
Immigrante erróneamente exiliado entre la polémica y política
By Edwin Chavez
El mandatario de EE.UU., usó una antigua ley de 1798. La Ley contra Enemigos Extranjeros, como excusa para deportar a cientos de inmigrantes Venezolanos y Salvadoreños a la Mega prisión llamada Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (Cecot) en El Salvador, Conocida como El Hoyo Negro. Entre éstos deportados se encuentra Kilmar Ábrego García, quien fue directamente deportado y … [Read More...]

Estadísticas de mujeres encarceladas en EEUU
By Edwin Chavez
La población femenina encarcelada, esta casi siete veces más alto en comparación al año 1980. Ya que, entre los años 1980 y 2022, el número de mujeres encarceladas aumento más del 585%, aumentando de un total de 26,326 reas en 1980, a 180,684 reas en 2022. En los últimos 40 años, en EE.UU., ha habido un profundo cambio en el desarrollo de las mujeres dentro del sistema legal criminal. Este el … [Read More...]

Cambia tu mente crea nuevos resultados
Los alumnos del Dr. Joe Dispenza y la Fundación Dar para Dar “Give to Give”, ofrecieron el primer taller informativo en español, para la comunidad hispana del Centro de Rehabilitación de San Quentin. El Dr. Dispenza, basada la neurociencia en su investigación ― explica cómo las persona adquieren el conocimiento de su personalidad y cómo crea una realidad, establecido por: … [Read More...]

Las mujeres que abrieron nuevos caminos
A lo largo de la historia varias mujeres se han destacado por su lucha de superación de género, abriendo caminos de esperanza a las nuevas generaciones. Basado en varias biografía, cada una de estas personas desafiaron el estigma en su época, que las mujeres no podían alcanzar un nivel educativo o profesional. “La mujer no tenía muchos derechos, era cosa de que ella tenía que atender … [Read More...]

El Programa Armas Así Abajo es presentado a la comunidad mono-lenguaje de Español
By Edwin Chavez
El grupo de autoayuda Arms Down [Armas hacia Abajo], es un programa que inició en inglés y que ahora está siendo presentado por primera vez en español en el Centro de Rehabilitación de San Quentin. El programa de trabajo de 26 semanas está orientado a temas de adicción por el uso de armas y a su vez promueve la prevención del uso de armas en nuestras comunidades. “Esto no es solo … [Read More...]

El estigma de la salud mental
By Rene Lorenzo
Los Latinos viven sumergidos en la punto de vista negativo de lo que es la salud mental. Basado en el artículo de Michelle Rojas directora asociada de Diversidad, Equidad e Inclusión. En el artículo de Rojas menciona que en la comunidad hispana luchan con las barreras institucionales, sistemáticas y como abordan el tema. Según Rojas, en su publicación basado en “Superando … [Read More...]

El impacto a prisioneros deportados a Latino América
By Edwin Chavez
Algunos países están encarcelando a personas deportadas con antecedentes criminales y sospechosos con vínculo al narco tráfico o pandillas. La violencia perpetuada por criminales, pandilleros y el crimen organizado hizo que el presidente de Ecuador, Daniel Noboa declarara su país en “estado de guerra” ― después que 14 Ecuatorianos perdieran la vida, según reportó Anna Fleck de la prensa … [Read More...]

El alguacil de Riverside para Gobernador de California
El polémico alguacil Chad Bianco anunció su candidatura como nuevo gobernador de California en las próximas elecciones del 2026, aspirante que comparte fuertemente las mismas filosofías del Presidente Donald Trump. Según una publicación de La Nación el 18 de febrero de 2025. De acuerdo al artículo, Bianco es el actual alguacil del condado de Riverside y fervor partidario del presidente … [Read More...]

Orden Ejecutiva remueve fondos para traducciones en diferentes idiomas
El pasado primero de marzo, el Presidente de los EE.UU. Donald J. Trump, firmó una orden ejecutiva en donde oficializa el Inglés como el “idioma oficial”, orden que afecta a miles de personas, familiares de encarcelados y no encarcelados quienes no leen, escriben o hablan dicho idioma. Trump, a través de su mandato da a las agencias gubernamentales el poder sobre los servicios lingüísticos de … [Read More...]

Recolección de estadísticas inconstantes diferentes estados de la nación Americana
La información que se reporta de las bajas de reincidir [recaídas] en las prisiones, varía con las fuentes de información. Basada en el artículo escrito de parte de Amanda Hernández de Dreamstime/TNS. De acuerdo a lo escrito, las estadísticas de recaídas del 2023 varían en los diferentes estados por la manera que es recolectado la información. Por esta razón es difícil verificar cual estado … [Read More...]

