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Community

Rabbi Paul Shleffar (above) tells the Passover story during the traditional Jewish feast of Passover.

San Quentin residents, and their families and children, were
treated to a 2023 day of celebration with the Easter Bunny.

Mom, my words will always fall short of expressing my gratitude and love for you. We are doing it! Love, Nic

Philipe Kelly strikes a pose on
graduation day after receiving
his certificate from the Guiding
Rage Into Power program.

Caldwell, now retired, continues to coordinate the printing and distribution of San Quentin News and
Wall City magazine through third-party printers at cost.

Scot Caldwell stands proudly in front of a Marin Sun Printing
press in 2018. Caldwell’s support of San Quentin News
allowed the monthly newspaper to flourish after the closing of
San Quentin’s print shop.

Tommy Wickerd (left) provides instruction to Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and
unimpaired residents during a Saturday afternoon Sign Language class.

Prisoners and visitors from the outside community gather on San
Quentin’s Lower Yard ahead of the Victim Awareness Week event.

Tinisch Hollins, executive director
of Californians for Safety and
Justice, leads a silent march
alongside survivor Nicole Gardner
of Mend Collaborative and formerly
incarcerated Lonnie Morris.

In late April, San Quentin prisoners came together with formerly incarcerated and advocates for crime victims and
survivors to commemorate Victims Awareness Week. Attendees included Mend Collaborative co-founder Miguel
Quezada and Tinisch Hollins, champion of victims’ rights and executive director of Californians for Safety and Justice.

Among the most macabre items in the museum is a tattered and frayed noose (bottom) used on the San Quentin gallows before the gas chamber became the state’s official method of capital punishment in 1938.

Artifacts in the museum’s display cases include numerous models of rifles and pistols (right) used by prison guards over the years, as well as shackles and chains (center right) worn by prisoners.

Artifacts in the museum’s display cases include numerous models of rifles and pistols (right) used by prison guards over the years, as well as shackles and chains (center right) worn by prisoners.

The San Quentin Museum (top) officially opened in June 1986 as the brainchild of Curator Jeff Craemer and Associate Warden Richard Nelson.

ALLEN “DALLAS” EATON
CHARLES “BIRDMAN” THOMAS
CORRECTIONAL OFFICER
DANIEL CHRYSTALINE
FIDEL OCHOA
HARVEY HEISHMAN
JOSEPH ESCAJEDA

Crochet master Steve Joyner displays a hand-made masterpiece:
a crocheted blanket for homeless pets awaiting adoption.

Assemblywoman Eleanor Miller rewrote the women’s farm legislation to apply it in creating CIW. She served in the Assembly from 1922 to 1940.

Jeanne Woodford
was hired as a correctional
officer at San Quentin
in 1978. She became a
correctional counselor in
1983. From 1986-99, she
was promoted through
various positions of increasing
responsibility, including
associate warden
and chief deputy warden.
Woodford became director
of corrections in 2004. In
2006, during restructuring,
she was appointed to
acting secretary.

Ruth Rushen worked
at LA County probation
department for 18 years.
In 1975, she became the
first woman to serve on
the California Board of
Prison Terms. In 1980, she
became the first female
African American appointed
to director of corrections
and served in that position
for two years.

Wilma Schneider was
hired as a full correctional
officer at San Quentin, becoming
the first woman to
work beyond the confines
of the prison visiting room.
She faced criticism in the
press, with many claiming
she was working a man’s
job that was unsuitable for
a woman.

Linda Clarke started
out in 1971 as women’s
correctional supervisor at
CTF-Soledad. She worked
as a correctional officer
until 1978. Clark became
CTF’s training manager
from 1981-87, and was
named CTF’s first female
warden in 1995.

Joyce Zink began
her career at CIW, then
transferred to SQ’s visiting
room in 1972. Feeling the
position was too limiting,
she transferred to Folsom’s
visiting room in 1973. Zink
was promoted to sergeant
in 1976, and later became
a lieutenant, working at HQ
and running housing units
at CSP-Sacramento and
Folsom. She retired from
Folsom as captain in 2000.

