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
Richmond Soulful Sunday seeks unity through softball
The visiting Richmond Soulful Sunday’s softball team returned bigger and faster but still couldn’t handle all the big hits from the San Quentin Hardtimers, falling 22-15. Soulful Sunday’s team includes community activists who engage in curbing street violence. Paul Chambers of Fox News captured the game on the invite of Rodney “Alamo” Brown, Soulful Sunday’s head coach and event planner. “We are coming here to build bridges of peace right at the epicenter, and softball is the vehicle we use to do what really needs to be done,” said … [Read more...] about Richmond Soulful Sunday seeks unity through softball