GYM RE-OPENS AFTER LONG HIATUS
As of July 12, San Quentin residents can use the gymnasium on the Lower Yard again after an almost five year hiatus and residents are elated. “It feels good to have the gym back open,” said resident Jekarre “Skinny” Thompson. He was standing on the gym basketball court and getting in some shots. Thompsons’ smile showed his appreciation. “It reminds me of the old days. I was a part of the … [Read More...]
EARTHQUAKES REFUSE TO BE DEFEATED BY OUTSIDERS
Journalism Guild Writer The loud boom of soccer balls being propelled through the air filled the Lower Yard with the return of the “Outsiders” team for game three against the San Quentin Earthquakes team, who achieved a narrow 5–4 victory over the visitors. “I know the Outsiders haven’t won one game yet, so I know they’re gonna be on fire. They’re hungry for a win, so they’re gonna give us … [Read More...]
TRAGEDIA EN JUAREZ CON DOCENAS DE INMIGRANTES FALLECIDOS
Docenas de inmigrantes murieron el lunes, cuando empezó un incendio en el interior del Centro de Detención para emigrantes en Ciudad Juárez, México. Reportaron María Verza and Morgan Lee – The Associated Press. Los muertos y heridos fueron identificados como latinoamericanos, más específicamente de Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, El Salvador, Honduras y Guatemala, de acuerdo con el reporte de las … [Read More...]
NO HAY DINERO DE SALIDA PARA LOS QUE ENFRENTAN DEPORTACIÓN
Spanish Journalism Chair El Departamento de Correcciones de California (CDCR) no está pagando el dinero de liberación de $200 a los reos que van a ser deportados o a cualquier prisionero que va a ser trasladado a otro estado o a custodia federal. A nivel del estado, personas de origen hispano componen el grupo étnico más grande de la población que está encarcelada y entre el 40-44% de … [Read More...]
SE DIGITALIZA UN ARCHIVO CONTENIENDO MILES DE NARRATIVOS PERSONALES DE LOS ENCARCELADOS
Dos punto tres millones de dólares en fondos han sido donados por la fundación Mellon para digitalizar los escritos de miles de reos en las prisiones estatales de los EE.UU. El proyecto Archivo de Historias de la Prisión Americana contiene ya más de 3,300 narrativas escritas por reclusos y es el repositorio digital más extenso de escrituras acerca de las condiciones y manera de vida dentro de … [Read More...]
CON LA EDUCACIÓN SE ABREN LAS PUERTAS DE LA PRISIÓN
Spanish Journalism Guild La persona que abre las puertas a la educación, cierra las puertas de la prisión. El departamento de educación de la prisión de San Quentin celebró la graduación de 351 alumnos que comenzaron su enseñanza desde antes de la pandemia en el 2019. Varios de ellos han sido trasladados a otras instituciones estales o están ya en libertad. La ceremonia … [Read More...]
Wall City Magazine Summer 2023
Summer 2023 … [Read More...]
MUJERES ESTADOUNIDENSES PUEDEN SER VÍCTIMAS DELAS ARMAS DE FUEGO
Las Cifras Indican Que Sigue AumentandoLa Cantidad De Victimas Anualmente Entre los países industrializados, las mujeres en EE.UU. son más expuestas a ser víctimas mortales de las armas de fuego y el uso de estas armas en contra de las mujeres continúa aumentando en este país según El Tiempo Latino. La ex congresista Gabrielle Giffords, víctima de un ataque armado, dirige la … [Read More...]
SE DEMANDA JUSTICIA TRAS MALTRATO DE PRISIONEROS
El maltrato de prisioneros provocó otra protesta enfrente del capitolio del estado en Austin, Texas. Los promotores de leyes más justas, buscan un trato más humanitario para los prisioneros del Departamento de Justicia Criminal de Texas (TDCJ por sus siglas en inglés). El aislamiento de prisioneros es una condición que impacta y empeora las condiciones de vida en las penitenciarías … [Read More...]
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...]
