Twenty-two inmates graduated from the Prison to Employment Connection’s (PEC) seventh session at San Quentin State Prison in May. A week before graduation, the men did face-to-face interviews with employers looking to hire qualified formerly incarcerated citizens. More than 40 men enrolled in the program in February to learn about interview skills, resumé writing and other forms of communication. In doing so, they were able to determine what career path was right for them upon release from prison. “There are over 4,800 legal restrictions … [Read more...] about 21 graduates ready to reenter the workforce
Sistema para Combatir Teléfonos celulares
Nuevo sistema de control para combatir el uso ilegal de teléfonos inalambricos. El uso de celulares en las prisiones por parte de los presos demuestra un incremento en la violencia y el crimen a través del país, según información proporcionada durante una conferencia de prensa por Digital Journal. Debido al supuesto incremento del crimen, Securus Technology está vendiendo sus Wireless Contaiment Solution (WCS) para utilizarlas en todas las cárceles y prisiones de la nación, reportó el Journal. La red privada de celulares opera dentro de las … [Read more...] about Sistema para Combatir Teléfonos celulares
2017 domestic extremist-related killings
In 2017, extremists from a wide array of groups committed 34 “domestic extremist-related killings,” according to a report by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). “White supremacists were responsible for the majority of extremist-related killings in 2017, as is usually the case each year,” the ADL reported. That, however, was not true in 2016, when the numbers dipped to 13 percent. “Twenty of the 34 extremist-related murders in the United States in 2017, or 59 percent, were related to right-wing extremism,” the ADL reported. “Islamic … [Read more...] about 2017 domestic extremist-related killings
Grammy award winning Zuill Bailey performs in SQ
A Grammy Award-winning cellist, Zuill Bailey, performed an hour-long concert at San Quentin State Prison’s Protestant Chapel. Bailey is considered one of the premier cellists in the world, and yet he decided to play before an audience of prisoners, staff and volunteers in a place where few artists have ever set foot. After achieving so much renown, Bailey visited the prison on April 27 to share his music with men who rarely partake of the fine arts. “It’s very special to be here,” said Bailey. “I’m looking forward to sharing this kind of … [Read more...] about Grammy award winning Zuill Bailey performs in SQ
Suicides disturbingly common for officers
Suicides are “distressingly common” among California’s correctional and parole officers, a university study concludes. The rate of correctional or parole officers who have attempted or considered suicide is three times the United States’ general population rate. “…evidence has linked loneliness…to a host of psychological and physiological ills (including) depression, cognitive decline, hearing problems and stroke.” Scientific American “The Toxic Well of Loneliness” January 2018 “Historically, it’s been hard to get attention to mental … [Read more...] about Suicides disturbingly common for officers
Prodigal Son granted parole
O.J. Simpson was facing a maximum of 33 years in prison before a parole board in Nevada granted him a parole date and released him in October 2017. If a native son serves that much time, starting today, he’ll return home in the year 2050. It’s a harsh penalty for a young man who’s convicted and banished from society for damage he inflicts on his community. In 1984, Patrick Fletcher, now 53, was one of many African American youths. He could have been from in city in America. He came of age in Oakland when drug kingpin Felix Mitchell and … [Read more...] about Prodigal Son granted parole
The Healing Power of Music rocks out at San Quentin
San Quentin welcomed back several Bay Area musicians who performed “oldies” hits in the prison’s Catholic chapel in September. The organization Bread & Roses billed it as “The Healing Power of Music.” Dozens of inmates attended the Sunday evening event tapping feet, bobbing heads and singing as the band grooved for two hours. The inmates began with a moment of silence in memory of inmate Ricky Higginbaum and former inmate Arnulfo T. Garcia. Both men recently passed away. “Although the night started off with a memorial, the energy … [Read more...] about The Healing Power of Music rocks out at San Quentin
SQN launches new website, SanQuentinNews.com
The Last Mile inmate coding program, Code.7370, has designed a new website for San Quentin News at www.sanquentinnews.com. Inmate Harry Hemphill built the website. He graduated from the coding class in April 2015. His work is the third iteration of the website since it debuted in 2010. “I’ve acquired a lot of technical skills,” said Hemphill. “I’m passionate about giving back to the community.” According to Hemphill, the project was budgeted for 150 hours of work, but he said it probably took a little more time. He said working on … [Read more...] about SQN launches new website, SanQuentinNews.com
Prisoners find love on the internet
In the age of mass incarceration, lonely prisoners have found creative ways to connect with the outside world. Correspondence using pen and ink pen-pal services are no longer the only option prisoners use to communicate. Low-cost dating services through the Internet have created a $3 billion dollar dating industry that’s keeping pace with mass incarceration, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. “The overlap is a growing constellation of sites with names such as loveaprisoner.com, inmate-connection.com, and inmatepassions.com that promote … [Read more...] about Prisoners find love on the internet
Inmates striving to become working citizens
The dozens of employers and organizations that support rehabilitation by visiting San Quentin to interview inmates have captured the attention of the state’s top corrections official. In May, the prison hosted its fifth Prison to Employment Connection (PEC) event in two years. This time, Scott Kernan, secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), took notice. “It was really important to be here today,” said Kernan. “It’s a very common-sense objective to get people employed.” He said Gov. Jerry Brown is … [Read more...] about Inmates striving to become working citizens