Staff Profile

By Rahsaan Thomas Staff Writer Ten years ago the post office delivered a letter from San Quentin State Prison to the wrong address. Professor of Photography Nigel Poor received the letter, wondering why. The correct address was nowhere near hers. She redirected the epistle to the correct person, thinking that would be the end of it. But it happened twice more, sparking her interest in San Quentin prison and how people inside communicate. “What people inside have to say is amazing,” said Poor. “They are a huge under utilized resource. If … [Read more...] about Photographer Nigel Poor Conveys the Stories of SQ Inmates

By Tommy Bryant Journalism Guild Writer Diabetes is a serious problem at San Quentin and Elina Appleton has made it her mission to help those affected. “Most inmates have no idea what the disease is or how it affects them until they start losing toes, feet, legs, kidneys, go blind, have heart attacks and/or strokes,” said Appleton a licensed vocational nurse best known as “Red.” The legendary H-Unit nurse filters a hundred questions and symptoms a week. Often the answers indicate diabetes. About 20 San Quentin inmates in H-Unit are on … [Read more...] about San Quentin Nurse Heals One Inmate at a Time

By Miguel Quezada Staff Writer Collette Carroll is the kind of San Quentin volunteer who sees a serious need and fills it. The need was to prepare prisoners for their release into the outside world. After eight years volunteering in the prison, she founded the organization that became known as the California Reentry Institute (CRI). It led to her being recognized and honored as a leader in reentry services for the incarcerated in California. However, pre-release was not enough for Carroll. “It’s not good enough to just prepare someone … [Read more...] about Collette Carroll Dedicated to Changing Lives

By Aly Tamboura Contributing Writer The San Quentin News, created in 1940 by Warden Clinton T. Duffy, is at the end of an era, which began eight years ago under the guidance of one remarkable volunteer, who has decided to step down. Veteran journalist John C. Eagan, who has been volunteering his time mentoring prisoners, including myself, in the craft of journalism, is leaving his position as senior adviser to the San Quentin News. The legacy he leaves behind is a strong, professional, respected newspaper built from scratch. It is one … [Read more...] about San Quentin News Adviser Retires After Eight Years

By Phoeun You Graphic Designer Lucia De La Fuente impacted the lives of 10 Spanish-speaking San Quentin prisoners with her skills as a counselor and teacher. “She taught me how to deal with my traumas. I can own up to my crime and hold myself accountable for it,” said Manuel Murillo, one of her students. De La Fuente is one of three volunteers that recently launched Victim-Offender Education Group (VOEG) for Spanish-speaking prisoners. “It’s the other Spanish facilitators like her that are essential and important to help me express … [Read more...] about Spanish Facilitator Impacts Lives

By Rahsaan Thomas Staff Writer Don DeNevi retired from his position as coach of the San Quentin recreation program, reluctantly leaving behind his most beloved job. “I should have been doing prison work all my life,” said DeNevi. “There is no place I’d rather be than right here. I’m not happy about retiring because I don’t want to. They aren’t forcing me, but I am 78. “The great Freud and Carl Jung say the surest sign of psychological health is being realistic about yourself. I have to be realistic. I don’t want to quit, but I have to … [Read more...] about SQ Rec Chief DeNevi Reluctantly Retires At 78

By Arnulfo Garcia Editor-in-Chief When an inmate first comes into the prison system, the demeanor of correctional officials generally gives him an indication of what prison is going to be like. Rarely is that demeanor upbeat or positive. Correctional Officer E. Plagman is one of those rare people with a different outlook. His is the voice North Block inmates hear over its PA system on many mornings. Plagman’s last day at San Quentin State Prison was Nov. 4. He is scheduled to transfer to Old Folsom State Prison. “We are going to be … [Read more...] about Departing C.O. Plagman Aimed to Gain The Respect of Inmates

By Tommy Winfrey Art Editor Officer Eugene McGhee Jr., 55, retired after almost 14 years in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on Friday, July 31, 2015. Prior to retiring from CDCR, McGhee retired from the United States Army, where he had served on active and reserve duty for 34 years. McGhee admitted retirement was a tough decision but he has a good reason. “I have an 8-year-old son that I adopted at birth, and I want to spend time with him. I want to be a good father,” he said. He added that he had planned … [Read more...] about Officer McGhee Envisions Taking Trips After Retirement

By A. Kevin Valvardi Journalism Guild Writer Sister Karen Conover will be winding up 15 years as director of San Quentin’s Catholic Chapel choir for a new ministry. She will be departing in August for a new role of “internal community service” to the retired sisters who live in an assisted and skilled nursing community at their mother house complex in Dubuque, Iowa. Sister Karen, BVM, had been ministering to the men of San Quentin’s Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Chapel with her singing and music since September 1999, when she was … [Read more...] about Catholic Choir Director Departs for New Position