Ilene Williams started
her career at CRC as a
correctional counselor.
She was one of the first
female officers at San
Quentin in 1972. At the
time, she was only allowed
to work in the prison’s
visiting hall. Williams
was promoted to sergeant
at CIW in 1973, then later
earned her lieutenant’s
bars and retired in 1994
as chief deputy warden at
CSP-Corcoran.

Peggy Kernan kicked
off her correctional career
in clerical services, later
becoming a training officer
and a correctional counselor.
She was promoted to
lieutenant at San Quentin
in 1979, and continued
to ascend through prison
administration, serving
three years as chief deputy
warden at Mule Creek and
becoming the first warden
of CSP-Solano in 1991.
She retired in 1995 after 32
years of state service

Josephine Jackson
also served as an early
matron for the Women’s
Department at San Quentin,
holding the post for 17
years. In 1932, she was
the first woman in California
appointed warden,
heading the new California
Institution for Women,
known then as the San
Quentin Branch Prison

Midge Carroll, like
many women in California
prison service, began her
career at CIW in 1966.
In 1972, she was one of
CIM’s first female officers.
She became associate
superintendent at Sierra
Conservation Center and
became the first woman
to run a men’s facility, first
as warden of CIM in 1982,
then DVI in 1989. She
worked as deputy director
of parole & community services
division from 1989 - 91
and again from 1998 - 99.

Kathleen Anderson
began her career at CIW.
She became associate
warden at the California
Training Facility at Soledad
in 1974, making her
the “first woman in the
country to hold a position
of that much authority in a
men’s facility,” according
to the Chino Champion
newspaper. She returned
to CIW in 1976 as warden,
making her the first female
African-American warden
in the state. She left in
1980.

Genevieve Smith
served as matron of San
Quentin’s incarcerated
women from 1909 until
1914. Her position paid
$840 per month — sixty
dollars more than her husband
received as a prison
guard.

the Essie Justice Group rallies behind women who have been impacted by the criminal justice system and mass incarceration

the California Coalition for Women Prisoners has been
a power to be reckoned with in the push to end Life-
Without-Parole sentences

The women of Beauty Behind Bars strive to bring healing and inner freedom to incarcerated women who have suffered trauma at the hands of an abuser

Sistas With Voices is a reentry and prison reform and advocacy group who advocated on behalf of prisoners during the Coronavirus emergency

1000 Mile
Club runners gather
alongside Christine
Yoo and head coach
Frank Ruona for a Q&A
session following the
film’s screening.

To my wife, Rosemary: No
distance shall separate us. No
hurdles can break us apart.
True love never dies.
―Edwin

Dear Mom, I love you with
all my heart and soul. You are
my valentine and I love you so
much. Happy Valentine’s Day.
—Louis

Christina, my forever,
my bestfriend, you bring
me so much happiness. I am
blessed to have a caring and
understanding person like you
in my life. Follow your dreams!
—Erick

Violinists Daniel Le, Henok Rufael, John Zeretske and “Flash” Gordon Kimbrough fiddled across a broad spectrum of skillsets and unique styles to blow the chapel roof off.

Vocalist Nicholas Casteel joined performers onstage
and wowed the crowd with an enthusiastic vocal performance.

SQ musicians of every genre gathered on the chapel stage for a jam session highlighting the musical prowess of guitarists, fiddlers and harmonica players, among others.

More than two dozen servers
provided table-side service to the grateful and faithful. “We are here not just for a piece of chicken,”
said Evangelist Paula Bates (below). “We are here for Jesus — the wonderful Prince of Peace.”

Archbishop Cordileone offered Catholic Christians a thought-provoking homily:
“The most common question the next three days will be, ‘What did you get for Christmas?’ ” he said. “No one will ask, ‘What did you give for Christmas?’ I hope this Christmas changes our mentality.”

The event also saw
Willis and Linda Rice, chapel volunteers for the last three decades, renew their wedding vows as a testament to the power of faith in a successful marriage.

Incarcerated Catholics (above) feast on fried chicken, coleslaw, mashed potatoes with gravy,
and biscuits with honey at the December Christmas banquet.

