Visitors and inmates making the circle of peace at the Lower Yard “We march in solidarity, we all are behind bars,” were the lyrics of a rap song that blared through a massive speaker on San Quentin’s Lower Yard. The song captured the voices and themes of SQ Project Avary’s 3rd Annual “March for the Next Generation.” The June 22 event had inmate Philippe “Kells” Kelly and Eric McCanty of Project Avary rapping those powerful words in front of a host of prisoners and guests. Cesar of Project Avary peroforming “Incarceration carries … [Read more...] about A walk on the yard sends youth to camp
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California’s out-state prisoners brought back
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced that it has ended the practice of housing prisoners in out-of-state facilities. But San Quentin inmates who have served time in private lockups say those prisons are much better than California institutions, even though they dislike the separation from their families. “I was pissed off when I found out I was coming back to the state. Prison out there was much better,” said inmate Michael “Kofy” Taylor. “The overall feeling was better out there. The living quarters … [Read more...] about California’s out-state prisoners brought back
Hamilton cast and crew visits San Quentin
Members of Hamilton cast and crew with SQNews advsiors Monica Campbell and Jan Perry The world proved wide enough for San Quentin prisoners and the San Francisco production of Hamilton to come together as one community. Donald Webber, Jr., Darilyn Castillo, Marja Harmon, and Sabrina Sloan At the invitation of SQNews adviser Jan Perry, members of the cast and crew welcomed the June 21 opportunity to take a quick tour of the prison while getting acquainted with some of its incarcerated residents. “Their visit totally … [Read more...] about Hamilton cast and crew visits San Quentin
Quentin Cooks culinary program serves up big audience
Graduate Derry Brown receiving certificate from Chef Huw Thorton A documentary filmmaker spent a year in San Quentin filming a cooking program as it progressed. He found that learning high-end culinary arts changed the way incarcerated people see the world. “The guys really talk about the pride of cooking for the other guys,” said filmmaker Santhosh Daniel, “When you cook for someone else and put your soul into it, it changes you from thinking about yourself to thinking about the people around you. The word is love.” Dipti Ghosh … [Read more...] about Quentin Cooks culinary program serves up big audience
Prison to Employment Connection prepares men for the workforce
PEC staff and inmate volunteers Prison to Employment Connection (PEC) at San Quentin graduated 44 men from its ninth session in June. The week before graduation, more than 40 business, career and education professionals attended Employer Day at the prison to do one-on-one interviews with the men. PEC’s 15-week program prepares men to be “job ready” before paroling. According to statistics from Diana Williams, PEC executive director, 210 men have graduated from the program since 2015. Of that number, 96 have paroled and only one has … [Read more...] about Prison to Employment Connection prepares men for the workforce
Get On The Bus unites families at SQ
Families eating, playing games, and enjoying GOTB 2019 The laughter, tears and warm embraces of family reunions filled the San Quentin visiting rooms during the day-long Get On The Bus (GOTB) event on Friday, May 31. Daughters, sons and grandchildren reconnected with their incarcerated fathers and grandfathers after years—even decades—of separation. Get On The Bus supports family relationships “It’s amazing—it’s finally happening!” said 57-year-old inmate Nathaniel Sparks. “Today I saw my daughter and wife together for the … [Read more...] about Get On The Bus unites families at SQ
Jesse Vasquez, SQN former editor-in-chief paroled
JESSE VASQUEZ Jesse Vasquez, 36, former editor-in-chief of San Quentin News, paroled in late May from San Quentin State Prison after spending all of his adult years in prison and a little more than half his life. Vasquez paroled with a different state of mind from the one his 17-year-old younger self arrived with in 2001. “When I was a teenager, I knew I was already being formed for prison,” said Vasquez. “When I came to prison it wasn’t a surprise to me. I wasn’t bitter, angry or sad.” “My mother used to tell me if I continued … [Read more...] about Jesse Vasquez, SQN former editor-in-chief paroled
Upcoming Events for San Quentin in July
San Quentin Day of Peace July 13th Lower Yard Ken Burns documentary July 24th Protestant Chapel 11:00-1:00pm San Quentin Barbershop Dialogue July 26th Protestant Chapel 10:00-3:00pm San Quentin Education Graduation July 26th San Quentin Yard Show July 27th Lower Yard … [Read more...] about Upcoming Events for San Quentin in July
The Beat Within celebrates 21 years of giving youth a voice
Dave Inocencio (second from left), The Beat Within and KID CAT members For the past five years, Dave Inocencio has been coming to San Quentin to lead a writing workshop for The Beat Within publication that he started 21 years ago in San Francisco. He got involved with San Quentin through Karen Drucker, who, at the time, worked with the KID CAT program and emailed him asking him to be a part of it. The first time he saw the CAT program, Inocencio was blown away. “[KID CAT shows] all those who are incarcerated that they matter and have … [Read more...] about The Beat Within celebrates 21 years of giving youth a voice
San Quentin A’s Season Opener
Lt. Sam Robinson receiving his Ahtletics’ jersey With 2 ceremonial pre- game pitches, one by an octogenarian, and a national anthem complete with the presentation of the Stars and Bars, the San Quentin Athletics opened their season with a 16-3 thrashing of the San Francisco Mission on 4/20/2019. “It feels good to get back to the game that we love,” said Branden Riddle-Terrell, veteran A’s player. “We’ve been training and doing off season work outs, it’s time for us to shine now.” Coach Mike Kremer brought his grandmother – who also … [Read more...] about San Quentin A’s Season Opener