Dear San Quentin News,

I know you don’t hear much from Death Row, most of the inmates here don’t hold much interest in the rest of the prison as it doesn’t affect us. We live in a very different program so what happens in other units and places matters little to our lives.

It is rare that you put anything in the paper about Death Row except news on execution issues in the court or political scene. I have written many things to the editor and never hear back. It’s as if we don’t exist.

I’ve got 22 years here and I never seen so many inmates do the education thing. Inmates in here are serious about what they are doing, even though the prospects of ever leaving here are minimal. Still, they do; somebody should ask why and let it be seen. It can be inspirational to witness a man looking to die yet he chases progress.

Respectfully yours,

S. Hajek

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Dear Mr. Hajek,

Thank you for writing to let us know how some prisoners on Death Row feel about San Quentin News. Even if you are on Death Row you are still a part of the San Quentin community and we know that you do exist.

Reading about inmates on Death Row gives society an opportunity to view a perspective that no other prisoner has. Even if there is a large group of people who would disagree, we would still like to hear from you.    

Yes, we have received a lot of letters from Death Row, however, we do not publish stories that we cannot verify the facts of. But, I do agree that a story about prisoners on Death Row pursuing growth and change is an interesting one. If we were to receive a letter from one of the inmates who is pursuing educational growth, we will publish it.

Sincerely,

Richard “Bonaru” Richardson

Editor-In-Chief