Incarcerated video journalists at San Quentin State Prison interview Talanoa Hufanga, 49ers All-Pro safety

Aly
Tamboura, former layout designer for the San
Quentin News, who is now working with
non-profits aimed at criminal justice reform

Robinson’s enduring legacy within San Quentin’s media
center will be his trademark smile and human connection
with those he worked with, including the incarcerated
staff of San Quentin News and Wall City magazine, the
ForwardThis video production team, and SQTV, and inside
and outside members of the Ear Hustle podcast.

Sam Robinson, counter-clockwise from below left:
taking a moment to pose with Elmo at the San Quentin
visting room during an event for children of the
incarcerated

attending a recent
media center meeting with SQ’s new Public Information
Officer, Lieutenant G. Berry

Robinson with Krissi Khokhobashvili, Chief, Strategic
Communications and External Affairs then-CDCR Press Secretary
Vicky Waters; SQNews advisers Linda Xiques and Nicki Meredith

Nearly 400 San Quentin residents participated in the five-kilometer run. Participants ran, jogged, or walked according to their athletic ability.
running track

The Golden State Warriors crew shows a little love for the Wall City magazine’s Sports Edition.
basketball

Former SQ resident turned freelance announcer Aaron “Showtime” Taylor returned to put his skills to work
basketball

Dani Langford and Hannah Heiring spent some time on the pavement bringing the crowd to a frenzy with their hoops
basketball

Corey McNeil, former San Quentin resident, passes out sweet refreshments for the graduates and guests. Though still on parole, McNeil serves as Mt. Tamalpais College’s Alumni Affairs Associate.

Michael Moore stands surrounded by his family on the proudest day of his life. Mt. Tam’s graduation ceremony was the first time since 2015 that prisoners’ families had been permitted to attend commencement.

Widely-loved former SQ resident Demitris “Dee” McGee enjoyed just four months of freedom before his life prematurely ended
Photo courtesy of the McGee family

High-ranking members of the San Francisco Police Department’s leadership meet with prisoners at San Quentin State Prison. The purpose of the prison’s law enforcement forums is to open a dialog on criminal justice, with the goal of improving police practices and facilitating the rehabilitation of the incarcerated.

High-ranking members of the San Francisco Police Department’s leadership meet with prisoners at San Quentin State Prison. The purpose of the prison’s law enforcement forums is to open a dialog on criminal justice, with the goal of improving police practices and facilitating the rehabilitation of the incarcerated.
Photos courtesy of Lt. Sam Robinson, Public Information Officer

SQNews’ Sports Editor Timothy Hicks (left) interviews the Ella Baker Center’s State Campaign Manager, James King (center), who was previously incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison.

left to right: Lee Jaspar, Jeff Atkins, Paul Comaeux, Charles Ross and Leonard Walker
left to right: Lee Jaspar, Jeff Atkins, Paul Comaeux, Charles Ross musicand Leonard Walker

Jugadores de SF Glens y SQ Terremotos muestran compañerismo después del juego
Jugadores de SF Glens y SQ Terremotos muestran compañerismo después del juego

TLM students Robert Barnes and Niccola Bucci zooming
with Sarah Kimball Stebbins (left) and Yael Yahya

Stanford student Fatima Hassan conferencing with Maria
English and TLM students Orlando Harris and Kennard Love

TLM students Chai Saetern (center) with Gregory Morris and Stanford students Dillon Rose Schoen & Ryan Youra

The Young People’s Caucus facilitated by Manuel la Fontaine, Community Justice Network for Youth, (CJNY) and W. Haywood Burns Institute

SQ Shakespeare troupe performs the Comedy of Errors
SQ Shakespeare troupe performs the Comedy of Errors

TLM Works Bus. Acc. Manager Hayley Benham-Archdeacon with Rodney Urquhan of Slack inside the renovated workspace
TLM Works Bus. Acc. Manager Hayley Benham-Archdeacon with Rodney Urquhan of Slack inside the renovated workspace

Coder Robert Barnes shows off his certificates with Instructor Jon Gripshover and TLM Programs Director Natrina Grandana
Coder Robert Barnes shows off his certificates with Instructor Jon Gripshover and TLM Programs Director Natrina Grandana

Sidewalk art competition talking place on the Lower Yard
Sidewalk art competition talking place on the Lower Yard

Open Mic Emcee Anouthinh Pangthong welcoming the crowd
Open Mic Emcee Anouthinh Pangthong welcoming the crowd