Origami genius, resident Daniel Le increases creativity, enhances mental wellness
By Edwin Chavez
Resident artist discusses how the Japanese art form translates to rehabilitation For Daniel Le, origami started as a curiosity. Having watched origami artists on YouTube videos inspired him to learn more about the art form. Eventually, Le created a signature piece of origami art — fireworks. “When I am doing origami I am thinking on the steps that I need to take, that I’ve learned in … [Read More...]

Resident artist resentenced and released under 1172.1(a)
The process took months. It required dozens of telephone calls to lawyers. It required a lot of legal mail, both sent and received. It also required much hope. In the end, the effort – and the hope – paid off. Former San Quentin resident Luciano Borjas said he received a resentencing under 1172.1(a). Just prior to his departure from San Quentin, he said he would still have to deal with a … [Read More...]

Ray Ochoa finds new purpose in life through his quality art
By Edwin Chavez
Art begins with creation through imagination and, for Ray Ochoa, through his motivation to make a living. Ochoa’s art began with a sponsor who once had worked as an artist and now owns art galleries in San Francisco and Hawaii. That sponsor was the first to encourage him to create art. “I learned to draw by looking over the shoulders of murderers and thieves,” said Ochoa. “This was my art … [Read More...]

Hunger pains encouraged Moises Ramos to set sail for artistic future
By Edwin Chavez
Driven by hunger, the need for means to survive inside a prison walls gave life to innovation and creativity displayed in hidden gems of art. In 2015, California sent Moises Ramos and many other prisoners to Arizona because of overcrowding in CDCR facilities. He had left his family and loved ones and did not have the means even to purchase ramen soup. “Me and my bunky decided that we … [Read More...]
Prison art exhibit gains traction
Prison art exhibitions bring public awareness to incarcerated people’s experiences and are truly worth more than a thousand words, according to The Marshall Project. One art exhibition included an “Federal Prison Inmate Activity Book” that resembled a child’s activity book. The book included word puzzles using terms like “larceny” and “embezzle.” The book was not published by a correctional … [Read More...]

Guitar students of Arts in Corrections rock in SQ concert
By Kevin Sawyer
Musicians from the organization Bread & Roses and guitar students from Arts in Corrections performed their first concert at San Quentin since the pandemic. An audience of about 40 incarcerated persons and guests attended the Sunday night mid-November concert venue in the Chapel A. Four participants from Kurt Huget’s Thursday afternoon guitar workshop opened the show, playing Tom Petty’s … [Read More...]

Woven rehabilitation: Michael Barker weaves his art into his life-long rehabilitation
Artist Michael Barker has infused his rehabilitative qualities into his art and has garnered a fan base that spans 30 years and four prisons. Barker innovatively bonds an assortment of paper to plastic by hand sewing the materials together to make strands that creates his masterpieces. His transformative artwork provides enjoyment and a sense of home for both San Quentin residents and … [Read More...]

A color worth a thousand words
Robert Gomez shares his truth with the world through art full of vibrant colors San Quentin resident Robert Gomez, 55, rises early in the morning to create. With a colored pencil in hand, he renders imagery of birds and fish, the real and imagined, and colors both bold and subtle. Gomez has been practicing his distinct style for the past 25 years, finding inspiration in his family … [Read More...]

GERRE MOORE BRINGS COLD, HARD STEEL TO LIFE
By Edwin Chavez
Artist Gerre Moore has been working with ink pen and color-pencils for decades. For Moore, 56, his journey as an artist began as a five-year-old child, inspired by his mother’s talent. “My mom was a good painter and got all my sisters and my brother doing some kind of art work when we were young,” Moore said. “I owe my mom everything.” In 1996, he started reading classic car … [Read More...]

SHEB ISBELL, BEADING GURU EXPLORES NEW DIMENSION WITH EACH CREATION
By Edwin Chavez
Through arts and crafts, many incarcerated people have found ways to express themselves and have found ways to communicate their creative endeavors with the outside world. Beadwork has existed since early humans hung shells around their necks and beads used in arts and crafts remain popular to this day. Sheb Isbell, a new arrival at San Quentin, brought with him a new level of innovation … [Read More...]

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
By Edwin Chavez
David Hernandez re-purposing everyday scraps into art gems All art has unique ingredents. San Quentin resident David Hernandez creates sports logos and handbags from common materials that anyone else would consider useless and throw away. He has adopted the concept of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle as an artistic credo. “I learned these techniques so that I can stay busy and my time goes by … [Read More...]

SAN QUEN-TOONS, Tips For Cell Living – August 2023
By Jessie Milo

MÚSICOS DE MUCHO TALENTO CONTAGIAN CON ALEGRÍA A SAN QUENTIN
Por Aristeo Sampablo e Idalio VillagránSpanish Journalism Guild Writers Con las guitarras en las manos y la voz entonada, encuentran sanación en el paso a su rehabilitación. Es una tarde como cualquier otra, Los amigos de Rancho estan reunidos y afinando sus guitarras para traer un poco de alegría a los residentes de San Quentin. Resonando sus instrumentos y dándole un toque … [Read More...]

