Treating dyslexia in prison
How one San Quentin teacher helps residents combat the learning disability There is a strong link between illiteracy, learning disabilities, and the justice system, which some call a prison pipeline for the learning disabled. Some studies reveal 47-48% of incarcerated people have dyslexia, … [Read More...]
Volunteer serves Mt. Tam College students in Computer Lab
By Stuart Clarke Eric Roos volunteers his free time to serve San Quentin residents enrolled in Mount Tamalpais College. He oversees the Mt. Tam Computer Lab in the new Learning Center. With serene humility and his trademark effervescent smile, he conscientiously seeks to ensure that MTC … [Read More...]
Library helps foster family connections through literacy
By Terrell J. Marshall, Staff Writer Usually, the small San Quentin Rehabilitation Center library is full of incarcerated people quietly reading, doing legal work, or researching a school project. The non-profit organization Friends of San Quentin Library disrupted the typically tranquil … [Read More...]
New education center principal stresses importance of education within rehabilitation
By Anthony Manuel Caravalho, Sports Editor As the San Quentin Model celebrates its grand opening of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $240 million learning center, recently appointed Supervisor of Correctional Education Programs, Principal J. Henderson spoke of his experiences and philosophies that will mold … [Read More...]
Education key for an individual’s success, self-worth, transformation
For incarcerated students obtaining a bachelor’s degree, life is changing. Phillip Hernandez envisioned that one day he would graduate from high school, but college seemed like a dream to him and his mother. “Coming back into prison I had a sense of being a failure. I had a deep sense of loss and … [Read More...]
Law libraries offer pertinent information
Some people think that law libraries exist exclusively for lawyers, but in truth, they exist to serve anyone. The Psychological Study of Social Issues notes that legal socialization is a right of every United States citizen. “As a U.S. citizen I feel it is my right and responsibility to know … [Read More...]
Mount Tamalpais College students receive Associate’s Degrees
Resilience and mental toughness describe a dozen residents journeying to a higher education To celebrate the accomplishments of higher education at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, a large crowd of visitors gathered with residents at San Quentin’s Chapel B. The Mount Tamalpais College 2025 … [Read More...]
Vice Principal Dr. Worthington talks to SQNews
SQNews: Besides being Vice Principal at Burton, what other positions have you held? J.W: Professor at online and on-ground higher Ed schools, (AA/AS, BA/BS, MA/MS courses), curriculum coordinator in District Office, elementary school principal, high school VP, teacher, investment banking, … [Read More...]
Residents say racism still an issue at local high school
Racial hatred appeared nationally at a New Hartford Central School District, without consequence. Months later, at a local Marin County, California high school, administration also failed to address racism. “Allowing racial outbursts and not punishing elite white students for racist activities … [Read More...]
Op-ed: Education and self-worth reduce recidivism
In achieving a higher education while incarcerated, social skills are obtained, enhancing self-worth that can reduce recidivism rates. A higher education in prison makes available cognitive and psychological skill sets, giving a person the capability to self-advocate, with hopes of coping with … [Read More...]
Estudiantes enseńando a maestros en CRSQ
Este año, Mount Tamalpais College patrocino el primer foro informativo para quince nuevos maestros voluntarios en el Centro de Rehabilitación de San Quentin. El proyecto, llamado “Estudiantes Instruyendo a los Instructores”, fue creado por los residentes y estudiantes Carl Raybon y Miguel … [Read More...]
Education at SQ offers various levels and opportunities for degrees
Education at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center allows residents to follow their dreams while reforming their lives. The facility offers five different college programs, which the population can attend to further their education. The prison has a self-accredited on-site College program, … [Read More...]
SQ’s MTC students give professors feedback
Mount Tamalpais College held their first “Students Teaching Teachers” event this May, providing both new and returning teachers an opportunity to learn from San Quentin residents. The forum encouraged MTC teachers to engage in open dialogue with students, and ask questions to better … [Read More...]
Education over incarceration demonstrates success in youth diversion, report finds
Youth diversion away from the criminal justice system for those accused of delinquent behavior is increasing nationwide, according to the Sentencing Project. A March 2024 report by Senior Research Fellow, Youth Justice, Richard A. Mendel, and a Diversion Working Group of experts documented … [Read More...]
Death Row author overcame dyslexia, published ten books
Living on California’s Condemn Row also known as Death Row and being lockedup 24 to 20 hours a day in a tiny cell, condemn resident Albert “Ru-Al” Jones overcame three different types of dyslexia to self-publish 10 books in one of San Quentin’s darkest places. Jones, 59, said he has been locked … [Read More...]
‘Helping others is giving, and giving is receiving’
Free-To-Succeed 'meet-and-greet' recognizes academic students In December, the Free-To-Succeed program gathered every student and its staff, in San Quentin’s Chapel A, for a “meet-and-greet”, to celebrate the accomplishments and the massive effort of every contributor during the past … [Read More...]
Mount Tamalpais College builds trust with prison through town hall meeting
By Michael Callahan, Staff Writer and Bostyon Johnson, Managing Editor In November, San Quentin’s Mount Tamalpais College held two town hall-style meetings to strengthen their communication with correctional staff and incarcerated students. Never before at San Quentin had college students, … [Read More...]
What’s the deal with Pell in prisons? Answers to frequently asked questions
Pell Grants are coming back to prison in July, after Congress removed that ban that has prevented incarcerated students from using federal financial aid since 1994. How the process works will vary by state, by facility, and by individual. While people in prison regained Pell eligibility on July 1, … [Read More...]
Massachusetts corrections ramps up Pell Grant programs for the incarcerated
Massachusetts has always taken seriously the idea of education. The Bay State has both the nation’s oldest public school — Boston Latin School — and the nation’s oldest institution of higher learning – Harvard College. Massachusetts recently made great strides in education for incarcerated persons, … [Read More...]
Formerly incarcerated face continued ‘economic exclusion’ despite soaring job market
In the free world, anyone looking for a job these days should have an easy time finding one. The U.S. economy seems in decent shape and economic statistics look positive for a post-Covid recovery. Measurements of employment look especially favorable for job seekers; unemployment has hit recent lows … [Read More...]