The Journalism Guild of San Quentin held its first formal graduation in the prison’s Garden Chapel in late September. More than 50 people attended the ceremony, including current and former students from UC Berkeley, who worked with the men in the Guild and San Quentin News. “I’m filled with so much pride,” said Yukari Kane, the guild instructor for the last two years. “You remind me of why journalism is important.” “It’s been such a privilege,” Kane said before congratulating the men and presenting them with certificates of … [Read more...] about SQ Journalism Guild promotes next class of writers
Education
Breaking the cycle of incarceration with music from behind prison walls
The day before inmates Thanh Tran, Eric “Maserati-E” Abercrombie, and Gregg “G” Sayers, created Reality Check — a song that describes the human condition—they sat in a small room in San Quentin to rehearse it for their first time on-stage performance as a group. As Sayers softly plucked his guitar, Maserati-E sang Reality Check’s hook. Tran chimed in with harmony. They made small corrections as they had only put the song together the day before, in a matter of hours. One of San Quentin’s radio producers, inmate Louis A. Scott, brought … [Read more...] about Breaking the cycle of incarceration with music from behind prison walls
Coding program attracts wide range of media attention
The Last Mile Works buzzed with excitement when two filmmakers and a formerly incarcerated graduate returned, accompanied by several co-workers from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), to tour the prison and get stories for their website. Code 7370 teaches inmates the fundamentals of coding, while The Last Mile Works (TLM Works) is composed of seasoned coders who work on paid contracts as part of a joint venture between California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) and private companies. Aly Tamboura, a graduate of Code.7370 and … [Read more...] about Coding program attracts wide range of media attention
GED class develops handcrafted DNA
In a classroom at the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco, inmate students had an opportunity to do something “outside the box.” Instead of the usual books, paper, pencils, and calculators, the students used toothpicks, wooden splints, colored marshmallows and red and black licorice to learn about and construct DNA molecules. The kinesthetic learning exercise was an idea to make the material interesting. I had worried that the lab would be too complicated for my inmate students or that they would struggle to assemble the model or … [Read more...] about GED class develops handcrafted DNA
Inmates win ethics bowl against college students
The California Correctional Institution (CCI) Mental Health Department sponsored an unusual event once again on Aug. 3. Last year, this group won an ethics bowl against California State University, Bakersfield. This year they focused their talent and energy on prison reform. Rarely are prisoners asked their opinions on what might work in their rehabilitation process, but CCI asked, and the inmates responded by creating a research-based presentation to answer this question. In attendance were Warden Joe Sullivan, Health Care CEO Rhonda … [Read more...] about Inmates win ethics bowl against college students
Inmate wins $1,000 scholarship toward BA degree
One of the California Health Care Facility’s inmate trainers for the CHCF puppy program was awarded the Chung-Ahm Scholarship for the 2018 academic year. It is unusual for an inmate to win a cash scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship will be applied toward inmate Johnson’s tuition. Since being incarcerated, Johnson has received an Associate of Arts (AA) degree in liberal arts and humanities and will claim another AA degree in social and behavior sciences this semester. The scholarship will help pay for tuition for the 2018 fall semester when … [Read more...] about Inmate wins $1,000 scholarship toward BA degree
Conference applies restorative justice principles
Eight incarcerated men stood before a number of women and prisoners to make amends for unethical behavior. They spoke at the second “Sister I’m Sorry” conference, hosted by Tony “Pup” Walldrip, at the Garden Chapel on August 11. The conference began with the screening of a “Sister I’m Sorry” event hosted by Margaret Avery, filmed and directed by Frank Underwood Jr. Panel speakers were Bun Chanthon, Clay Harris, Larry “Doc” Histon, Andress Yancy, Darryl Hill, Darrell “Obediah” Flowers, Lonnie Morris, and Travis Lambert. Flowers, 47, … [Read more...] about Conference applies restorative justice principles
SQ’s 2018 graduating class thanked D. Searle
Families gathered to celebrate their loved ones’ accomplishments at the Robert E. Burton Adult School annual graduation ceremony, held on July 20 in San Quentin’s main visiting room. “This is the first time I’ve been able to complete any type of vocational program,” said Francisco Ortiz, a graduate from the Vocational Plumbing class. “I’m proud because I was able to participate in some- thing that will help improve my chances for success.” The students completed a vocational training course, passed a High School Equivalency … [Read more...] about SQ’s 2018 graduating class thanked D. Searle
Using poetry to build bridges
A Colorado group called Words Beyond Bars is building bridges between prisoners and the public through poetry. Words Beyond Bars (WBB) hosts a poetry-reading event every other month at a public library in partnership with another organization, Unchained Voices. Community members listen to the thoughts and words of the prisoners and write responses to the compositions. The feedback is then given to the incarcerated poets. “We build connections that our current injustice system endeavors to disrupt,” Elie Zwiebel, a member of the Words … [Read more...] about Using poetry to build bridges
The power of San Quentin’s Alcoholics Anonymous
It’s 1:30 on a Friday afternoon, and Alcoholics Anonymous is set to begin inside of the Addiction to Recovery Center at San Quentin. “Anonymity makes it comfortable for people to talk,” explains AA program director Carl P. “What is said or talked about in AA remains in AA. It’s the principle of all our traditions, because of its anonymous founding.” The core philosophy of AA is to place principle before personality, according to Carl P. His goal is to provide incarcerated men with a way to examine their relationships, how alcohol … [Read more...] about The power of San Quentin’s Alcoholics Anonymous