A 40-minute disturbance at San Quentin State Prison blew incarcerated runner Eddie Herena’s chance to take back first place in the 1000 Mile Running Club’s two- hour race Sept. 7. “It would have been the ideal ending to my difficult but triumphant prison experience,” said Herena, who paroled Oct. 20. At 5 feet 2 inches, 137-pound Herena was the best runner in the 1000 Mile Running Club at San Quentin until Markelle “The Gazelle” Taylor came along in 2015. Taylor, chiseled with long legs and zero body fat, broke all of Herena’s … [Read more...] about Runner’s challenge to track club record stymied by alarms
San Quentin Warriors take visiting Lincoln Hill in overtime
The visiting Lincoln Hill basketball team took the San Quentin Warriors into over- time but fell short, 77-66. “Great game; one of the best games we had,” Lincoln Hill center Dominique Thompson said. “A lot of lead changes—tight until the end.” Lincoln Hill, named after the church of pastor Miguel Rodriquez, visits the court on the prison yard more to win over souls than to win the game. In fact, Rodriquez had just returned from a trip to Japan, a country he says is less than 1 percent Christian, to spread the gospel. Still, Lincoln Hill … [Read more...] about San Quentin Warriors take visiting Lincoln Hill in overtime
CCWP advocates mount a fight to end LWOP
Advocates are mounting a fight to end the other death penalty—life without the possibility of parole. These “hidden death sentences” mean prisoners must live the rest of their lives in “prisons with extraordinarily high suicide rates, with substandard medical, dental, and mental health care and with scant rehabilitative programs. Prisons rife with gang violence, racism, and despair,” said Kenneth Hartman in a Truthout article. Hartman was recently released from a life without possibility of parole sentence by the California Parole Board, … [Read more...] about CCWP advocates mount a fight to end LWOP
Kings reign unseated by Outsiders basketball team
Over the Labor Day weekend, several basketball players from different Prison Sports Ministry teams teamed up for a game against the San Quentin Kings and won 76-74. “It was tough because everybody had to learn how to play with each other,” Outsider Sponsor John Brewster said. “We played as a team and it went pretty flawless.” While most people were away celebrating Labor Day, eight basketball players— members of the Trailblazers, Green Team, Outsiders and Lincoln Hill—showed up on the Lower Yard to en- joy a game against the Kings … [Read more...] about Kings reign unseated by Outsiders basketball team
S.Q. Warriors take trophy back
The San Quentin Warriors won again! For the second straight year, the prison’s premiere basketball team beat the Golden State Warriors squad of staffers 93-85 in a community atmosphere that featured NBA-playoff intensity. The victory had particular significance for San Quentin power forward Harry “ATL” Smith, who paroled a few days after the game. “All praise is due to God,” Smith said. “It’s bigger than basketball. This program has really been my family. When I get out, I plan to continue repping the Warriors and Jesus … [Read more...] about S.Q. Warriors take trophy back
San Jose Earthquakes – EQs visitan SQ
El Equipo Profesional De Futbol San Jose Earthquakes Visita la Prisión de San Quentin. Los representantes del equipo de fútbol profesional San José Earthquakes (EQs) aceptaron la oportunidad para hacer vibrar el campo de fútbol de la Prisión Estatal de San Quentin y se llevaron la victoria de 4-1 sobre el equipo local. El entrenador/jugador Tare “Cancún” Beltranchuc indicó “El fútbol es más que un de- porte” “Es una oportunidad para edificar y unificar a la comunidad, además me brin- da la oportunidad de aplicar estas … [Read more...] about San Jose Earthquakes – EQs visitan SQ
SQ Warriors team up on Imago for 98-84 win
People on the sidelines often criticize San Quentin Warriors head coach Rafael Cuevas, but his team played like a well-oiled machine in a 98-84 victory over the visiting Imago Dei basketball squad. “When Bear told me I was going to get this job, I really didn’t know what that meant,” Cuevas, who played point guard under former Warriors coach Daniel “Bear” Wright, said. “This whole prison wants me to win every game.” The victory improved the Warriors’ record to 8 wins and 8 losses in a season with more roster changes than a county … [Read more...] about SQ Warriors team up on Imago for 98-84 win
San Jose Earthquakes shake it up at Quentin, 4-1
Representatives from the San Jose Earthquakes soccer team jumped at the chance to shake the field at San Quentin State Prison and left with much more than a 4-1 victory over the home team. “Soccer is more than a sport,” SQ player/coach Tare “Cancun” Beltranchuc said. “It’s an opportunity to build community. And, I can transfer these skills into my real life. Like today we faced adversity and we didn’t give up.” Active first year Earthquake (EQ) players Eric Calvillo and Frenchman Paul Marie came to support the EQ staffers who teamed … [Read more...] about San Jose Earthquakes shake it up at Quentin, 4-1
Kings over Shoe Palace basketball team, 86-68
The San Quentin Kings, who normally play teams visiting from the Bay Area on Saturdays, played a special game on Sunday, Aug. 12, against Shoe Palace, from the Coast Side – Half Moon Bay, in Pacifica. The Kings won 86-68. The victory improved the Kings record for this season to 5-9. It was their fourth consecutive win. “We’re turning the corner,” King Center Jason Robinson said. “The key is playing together, supporting each other. Without that, it ‘don’t’ matter how much you win.” Robinson, at 6’5” and 255 lbs., set the tone of the … [Read more...] about Kings over Shoe Palace basketball team, 86-68
Common visits SQ music program
David Jassy playing music for Common and guests Hip-hop artist Rashid “Common” Lynn heard about the positive music being produced from prison by David Jassy, a Grammy-nominated Swedish rapper and producer, and came into San Quentin to meet about a collaborative project. “He has a genuine interest in prison reform,” Jassy said. “They heard about the YOP mixtape and they have ideas they want to discuss.” The YOP mixtape, produced by Jassy, showcases the raw voices of young incarcerated rappers rhyming about their truths, without glorifying … [Read more...] about Common visits SQ music program