John Valverde, 50, went from the prison cell to the executive suite, having an occupation listed as “convict,” to an occupation of “CEO.” Now chief executive officer of YouthBuild USA Inc., Val- verde was named winner of the 2018 Brian S. Fischer Achievement Award. “It was amazing to be in a room with so many people who guided me and mentored me during my incarceration and are now celebrating who I have become,” Valverde told SQN. “And to have my family there with me was extremely special and moving.”The award recognizes a formerly … [Read more...] about Former prisoner honored for his achievements
Skyping with SQ’s Last Mile and DJJ
Thanks to San Quentin’s first-ever Skype computer conference call to be allowed between California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation prisoners and youth in the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), California officials think they’ve opened a door to exchanging valuable instruction between inmates at different institutions. The July face-to-digital-face electronic encounter was a part of an Adult Youth Offender Mentorship pilot program. The partnership was formed between the Last Mile and DJJ. Prisoners of the San Quentin’s Last … [Read more...] about Skyping with SQ’s Last Mile and DJJ
Native American women breaking cycles
Native American women prisoners in Oregon are finding support from a dedicated and determined advocate helping them rebuild their lives and spirituality. “Women are the backbone of our nation and if we don’t take care of them or help them to heal, it continues that cycle of poverty, incarceration, trauma and addiction,” Trish Jordan, executive director of Red Lodge Transition Center for Women, told the San Quentin News. In Oregon, Native women are 7 to 8 percent of the state prison population and men are 4 to 5 percent of the state prison … [Read more...] about Native American women breaking cycles
A’s shipwreck Sacramento Pirates seniors, 8-4
Strong pitching by the San Quentin A’s easily knocked off the visiting Sacramento Pirates 8-4 in a late July contest. The game marks the first visit for the Pirates, who are part of the Sacramento Senior Men’s League for those 35 and over. “I’ve never been to or visited a prison before,” said Dan Martinez, Pirates head coach. “But it was a great opportunity to come to San Quentin to play ball. It was surreal. I didn’t know everybody was going to be so open.” The A’s ace pitcher J. “Duey” Dumont dismantled the Pirates’ batting core with … [Read more...] about A’s shipwreck Sacramento Pirates seniors, 8-4
Using poetry to build bridges
A Colorado group called Words Beyond Bars is building bridges between prisoners and the public through poetry. Words Beyond Bars (WBB) hosts a poetry-reading event every other month at a public library in partnership with another organization, Unchained Voices. Community members listen to the thoughts and words of the prisoners and write responses to the compositions. The feedback is then given to the incarcerated poets. “We build connections that our current injustice system endeavors to disrupt,” Elie Zwiebel, a member of the Words … [Read more...] about Using poetry to build bridges
Blues musician Maxx Cabello rocks the yard
Maxx Cabello Jr.’s guitar wizardry entertained San Quentin’s Lower Yard June 23, as the visiting blues musician and singer debuted his new “Tattoos and Blues” album. The performer has traveled the world and opened for musical legends like B.B. King and Earth, Wind and Fire. Cabello’s magnetic notes cut through San Quentin’s hyperactive weekend activities ― the usual outdoor workouts and basketball games. The energetic music drew small groups of prisoners to Cabello on the stage, as though he were the Pied Piper. “I hope I have inspired … [Read more...] about Blues musician Maxx Cabello rocks the yard
139 prisoners nationwide were exonerated in 2017
Ledura Watkins spent more than 41 years in a Michigan prison before being cleared of a murder he did not commit. He was just one of 139 exonerations in 2017, according to a recent report. Texas and Illinois led the nation with the most exonerations, 23 and 21 respectively, according to The National Registry of Exonerations. California had nine exonerations for that year. Most were handled by prosecutorial Conviction Integrity Units (CIUs) and Innocence Organizations (IOs). On April 17, a convict from San Quentin’s Death Row walked out of … [Read more...] about 139 prisoners nationwide were exonerated in 2017
A’s spilt double-header with Dodgertown visitors
A sea of Dodger blue jerseys entered hostile white-and-green A’s territory June 9. The visiting Los Angeles Dodgertown baseball team traveled hundreds of miles to battle the San Quentin A’s in an annual doubleheader. In the first game, Dodgertown fought off a ninth-inning rally to defeat the A’s 6-5. The A’s regrouped in the afternoon game with a stronger` performance for the 8-3 victory, to split the doubleheader with their friendly rivals. “Man, I always root for all of our [San Quentin] teams, but today I had to go with the Dodger blue; … [Read more...] about A’s spilt double-header with Dodgertown visitors
Project Avary sets benefit march
San Quentin’s Kid CAT group and the Project Avary organization are preparing for the Second Annual “Walk for the Next Generation” on the prison’s Lower Yard. The event brings support and solidarity to children of incarcerated parents. The men of San Quentin march alongside Project Avary alumni and staff to raise money that provides long-term aid for the children. “We intervene early in the lives of kids at the ages of 8 to 11, and we make a long-term 10-year commitment to each child and family,” said Zach Whelan, Project Avary’s executive … [Read more...] about Project Avary sets benefit march
Club Mexico baseball team spilt double headerm
The San Quentin A’s baseball team spilt a double header with the visiting Club Mexico who traveled from Stockton to do battle for its third year. Club Mexico dominated the first game winning 10-5, but the A’s smoked Club Mexico in the late afternoon contest 6-1. Club Mexico’s center-fielder Gino Ballardo started the first game by smashing a blazing homerun over the left field gate. Ballardo jog leisurely around the bases to let the A’s know they came to play. “I was just thinking I must really love baseball to be standing in the … [Read more...] about Club Mexico baseball team spilt double headerm