Curtis Roberts Curtis Roberts’ story shows how seemingly little things can do a lot, including saving a life. A guard discovered Curtis Roberts at count time, working on a bed sheet. He was alone, feeling down, having watched yet another friend go home. “I sat alone, depression beginning to take its toll,” Roberts remembers. “I began playing around with the idea of killing myself because there’s just no way I can do fifty years.” He was referring to his sentence of 50 years to life—for a robbery in which he got $40. He sat in his … [Read more...] about WALL CITY, VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2: Coming back from the edge
SQ Shakespeare troupe performs skits about trauma and healing
The cast of the SQ’s Shakespeare Parallel Play Nine original skits put modern personal trauma and healing on full display this past October. The audience discovers how Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors had inspired a troupe of actors to present original works of how trauma is passed down across generations until a choice is made to heal. The troupe used intimate personal skits to express complex emotions arising from bullying, death, jealousy, revenge, betrayal, cancer, to loss of a parent. People in the audience participating in a … [Read more...] about SQ Shakespeare troupe performs skits about trauma and healing
500 POUNDS OF HAPPINESS
Most people consider happiness to be a feeling, without weight or substance. I know different. I witnessed the creation of 500 pounds of happiness before my very eyes at San Quentin State Prison in 2013. It’s not easy to make happiness; nor can you buy it. In fact, it is so rare that a slight dusting of it engenders a wondrous sense of well-being. That’s why it is usually perceived as only a feeling, not something tangible. I know the truth. Happiness is real. It has substance and weight. The happiness I’m taking about did … [Read more...] about 500 POUNDS OF HAPPINESS
Veterans Healing Veterans organizes Shakespeare plays
A group of San Quentin veterans joined with Shakespearean actors on Nov. 29 to portray the experience of service and sacrifice. Veterans Healing Veterans actors and the audience warming up before the play A banner greeted the audience VETERANS HEALING VETERANS FROM THE INSIDE OUT (VHV-FTIO), a group with a mission to represent the imprint each generation of veterans leaves on the next. Lesley Currier directed the performance, a joint enterprise between VHV and the Marin Shakespeare Company (MSC). “Taking that leap of faith with us and … [Read more...] about Veterans Healing Veterans organizes Shakespeare plays
Native Hawaiian Religious Group holds annual feast
San Quentin was treated to a Hawaiian celebration of food, laughs and music. About 75 prisoners and two dozen Bay Area community members enjoyed the annual feast of the Native Hawaiian Religious Group (NHRG). “This is the second best thing to having a spread on the yard,” said inmate Romeo Pacos. The gathering reunites Asian and Pacific Islanders and created a spirit of companionship beyond any normal prison experience, said Pacos. The broad smiles of the Pacific Islanders were evident as they dined, danced, chanted and sang at the … [Read more...] about Native Hawaiian Religious Group holds annual feast
Illinois shut down prison debate team after successful public event
After a successful public debate on reforming, the Illinois parole system, prison officials shut down the Stateville Debate Team in April. The goal of the team was to use debate as a tool to “connect prisoners to the broader debate community” and provide an opportunity to learn and practice the principles of debate, said Katrina Burlet, director of the Justice Debate League (JDL) and coach of the Stateville Debate Team. JDL hosted a public debate on reforming the Illinois parole system with an audience of about 75 people “including state … [Read more...] about Illinois shut down prison debate team after successful public event
Mental health bomb-shell report on care inside state prisons
The chief psychiatrist of California’s prison system is accusing state officials of misleading both a federal court and lawyers for prison inmates fighting to improve mental health care inside state prisons, according to court documents. Dr. Michael Golding sent the 160-page report to the court-appointed federal receiver overseeing reforms inside California prisons. Golding filed the report without his superior’s knowledge. Dr. Golding’s “lengthy, detailed report” contains “serious allegations” that data reported to the federal court … [Read more...] about Mental health bomb-shell report on care inside state prisons
New CA laws may erase pot convictions
If other counties follow San Francisco’s lead, district attorneys’ offices across the state can erase pot convictions under California’s new legal marijuana laws. “Our vision is to help government clear all eligible criminal records starting with convictions under Prop. 64,” said Jennifer Pahlka, executive director of Code for America, a non-profit with the goal of making government more efficient, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. The November 2016 passage of Proposition 64 prompted San Francisco’s District Attorney (DA) to announce … [Read more...] about New CA laws may erase pot convictions
Thiết Bị Giám Sát Đang Bành Trướng
Trên toàn quốc, có đến gấp hai lần số vòng đeo chân dùng để giám sát tội phạm đang được sử dụng hiện nay so với 10 năm về trước. Hầu như tất cả các quận hạt trong California đều sử dụng thiết bị theo dõi này, trong khi đó thì các công ty tư nhân hưởng lợi. Pew Charitable Trusts báo cáo rằng trên nước Mỹ đã có hơn 125,000 trường hợp đang mang vòng giám sát điện tử (viết tắt là EM). Chích quyền địa phương sử dụng EM cho rất nhiều trường hợp như, điều kiện đặt ra cho những người có án quản thúc và thành phần tội phạm thanh thiếu niên. Ít … [Read more...] about Thiết Bị Giám Sát Đang Bành Trướng
Growth in electronic monitoring doubles
The use of electronic monitoring (EM) devices in the United States has more than doubled in the past decade, with more than 125,000 wearing such tracking devices in 2016, according to a Pew Charitable Trusts report. Local governments use EM in a variety of contexts, including as a condition of pretrial release or probation and for youth offenders. At least 51 of 58 California counties have EM programs, according to a recent study by the Samuelson Law Clinic at the University of California at Berkeley and East Bay Community Law Center … [Read more...] about Growth in electronic monitoring doubles