Despite our politically polarized country, most people agree that ending mass incarceration is necessary. There is also wide- spread agreement that non-violent drug offenders need treatment, not punishment. However, the focus of most reform is almost entirely on nonviolent and drug offenses. Nonviolent drug offenders make up 5% of the prison population. Violent offenders make up at least 50%. If the U.S. is serious about undoing mass incarceration, the long sentences violent offenders serve must be addressed. Two recently published books do … [Read more...] about Bringing to life the personal stories of those who carry a life sentence
Book Review
There There depicts the story of the Native American traditions
There There by Tommy Orange chronicles the lives of Native Americans in his hometown of Oakland, California. The result is a portrait of a community often erased from depictions of urban life. After many years of discussing books together San Quentin News senior editor Juan Haines and Berkeley graduate, Democracy Now producer and SQN volunteer, Libby Rainey jointly reviewed There There. San Quentin News aims to tell stories about humanity and redemption that challenge assumptions about who imprisoned people are. In discussing books not … [Read more...] about There There depicts the story of the Native American traditions
East Oakland Times publisher Tio MacDonald
Duane Miles & Tio MacDonald Many people in the San Quentin writing community are familiar with East Oakland Times and its publisher, Tio MacDonald. Dime after dime goes to his Global Tel Link account to keep in tele-phone contact with the more than 120 people in his literary group of incarcerated people all over the state. A few months ago, I got my hands on one of his publications, Learning Curve, by Death Row inmate Johnny Duane Miles. The story was powerful, but it was the pref- ace really caught my attention. JH: In the … [Read more...] about East Oakland Times publisher Tio MacDonald
Kevin D. Sawyer Honorary Award from PEN America
BOOK REVIEW San Quentin News staffer, Kevin D. Sawyer received an honorable mention by PEN America. Out of thousands of submission annually, it’s a big deal in the prison literary world. JH: What does getting an honorable mention by PEN America mean to you? KDS: PEN America’s honorable mention raises my creative writing profile to a national level, in addition to the same type of recognition I’ve received for writing as a journalist through the Society of Professional Journalists and receiving The James Aronson Award for Social … [Read more...] about Kevin D. Sawyer Honorary Award from PEN America
Scott J. Lawrie’s poetry was inspired by an ex-con poet
Scott Lawrie When the young Scottish lad Scott J. Lawrie was introduced to the country’s most famous poet, Robert Burns, it was the beginning of his fondness for poetry. His introduction to American poetry came through the Beat movement. However, his connection to San Quentin came through an obscure poet who did time here—the late Ed “Foots” Lipman. After Lawrie researched Lipman’s works, he published Only By Flashlight and sent a copy to Zoe Mullery, who holds a weekly creative writ- ing class at San Quentin. Only By Flashlight was … [Read more...] about Scott J. Lawrie’s poetry was inspired by an ex-con poet
Business guru John Hamm visits San Quentin’s The Last Mile
BOOK REVIEW When business guru John Hamm came to San Quentin in early January, it wasn’t his first time at this historic land- mark. Hamm is a huge fan of the entrepreneurial program, The Last Mile (TLM). He believes that it is one of the best chances for inmates to succeed, once paroled. Hamm was at San Quentin to lecture TLM students enrolled in its computer coding program, called Code 7370. He’s given the same lecture about staying focused and path-finding countless times to CEOs and other business executives. Hamm stood in … [Read more...] about Business guru John Hamm visits San Quentin’s The Last Mile
Writer draws inspiration from incarcerated pen pals
Take Two: A Collection of Short Stories (2018) If your writing is to be believed, experience is the best teacher. However, that’ll be a tragedy, if you’re writing about prisons. Nonetheless, C.P. Henderson, a retired federal employee, tells very interesting stories without the incarceration experience. What I’ve learned about Henderson is that she took an old fashion way to get information about fictional characters—she took pen to paper and became pen pals with some incarcerated people. She did a good job in the 11 short … [Read more...] about Writer draws inspiration from incarcerated pen pals
Videogame-based novel draws influences from real life
I recently walked into San Quentin’s library and noticed on a whiteboard a list of books. I asked the clerk, Kevin Rojano, “Which one of these would you want reviewed in our newspaper?” The bright-eyed 23-year-old recommended Halo. Halo: The Fall of Reach by Eric Nylund (2001) is the first in an ongoing series of the videogame-based novels. It takes place in the 26th century. Humans have settled on planets throughout the galaxy. Aliens attack “Reach”—a first strike that jeopardizes all of humanity, including earth. Tasked with taking down … [Read more...] about Videogame-based novel draws influences from real life
Short story illuminates themes from two classic novels
I love short stories. The challenge of the short story writer is to be concise without being shallow. As such, the form requires that settings be suggested, characters be sketched and complexities be implied. A story I stumbled upon this month -- An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Pierce – does all of that but also, in a succinct way, illuminates and ties together the themes of two classic novels: The Red Badge of Courage (1895) and Johnny Got His Gun (1939). All three have war themes. Each exposes the inner thoughts of the main … [Read more...] about Short story illuminates themes from two classic novels
PEN America releases Issue: 21 Mythologies
No matter the restriction, the control mechanism or oppression, PEN America is a platform for authentic stories—voices that ring loud and free on the page. Jennifer Finney Boylan contributed to PEN’s latest publication Issue: 21 Mythologies, with Transfigured. It connects with incarcerated readers as she writes, “For a long time, I thought I didn’t exist...It was like walking on a long-deserted beach without any footprints.” Searching for identity is not limited to incarcerated people — agency is a normal, human want and need — it’s the … [Read more...] about PEN America releases Issue: 21 Mythologies