Options facilitators (in-blue), Kathy Narasaki, Tom Gorham and reception graduates holding their certificates Fermin Fernandez says he used meth for 41 years starting when he was 13. “I thanked the officer for arresting me. I wanted to quit but couldn’t just quit.” In January, Fernandez was a member of the first Reception Center graduation class of the Options Recovery Services addiction initiative. In September 2018, the Options program took its incarcerated counselors where none had ever gone before – the Reception Center – to help men … [Read more...] about Options program graduates men from San Quentin’s reception center
Health and Wellness
Kid CAT’s hygiene drive raises money for homeless youth
Kid CAT members with hygiene products donated from the residents of San Quentin for Huckleberry Youth Multi-Service Center A group of San Quentin prisoners collected money and hygiene items for Bay Area homeless youths. “Even in prison, guys got that spirit of giving,” said Gregory “Eagle” Coates, a member of the youth offender organization Kid CAT. Gregory Coates, Tommy Ross, Nou Phang Pang and Kid CAT Chairman Si Dang loading hygiene products in the rain “It’s always rewarding, especially for the guys that’ve had the … [Read more...] about Kid CAT’s hygiene drive raises money for homeless youth
San Quentin settles lawsuit with psychiatrist over mental health care
A settlement of $822,000 for the plaintiff, Dr. Christopher Wadsworth A lawsuit alleging retaliation against a San Quentin psychiatrist who warned of inadequate mental health care in the prison has led to a settlement of $822,000 for the plaintiff, Dr. Christopher Wadsworth, reports the Sacramento Bee. The fast-track career of Dr. Wadsworth, the former Chief Psychiatrist at SQ, was damaged after he informed state officials that reducing beds for the acutely mentally ill would consist of actions that, according to an email … [Read more...] about San Quentin settles lawsuit with psychiatrist over mental health care
Kid CAT Chairman Si Dang’s 2019 youth address
For many of us who are incarcerated, the ultimate dream is freedom. The question of whether we will achieve that dream, however, often lies in our pursuit of it. Kid CAT members My name is Si Dang, and I am the new chairman of Kid CAT. Over the last 22 years, I have pursued my freedom in a variety of ways, many of them dysfunctional and leading me right back to where I started: without freedom and with no meaningful change in who I was. It was not until six years ago that I finally tapped into my courage and begin facing my … [Read more...] about Kid CAT Chairman Si Dang’s 2019 youth address
RJ forum discusses the topic of intellectual disabilities and healing
Mrs. Leigh Ann Davis flew in from Texas to speak at a Restorative Justice (RJ) symposium at San Quentin on the topic of supporting people with intellectual disabilities. She also stressed the importance of overcoming shame and speaking out against abuse as paths to healing. “Shame is a huge issue we are not dealing with,” Davis said. “Shame is the prison and we have to find our way out.” Davis is the director of criminal justice initiatives for The ARC, an organization that works to help people with disabilities. The ARC has 630 chapters … [Read more...] about RJ forum discusses the topic of intellectual disabilities and healing
Female prisoners and advocates fight against breast cancer
The fight against breast cancer found advocates and support from women prisoners and staff at the California Institution for Women (CIW). The prison raised close to $2,500 at its 2018 Avon 39 “Making Strides against Breast Cancer ” walk. The American Cancer Society (ACS) partnered with Avon 39 for the prison event. The September 30, event was sponsored by the prison’s “Lockdown for a Cure team” that consisted of the women prisoners and staff. The women prisoners showed their support by participating in an institutional food … [Read more...] about Female prisoners and advocates fight against breast cancer
Starting off 2019’s resolution by being their best self
I am motivated when people believe in me. I used to do things to please others Every year starts with so much promise. During the first quarter of the year, everyone believes in their full potential, especially me. New Year’s resolutions are a person’s desire to be different — better. Everyone starts the New Year with at least one resolution. Some want to lose weight, others want to exercise more, some want to spend less and others want to make more. I have noticed that most resolutions that involve weight control … [Read more...] about Starting off 2019’s resolution by being their best self
Veterans Healing Veterans organizes Shakespeare plays
A group of San Quentin veterans joined with Shakespearean actors on Nov. 29 to portray the experience of service and sacrifice. Veterans Healing Veterans actors and the audience warming up before the play A banner greeted the audience VETERANS HEALING VETERANS FROM THE INSIDE OUT (VHV-FTIO), a group with a mission to represent the imprint each generation of veterans leaves on the next. Lesley Currier directed the performance, a joint enterprise between VHV and the Marin Shakespeare Company (MSC). “Taking that leap of faith with us and … [Read more...] about Veterans Healing Veterans organizes Shakespeare plays
Five nights of mind, body and soul seeking at Christian revival
The phrase “a convenient season” was taken from the Book of Acts; Chapter 24; Verse 25 as a theme for San Quentin’s Garden Chapel annual revival. For five nights, a convenient season was explained in depth. Pastor Ferrari Moody, prisoner sparked the interest of a hundred men with a sermon titled, “Your habits determine your harvest.” “At the root of this principle lies the prevailing disposition of our thoughts which dictate our action and ultimately develops our character,” he said repeatedly to the men who made up the congregation … [Read more...] about Five nights of mind, body and soul seeking at Christian revival
Nevada Supreme Court rules prisoners not receiving healthy food
Prisoners of Nevada filed a lawsuit claiming food provided by the state is unhealthy. The state Supreme Court agreed with prisoners in their ruling that prison officials are not providing a healthy diet, according to NevadaAppeal.com. Prisoner Robert Stockmeier’s lawsuit contended corrections officials failed to report that the diet wasn’t healthy, failed to show standards for determining nutritional adequacy, including the recommended daily allowances and other standards set by the Food and Nutrition board of the National Academy of … [Read more...] about Nevada Supreme Court rules prisoners not receiving healthy food