John Wallace at his studio John Wallace went to jail and prison19 times, starting at age 18. Then he was sent to San Quentin, where he served two terms and started writing rap lyrics on his last trip there in the prison’s West Block. An initial opening to a career in music happened by chance when Wallace and other inmates created what he described as a “radio show” called K-FU** Radio in the cell block where they would sing, rap and tell jokes at night. He said it was like comedy night in the cell block, and it inspired him to … [Read more...] about Program helps at risk youth through music
Profiles
One man’s journey to inner freedom occurred through sports
Brian Holliday Brian Holliday, 25, from Orange County, Ca., is serving a six-year sentence for a robbery. Holliday also had issues with race relations based on being placed in a facility where the inmate population self-segregated. Since arriving at The Q and getting involved with the San Quentin Athletic Association (SQAA), his thinking has evolved... SQN: What’s it been like being a college student here at The Q? BH: It’s given me an opportunity to be enrolled in college. I wasn’t going to do this on the street. It’s a chance to … [Read more...] about One man’s journey to inner freedom occurred through sports
San Quentin Warriors have a new head coach
Anthony Evans, Warriors New Head Coach The San Quentin Warriors come into the 2019 season 3-4 against the Golden State Warriors coaching staff—the biggest game of each season, and also having the coach for the last two seasons step down to attempt to become a player on the team again. On 2/10/2019, while watching the Lakers v. Sixers on ESPN/ABC, we touched on these issues with the new coach of the San Quentin Warriors, Anthony Evans, in the following interview. SQN: Coach, what’s your philosophy for upcoming season? I’ve heard that the … [Read more...] about San Quentin Warriors have a new head coach
Robert Polzin loves different sports for more reasons than the game
Robert Polzin on the mound at San Quentin Robert Polzin aka “Big Smooth” is one of the most active persons in sports at San Quentin and he will tell you it’s not simply for the love of the game. “It’s hard for some guys to learn things out of a book. It’s often the real life situations that help us develop real life skills,” said Polzin. Polzin plays baseball for the SQ Oakland Athletics, the SQ Kings, and he even coaches the “Hardtimers” softball team. He said coaching and playing are equally enjoyable and help him further develop … [Read more...] about Robert Polzin loves different sports for more reasons than the game
Amid a turbulent life basketball surfaced as a guiding force for good
Golden State Warriors Assistant GM Kirk Lacob (green jersey) guarding Jamal Harrison (Warriors #3) on the San Quentin lower yard as Patrick Lacey challenges Delvon Adams Oakland, Calif., has a rich, storied history of basketball talent that stretches from Bill Russell (McClymonds High School) to Damian Lilliard (Oakland High School). From iconic playgrounds like Moss- wood Park, to Harmon Gym on the UC Berkeley Campus, where Oakland native Jason Kidd earned his stripes, “The Town” brand of hoops has left its mark. Jamal Harrison grew up in … [Read more...] about Amid a turbulent life basketball surfaced as a guiding force for good
Daniel Barfield spent nine years in solitary confinment
During his 20 years of incarceration at Georgia’s Diagnostic and Classification Prison, Daniel Barfield spent nine years in the solitary unit, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I’ve seen people go crazy,” Barfield said regarding his stay in isolation, adding, “I’ve heard people go crazy. Just out of the blue a person will flip and act out all kind of different ways, saying they’re going to kill themelves.” Barfield was sent to prison in 1988. He was 13 years old when he was accused by a relative of molesting her 3-year old … [Read more...] about Daniel Barfield spent nine years in solitary confinment
Dr. Tootell’s legacy at San Quentin
For the last 11 years Dr. Elena Tootell has been overseeing San Quentin’s strained medical care, a system she described as occasionally “chaotic.” Now the physician is moving north to Pelican Bay State Prison. Dr. Tootell has become more than just another prison physician. She has become a part of the San Quentin community. “I had breast cancer a few years ago, and just the support I got from the inmates was a huge sign that I was doing something good,” she said. “I was invited to the prison Breast Cancer Walk.” Dr. Tootell … [Read more...] about Dr. Tootell’s legacy at San Quentin
CALPIA GM Chuck Pattillo retires
The longest serving general manager in the history of the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA), Charles L. “Chuck” Pattillo is stepping down from that post, but will still assist incarcerated people prepare for good jobs, once released. Pattillo’s effort continue to save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in incarceration cost, yearly. Pattillo supervised all 27 CALPIA activities for 14 years. It employs 8,000 offenders throughout California’s 36 prisons. Chuck Pattillo walking with Mark Zuckerberg in San … [Read more...] about CALPIA GM Chuck Pattillo retires
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
Insight Prison Project announces appointment of new Executive Director
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