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
Asked On The Line
Goodbye, valued reader.
This is the last “Asked On The Line” that shall be written for the San Quentin News, so this is goodbye. The first “Asked On The Line” was published for the May 2011 issue of the San Quentin News, and it asked the men on the mainline if they knew the meaning behind Cinco de Mayo. Now, more than 70 articles later, this column shall be retired. But fear not, valued reader, this writer shall continue to write the MAC Corner column, focused on informing the men in blue of the ongoing and ever-changing policies of the institution. The brainchild … [Read more...] about Goodbye, valued reader.
What did you learn from your father?
Asked on the Line: Father’s Day is always on the third Sunday of June. Many of the men in blue learned about fatherhood from their dads or father figures. “Asked On The Line” asked men on the mainline to describe the qualities of a good father. “What would you say is your dad’s (or the man who raised you) most important or inspiring characteristic? Are you just like him or his opposite?” M. Ronald: A good father is a provider, a teacher and a good role model to his family. My dad was a great provider. I remember the times he took my sister … [Read more...] about What did you learn from your father?
Remembering favorite foods of past Thanksgivings
Every year, Thanksgiving lands on the fourth Thursday of November. Thanksgiving Day is one of the holidays that most men in blue especially miss celebrating with their families. “Asked on the Line” made random informal inquiries of mainliners and asked: What do you love to eat for Thanksgiving Day? Before you were incarcerated, when, where and with whom did you celebrate Thanksgiving? At this moment, what or for whom are you most thankful for having in your life? Anthony “Habib” Watkins: “Turkey drumstick (leg), candy yams, collard greens, ox … [Read more...] about Remembering favorite foods of past Thanksgivings
What Is Your Stance on the National Anthem?
Many of the men in blue say they would remain seated during the National Anthem. Like a small but growing number of professional athletes refusing to stand for the national anthem, mainliners have expressed similar views of the criminal justice system. “Asked on the Line” conducted an informal survey with four questions. The first question mainliners were asked was, would you stand for the National Anthem or would you remain seated like San Francisco Forty-Niner football player Colin Kaepernick? The second question mainliners were asked was … [Read more...] about What Is Your Stance on the National Anthem?
Heroic Traits Learned From Father or Father Figures
By Angelo Falcone Journalism Guild Writer Father’s Day is always the third Sunday of June. It is a day set aside in honor of fathers. Webster’s New World College Dictionary states--among 12 noun definitions—that father is “a person regarded as a male parent; protector.” Among the five transitive verb definitions, to be a father is “to take responsibility for.” “Asked on the Line” approached men in blue and asked them to tell us of any admirable traits they learned or inherited from their fathers or father-figures. William Tolbert … [Read more...] about Heroic Traits Learned From Father or Father Figures
Type of Flowers Sent to Loved Ones
“April showers bring May flowers,” but what type of flowers would the men in blue send to their loved ones? And in what color? No one flower or color stood out. Sam Johnson: “I would send my wife long-stem black roses. I know they are actually very dark blue or purple roses, but at first glance, they look black.” Stephen Pascascio: “I would send lilies to someone I love. I would choose pink lilies.” Wayne Villafranco: “I would send long-stem red roses to a woman.” William Tolbert: “I would send anything but red roses. I would prefer … [Read more...] about Type of Flowers Sent to Loved Ones
How Would You Like to Spend Your Time in Prison?
March is the second of seven months with 31 days. This year, March has five Tuesdays, five Wednesdays and five Thursdays. Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 13, and spring begins on Sunday, March 20. For members of the Christian community, St. Patrick’s Day is on Thursday, March 17; St. Joseph’s Day is on Saturday, March 19; Palm Sunday is on Sunday, March 20; Holy Thursday is on Thursday, March 24; Good Friday and the Annunciation of the Lord is on Friday, March 25; Holy Saturday is on Saturday, March 26, and Easter Sunday is … [Read more...] about How Would You Like to Spend Your Time in Prison?
February Highlights Love, Presidents and Black History
Valentine’s Day is the special day in February when people send greeting cards called “Valentines” to their sweethearts, friends, and members of their families, all in the name of love, according to the World Book Encyclopedia,. But what is love? Who is Valentine? In the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “love” is defined as “strong affection, warm attachment, or attraction based on sexual desire.” Love is also used to describe a beloved person, or someone who has “unselfish, loyal, and benevolent concern for others.” Love is not to be confused … [Read more...] about February Highlights Love, Presidents and Black History
Revisiting the Most Memorable Winter Holidays
“If you could go back in time and repeat a winter holiday season, how old would you be? Where would you be? Who would you be with?” The men on the mainline had interesting responses: Sam Johnson: “I would be eightyears old again. I would be with my brother in Charleston, South Carolina. We were trying to see Santa Claus, but we had fallen asleep the previous year. We were determined that year and stayed up late. At about 12 midnight, we found out who Santa was. It was our mom and dad. All our lives, we thought Santa was a White guy with a … [Read more...] about Revisiting the Most Memorable Winter Holidays