Toys collected for the Veterans’ Toy Drive in the SQ visiting room It was toys and smiles all around as dozens of children came to visit their dads in San Quentin State Prison at Christmas-time. “It’s all about the kids,” said Tony Burch, vice chair of the veterans group that sponsored the Toys for Tots event in its thirtieth year. “I just love to see the expressions on the faces of the kids,” said Army veteran Garvin Robinson, long-time secretary and treasurer of the Veterans Group at San Quentin. Robinson admitted that sometimes … [Read more...] about Veterans’ toy drive is “all about the kids”
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Options program graduates men from San Quentin’s reception center
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
SQ All-Madden Football making best of short season
SQ All-Madden Football On Nov. 3 the home team gave the Chosen a 44-20 beat down worthy of crime-scene tape. All Madden and Chosen “San Quentin has absolutely no shortage of athletes to fill the roster but this year has been difficult getting teams from the outside in to compete against,” All-Madden Head Coach Royce Rose said. This year, the baseball program has cleared about 400 community volunteers to come play at San Quentin – the flag football program cleared 14 according to Branden Riddel-Terrell, the quarterback for All Madden … [Read more...] about SQ All-Madden Football making best of short season
UC Davis launches social media campaign to combat ex-prisoner perceptions
A group of formerly incarcerated university students is launching a social media campaign designed to combat society’s negative perceptions of ex-prisoners. The University of California at Davis students call their campaign “We Are All Students” (WAAS). The aim is to help others to respect former inmates for who they are as people. “We are producing a year-long social media campaign that conveys the social situations and experiences of people who attend higher education in the shadow of incarceration,” Zach Psick told the San Quentin … [Read more...] about UC Davis launches social media campaign to combat ex-prisoner perceptions
Prison journalism gaining traction throughout the nation
Prison journalism is gaining popularity in California and America, including San Quentin. For several years, inmates from coast to coast have been receiving instruction on how to write as journalists for prison publications. Several prisons within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) already have newspapers and newsletters. Others have contacted the San Quentin News to inquire on how to start their own publication. “An inmate publication means any journal, magazine, bulletin, newsletter, newspaper, or … [Read more...] about Prison journalism gaining traction throughout the nation
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
Prison to Employment Connection teaches returning citizens job skills
A record number of inmates at San Quentin State Prison completed the Prison to Employment Connection’s (PEC) eighth session and graduated in November. About 40 inmates finished the program. This gave them the opportunity to assess their employment interests, learn resume-writing and how to conduct themselves during an interview. Potential employers meeting with Prison to Employment graduates At employer day, the men spent two hours using what they learned on how to present themselves to more than 30 employers, … [Read more...] about Prison to Employment Connection teaches returning citizens job skills
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
Bay Area reentry event empowers 68 female parolees
SAN FRANCISCO ― Jasmine Washington lifted the lapels of her sleek blazer and boldly strutted between rows of fellow women parolees at the Southeast Community Facility in San Francisco on Oct. 24. Surrounded by 67 of her peers, representatives from 56 local resource service providers and the supportive Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) staff from the Adult Programs Unit (APU), Washington displayed her own empowerment just as sharply as she did her new suit ― courtesy of Dress for Success. “I think that I was showing the … [Read more...] about Bay Area reentry event empowers 68 female parolees
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