Coffee entrepreneur John Krause can relate to the slim employment prospects most ex-cons face upon parole. As a former San Quentin inmate himself, Krause spent over a decade in and out of prison before opening Big House Beans (BHB). Based in Antioch, BHB’s production facility now roasts thousands of pounds of premium gourmet coffee beans per month—supplying restaurants, coffee shops, and tech companies throughout California. But Krause’s business plan goes far beyond simply turning a profit. “I really want to embrace the community to create … [Read more...] about SQ parolee serves up more than just coffee in Antioch
Profiles
Taking on the task to teach a new way of thinking in coding
In spite of the monumental challenges, Jon Gripshover, a supervising instructor, without fail, walks to a classroom in prison industries four times a week to teach incarcerated men computer coding. “This was one of the first times in my life that I saw hard work and determination not get the results sought after, even after 110 percent effort,” Gripshover said. “That was one of my profound moments in teaching” Gripshover notes that in coding, “you’re wrong 90 percent of the time. You have to get used to it. You have to see mistakes as … [Read more...] about Taking on the task to teach a new way of thinking in coding
Running from the prison cell to public office
‘Should we bear the burden of our past when our present has been involved in fixing the future?’ Lewis Conway Jr., a formerly incarcerated man, is challenging disenfranchisement by running for public office in Austin, Texas. “We want people with arrests and convictions to engage in the democratic process,” Bill Cobb, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Campaign for Smart Justice, said in an article by Jordan Smith for theintercept.com “Lewis has dedicated his life not only to serving his community, but specifically to … [Read more...] about Running from the prison cell to public office
A path of criminal justice takes an educational turn
Corporate executives and administration officials have a high turnover rate, but secretaries tend to stick around, and some have interesting stories. Ms. Garcia, the office technician for Robert E. Burton Adult School at San Quentin, almost became a parole officer. She studied criminal justice in college because something in society caught her attention. “I wanted to work with parolees because most of them have more motivation in bettering themselves after being incarcerated for so long,” Garcia said. However, while in college, Garcia … [Read more...] about A path of criminal justice takes an educational turn
Architect dedicating career to improve prison living conditions
Architect Ken Ricci has dedicated his career to improving the environment for the incarcerated. He has been designing safer and more humane jails (not prisons) for the past 40 years. Ricci wrote in The Crime Report that “modern jails are being asked to do too much,” such as addressing the failure of the courts, the mental health regime, the education regime and civil society, as well. This in turn creates a stream of young, disturbed, addicted and disabled citizens flowing into jails that fall short of recognized standards and needs. Ricci … [Read more...] about Architect dedicating career to improve prison living conditions
Reflections of a veteran: Davis Bennett
Davis Bennett, 75, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1961. He is one of the many combat veterans serving time at San Quentin State Prison. Bennett served in Vietnam in October 1967 and December 1970. “I was assigned to the 1st Armored Division and was a machine gunner on an APC (Armored Personnel Carrier),” Bennett said. His unit consisted of three tanks, three APCs, a company of about 150 infantry men and a mortar squad of about 12 men. “I was wounded three times while in an APC. Once a VC (Viet Cong) rocket-propelled grenade, better known as an … [Read more...] about Reflections of a veteran: Davis Bennett
Protestant banquet honors Chaplain Mardi Jackson
The sounds of gospel shook San Quentin’s Protestant Chapel as it hosted more than 250 inmates and 60 guests at its Annual Christian Banquet to close out 2017. Chaplain Mardi Ralph Jackson and 30 Christian volunteers were honored at the Dec. 9 event for their service within the institution. Certificates of Appreciation were also presented to multiple churches and organizations for their contributions. Derrick Holloway, representing the prison congregation, surprised Jackson with a wooden plaque for her tireless work, sacrifices, and for … [Read more...] about Protestant banquet honors Chaplain Mardi Jackson
Formerly incarcerated helps reduces violence in Richmond
James Houston used what he learned in San Quentin Prison to help reduce the murder rate and mentor young men in Richmond, the city across the bay. After paroling in 2013, he took on the job of program coordinator for the Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS). The organization was started by DeVone Boggan in 2007. He believed that the worst offenders needed to be hunted down, not to arrest, but to transform. When the program began, Richmond had the ninth-worst murder rate in the United States with 45 killings per 106,000 people. By 2013, the … [Read more...] about Formerly incarcerated helps reduces violence in Richmond
Alex Mallick fights for justice
As long as she can remember, Alex Mallick has considered herself a defender and protector, “a guardian of people.” “I dedicated my life to helping people,” Mallick says. “I am so excited and full of energy when I wake up every morning and have something I believe in, a purpose in life.” For almost six years, Mallick has been in and out of San Quentin fighting for the rights of youthful offenders because she believes someone has to. She volunteered at San Quentin for a youth offender lifer group called Kid CAT. Mallick says she was touched … [Read more...] about Alex Mallick fights for justice
New SQ Journalism Advisor brings more than just advice
Author and lecturer Yukari Kane has become San Quentin’s new Journalism Guild instructor. She was sitting at her desk inside the San Francisco Grotto, an office space leased by about 150 professional writers, poets and novelist, when she received an email that invited her to teach at the prison. “I thought, ‘Why not?’ I had flexibility with my time,” Kane said. “I was at a place where you take opportunities which open up your world, and see where it takes you.” Kane has settled in for the last several months as the Guild’s instructor, … [Read more...] about New SQ Journalism Advisor brings more than just advice