Performance of Women Theater Work at LA Trade-Tech Center The “right road lost/FOUND” is a play based on the memories, life stories and experiences of five formerly incarcerated men and women who navigate their personal paths through reentry into the free world. The production had its debut at the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College (LATTC), a community college in South Los Angeles. It was also performed at the Los Angeles County Probation Department. The performance piece is based on the writing of Antoineeta Phillips, Pam Torrence, … [Read more...] about Storytelling: bridging the divide between prison and the free world
Celebrating the contributions of athletic programs
Mike Kramer and Anthony Redwood got an award The triumphs, defeats and the power of fellowship were on full display at San Quentin’s Inaugural Athletics Assn. Banquet. Kevin Rumon, volunteer track coach for the 1000 Mile Club and cancer survivor was honored. He was recognized for his resilience. While battling cancer and going through chemo, Rumon defied the odds and returned every Friday for the club races. “I believed I had to surround myself with positive people,” said Rumon. “I get a hundred times more out of this than I give and … [Read more...] about Celebrating the contributions of athletic programs
Ida B. Wells: early Black journalist and activist
Ida B. Wells Before Black Lives Matter, and before former San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick took a knee, there was Ida B. Wells. She was a pioneering journalist with a social conscience who laid the foundations of resistance to racial injustice and violence against Black people. “Out of their own mouths, murderers shall be condemned,” wrote Wells in A Red Record, referring to murder by lynching. Beyond her journalism, Wells, who died in 1931, devoted her life to social justice and activism. Her special cause was to open the … [Read more...] about Ida B. Wells: early Black journalist and activist
Rap music offered a fresh new voice for the Black community
Public Enemy In the 1980s, rap music became a powerful expression of Black youth. Public Enemy led the way in establishing a Black social consciousness in contrast to the prevailing narratives of violence and materialism. The group consisted of Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Terminator X, Professor Griff and the S1Ws, which stands for Security of the First World. The group produced studio albums, “Yo! Bum Rush the Show,” “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back” and “A Fear of a Black Planet,” which raised the political awareness for … [Read more...] about Rap music offered a fresh new voice for the Black community
UC Davis launches social media campaign to combat ex-prisoner perceptions
A group of formerly incarcerated university students is launching a social media campaign designed to combat society’s negative perceptions of ex-prisoners. The University of California at Davis students call their campaign “We Are All Students” (WAAS). The aim is to help others to respect former inmates for who they are as people. “We are producing a year-long social media campaign that conveys the social situations and experiences of people who attend higher education in the shadow of incarceration,” Zach Psick told the San Quentin … [Read more...] about UC Davis launches social media campaign to combat ex-prisoner perceptions
Wake Forest University gains experience with Prison Letter Project
Wake Forest University law students are providing North Carolina prisoners legal help through its Prison Letter Project and gaining experience in the process. The letter program is a part of the school’s Pro Bono Project. The school’s law library is the only publicly accessible law library between the state capitol and the Tennessee border. “We’re not allowed to give them legal advice and give an opinion,” Suzanne Cavanaugh, Prison Letter Project coordinator, told San Quentin News. “But I can bring the horse water and hope that it … [Read more...] about Wake Forest University gains experience with Prison Letter Project
Female prisoners and advocates fight against breast cancer
The fight against breast cancer found advocates and support from women prisoners and staff at the California Institution for Women (CIW). The prison raised close to $2,500 at its 2018 Avon 39 “Making Strides against Breast Cancer ” walk. The American Cancer Society (ACS) partnered with Avon 39 for the prison event. The September 30, event was sponsored by the prison’s “Lockdown for a Cure team” that consisted of the women prisoners and staff. The women prisoners showed their support by participating in an institutional food … [Read more...] about Female prisoners and advocates fight against breast cancer
Dr. Tootell’s legacy at San Quentin
For the last 11 years Dr. Elena Tootell has been overseeing San Quentin’s strained medical care, a system she described as occasionally “chaotic.” Now the physician is moving north to Pelican Bay State Prison. Dr. Tootell has become more than just another prison physician. She has become a part of the San Quentin community. “I had breast cancer a few years ago, and just the support I got from the inmates was a huge sign that I was doing something good,” she said. “I was invited to the prison Breast Cancer Walk.” Dr. Tootell … [Read more...] about Dr. Tootell’s legacy at San Quentin
CIW hosts second annual Suicide Prevention Week
Women prisoners at the California Institution for Women (CIW) were given the knowledge to promote awareness at its second annual Suicide Prevention Week. CIW prisoners enjoying the day on the yard The September event started with the inmate Suicide Prevention Outreach Committee members distributing posters and passing out program pamphlets to inform the incarcerated women of the upcoming week’s events, according to the prison’s press release. CIW prisoners dunking a staff member “The inmates played games, spoke with community … [Read more...] about CIW hosts second annual Suicide Prevention Week
Queens of the Stone Age, Deadsy & Queeny King rock out at SQ
San Quentin is still on many great musicians’ “must” list of places to perform. Queens of the Stone Age, Queeny King and Deadsy are now among the legends such as Johnny Cash, Carlos Santana and Metallica that have rocked the prison. The Nov. 16 rock concert was the final leg of the “Villains World Tour 2018” for the Queens of the Stone Age. Villains is the name of the band’s latest album. The band just returned from Australia. Prisoners filed into the Protestant Chapel by the hundreds, anticipating the powerful guitar riffs and a spectacular … [Read more...] about Queens of the Stone Age, Deadsy & Queeny King rock out at SQ