SIDEWALK CHALK CONTEST Just outside the Receiving and Release building 40 incarcerated men sat, squat or bent over and held chalk of every color to decorate a 32 inch by 32 inch square on a tar surface with the artists’ meaning of peace. It’s all for The Day of Peace https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Day_of_PeaceSidewalk Chalk Contest. Hines, who facilitates the William James Association https://williamjamesassociation.org/prison_arts/ sponsored Arts in Corrections program in San Quentin, would determine first, second, third … [Read more...] about SIDEWALK CHALK CONTEST
Bringing to life the personal stories of those who carry a life sentence
Despite our politically polarized country, most people agree that ending mass incarceration is necessary. There is also wide- spread agreement that non-violent drug offenders need treatment, not punishment. However, the focus of most reform is almost entirely on nonviolent and drug offenses. Nonviolent drug offenders make up 5% of the prison population. Violent offenders make up at least 50%. If the U.S. is serious about undoing mass incarceration, the long sentences violent offenders serve must be addressed. Two recently published books do … [Read more...] about Bringing to life the personal stories of those who carry a life sentence
Oakland Police Chief delivers apology at SQ Barbershop Forum
Oakland Police Department’s Police Chief Jane Kirkpatrick with KTVU Fox 2’s Paul Chambers Oakland Police Chief Jane Kirkpatrick delivered an encouraging message of respect, hope and an apology for law enforcement misdeeds to more than 200 San Quentin prisoners looking forward to freedom. “We have a future and hope together,” Kirkpatrick said. “You will be given an opportunity for restoration and you will be welcomed home. “When you come home, you will be home and you will have a police department that, as long as I am their … [Read more...] about Oakland Police Chief delivers apology at SQ Barbershop Forum
There There depicts the story of the Native American traditions
There There by Tommy Orange chronicles the lives of Native Americans in his hometown of Oakland, California. The result is a portrait of a community often erased from depictions of urban life. After many years of discussing books together San Quentin News senior editor Juan Haines and Berkeley graduate, Democracy Now producer and SQN volunteer, Libby Rainey jointly reviewed There There. San Quentin News aims to tell stories about humanity and redemption that challenge assumptions about who imprisoned people are. In discussing books not … [Read more...] about There There depicts the story of the Native American traditions
An emerging class of peacemakers from San Quentin
TRIP graduates Tribe 379 Restorative justice program GRIP continues its legacy of healing with its newest grads After examining their lives, past traumas, their crimes and taking account- ability of it all, nearly 150 incarcerated men underwent a “rite of passage” in San Quentin’s visiting room that ended with the men pledging to live as peacemakers. Guiding Rage Into Power (GRIP), the 52-week offender accountability program, held graduations on the last two Fridays of June. Incarcerated men, their families, and guest from San … [Read more...] about An emerging class of peacemakers from San Quentin
East Oakland Times publisher Tio MacDonald
Duane Miles & Tio MacDonald Many people in the San Quentin writing community are familiar with East Oakland Times and its publisher, Tio MacDonald. Dime after dime goes to his Global Tel Link account to keep in tele-phone contact with the more than 120 people in his literary group of incarcerated people all over the state. A few months ago, I got my hands on one of his publications, Learning Curve, by Death Row inmate Johnny Duane Miles. The story was powerful, but it was the pref- ace really caught my attention. JH: In the … [Read more...] about East Oakland Times publisher Tio MacDonald
Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs checks out San Quentin Enneagram program
Enneagram class on lower yard with Micheal Tubbs & wife Anna Tubbs Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs and his wife, Anna, came to San Quentin to join a class aimed at helping prisoners gain self-respect and overcome childhood trauma. Anna Tubbs said they came to the prison because they’re “both social justice concerned. It’s important to meet people directly impacted by policy choices—to be seen personally—to understand the needs of the people.” Michael Tubbs & wife Anna with Enneagram class & Sponsors The incarcerated men par- take in … [Read more...] about Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs checks out San Quentin Enneagram program
The uplifting experience of Good Friday at San Quentin
Watson Allison, who spent more than 30 years on San Quentin’s Death Row, was one of many in awe of sunset ser- vices for Good Friday — the day Jesus Christ was crucified. Allison stood inside the Protestant Chapel as light filtered through its blue-tinted windows, dusk approached and men-in-blue mingled. Listening to Raul Higgins slapped the congas, Albert Flagg’s fingers danced on the piano while Greg Dixon rang out his piping organ. Dixon switched to a Fender guitar, adding a new dynamic to the drumming of Sincere Carter over Leonard … [Read more...] about The uplifting experience of Good Friday at San Quentin
WALL CITY, VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2: Outside Looking In
A Q&A with San Quentin News’ Editor-in-Chief 2008-2009 Kenny Brydon Kenny Brydon, who spent 39 years behind bars before his release in 2017, was the first editor-in-chief of San Quentin News (SQN) since the paper was revised in 2008. Now living in the San Francisco Bay area, Brydon reflected on the challenges of leaving prison, transitioning into the free world, and being in charge of a prison newspaper. Juan Haines interviewed him. Kenny: I spent my entire prison term active in self-help, participating in many programs. I was … [Read more...] about WALL CITY, VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2: Outside Looking In
Dr. Gabor Maté lectures at SQ’s Enneagram event
Susan Olesek, Jason Griffin, Ronell “Rauch” Draper, Dustin M. Baldwin and Dr. Gabor Maté Once a week, Susan Olesek comes inside San Quentin to help incarcerated men discover the roots of their personalities and how it plays into the way they see everyday life. The program she oversees helps men realize how life experiences mold personalities and how negative experiences create behaviors that turn into serious problems. Gabor Maté was invited to San Quentin, on March 1, to lecture on brain development, trauma and addiction to an … [Read more...] about Dr. Gabor Maté lectures at SQ’s Enneagram event