Solano caricature artist Ray Williams
pays homage to SQ’s prison journalists
Solano State Prison resident Ray Williams Jr. created animated caricatures of formerly incarcerated journalists who were part of San Quentin’s radio program UnCuffed. Williams conceived of the idea when formerly incarcerated journalists and San Quentin volunteers took a trip to Oslo, Norway, to be part of the first ever Prison Radio International Conference, which was featured in the … [Read More...]
Glen Shafer: Soledad neoclassical
artist owes his life to his art
Incarcerated for 35 years, the artist finds art itself to be his most stabilizing influence SQNews is featuring art submissions from incarcerated men in institutions other than San Quentin. We begin with the art of Glen W. Shafer, a resident of Soledad State Prison. “I owe my art my life,” said Shafer. “Today I am very grateful God has blessed me with this gift.” For some, art … [Read More...]
Roses are red . . . mostly
Guatemala native brings nature’s beauty to life — with bread San Quentin artist Idalio Villagran takes prison-constrained creativity and resourcefulness to another level, crafting beautiful roses of various colors from state-issued bread and Kool-Aid. The roses are so convincing that people seeing them for the first time mutter in disbelief, first that they are not real, and finally that … [Read More...]
FOR LOVE AND HONOR
Edgar Zarate Martinez pours life onto his canvasto show respect for his family and culture Painting and drawing are keys to inner freedom for San Quentin artist Edgar Zarate Martinez, activities that dispel darkness. He literally brushes away the negative thoughts and feelings that can threaten to consume people in prison. The artist’s Mexican heritage is distinctly evident in his … [Read More...]
UnChainMe
By Jessie Milo — CSP Corcoran … [Read More...]
happy VALENTINE’S day 2023
Rhymester ‘God MC’ Rakim transforms 80s rap
“Changing the game” is an expression used to describe exceptional individuals who have transformed and elevated their particular field or occupation. Hip hop great and rapper Rakim (William Griffin Jr.) is a game changer in rap music. Known as one of greatest MCs of all time, he pioneered the complex lyrical rhyme pattern that transformed rap music in the 1980s. Rakim’s slow “flow” … [Read More...]
Angela Davis honored with Oakland museum exibit
Iconic revolutionary’s lifeand struggles chronicled in‘Angela Davis: Seize the Time’ Even as she appeared on the FBI’s ten most wanted list, this iconic Afrocentric revolutionary figure was loved by people across the United States and internationally. Angela Yvonne Davis, with her bright skin and big and bold afro-styled hair, is being featured at the Oakland Museum in an exhibit … [Read More...]
ART IS THE WAY
by George Mesro Coles-El Would you bother to read this poem todayif no pen or papercould move or staywith stanzas to displaythe world as it turns and sways? Would throbbing drums move your feetIn a pattern of stomps and sweepsFrom a time when your ancestors could not sleepWithout prayers for their souls to keep? How would food look without connectionto the creativity of confections?What … [Read More...]
TOWER ART REFLECTIONS
The Tower Book was conceived by book artist Beth Thielen in collaboration with San Quentin artists and women at the California Rehabilitation Center. Its accordion-style pages, built to fit inside a model prison tower, feature mugshot-style images of the incarcerated, photos capturing not the person’s worst moments, but rather their greatest personal triumph: the achievement of insight. The … [Read More...]
PERFORMING ARTS – Shakespeare
IF YOU'D LIKE TO SEE THE WHOLE EDITION, CLICK HERE! … [Read More...]
HEART OF DARKNESS
When 38-year-old Edgar Zarate Martinez picks up a pencil or a paintbrush, it’s his mother’s influence that he channels into his art. “I was raised by a single mother,” he said. “That’s why I find women to be inspirational — because of their strength and unbreakable spirits.” The visions he commits to paper and canvas are intended not only to honor women, but to embrace the spectrum of … [Read More...]
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT – Beached
Throughout historyprisoners have pursuedmyriad means of creativeexpression. Nearly twomillennia ago Paul theApostle spent his timein prison composingletters to Christians infar-off lands — letters thatremain powerfully relevantin the modern world. Among San Quentin’sincarcerated walk anumber of incrediblytalented artists who havefound true inner freedomthrough independentcreative expression. … [Read More...]
