Academy Award nominated directors facilitate workshop on film reels
Incarcerated filmmakers and screenwriters arrived at San Quentin’s Media Center to take part in the first ever Reel Film Workshop. The workshop is designed to equip aspiring filmmakers with the skills and tools to work every aspect of a movie set. While in the midst of a global Oscar press tour, co-directors Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley of … [Read More...]
Community-based organization programs excel
Peer-led groups are driving force for rehabilitative success Peer-to-peer self-help programming at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center finds success through current and past Community-Based Organizations curricula, bringing awareness to the rehabilitative efforts of incarcerated men. For decades program curricula have been developed … [Read More...]
Residents step up to facilitate successful reentry
A year and a half ago, San Quentin residents were told that a rehabilitation and re-entry team, a supported pathway, and a comprehensive rehabilitation plan to ensure successful re-entry must begin on day one of incarceration. Many residents said there are some noticeable changes within the prison, but they believe there is still a long way to … [Read More...]
Second chance opportunities for incarcerated
Many residents in San Quentin said the perceptions of people with criminal records is askew and believe it is up to them to help highlight the importance of second chances and redemption. “Everybody makes mistakes. We are all human and each one of us is capable of change if we choose to learn from our missteps,” resident Sergio Argueta … [Read More...]
Long program waitlists concern residents
Access to programs for many incarcerated people at San Quentin continues to be a problem two years following Gov. Gavin Newsom’s rehabilitation center makeover. According to current data, there are waitlists of nearly two years for self-help programs and community-based organization groups, and according to the 2024 Reimagining San Quentin … [Read More...]
53 years of incarceration led to accountability and suitability
Fred Catano, 71, is scheduled to parole from San Quentin this month, after serving 53 continuous years behind bars. He was one of about 190 prisoners remaining in custody of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, serving an outdated seven-years-to-life sentence for murder, according to public records. Catano arrived in … [Read More...]
William James hosts 15th creative writing event
Program empowers individuals to learn the power of the pen through storytelling The creative writing workshop ‘Brothers in Pen’ held its 15th annual public reading at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center inside Chapel B. The event was hosted by SQ News Editor-in-Chief Kevin D. Sawyer, who has been a part of the writing program for 14 years, … [Read More...]
Music Cambia 5-day workshop reveals artistic talent and “Purpose”
Resident Alexander Parlato said his passion for poetry and music died after he was sentenced and sent to a prison where there weren’t opportunities for him to share his artistic talent. “I stopped doing music in 2018 after going to High Desert. Prison had me depressed and there wasn’t anyone doing music,” said Parlato. “Coming to San Quentin … [Read More...]
Despite decades-long sentence, resident finds hope through growth
Instability and emotional withdrawal in the past for resident since transformation Jarvis Garner, incarcerated since he was 14 years old, found redemption from a life of crime and violence through hard work and hope to help him face a 47-year-sentence. Garner, 37, housed at San Quentin for less than year, grew up in Stockton, living with his … [Read More...]
Ryan Leaf talks about journey to sobriety
Athletes sometimes hit rock bottom, just like the rest of us. Sometimes they might redefine themselves, turning out stronger than before. Ex-San Diego Charger quarterback and formerly incarcerated resident Ryan Leaf hosted The Last Mile’s podcast at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center in January. Leaf attained the fame and fortune of which … [Read More...]
L.A. wildfires’ impact felt miles away
News of Southern California’s devastating wildfires has spread far and wide, inspiring some San Quentin residents to become firefighters. Various news outlets report that between 783 to more than 1,000 CDCR firefighters were deployed to Los Angeles to fight the wildfires, which have claimed approximately 27 lives and consumed over 40,000 acres, … [Read More...]
Rapper Project Pat joins victim-and-offender healing circle
The healing started from within as self-help group No More Tears sponsored a victim-and-offender healing circle at San Quentin. In attendance were 15 to 20 SQ residents, Mrs. Tiffany Love Rawlings and Dr. Clemmie Greenlee from Beauty Behind Bars, Rapper Project Pat, and a traveling Christian ministry from Tennessee. The sponsors, Mick … [Read More...]
Organization seeks to shrink carceral footprint
Smart Justice of California hosted its first forum with Young President, bringing awareness to anyone that has been impacted by the justice system. Their goal is to transform prison into a rehabilitation center. “San Quentin is unlike any institution in the state, keep in mind that this is an essential institution,” said Warden Chance Andes. … [Read More...]
