Adam Johnson Professor Adam Johnson of Stanford University came to San Quentin to sit in on a creative writing class for incarcerated men, facilitated by Zoe Mullery and sponsored by the William James Association. The Aug. 21 get-together between students and professor focused on: what led to Johnson’s writing career, what creates a compelling narrative, and a review of Fortune Smiles (2016), Johnson’s collection of short stories. “He really encourages all of us, me included, to go to the difficult story – don’t turn away from it – go to … [Read more...] about Stanford professor audited Creative Writing class
Education
Working to shift philanthropic investments to include prison education
Prison University Project students at work in class “Education of incarcerated people must be included in the overall strategy to transform society,” said Dr. Jody Lewen Executive Director of San Quentin’s Prison University Project (PUP) in a July 23 interview with SQ News. Dr. Lewen ‘s opinion is shared by an increasing number of educators, legislators and philanthropists nationally. Education is earning a position as a cornerstone for the incarcerated individual’s successful return to society. Recently, the Vera Institute of … [Read more...] about Working to shift philanthropic investments to include prison education
Retail giant Alibaba gives workshop on working in E-commerce
As part of an interviewing workshop, Peter Stern, from online retail giant Alibaba, told about two dozen incarcerated computer coders that learning Mandarin is a big plus, if they want to get a job with the E-commerce company. Although the Chinese firm does not have a policy on hiring formerly incarcerated people, Stern said that his inspiration to be involved with San Quentin’s incarcerated population came after visiting the entrepreneurial program, The Last Mile (TLM). TLM, established in 2012 by venture capitalists Chris Redlitz and … [Read more...] about Retail giant Alibaba gives workshop on working in E-commerce
Filmmaking team premierès College Behind Bars at SQ
Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) graduates celebrate at Taconic Correctional Facility in June 2017 Acclaimed filmmakers Sarah Botstein and Lynn Novick brought their latest effort, College Behind Bars, to San Quentin for a premierè screening organized through SQ’s Prison University Project (PUP) on Sept. 18. Shot on location inside several east coast correctional facilities, the documentary examines the struggles and triumphs of incarcerated students participating in the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI)—a college program much like PUP, under … [Read more...] about Filmmaking team premierès College Behind Bars at SQ
Demonstrating great achievement under difficult circumstances
By David Ditto and Michael Johnson, Staff Writers. Graduating class of Robert E. Burton and Coastline, Feather River and Lassen Community College Tasseled caps and gowns flowed as diplomas, degrees and certificates were conferred in San Quentin’s visiting room during Robert E. Burton Adult School’s 2019 Commencement. College, high school, and vocational program graduates celebrated their accomplishments with family, friends, teachers, and administrators at the annual ceremony on July 26. “We’re so proud of all the incredibly hard … [Read more...] about Demonstrating great achievement under difficult circumstances
Examining the spectrum of education and incarceration
Students, teachers and SQNews staffers exchange ideas during the Teachers’ Forum Norberto Andino, 53, sat in a circle of about 25 people that included his classmates and teachers. The Colombian-born man came to prison without the ability, he said, to write even two sentences in English. It was the first time that the life-term prisoner reconsidered his educational journey. “When I went to school in Colombia, I was so ashamed,” Andino said on July 15 at the third San Quentin News Teacher’s Forum. “My mother didn’t have money for me to … [Read more...] about Examining the spectrum of education and incarceration
PUP hopes to become nation’s first stand-alone prison campus
The Prison University Project’s (PUP) quest for independent college accreditation— and what that may mean, exactly, for the San Quentin community—inspired an active conversation at the July 29 town hall meeting hosted by PUP. With submission of its accreditation application complete in August, PUP’s transition from its partnership with Patten University to the nation’s first stand-alone prison campus moved a step closer to actualization. “To become independent, we’ll become a better school,” said PUP Executive Director Jody Lewen. … [Read more...] about PUP hopes to become nation’s first stand-alone prison campus
Robert E. Burton receives first ever Distinguished School award
Robert E. Burton Principal Michael Wheeless, receiving the Distinguished School award from OCE Superintendent Shannon Swain with Warden Ron Davis (Center) The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) Office of Correctional Education (OCE) presented its first ever Distinguished School award to the Robert E. Burton Adult School at San Quentin State Prison in July. An award ceremony was held at the prison to acknowledge “exemplary achievements” the school has made above all 34 other accredited schools within … [Read more...] about Robert E. Burton receives first ever Distinguished School award
Program coordinator Heather Hart bids farewell to PUP
PUP coordinator Heather Hart taking a walk outside SQ San Quentin’s Prison University Project (PUP) waved goodbye to Program Coordinator Heather Hart on July 3. But she leaves intent on continuing her fierce advocacy goals in a potentially broader scope— through philanthropic influence. “After four years here, I started to feel like there was more I needed to learn, more skills I needed to ac- quire in order to get to a place where I could make the most impact,” Hart told SQNews. “Exploring this world of philanthropy, I want to see for … [Read more...] about Program coordinator Heather Hart bids farewell to PUP
San Quentin’s college class of 2019
PUP graduates class of 2019 On a sunny June morning over- looking the bay, 12 incarcerated scholars were honored at the 2019 Prison University Project (PUP) graduation. University instructors, staff, classmates and family of the graduates gathered in San Quentin’s main visiting room to celebrate the conferring of Associate of Arts degrees in liberal arts to the men in blue. Graduate Sumit Lal and family As “Pomp and Circumstance” sounded, the 2019 graduates began their procession, and PUP Board Chair Maddy Russell-Shapiro’s eyes were … [Read more...] about San Quentin’s college class of 2019