Top is the SQ News team from the printshop, including cameraman, Press Room Leadman,
Composing Room Leadman, typesetter. Far right is Bill Little, one of the Voc Print instructors. At
the top is “Little Joe” or “Crazy Joe” Morse
Top is the SQ News team from the printshop, including cameraman, Press Room Leadman,
Composing Room Leadman, typesetter. Far right is Bill Little, one of the Voc Print instructors. At
the top is “Little Joe” or “Crazy Joe” Morse

Audience enjoying the combination of musical talent
Audience enjoying the combination of musical talent

Chris Redlitz addresses business executives, community members, and media outlets
This is where the description goes for the image

The Seven Sisters Mystery School and the Bay Area community
hold a fundraiser for San Quentin Healing Ceremony and San Quentin News

Kelly Mitchell, Chris Bailey, Al Lee, Tammy Foss, Peter Bailey, Kim Bailey, Kathy Bailey, Mike Ingram, Ron Self, Ghaza Mahdavian, Troy Williams, Triston Jones, Karen Tynes, Billy Allen, Carlos Meza, Stephen Pascascio, M. Foss, Dr. Elaine Tootell, Jill Friedman, John Curzon, (bottom) Sam Johnson, PsyD. Monique LeSarre, Ke Lam, Khalifah Christensen, E. Yazzie, Alex Goldsmith, Amelia Kriss, Clinton Martin, Alex Ruiz and two welcomed guest

2010 Vietnam Veterans Group of San Quentin scholarship recipients with their family members accompanied by members of the Scholarship Selection Committee.

Top Row: Taonga Rolando Ngoma De Leslie, Bimal Pondel, Ashley Clark, Rajan Kumar KC, Ramkanta Tiwari and Karena H. Montag, Bottom Row: Sujatha Baliga, Rajendra Khare, Devendra Gopal Shrestha, Keshari Raj Pandit and Sonya Shah
Sports

Markelle
Taylor and Eddie Herena
embrace after running a
marathon at San Quentin
State Prison in 2018. These
brothers of the track have
since rejoined the community.

Players from seasons past share a congratulatory high-five following a Hardtimers victory over the Outsiders
baseball

Nearly 400 San Quentin residents participated in the five-kilometer run. Participants ran, jogged, or walked according to their athletic ability.
running track

A rare and special occasion at San Quentin State Prison saw Hannah Heiring gracing the Lower Yard’s basketball court and giving incarcerated players a run for their money.
basketball

The Golden State Warriors crew shows a little love for the Wall City magazine’s Sports Edition.
basketball

Photo by Anelale Nájera on Unsplash
This was taken on the last game that the Raiders had at the Oakland Coliseum at Oakland, CA.

Players stretch in preparation for San Quentin’s demanding 2021 All-Madden football tryouts on the Lower Yard under the watchful eye of the ForwardThis! film crew.

Making a run for the fences: "All-Purpose" Trey clutches the ball and makes a sprint for the packed dirt of the end zone, contributing to the 62-to-2 point beat-down issued by the All-Madden Team to the New Era Squad. Trey, who recently regained his freedom, was named defensive player of the game.

Dr. Harry Edwards speaking at a Roundtable event at San
Quentin with Forty-Niners in the audience including Eric Reid
February sports event chapel

Darren Settlemeyer leading 1000 Mile running
Club members on the Lower Yard
February track jogging marathon sports seniors

Green teams Dan Wohl shooting a jumper over SQ Warrior Allan Mcintosh with Jonte Washington
Dan jumper
Sports
Basketball

Old Timer Baseball - Players wearing vintage 1896 gloves and uniforms
Old Timer Baseball 10-20-18
Sports

Team HardCor first baseman making the catch as SQ A’s player hustles to base
HardCor Baseball 10-13-18
Sports Baseball

Diana and Tim Fitzpatrick assisting 1000 Mile Club runner
Diana and Tim Fitzpatrick
Sports Running 1000 Mile Club

Frank Ruona, Rafael Cabrera, Bernard Ballard, Judge Craig Mitchell, Eric Moody and Jordan Mitchell
COACH WITH JUDGE 10-14-18
Sports Running 1000 Mile Club
Education Photo Gallery

Philipe Kelly strikes a pose on
graduation day after receiving
his certificate from the Guiding
Rage Into Power program.

