A change came in late September for the San Quentin News Journalism Guild. The guild’s volunteer instructor, Yukari Kane, is bound for Chicago to begin the next chapter of her life. She is passing the reins to former Harvard University Nieman Fellow Monica Campbell. “[Kane] put us in way capable hands,” said Marcus Henderson, the Journalism Guild chairman who has spent more than two years with Kane. Though Henderson is sad to see Kane go, he has confidence in Campbell’s abilities. Campbell attended San Jose State University and has written for … [Read more...] about Monica Campbell takes over San Quentin News’ Journalism Guild
SQ News
Returning citizens tend to be more politically involved
Political science professors Hannah L. Walker and Michael Leo Owens allege that formerly incarcerated individuals tend to be more politically involved in regions with abundant non-profit organizations that support their re-entry efforts. In an opinion article posted in The Washington Post, Walker and Owens chronicle their study and explain their conclusion. They used data that had been gathered through an online survey done by the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois during August and September of … [Read more...] about Returning citizens tend to be more politically involved
AROUND THE WORLD NOVEMBER 2018
“Some 70 million Americans have a criminal record – a number equal to Americans with a college degree,” according to the Brennan Center for Justice. New York Times July 27, 2018 “Zero Tolerance for Zero Tolerance” http://sanquentinnews.com/san-quentin-news-merchandise/ http://sanquentinnews.com/actor-danny-trejo-escaped-death-penalty/ http://sanquentinnews.com/nightmare-one-incarcerated-dreamer/ http://sanquentinnews.com/arnulfos-dream-continues-prosper/ … [Read more...] about AROUND THE WORLD NOVEMBER 2018
SQ Journalism Guild promotes next class of writers
The Journalism Guild of San Quentin held its first formal graduation in the prison’s Garden Chapel in late September. More than 50 people attended the ceremony, including current and former students from UC Berkeley, who worked with the men in the Guild and San Quentin News. “I’m filled with so much pride,” said Yukari Kane, the guild instructor for the last two years. “You remind me of why journalism is important.” “It’s been such a privilege,” Kane said before congratulating the men and presenting them with certificates of … [Read more...] about SQ Journalism Guild promotes next class of writers
San Quentin News & Wall City Merchandise
GO HERE TO SEE SAN QUENTIN NEWS & WALL CITY MERCHANDISE! Buy a mug, t-shirt, tote bag or sticker and support the San Quentin News and Wall City magazine. Inmates at San Quentin strive to report on rehabilitative efforts to increase public safety and achieve social justice. Net proceeds of merchandise sales go to Friends of San Quentin News via the Social Good Fund and support the inmate journalism programs. Merchandise purchases are not tax deductible. To make a tax deductible donation, click here to give directly to Friends of … [Read more...] about San Quentin News & Wall City Merchandise
Jon Spurlock BIO
Jon first met the San Quentin News team as part of a social sector-focused experiential learning course during his Berkeley-Haas MBA program. He led the team of fellow students that developed a business plan to ensure the long-term sustainability of the newspaper and to achieve the SQ News staff’s big hairy audacious goal of providing free access to every prisoner in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Jon completed his MBA in May 2015, including coursework in effective non-profit board governance. He stayed on as a … [Read more...] about Jon Spurlock BIO
Linda Xiques BIO
Linda Xiques became a San Quentin News adviser in the spring of 2013. Six years earlier, she had retired from a 30-year career in journalism thinking she had put deadlines behind her for good. But from the moment she walked into the office of San Quentin News —the computers clicking, reporters talking, joking, the vibe full of energy and movement—she was glad to be back in a busy newsroom again. Like the men she now helps to mentor, Xiques learned her journalism skills while on-the-job. A newspaper reader since childhood, she also loved … [Read more...] about Linda Xiques BIO
Steve McNamara BIO
Steve McNamara was one of the three initial advisers of the San Quentin News when Warden Bob Ayers revived it in the spring of 2008. Steve devised the paper’s design and typography, moving it toward its appearance as a real newspaper. When San Quentin’s print shop was closed in 2011, he became the paper’s acting publisher, setting up and running the non-profit structure that pays for the paper’s printing and distribution to other prisons and to donors and interested individuals. He also created the paper’s first website whereby inmates’ family … [Read more...] about Steve McNamara BIO
John C. Eagan BIO
My name is John C. Eagan and I am a retired journalist with more than 30 years in the news business. Born and raised in Florida, I served three years in the U.S. Army in South Carolina and Germany. I graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. I was a reporter-photographer for the Ft. Lauderdale News and sports editor of the companion newspaper, the Sun Sentinel, before moving to California where I was a reporter- photographer for the Arcadia Tribune and Napa Register, managing editor of the Petaluma … [Read more...] about John C. Eagan BIO
INMATES SPEAKS ON PROP. 57
A group of non-violent sex offenders is suing the California prison system for excluding them from potential parole under voter-approved Proposition 57. The proposition liberalized parole consideration for non-violent offenders, but the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation adopted rules excluding all sex offenders, including for non-violent crimes. “By excluding such individuals, CDCR’s regulations nullify the vote of the majority of Californians, who approved Proposition 57 with full knowledge that its early parole … [Read more...] about INMATES SPEAKS ON PROP. 57