serving time in San Quentin paid tribute to the fallen soldiers of America’s wars. The men stood in military formation. Across from them, a color guard stood 100 yards away. The American and POW-MIA flags were flapping in the cool morning air. An older veteran began reading a poem about the perils of combat. San Quentin has 360 veterans serving time here. Thirty-one veterans attended this event. Eighteen of them had served in Vietnam. As 13 Canada geese fluttered down on the prison’s Lower Yard to … [Read more...] about SQ veterans pay tribute on Memorial Day