‘SE CELEBRA LA PAZ EN SAN QUENTIN’
Por Willy Alarcón Spanish Journalism Guild yEdwin E. Chavez Spanish Journalism Chair Después de una ausencia de dos años por la pandemia, el Día De La Paz regresó a San Quentin a toda pompa. El evento comenzó temprano, trayendo largas filas de reclusos anticipando recibir sus bolsas de obsequios llenos de aperitivos, gracias a la compañía Walkenhorst. El Director de la … [Read More...]

SQ MARIN SHAKESPEARE PLAY CONFRONTS THE TREATMENT OF WOMEN
The Marin Shakespeare class at San Quentin continued its tradition of performing classic plays from the English bard’s portfolio. On June 30, it was a Caribbean-themed interpretation of Shakespeare’s comedy, "The Taming of the Shrew." The event in the Garden Chapel also featured a discussion about how San Quentin can transform into a rehabilitation center. Some of the residents in … [Read More...]

FOUNDER OF RADIO DIARIES PODCAST VISITS SQ
By Steve Brooks
JOE RICHMAN EXPOUNDS ON 30 YEARS OF RADIO BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE … [Read More...]

FORMERLY INCARCERATED FILMMAKER WINS AWARD
By Steve Brooks
ADAMU CHAN WINS DIRECTOR DEBUT FOR 'WHAT THESE WALLS WON'T HOLD A formerly incarcerated documentary filmmaker, who honed his skills in San Quentin’s media center, has won an award from the oldest film festival in the nation. Adamu Chan, director of the film “What These Walls Won’t hold,” received the Golden Gate Award for best mid-length documentary at the San Francisco International film … [Read More...]

ANOTHER MAN’S TREASURES
By Edwin Chavez
DAVID CALDERON TAKESCONTROL OF HIS MENTALHEALTH THROUGH HIS CRAFT San Quentin resident David Calderon, 38, showcases his artistry by creating sports hats out of writing paper and cardboard. He created his hats with a variety of team sports logos at the request of other incarcerated men here at San Quentin; teams like the Dodgers, 49ers, Raiders, Miami Dolphins and … [Read More...]

San Quen-Toons July 2023
By Jessie Milo

ART & KRIMES: FILM EXAMINES NEXUS OF ART AND REHABILITATION
By Dante Jones
“Artists are definitely treated different in prison — ‘cause you provide something real that humanizes people and connects people to their family, which makes them feel valuable.” The quote above is from the documentary Art & Krimes by Jesse Krimes, screened in San Quentin’s Protestant Chapel Feb. 17. The film, directed by Alysa Nahmias, is a powerfully emotional story. It … [Read More...]

PEACE REIGNS ON THE LOWER YARD
By Edwin Chavez
SAN QUENTIN TRADITION PERSONIFIES POSITIVE CHANGE, NEARS HOLIDAY STATUS The San Quentin community hosted its annual Day of Peace on July 1. Peace, love, and unity permeated the air as residents, staff, program volunteers and community members gathered to enjoy the sun, music and camaraderie. The event commenced with the SQ Color Guard flag-presentation ceremony followed by resident … [Read More...]

OLD SCHOOL
By Edwin Chavez
LUCIANO BORJAS BRINGS LOWRIDER CULTURE BACK TO LIFE Art promotes peace and tranquility in those who allow their skills and imagination to flourish inside prison walls. Luciano Borjas has found peace in drawing cars, sceneries and portraits. The artist’s passion helps foster his personal growth while enhancing relationships with friends and family on the outside. In his roles as … [Read More...]

SAN QUEN-TOONS – BITTERSWEET 2023
By Jessie Milo

CORCORAN PRISONERS RAISE SUICIDE AWARENESS THROUGH CREATIVE ARTS
Incarcerated people at CSP Corcoran worked together to create chalk art throughout the prison, aimed at increasing awareness of suicide in prison. In 2021, 31 people committed suicide in California’s prisons, with others struggling with suicidal thoughts and attempts, the Prison Journalism Project reported in a March story. Depression is prevalent for incarcerated people because … [Read More...]

Andrew Wadsworth finds healing with each stroke of the paintbrush
By Edwin Chavez
Andrew Wadsworth began his incarceration as a 16-year-old. He admits that his path to adulthood has had its challenges. Now 38, he’s in the early stages of realizing that a paintbrush is an excellent way to express himself. “It’s hard for me to express myself without coming off arrogant,” Wadsworth said. “With abstract painting there are lots of emotions—it’s hard to express just … [Read More...]