Incarcerated women made history when they graduated for the first time from a prison college program in New York state. Five women prisoners and one formerly incarcerated woman at the Taconic Correctional Facility received their associate degrees bestowed by Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison. The program is a partnership with Nyack College in New York. “We could not be prouder of the six graduates and the 37 women still pursuing their degrees,” said Sean Pica, Hudson Link’s executive director, according to a press release. The … [Read more...] about NY’s Hudson Link makes history with women graduates
Education
SQ volunteer creates lasting values
San Quentin volunteer Chris Wilson says violence is no way to solve racial issues in America. “I believe that no movement that is based on anger alone can create anything of lasting value. Even if I weren’t a Buddhist, I would argue that persistent nonviolent protests and civil disobedience are the ways to change our troubled and badly divided country,” Wilson said in an interview. “When an inmate surprises me with his wisdom about life, I ask him, how in the world did you come to have such wonderful insight?” said Wilson. “The answer I … [Read more...] about SQ volunteer creates lasting values
Birdman nurses the wildlife on the Lower Yard
Every day, the yard at San Quentin State Prison is bustling with wildlife activity. While inmates run the track and play tennis and basketball, a grass field attracts birds, geese, seagulls, pigeons, and blackbirds. Sometimes hawks fly over the yard looking for prey. In the corner of the yard by a fence, an inmate sits on the ground, surrounded by birds. That inmate is Dean Thomas, who answers to the nickname “Birdman.” “They call me Birdman, because I’m always interacting with the birds. I have a relationship with them,” he said. “They are … [Read more...] about Birdman nurses the wildlife on the Lower Yard
Suicides disturbingly common among correctional officers
Suicides are “distressingly common” among California’s correctional and parole officers, a university study concludes. The rate of correctional or parole officers who have attempted or considered suicide is three times the United States’ general population rate. “Historically, it’s been hard to get attention to mental health issues among law enforcement,” said Amy Lerman, an associate professor of public policy and political science at UC Berkeley who helped conduct the study. “There’s been just so little information out there about what … [Read more...] about Suicides disturbingly common among correctional officers
Overview of inmate deaths in 2017 in CDCR
The thought of dying in prison is every inmate’s worst fear, be it the death from violence, old age or disease. It’s a nightmare. Nevertheless, inmates should keep their emergency information updated said Dr. Tootell, San Quentin’s chief medical officer (CMO). Unlike Charles Manson, the cult leader who died in November, the majority of prisoners won’t have people fighting it out in court over who gets their remains. In 2017, 11 men died serving time in San Quentin. “The men should consider using a younger family member to receive … [Read more...] about Overview of inmate deaths in 2017 in CDCR
Arizona breaks ground with first Prison Education Program graduation
Educational ground was broken at an Arizona penitentiary when a group of inmates became the first graduates of the Arizona Prison Education Project literary college course. The graduates went through the college preparatory writing and literary course at the Whetstone Unit in the Arizona State Prison Complex located near Tucson. The certificates of completion were presented by University of Arizona’s English department, which established the Prison Education Project. “I feel what we are doing here is like what they are doing at San … [Read more...] about Arizona breaks ground with first Prison Education Program graduation
22 Tennessee students graduates with Associate Degrees
After decades without a college prison program, 22 men at a Tennessee prison became the first class to graduate from a state penitentiary since the 1980s, according to a press release. In January, the class of 2017 was awarded associate degrees from the Tennessee Higher Education Initiative (THEI) prison college program, while serving time at the Turney Center Industrial Complex. “To succeed in college in the free world, one must possess smarts and stamina that exceeds your average bear,” said Molly Lasagna, THEI executive director. … [Read more...] about 22 Tennessee students graduates with Associate Degrees
Opinion: Inmate consumers say some tennis shoes worthless
Inmate consumers have reported that two sneakers sold through prison package vendors were poorly made and not worth their hard-earned money – Phat Farm Prism from Access SecurePak and Air Jordan 12 Retros from Just Right Packages. Phat Farm Prism has a design flaw that causes mere walking to crack open the bottom of the “court shoes,” according to five different inmates who bought the shoes. The sneakers have a hollow area between the rubber bottom and its interior cushion making stepping on a pebble likely to poke a hole in the sole. The … [Read more...] about Opinion: Inmate consumers say some tennis shoes worthless
60’s science fiction ahead of its time dealing with sexuality and imperialism
When Ursula K. Le Guin died earlier this year, she left her fans a rich history of literature. In much of that literature she tackled humankind’s quest for dignity. Her stories make us think deeply about how we treat each other — most famously in her groundbreaking 1969 science fiction masterpiece, The Left Hand of Darkness. Le Guin was a courageous writer -- she wrote about sexuality, truth to power, and imperialism at a time when these topics were considered revolutionary. The plot of The Left Hand of Darkness centers on inter-galactic … [Read more...] about 60’s science fiction ahead of its time dealing with sexuality and imperialism
Corcoran Resilience Program
Inmates at California State Prison, Corcoran are experiencing healing through a restorative justice program called Building Resilience. At least 50 inmates have graduated, reported The Hanford Sentinel. Building Resilience helps inmates discover how past behaviors, thinking and unhealthy relationships form the underlying cause of their criminal behavior, reported the article. The program is taking place with some of the state’s most violent offenders in Corcoran’s Level III and IV security facilities and Security Housing Unit. In therapy, … [Read more...] about Corcoran Resilience Program