A stream of more than 200 blue shirts flowed into San Quentin’s Garden Chapel June 23 for the Third Annual Gospel Music Workshop. As the men-in-blue took their seats, an unrehearsed Christian rap performance by inmate Calvin Johnson brought the younger members to their feet. “I was asked to sing something,” Johnson said after he entertained the head-bopping audience of black, white, Mexican and Asian inmates. “When God calls you, just answer the phone.” Johnson, 25, has been incarcerated almost six years. “What I’ve learned most about being … [Read more...] about SQ’s Third Annual Gospel Music Workshop
Education
Exclusive screening ‘From Incarceration to Education’
University of California at Berkeley filmmakers visited San Quentin for an exclusive screening of “From Incarceration to Education,” an original documentary about four formerly incarcerated persons who successfully became UC graduate students. The April event included a question and answer session with first-time directors Skylar Economy and Christian Collins. They were joined by two of the film’s formerly incarcerated stars, Richard Rodriguez-Leon and Shalita Williams. "SNY [Sensitive Needs Yard] ...comprises roughly half the … [Read more...] about Exclusive screening ‘From Incarceration to Education’
CALPIA’s offers pre-apprentice programs for female prisoners
The California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) pre-apprentice program has graduated 70 women in the field of carpentry, construction labor, healthcare facilities maintenance and computer coding at the California Institution for Women (CIW), reported ABC 7. “64% of California’s jail population is awaiting trial or sentencing as of December 2016.” Most remain in pretrial custody because they cannot afford bail. Jail Profile Survey, http://www.bscc.ca.gov/ “It’s scary, thinking about going home, not knowing how you’re going to handle things. … [Read more...] about CALPIA’s offers pre-apprentice programs for female prisoners
21 graduates ready to reenter the workforce
Twenty-two inmates graduated from the Prison to Employment Connection’s (PEC) seventh session at San Quentin State Prison in May. A week before graduation, the men did face-to-face interviews with employers looking to hire qualified formerly incarcerated citizens. More than 40 men enrolled in the program in February to learn about interview skills, resumé writing and other forms of communication. In doing so, they were able to determine what career path was right for them upon release from prison. “There are over 4,800 legal restrictions … [Read more...] about 21 graduates ready to reenter the workforce
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) aids programs
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) will provide grant funding to the Prison University Project (PUP) and Ear Hustle, an award-winning podcast. Both organizations are based at San Quentin State Prison. PUP offers more than 350 inmates the opportunity to earn their Associate of Arts degree inside prison. Ear Hustle allows inmates to share their stories about what it’s like to live in prison on a daily basis. “We are thrilled to support Ear Hustle’s efforts to connect with more listeners, and the Prison University Project’s plan to … [Read more...] about Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) aids programs
Safe housing found essential for reentry
The solution to New York’s widespread problem of homeless former prisoners is to provide a safe place to live with support, according to citylimits.org reports. The article points to a program by the Fortune Society in West Harlem for 62 formerly incarcerated homeless persons. “Residents are required to be involved in 35 hours of constructive activities every week. They undergo daily drug screening. Each person living in our house is involved in group and individual counseling. They get mental health services and substance treatment … [Read more...] about Safe housing found essential for reentry
Renovating Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church
The latest renovation to the San Quentin chapel known as Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church was made to the century-old floor. The renovation was made possible by Salvatore Caruso’s donation of thousands of vinyl wood-like planks; the planks were installed by the San Quentin vocational maintenance program. “The Children of Abraham Peace Project,” Caruso said, “…was our way to give thanks and gratitude to the God of Abraham for the peaceful fraternity amongst the Christian, Jewish and Muslim people of San Quentin.” The inmate … [Read more...] about Renovating Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church
Inmate NAACP chapter in Delaware
Inmates at a Delaware state prison have created an NAACP chapter to litigate for rehabilitation, compassionate release, improved health care, and better living conditions. “My top priority is for inmates to understand that we have the power to change things via political and judicial processes,” said Robert Saunders, inmate at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in Delaware, and chairman of the Legal Redress Committee and NAACP Prison Chapter 2032. In association with the NAACP, the group is officially called the Legal Redress Committee … [Read more...] about Inmate NAACP chapter in Delaware
Former inmate develops “prison instagram”
Marcus Bullock discovered a wealth of entrepreneurial insights during his time behind bars. His prison experiences inspired him to create Flikshop—an innovative app that helps incarcerated people remain close to their loved ones. Flikshop takes any image sent from a cell phone and turns it into a postcard that the inmate will receive through regular mail. “We are called the Instagram of prison,” Bullock recently told San Quentin News. “We keep families connected.” “We want to ensure a person in every cell receives mail every day,” he said. … [Read more...] about Former inmate develops “prison instagram”
First annual “victim awareness event” at CIW
Four survivors, Rita, Sammie, Nora and Michelle, shared testimonies of the impact of crime on their lives at the California Institution for Women (CIW), April 7. They joined 100 offenders and the Chief Deputy Warden for the inaugural “In Their Shoes: Victim Awareness Event.” The day began with participants designing signs to honor their victims, which they wore throughout the day. The morning was spent walking laps while exchanging stories about crime and its far reaching consequences. Before the event, participant Aimee Gana thought that … [Read more...] about First annual “victim awareness event” at CIW