94-FEET wants to go national
The graduation of 94-FEET highlighted a program that has a dream to go national to every high school in the nation, throughout all colleges, and even to the National Basketball Association. It all started with a basketball and the need to grow. Jeremiah “JB” Brown, 58, head coach of the San Quentin Warriors, created a 94 FEET workshop, an … [Read More...]
Breaking the Cycle
Residents of narrative workshop reveal the impact of adverse childhood experiences San Quentin resident James Daly was sentenced to four life terms, plus 31 years. He blamed his harsh sentence and the unraveling of his life to a torn relationship between him and his father. “I could never be the son my father wanted me to be,” Daly … [Read More...]
Seminar teaches power of self-forgiveness
Powerful Days, a program designed to teach the science and power of self-forgiveness, taught San Quentin residents that forgiving oneself is the first step to achieve true freedom. Powerful Days hosted an event in Protestant Chapel B geared towards emotional intelligence training. The guest speakers were Charles Myles, Miesha Myles, Clarence … [Read More...]
Remaining condemned prisoners receive innovative therapy
The 10 remaining Death Row residents at San Quentin are receiving innovative methods of therapy as they wait to be transferred to general population facilities. SQ Sgt. Brenes and four of his colleagues have implemented an innovative approach to socialize and humanize the condemned residents, who suffer from severe mental … [Read More...]
Los creadores de reformas estatales
Por primera vez los reclusos mono lenguaje del español en el Centro de Rehabilitación de San Quentin, pudieron obtener el espacio y la oportunidad de participar en un programa de auto-ayuda llamado “Regresando al Principio”, o BTS (Back To The Start) por sus siglas en inglés. Desde el principio se creó un espacio especial fundado con la … [Read More...]
Psychological analysis program connects personality and behavior
The Enneagram Prison Project, a personality analysis self-help group, celebrated its graduates by acknowledging what they have accomplished. The event was held in San Quentin’s Chapel B.In efforts to learn more about his personality graduate Donell Haynie participated in the program, where he learned about things he did not notice in the … [Read More...]
Holiday book fair inspires residents’ connections with loved ones through reading
San Quentin residents filled Christmas stockings for their children through the Holiday Book Fair sponsored by the Friends of San Quentin Library. The event, held in the Main Library, featured book selections ranging from beginning readers to young adults. “My greatest joy is to see a group of people who are “marginalized” given the … [Read More...]
Beauty Behind Bars
Inspirational messages on mental freedom from incarceration Dr. Tiffany Love Rawlings, founder of ‘Beauty Behind Bars,’ brought her unique message of positivity and perseverance to three classes of Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment students in the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center gym. The goal of Beauty Behind Bars is to … [Read More...]
Grief and Gratitude Writing Workshop offers safe space
The Alive Inside organization sponsored a Grief and Gratitude Writing Workshop in San Quentin’s Chapel D. Alive Inside holds alternating monthly workshops; The Open Mic Night and the grief and gratitude workshop. The grief workshop is held the second Tuesday of every month centered on working through grief. The Open Mic Night with music, … [Read More...]
Renowned author and philanthropist spreads love and generosity
Many San Quentin residents in attendance at a December 5 commencement event in Chapel B said they felt that Santa Claus had arrived early. A thin, tall man, whom a resident described as “funny and graciously goofy,” occupied the chapel stage and spoke of gratitude and generosity, wearing not a red Santa hat but a blue Boston Red Sox baseball cap. … [Read More...]
Former SQ resident journeys from kitchen worker to renowned chef
Formerly incarcerated resident Michael Thomas has made the evolution from prison chow hall to renowned restaurant. After serving 27 years at Corcoran State Prison, Thomas, 45, was hired as a prep cook at one of San Francisco’s prestigious restaurants, Flour + Water, according to SF Gate. Thomas discovered his love for the culinary arts while … [Read More...]
Awareness Into Domestic Violence celebrates over 90 participants
The domestic awareness group AIDA, graduated 90 participants as 2024 came to an end. Co-founder Floyd Collins, who was formerly imprisoned here at San Quentin and paroled in 2023, applauded the graduates for their hard work and commitment to the course. “For those unaware,” said Collins, “domestic abusers wear many masks. They may show up in … [Read More...]