San Quentin News celebrated the graduation of its English and Spanish Journalism Guild students on December 13 in the Garden Chapel. Given that incarcerated reporters are the heart and soul of any prison newspaper, SQNews appears to be beating strong among the new guild writers.
The graduates expressed gratitude for the opportunity to improve their writing skills, deepen their rehabilitation, and help speak on behalf of their peers through their journalism.
“I’m blessed to have this opportunity to spread my voice beyond these walls,” said graduate Terrell Marshall in an interview. “It shows what you can do if you put your mind to it.” He described finding a new purpose through journalism in order to “spread the rehabilitative message to other inmates across the state and around the world.”
Another of the 15 graduates of the English guild, Martin K. DeWitt, said, “It was really exciting to see my name on the byline [in the newspaper] the first time, especially since it was something near and dear to my heart—sports.” While baseball is his first love, DeWitt was surprised to discover he also has a passion for writing about social justice. “I love being able to give a voice to the unheard,” said DeWitt. “I’ve got the bug now!”
In attendance was Jesse Vasquez, a former editor-in-chief of SQNews who is now the executive director of the Pollen Initiative, a nonprofit that supports incarcerated journalists and newspapers.
“With every new graduation of the guild, we are building a stronger foundation and broader network of writers, whether they write for San Quentin News or someone else,” said Vasquez prior to the ceremony. He explained that guild writers help give “policy makers and society anecdotal evidence of the rehabilitation that is possible.”
Vasquez noted that Pollen Initiative’s expansion of guild classes to other prisons, including the Central California Women’s Facility, helps open more perspectives to be shared. He added, “Even though there are no guilds or newspapers in every institution, incarcerated people everywhere can still contribute. We want their voices to be heard and all of the community to stay engaged through letters-to-the-editor and contributing writer articles.
Keynote speaker William Drummond, a UC Berkeley journalism professor and SQNews a dviser, s aid, “I’m enthusiastic about coming here because I see that change is evident. Every time I edit a story, I learn a lot.”
He told the graduates that journalism is a lifelong commitment that will be useful in all that they do. Drummond praised the positive impact of the newspaper, sharing his opinion that the California Model reform efforts would not have been possible without the journalism and rehabilitative example of SQNews. To conclude his remarks, Drummond led the graduates on a chant of “Yo soy alguien! I am somebody!”
English Journalism graduate Lawrence Randall is one of those somebodies. “I’ve been kicked out of every school I’ve ever been in due to anger issues … Not even homeschooling worked,” Randall said, sharing that it was surreal to be graduating for the first time ever, and on his birthday no less.
“This is proof that God is keeping his part of the bargain. This is so huge. More than words can express,” Randall said with tears in his eyes. “I love to write stories about underdogs because I’m that underdog.”
He said he wants everyone to know that it is not where you start, but how you finish. No matter your past or the mistakes you have made, you can go on to do great things. “This is what not giving up looks like. I never stopped believing. I even had a front page story [published] this year,” Randall said.
Warden Chance Andes also spoke to graduates. “The ability to write is amazing,” Andes said. “You are the foundation of what we are trying to do.”
Next up, Spanish guild graduates received their certificates from Chairperson Edwin Chavez. “When I think of SQNews, I think of the history we are collectively creating here today,” Chavez said. “Thirty years ago when I came to prison as a lost teenager, I didn’t know how to read or write. Now, I invite you to ask yourself … did you ever think you would be sitting here today as a journalist? This is the history I am talking about!”
Chavez noted that 2024 was a great year for the Spanishspeaking community with the first ever soccer game between the incarcerated and CDCR staff, which resulted in the first front-page Spanish article in SQNews.
Spanish guild graduate Rene Lorenzo said he has been given the opportunity to “help people get out of darkness through journalism,” learning how to empathize with people more deeply instead of judging them.
Spanish valedictorian Marvin Vasquez also spoke. “I believe we are pillars of the Spanish-speaking community. We are a model and an example to follow,” he said.
Next, English Guild Chair Jerry “Maleek” Gearin presented certificates to the graduates. “This is our job: to inspire people, to help people, to impact people,” Gearin said.
He thanked the newspaper’s advisers who make it all possible. “No matter what language people speak or whether they are involved in the criminal justice system, everyone should have a voice. San Quentin News is a platform to provide a voice to the voiceless through journalism,” Gearin said.
After a short video presentation about the class, Gearin shared some quotes from guild students in praise of their instructor, Lisa Armstrong, a UC Berkeley journalism professor. “Coming from Watts, California, I never imagined being in a journalism class.… Thank you for every class that you taught and continue to teach,” said one quote. “She showed us the importance of reporting on ordinary people overcoming extraordinary circumstances,” said another.
Gearin turned the mic over to graduate Sammy Nichols, who shared a spoken-word piece. “Sometimes we forget that behind all these stories, is another story,” Nichols said.
English guild class valedictorian Tyrone D. Jones said, “In my years of incarceration, I’ve always craved a platform where my voice could be heard. Nine months ago, I was given that opportunity.”
To conclude, Armstrong spoke to the graduates. “I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to be a journalist. It has taken me all over the world, allowing me to cross paths with people I would have not otherwise, including being able to work with all of you. … I see you as I see my [university] students, and I see something more,” Armstrong said, wiping away tears. “Thank you. You have changed my life in ways that I can’t adequately put into words.”
As the graduates and guests enjoyed a meal and refreshments, SQNews adviser and honorary “fairy godmother” Jan Perry said she always leaves feeling uplifted. “These graduations always bring out a lot of emotion; intense, but in a good way,” Perry said.
