Dear SQNews,
Hi, my name is John Paul Andrews and I’m currently in reception at North Kern. It’s my first time in prison and it is something I’m adjusting to; currently it’s a 23-hour lock-down program and I’ve been going crazy with boredom. Then my cellie busted out a big stack of back issues of SQNEWS, and boy they helped! I have a few books, I have my BIBLE, but the SQNEWS fell like I had a connection to the world; the world outside and the world in which I’ll spend the next few years in prison. I loved the back issues I’ve read and re-read, but I’m wondering if I could get the latest editions while I’m here? I’ll more than likely ask again once I hit mainline too. Thank you and keep up the good work.
— John Paul Andrews, North Kern State Prison, Delano, CA
Dear SQNews,
I am a newly incarcerated youth offender received into the custody of the secretary of the State California Department of corrections and Rehabilitation. As a young American who’s lived in California and at the moment is incarcerated I think San Quentin News is a great way to bring awareness and portentous insight to the general public and California incarcerated individuals. In response to a article written by C.K. Gerhartsreiter on issue 177 of the San Quentin Newspaper, I’d add that as an American citizen it’s easy to be sophomoric about the law because of sophistry rampant corruption within our court rooms and institutions as well as jails and prisons that our communities seem intolerant to fix because not enough people who claim to care are integrated in what is known as the justice system. But me and my peers feel this can change if we are magnanimous when speaking up in our courtrooms, institutions with our laws and policies that often times are not followed by supervising authorities. So in retrospect we as a whole would be doing all ourselves a favor if whenever we encounter injustice we say something right then and there and record so our efforts never go unnoted or unnoticed. Thank you for all the content San Quentin NEWS continues to publish and God Bless.
Travis Mabson, North Kern State Prison, Delano, CA
Dear SQNews,
I was a member of the San Quentin NEWS Journalism Guild in Folsom women’s Facility in 2022. They claimed to be in dire need for an article from the women participants. Not only was my “how to beat Qualified immunity article not published, but I also NEVER received my $150.00 member Christmas box from the wonderful donators. Thank you San Quentin NEWS for your disappointment and less than appreciation for the women point-of-view.
Lisa Perez, Corona, CA
Dear SQNews,
I’d like to thank you for all updated information that’s happening in the whole San Quentin institution people are coming in from the street and set up an events that helps people (residents) enjoy what they love to do. From writing to sports, music and events to get all people get together socializing. Enjoying a good day. I thought I write to say that I appreciate you. The whole crew who work with you to put together stories and make news.
Also, by reading the Newspaper, people gets an idea of what they’re going to do (a plan) for their future today.
R. Marinda, SQRC
Dear SQNews,
I’m writing to give my opinion about the two problems that we have in North Block first about the program that they have they lock the doors every hour we offer to behave our self’s better because it’s hard for us to come to school or programs on time if the doors are lock and second the problem with the pigeons they poop everywhere. It can contaminate food and water so we offer to clean the building once a week.
Cristofer Hernandez, Bw3887
Dear SQNews,
Is there an explanation as to why canteen runs out of stock of products when 2nd or 3rd draw is shopping? It’s beyond me how this always occurs after 1st draw. Common sense would be to restock items that have been depleted to insure the two latter draws of needed are met. This incident has happened quite a few times in my case.
Why not overstock on item’s that sell like there’s no tomorrow, take backpacks for instance. The one in my possession has seen better days and is now in need of a dumpster. However, twice over in need of a replacement this item was denied me on account of it being sold out. In dire need of a new backpack this one attaches to my person is indeed an embarrassment. Bare this in mind that backpack is not only item’s that sell out of stock but also items that are edible. What’s up with that?
James Talivan, SQRC
Dear SQNews,
I’m great full for 50 Meany things here at SQRC. Just being in a prison, that I’m able the work on myself. Get a G.E.D. and then go to college. For free, all this is a blessing; I’m great full that there is free staff and teachers that care, there are officers here that treat us human. Yes there are so Meany things to be great full for. Truth is when you dwell in the darkness long enough you learn to be great full for the light. The fact that every week they have sports events with music. The fact that there are groups available to those who want help. All this is a blessing.
On the flip side of this coin, if we could just get them to feed us half as descent food. It sucks being a programmer who does everything I am so post to and having to do it hungry all day. But I thank God for what I do get, Amen.
Justin Johnson Johnson, SQRC