Ms. Stanciu began working
with the incarcerated as a
teacher at California Medical
Facility in Vacaville. She
began serving the San Quentin
community in December, 2021.

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
Love to Learn | Instagram: @timmossholder

TRIBE 315: Juan Aguilar, Robert Almazan, Ramiro Badajoz, Alejandro Delgadillo, Pedro Espinal, Fausto Fabian, Tranquillano Figueroa, Nestor Hernandez, Juan Lerma, Fidelio Marin, Pablo Salinas, Rolando Tut, y Tare Beltranchuc (facilitador)
GRIP

TRIBE 864: Steven Brooks, Rudy Camozzi Jr., Hau Chan, Warren Corley, Scott Fredette Jon Goldberg, Lee Joffrion, Dejon Joy, Mark Radke, Carlos Robinson, Eugene Sykes, Donald Thompson, Dung Tran, Leonard Walker; and facilitators Robert Barnes, Arthur Jackson, and Dennis Jefferson
GRIP

TRIBE 728: Michael Beaudette, Chase Benoit, Richard Fernandez, Harry Goodall Jr., Timothy Holmes, Mark Jarosik, Vashon Jones, Jerry Kelly, Samuel Marquez, Royce Miller, Kelly Philippe, Ricardo Romero, Jad Salem, Kevin Schrubb, Amir Shabazz, Trent Woodmore Jr.; and facilitators John Gillies and Carlos Smith
GRIP

TRIBE 847: Anthony Caravalho, Edwin Chavez, Floyd Collins, Scott Davis, James Doherty, Donald Evans, Terry Givens, Mario Gomez, William Hearn, Michael Keeyes, Mark Kinney, Max Lopez, Bryan Monge, Chan S. Park, Carl Eric Price, Calvin Rogers, Jake Stebler; and facilitators Patrick Baylis and John Hays
GRIP

Asey receives his degree and shakes hands with Drs. Amy Jamgochian, Jody Lewen, and Theresa Roeder, Chair of Mt. Tam’s Board of Trustees.

Corey McNeil, former San Quentin resident, passes out sweet refreshments for the graduates and guests. Though still on parole, McNeil serves as Mt. Tamalpais College’s Alumni Affairs Associate.

Michael Moore stands surrounded by his family on the proudest day of his life. Mt. Tam’s graduation ceremony was the first time since 2015 that prisoners’ families had been permitted to attend commencement.

Valedictorian John Levin of Graduating Class of 2022 gives a moving speech on the importance of change. “You and I may be here at San Quentin because of our worst decision, but we are here today because of our best decision,” he told his peers.

Amy Jamgochian, PhD, Chief Academic Officer of Mount Tamalpais College, strolls through the crowd of guests, grads and their families.

Anila Yadavalii, program coordinator for Mt. Tam’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.) program, passes out programs alongside Neela Gentile, Interim Development Director.

SQ Warden Ron Broomfield stands proudly alongside Mt. Tamalpais College’s graduating class of 2022. Graduates have faced innumerable hurdles for the past two years, including on-again/off-again programming due to Covid quarantines. Students persevered even during lockdowns, however, completing coursework while isolated in their cells, without the benefit of classroom instruction, and with limited access to instructors.

Award-winning journalist and Uncuffed graduate Greg Eskridge receives his certificate of completion from Ninna Gaensler-Debs and Andrew Stelzer as
part of the program’s first-ever graduating class.
Dao Ong, SQNews

The ACT group, shown here in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic, brings LGBTQ+ prisoners together with other members of the prison population in an effort to build empathy and undestanding between seemingly-disparate groups.
SQNews archive photo

Clockwise from top-left: Greg Eskridge, Edmond Richardson, Tommy “Shakur” Ross, and Thanh Tran. Ross and Tran recently returned to the community.
Dao Ong, SQNews

Mount Tamalpais College students will soon be able to access
laptop computers and a CDCR-approved intranet to complete
their coursework. The technological expansion is part of a
special pilot program intended to make higher education more
accessible to the incarcerated population.

