After 23 years in prison, Leonard Rubio got out and began recapturing his life. Today, he’s the Executive Director of Insight Prison Project (IPP). The executive position opened after Billie Mizell stepped down in November 2017 to pursue other restorative justice work. “There could be no better person to pass that baton to than our own beloved Leonard Rubio,” Mizell said in her resignation letter. Mizell said that she believes those most impacted, “should lead the movements of their own transformation and liberation.” She added, “As a … [Read more...] about Insight Prison Project announces appointment of new Executive Director
Profiles
Professor Shaheen Pasha rethinks her views about life behind bars
When Professor Shaheen Pasha’s childhood friend, Tarik, was sentenced to life in prison, she was forced to rethink her views about life behind bars. Now the multimedia reporter and University of Massachusetts-Amherst journalism professor focuses her career on illuminating mass incarceration’s hidden universe. Her friend’s sentencing also made her aware of the lack of rehabilitative prison programs. “In the back of my mind, I knew I needed to do something,” she said. “I had to confront my own innate biases and fears.” Before her work in … [Read more...] about Professor Shaheen Pasha rethinks her views about life behind bars
Queens of the Stone Age, Deadsy & Queeny King rock out at SQ
San Quentin is still on many great musicians’ “must” list of places to perform. Queens of the Stone Age, Queeny King and Deadsy are now among the legends such as Johnny Cash, Carlos Santana and Metallica that have rocked the prison. The Nov. 16 rock concert was the final leg of the “Villains World Tour 2018” for the Queens of the Stone Age. Villains is the name of the band’s latest album. The band just returned from Australia. Prisoners filed into the Protestant Chapel by the hundreds, anticipating the powerful guitar riffs and a spectacular … [Read more...] about Queens of the Stone Age, Deadsy & Queeny King rock out at SQ
Young inmates are creating positive rap music at San Quentin State Prison
Young inmates are creating positive rap music at San Quentin State Prison, under the guidance of hip-hop artist and music producer David Jassy. Because of that, he’s captured the attention of corrections officials and the prison reform organization CUT50. They all came together at the prison in August to learn more about the young men in the Youth Offender Program (YOP) who are using music to tell honest stories with constructive messages as a form of rehabilitation. In the Arts in Corrections studio loft, Jassy played a video for the … [Read more...] about Young inmates are creating positive rap music at San Quentin State Prison
Pastor Pham’s message of love in and outside of SQ
Decades ago, in the midst of preaching the gospel, Pastor Tom Pham exited the podium, hopped onto a motorcycle and escaped the scene as the Vietnamese authorities approached. If caught preaching, he would face incarceration for violating laws prohibiting religious services. Now, he sits in prison, once a week, with his colleagues sharing the gospel with the men inside. Pastor Pham said God called him to San Quentin five years ago. He came to San Quentin’s Protestant Chapel as a guest and met several of the incarcerated Vietnamese … [Read more...] about Pastor Pham’s message of love in and outside of SQ
Lớp Học Kinh Thánh Việt Nam Tại San Quentin
Dịch giả: Danny Nha Hồ và David Bờm Lê Cách đây vài thập niên, trong khi truyền giảng phúc âm thì Mục Sư Tom Phạm đã phải rời bỏ phòng nhóm, nhảy lên một chiếc xe gắn máy để chạy trốn hiện trường vì bị chính quyền Việt Nam rượt đuổi. Nếu bị bắt vì tội truyền giảng, Mục Sư Tom sẽ phải ngồi tù. Bây giờ Mục Sư Tom ngồi tù mỗi tuần một lần với nhiều cọng sự viên của ông để chia xẻ phúc âm với tù nhân. Mục Sư Tom cho biết Chúa đã kêu gọi ông đến với San … [Read more...] about Lớp Học Kinh Thánh Việt Nam Tại San Quentin
Importance of good character and integrity in prison
Cost of reputation, Part 1 Editor’s note: Survival in prison often depends on reputation. A good reputation confers respect and longevity. A bad reputation may result in being ostracized, extorted, assaulted or, worse, murdered. This three-part series will feature stories of survival and redemption. “When I first came to prison I wanted to be left alone, not to be harassed or victimized by other inmates,” said Marty Walters, 50, who has been incarcerated 30 years for first-degree murder. “So, I acted like a tough guy and made weapons because … [Read more...] about Importance of good character and integrity in prison
Formerly incarcerated author, Donna Hylton
Donna Hylton, who was abused as a child, spent 27 years in prison and wrote a book about how she turned her life around. She said her mission today is to be “a voice for the silenced” women still in prison. At age 20, Hylton was sentenced to 25 years to life for her role as a nonviolent accessory to kidnapping and second-degree murder. She is finally freed. Hylton’s childhood was a living hell. She was abandoned by her mother in Jamaica, N.Y., at age 8, according to the article by The Glow Up. At that time, she was subjected to … [Read more...] about Formerly incarcerated author, Donna Hylton
Dr. Downey overcomes hurdles
Dr. Downey, a staff psychologist at San Quentin, is no stranger to overcoming obstacles in life. “I fell behind in grade school because no one knew I was deaf,” Downey said. “It wasn’t till middle school that I got the resources that helped me adjust.” Her hearing disability became something that gave her a distinct perspective. “I like the silence because you can be with yourself, but there is a need for the chaos that is in the world,” she said. “Coping with the struggles is what helps mold us.” There were times when Downey … [Read more...] about Dr. Downey overcomes hurdles
After 22 years Antoine Brown is a free man
After receiving a commutation of his sentence from Gov. Jerry Brown, Antoine Brown became the latest Kid CAT member to be found suitable for parole. “During his 22 years of incarceration, Mr. Brown has demonstrated a clear commitment to his rehabilitation,” Governor Brown stated in his Dec. 23, 2017, commutation of Antoine Brown. “Mr. Brown committed a senseless crime, but he has shown a clear rejection of violence and gang activity for many years. In light of his age at the time of his crime, his positive conduct in prison, and … [Read more...] about After 22 years Antoine Brown is a free man