One of the most challenging jobs in San Quentin is producing the San Quentin News prisoner newspaper.
I accepted the job, knowing that we will continue to turn out a professional-level newspaper only with the help of outstanding volunteer advisers and many talented prisoners.
When I arrived at San Quentin State Prison in Nov. 2008, I was completely surprised by the wide variety of programming opportunities – there were so many, I couldn’t decide where to start. I wanted to do them all! A friend told me to take my time and figure out what I really wanted to do. He said, “Don’t worry; the programs are not going away – this is San Quentin. You’ll be able to do as many as you want.”
I considered the type of jobs at S.Q. and, although PIA has lots of benefits, it would have interfered with my true love: writing. I’ve been journaling since I was transported from Mexico back to the states in 2001.
The San Quentin News used the vocational print shop to print the newspaper. Therefore, I wanted to be involved with that trade because it was the closest thing to writing that I could find. However, I had one little problem. I was hired as a clerk – without any computer skills. Somehow, I hung onto that job with the help of my friends who taught me how to proficiently do my job.
When the budget cuts hit CDCR, the print shop was shut down. Upon leaving, my instructor handed me a laudatory chrono, and said that I was the best clerk he ever had. I was surprised and pleased. I believe that since my instructor took a chance on me, the hard work and perseverance paid off for everyone.
Joining the San Quentin Journalism Guild was the best move I made, because it represents a group of prisoners who support the San Quentin News by providing articles. Shortly after joining the Guild, I was nominated to the chair, and I held that office for two years.
I had the opportunity to learn from seasoned professional journalists, such as David Marsh, who paroled a year ago and is now managing editor The Valley Voice in Visalia. I am lucky to have the availability of three professional journalists, John Eagan, Steve McNamara, and Joan Lisetor. I rely heavily upon them in understanding journalism.
When our editor-in-chief, Michael R. Harris, left San Quentin, our volunteer sponsors and news staff approached me and asked if I would consider taking his position.
My initial thought was, “Why me?” when I knew that others could do the job just as well. Filling the shoes of Michael was huge. He was committed, compassionate and a great leader. He strongly advocated “not to define a person by his past, but by the person’s desire to change his past anti-social behavior and to develop pro-social habits.” He was quick to support any effort that had the community’s interest at heart.
As editor-in-chief, I will continue to work with our community, volunteers, the San Quentin Journalism Guild and the San Quentin staff to print the news and educate our readers about the positive aspects of San Quentin State Prison.
We are a voice to our community and our mission is to disseminate information to the public from the perspective of the incarcerated.
I want to live up to this statement by Matthew Cate: “I want to take the model that we have at San Quentin where we have over a thousand visitors who are in and out of that prison all the time, providing services and try to replicate that through out the state, but nonetheless, with all the budget cuts we’ve got to open up the prisons, bring in volunteers.
I think it’s great for the culture of the prisons, I think it’s great for the inmates. Inmate idleness is a huge problem.”
Cate, secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), made the statement shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that California’s overcrowded prisons was cruel and unusual punishment.