Kandaswamy, MTC’s new Academic Program Director, administers a math assessment for new students, all of
whom must be fully masked and maintain social distance while in the classroom

UC Santa Cruz Ethics Bowl Team members - Noah Thomas, Marian Avila-Breach, Leqi Zeng, Nicholas Paramoure, Andrew Genshaft

Rick and Renee Roberts, Valedictorian Tommy “Shakur” Ross, Adrienne Skye Roberts, Fania Davis and Reggie Davis
Rick and Renee Roberts, Valedictorian Tommy “Shakur” Ross, Adrienne Skye Roberts, Fania Davis and Reggie Davis

PUP coordinator Heather Heart taking a walk outside SQ
PUP coordinator Heather Heart taking a walk outside SQ

Profesores de PUP Laura Wagner and Paco Brito
Por Juan Espinosa Diseñador gráfico y escritor
Prison University Project (PUP) está localizada en una de las prisiones más notorias en el mundo: La Prisión de San Quentin en California. PUP incluye un selecto gru- po de profesores, tutores, y voluntarios de varias univer- sidades prestigiosas como U.C. Berkeley, Stanford, San Francisco State, San Jose State, y varias otras universi- dades locales y de alrededor del mundo.
Estos participantes son una parte esencial en la edu- cación y rehabilitación de los hombres encarcelados en San Quentin.
Dos de esos profesores voluntarios son Paco Brito y Laura Wagner. Ellos son me- jor conocidos por los estudi- antes por su primer nombre en lugar de su apellido.
Paco y Laura comparten una historia interesante. El- los se conocieron por prim- era vez en una protesta por el alza de pago en colegiaturas en la Universidad de Berke-
ley y desarrollaron una con- exión personal.
Los dos comparten la misma idea de que todas las personas deberían tener la oportunidad de tener una educación.
“Empezamos a organizar eventos juntos en la univer- sidad,” Paco explicó en una reciente entrevista. Laura agregó que su intención era hacer cambios en la cultura de los estudiantes.
“Comencé a ser voluntario de PUP en el 2012 porque recordé cuando la educación era una prioridad en Califor- nia”, dijo Paco. “Después de la noche al mañana cambio a la construcción de prisio- nes”.
Laura se enteró de PUP por una amiga. “me hice voluntaria para enseñar un curso de inglés”, dijo ella. Laura enseño varios cursos de inglés y, en una ocasión, compartió las aulas con Paco enseñando una clase de in- vestigación avanzada. Laura dijo, “Cuando empecé a re- lacionarme con mis estudi- antes, mi perspectiva cambio
porque fui capaz de ver su humanidad”.
“Ms. Wagner es una per- sona especial”. Dijo Steve Brooks, un preso quien tomó clases con Laura. “ella es at- enta, cordial, y siempre ani- ma a sus estudiantes”.
“Como profesora es excep- cional”, dijo Brooks, “Ella es muy consciente y todo el tiempo trata de que los es- tudiantes se envuelvan en las conversaciones en clase. Y cuando estos no quieren participar les da un pequeño empujón (figurativamente hablando) para que sientan más confianza”.
Paco enseño inglés y es- pañol, él dice, “Me sorprendí cuando los estudiantes retab- an y cuestionaban todo”, dice Brito, “Me gustó el intercam- bio de ideas entre los estudi- antes y profesores”.
“Paco es un profesor ex- celente”, dijo Carlos Salmón quien enseño un curso de español con él. “Su forma de enseñar es fácil y eficiente”.
Richard Richarson un es- tudiante de PUP quien tomo clases de español con Paco,
dice Paco hizo el aprender español muy fácil aun para las personas como yo que no teníamos idea de cómo escri- bir español y mucho menos lo hablábamos. “Nos enseñó a conjugar los verbos en una forma fácil de entender”.
Richarson dijo, “Paco es una persona muy buena, aten- ta y es muy difícil no llevarse bien con él. Y lo que siempre me llamó la atención es que siempre está contento”.
Paco y Laura están de acu- erdo en que los estudiantes encarcelados de colegio son diferentes a los estudiantes de colegio tradicionales. “estos tienen la disposición de cuestionar el proyecto y se envuelven en este,” dijo Laura. “Yo encontré formas diferentes para enseñar mi material y para que fuera más relevante”.