Great art does indeed come from great suffering
The coronavirus pandemic has proven the age-old adage In this edition of Wall City magazine, we take a look at the connection between the arts and rehabilitation. We pay homage to some of the incarcerated artists who left their mark on the world. There are myriad art forms that spring forth like water from the faucet of the human soul. The therapeutic value of art can be channeled into a road … [Read More...]
M I N I O N S I N V A S I O N
Jorge Cuevas breathes life into his Minionsthrough the ancient Japanese art of Origami News flash; San Quentin has been invaded by Minions! Resident Jorge Cuevas creates the lovable characters based on the popular movies as a pastime. “During my incarceration I knew that I was going to do a lot of time” said Cuevas. “So I asked myself; what I can do in order to survive in here? How can … [Read More...]
When Anxiety Strikes by: Jessie Milo
Marin Shakespeare pays tribute to ‘the Bard’ with production of Richard III
The lobby of San Quentin’s Garden Chapel was filled with Shakespearean costumes. The actors were from San Quentin’s Shakespeare program and the Marin Shakespeare Company. “This is therapy, this is humanity — in prison, people, we wear masks. In this program, I take it off and exercise hidden talents I didn’t know I have,” said incarcerated actor Derry Brown. On October 21, 2022, the … [Read More...]
2023 Calendar
Female prisoners heal through art
Mural project allows womento process abuse, trauma Incarcerated women in a South Carolina prison are learning to heal by using art to process past traumas, a recent story reports. Inside the Leath Correctional Institution in Greenwood visiting room, a mural of butterflies has been painted on the wall. The mural tells the story of women who are survivors of trauma. Just Detention … [Read More...]
Runa Ray partners with SQ artists
A fashion designer/environmentalist returned to San Quentin in order to include the prison’s incarcerated population in the design of a gigantic flag to be displayed at the United Nations. “I’m extremely honored to be on these grounds of San Quentin,” said Runa Ray at the Aug. 15 event aimed at bringing attention to climate change, justice and peace. “I’ve met some incredibly talented … [Read More...]
North Carolina art show supports the incarcerated
The artistic voices of the incarcerated were displayed in North Carolina recently, giving thanks to community organizations that support and advocate for prisoners’ successful reentry into society, according to The Raleigh ( N.C.) News and Observer. An exhibit called “Something to Say” featured art from men in Orange Correctional Center, a minimum security prison. It was held at The Margaret … [Read More...]
David Roybal’s timeless pin-up style creations say it all
SQNews believes art is a universal language, a tool to explore our creativity and inner-self in the quest for betterment and understanding. For some of the artists we have featured, art is, even more, personal — it is part of their family tree. San Quentin resident David Roybal, 63, exemplifies this. As a little kid, he witnessed his late father recreating human figures before his own eyes. … [Read More...]
Isom finds therapeutic relief at the tip of his brush
Art contains hidden treasures. For some, this treasure is the use of their art as the raft to navigate the deep, raging rivers of their past in the quest for internal healing and reconciliation. Jeffrey A. Isom is uniquely willing to open up and share such hidden treasures and expose his vulnerability. Isom, 58, creates art for a number of reasons. One is for his own … [Read More...]
Paul Stauffer finds purpose, release in his paintbrush
“I paint and I write because it gives me purpose,” said San Quentin resident Paul Stauffer. “It’s a release from tension, and it helps me to release an excess amount of imagination.” He says he’s appreciative of the art room at San Quentin, where he has the chance to socialize and collaborate with other artists. Stauffer, 65, considers himself a very passionate person. He says … [Read More...]
Native artist’s generational pain poured out on canvas
“Spiritually and mentally, art helps me escape from prison,” said Joseph “Jo-Joe” Salazar. “It is medicine to me. It is beautiful that my creator gifted me with this talent.” Salazar plays the guitar, harmonica, and drums — abilities, he says, that have kept him going during his incarceration. Art is deeper than just passing time, Salazar says. The 63-year-old says his artistic … [Read More...]