La pareja recientemente se movió para el sur de Califor- nia en donde Laura consiguió un trabajo en un colegio co- munitario. Laura dijo, “estoy muy emocionada de comen- zar mi carrera oficial como catedrática”.
Profesores de PUP Laura Wagner and Paco Brito
Por Juan Espinosa Diseñador gráfico y escritor
Prison University Project (PUP) está localizada en una de las prisiones más notorias en el mundo: La Prisión de San Quentin en California. PUP incluye un selecto gru- po de profesores, tutores, y voluntarios de varias univer- sidades prestigiosas como U.C. Berkeley, Stanford, San Francisco State, San Jose State, y varias otras universi- dades locales y de alrededor del mundo.
Estos participantes son una parte esencial en la edu- cación y rehabilitación de los hombres encarcelados en San Quentin.
Dos de esos profesores voluntarios son Paco Brito y Laura Wagner. Ellos son me- jor conocidos por los estudi- antes por su primer nombre en lugar de su apellido.
Paco y Laura comparten una historia interesante. El- los se conocieron por prim- era vez en una protesta por el alza de pago en colegiaturas en la Universidad de Berke-
ley y desarrollaron una con- exión personal.
Los dos comparten la misma idea de que todas las personas deberían tener la oportunidad de tener una educación.
“Empezamos a organizar eventos juntos en la univer- sidad,” Paco explicó en una reciente entrevista. Laura agregó que su intención era hacer cambios en la cultura de los estudiantes.
“Comencé a ser voluntario de PUP en el 2012 porque recordé cuando la educación era una prioridad en Califor- nia”, dijo Paco. “Después de la noche al mañana cambio a la construcción de prisio- nes”.
Laura se enteró de PUP por una amiga. “me hice voluntaria para enseñar un curso de inglés”, dijo ella. Laura enseño varios cursos de inglés y, en una ocasión, compartió las aulas con Paco enseñando una clase de in- vestigación avanzada. Laura dijo, “Cuando empecé a re- lacionarme con mis estudi- antes, mi perspectiva cambio
porque fui capaz de ver su humanidad”.
“Ms. Wagner es una per- sona especial”. Dijo Steve Brooks, un preso quien tomó clases con Laura. “ella es at- enta, cordial, y siempre ani- ma a sus estudiantes”.
“Como profesora es excep- cional”, dijo Brooks, “Ella es muy consciente y todo el tiempo trata de que los es- tudiantes se envuelvan en las conversaciones en clase. Y cuando estos no quieren participar les da un pequeño empujón (figurativamente hablando) para que sientan más confianza”.
Paco enseño inglés y es- pañol, él dice, “Me sorprendí cuando los estudiantes retab- an y cuestionaban todo”, dice Brito, “Me gustó el intercam- bio de ideas entre los estudi- antes y profesores”.
“Paco es un profesor ex- celente”, dijo Carlos Salmón quien enseño un curso de español con él. “Su forma de enseñar es fácil y eficiente”.
Richard Richarson un es- tudiante de PUP quien tomo clases de español con Paco,
dice Paco hizo el aprender español muy fácil aun para las personas como yo que no teníamos idea de cómo escri- bir español y mucho menos lo hablábamos. “Nos enseñó a conjugar los verbos en una forma fácil de entender”.
Richarson dijo, “Paco es una persona muy buena, aten- ta y es muy difícil no llevarse bien con él. Y lo que siempre me llamó la atención es que siempre está contento”.
Paco y Laura están de acu- erdo en que los estudiantes encarcelados de colegio son diferentes a los estudiantes de colegio tradicionales. “estos tienen la disposición de cuestionar el proyecto y se envuelven en este,” dijo Laura. “Yo encontré formas diferentes para enseñar mi material y para que fuera más relevante”.
La pareja recientemente se movió para el sur de Califor- nia en donde Laura consiguió un trabajo en un colegio co- munitario. Laura dijo, “estoy muy emocionada de comen- zar mi carrera oficial como catedrática”.

Ethics bowl judges: David Donley UCSC, UC Berkeley law school student Anna Zaret,
(middle) and Will Bondurant, PUP volunteer teacher

UC Santa Cruz team Noah Thomas, Aliye Swaby, Paul Mojaver, Marian Avila-Breach Sadelle Sewalt, and Robert Potter

PUP Staff Dmitriy Orlov, Lauren Hall, Heather Hart, Allison Lopez, Jared Rothenberg, Neil Terpkosh, David Cowan, and Jamgochian at the National Conference on Higher Education in Indianapolis
PUP Staff Random Mall Hang
Education

Teacher Amber Shields speaking to a PUP student at the PUP Academic Conference
PUP Academic Conference 10-5-18
Education

Anahi Beltran of SJSU presenting the Record Clearance Project
poster session education criminal justice reform

Dr. Sol Keely, University of Alaska and James King, PUP student presenting
education criminal justice reform

Kimberly Connor Stanford University, Dr. Farah Godrij, UC Riverside
PUP Academic Conference 3
Education

PUP Academic Conference Tammy Appling-Cabading Saint Mary's College with PUP students
PUP Academic Conference Tammy
Education

PUP Academic Conference Laura Wright of the Record Clearance Project Services
PUP Academic Conference Laura W
Education

Craig Johnson receiving an Associates of Arts degree from PUP Academic Director Amy Jamgochian, Ph.D
Craig Johnson receiving an Associates of Arts degree from PUP Academic Director Amy Jamgochian, Ph.D

Executive Director Jody Lewen celebrates after the ceremony
Executive Director Jody Lewen celebrates after the ceremony

Patten University President Thomas Stewart, Ph.D. speaking
Patten University President Thomas Stewart, Ph.D. speaking

Chaplain Mardi Jackson celebrates with Harry Hemphill
Chaplain Mardi Jackson celebrates with Harry Hemphill

Project Rebound Director Jason Bell giving the keynote speech
Project Rebound Director Jason Bell giving the keynote speech

PUP Coordinator Jeese Rothman with Graduate Darin Williams
PUP Coordinator Jeese Rothman with Graduate Darin Williams

Wilhelmina Johnson with son Graduate Claudius Johnson holding his great nephew
Wilhelmina Johnson with son Graduate Claudius Johnson holding his great nephew

PUP clerk and host James King providing the welcome speech
PUP clerk and host James King providing the welcome speech

Family friend of Graduate Gerald Morgan commemorates with daughter-in-law Oreisha Morgan
Family friend of Graduate Gerald Morgan commemorates with daughter-in-law Oreisha Morgan

Nigel Poor of Ear Hustle and PUP Executive Director, Jody Lewen
Nigel Poor of Ear Hustle and PUP Executive Director, Jody Lewen

Shirley Mesa, with Mesahaus Dog Training visits Pups on Parole
Shirley Mesa, with Mesahaus Dog Training visits Pups on Parole

Graduate Isiah Caldwell commemorates his achievement with PUP instructor Nathan Moore
Graduate Isiah Caldwell commemorates his achievement with PUP instructor Nathan Moore

Valedictorian Angelo Falcone speaking with
emcee Philip Melendez and PUP Executive Director Jody Lewen
Valedictorian Angelo Falcone speaking with
emcee Philip Melendez and PUP Executive Director Jody Lewen

PUP’s open mic organizers Kara Urion, behind the podium, and Jody Lewen inside the Protestant chapel during the graduation ceremony
Music

Outside collaborators brought together widely divergent stylistic elements and musical instruments, including brass, strings and woodwinds, melding all into a seamless performance.

A diverse spectrum of incarcerated artists gather on stage in the Garden Chapel with Judith Hill, Brad Balliet and others of Musicambia, an organization dedicated to coaching and inspiring incarcerated musicians.

Native drum circle singing such songs as “Dog Soldiers,” dedicated to military veterans suffering from war-induced traumas

Adel “Auntie Adel” Serafino with the Ukulele Group playing four-string and eight-string ukuleles. The class performed “Ulupalakua.”

Public Enemy consisted of
Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Terminator
X, and Professor Griff. Their
Black social consciousness
albums It Takes a Nation of
Millions to Hold Us Back and
Fear of a Black Planet, raised
political awareness with songs
Fight the Power,
911 Is a Joke,
and By the
Time I get
to Arizona,
protesting the state
of Arizona for failing
to recognize Dr.
Martin Luther King
Jr. Day as a national
holiday at the
time.