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...]
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...]
Gaming group hosts 64-player Smash Brother video game tournament
The Wallbusters gaming group organizes video tournament for staff and incarcerated residents in a first of its kind community-building event. Presented by Smash Brothers, the event was held in the facility’s Gymnasium. It was open to all staff and residents who wanted to participate in a day of gaming. The gaming day was a collaboration … [Read More...]
Residents give back through service
Bay Area children of incarcerated parents receive bikes Almost two hundred Bay Area children whose parents are incarcerated got brand-new bicycles this holiday season thanks to a group of San Quentin residents who are dedicated to making amends to their communities. Twelve incarcerated members of the group “SQUIRES” volunteered more than … [Read More...]
Transgender community raises awareness of transphobic violence
The San Quentin community gathered in Chapel A in recognition of the rehabilitation center’s second annual observance of the Transgender Day of Remembrance. The purpose of the event was to bring awareness to deaths caused by transphobic violence. San Quentin resident Michael Adams opened with a rendition of “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers. The … [Read More...]
Longtime SQ News editor-in-chief paroles after decades in prison
Award winning journalist and former editor-in-chief Marcus Henderson paroles after nearly three decades of incarceration. As San Quentin News celebrates another successful story – the power of redemption, friends of the man passionately known as “Wali” shared memories of Henderson’s time with San Quentin News. “When ‘Wali’ joined the … [Read More...]
Peer support program launches at San Quentin
A new peer support group offering assistance for self-care and service awareness is available for San Quentin residents. The Peer Support Systems Program (PSSP) will consist of 30 residents receiving training on 17 core abilities required by California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) to become a certified peer support … [Read More...]
Hawaiian New Year means harvest, rejuvenation, and peace
Hundreds gathered in San Quentin’s Garden Chapel to celebrate Makahiki by connecting to Polynesian culture with hula, chants, music, prayers, and Polynesian feast catered by L & L Hawaiian barbeque and King Hawaiian bakery. SQ’s Native Hawaiian Religious Group, “Hula Halaú, Kealapono,” hosted the five-hour event also known as a Makahiki … [Read More...]
Former top draft pick represents TLM
The LAST MILE program provides second chances which allow residents the opportunity to rebuild their lives while gaining job skills. Some graduates like Ryan Leaf even get a chance to give back to TLM. The second overall NFL draft pick of the San Diego Chargers in 1996, Ryan Leaf became a bust before landing in the Montana State Prison. Ten … [Read More...]
Exceptional conduct leads to release
Honest, patient, impactful, insightful, transparent, dedicated, empathetic, and accountable are some of the words that residents of San Quentin have used to describe John Gillie. In 2021, Gillie received an 1170 resentencing for exceptional conduct recommended by CDCR, which was denied by the courts. Several years later, the recommendation was … [Read More...]
San Quentin hosts 1st annual Film Festival
Premiere is a success that showcased incarcerated and formerly incarcerated filmmakers A prison chapel was turned into a movie theater as incarcerated filmmakers made history — their talents screened alongside motion picture professionals — while popcorn, M&Ms, and other theater concessions circulated amongst the audience. On October … [Read More...]
San Quentin Incarcerated Veterans Share ‘Proud, Poignant, and Painful Episodes’ during War Horse Writing Seminar
In a peaceful setting inside the chapel at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, 18 members from Veterans Group San Quentin who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines gathered to reflect, assemble, and tell their stories at a four-day writing workshop. At the heart of the storytelling event, held exclusively for incarcerated veterans at … [Read More...]
Prison Yoga Project promotes awareness of body and mind
The Prison Yoga Project, a self-help program at San Quentin, offers physicaland character-changing reforms. James Fox, founder of the program, has been practicing yoga for 38 years and teaching for the last 24. One of the guiding principles is service to all. Fox has had personal benefits from yoga and, wanting to give back, he began … [Read More...]
San Quentin’s YOP provides peer mentors for residents
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center saw the first official gathering of its Youth Offender Program with the groups mentees and resident Peer Mentors on July 15. After more than a year of preparation, Peer Mentors and group sponsor Nicole Wilbur organized the training program at the education annex on the Lower Yard. On day one 19 mentees, 10 … [Read More...]
Feria de libros de verano en CRSQ
Cientos de residentes del Centro de Rehabilitación de San Quentin, tuvieron nuevamente la oportunidad de mandar libros sin ningún costo para fomentar la lectura a sus seres queridos, el pasado Mayo. Este es el segundo verano que se llevó a cabo en la biblioteca de CRSQ la feria de libros. Aproximadamente 1,100 libros fueron donados para este … [Read More...]
SQ residents share powerful narratives of childhood traumas
San Quentin residents are writing their way “Back to the Start,” sharing powerful narratives of their personal childhood traumas. The group, which has been featured on CNN and National Public Radio, is committed to changing not only the lives of other incarcerated men and women, but those of children across the country. Back to the Start is … [Read More...]
Inmate Disability Assistance Program work stretches beyond simple service
They might cruise around in pale yellow jackets, dashing from the residence buildings to the dining halls, the hospital, the chapels, the gym, to R&R, or to the education complex. Sometimes they would carry meals around the buildings, but usually, they would push wheelchairs occupied by residents unable to move on their feet. San Quentin … [Read More...]
Social justice organizations visit, discuss law and court challenges
More than 50 residents and people from two organizations discussed genuine rehabilitation at an event held on August 6 in San Quentin’s Chapel B. The three-hour conversation attended by members of For The People and the Draper Richard Kaplin Foundation centered around emotional intelligence, accountability, building community, criminality, and … [Read More...]
Modelo Californiano Arranca en San Quentin
Scroll for English translation El pasado Mayo inicio la inauguración del Modelo Californiano con un gran evento para los residentes del Centro de Rehabilitación de San Quentin. La meta del Modelo Californiano es desarrollar una cultura más humana que su enfoque es, en sanar a los residentes. Se trata de dar otra imagen al sistema de … [Read More...]
Last Mile audio program hosts storytelling seminar
A workshop of storytelling was held in San Quentin’s Chapel B, The Last Mile an audio video program at the prison sponsored the event. The occasion consisted of a two-day storytelling seminar for the incarcerated students of the Last Mile program. The Moth storytelling crew facilitated the event, a non-profit organization dedicated to the art … [Read More...]
CDCR expands fire camp to youth offenders
For almost eighty years, California has relied on incarcerated fire fighters, but declining numbers of incarcerated persons has reduced fire camps to operate at half capacity or less. A new two-year pilot program would boost the pipeline for new for younger incarcerated firefighters, the state hoped, according to an article by Maya Miller in the … [Read More...]
Mentorships at SQ help residents build community
San Quentin Residents express how mentorship builds community through, empathy, and compassion while finding healing from a life of traumatic experiences. Inside San Quentin Rehabilitation Center there are many opportunities for mentorship and facilitators in groups such as Offender Mentor Certified Program, Youth Offender Program, Peer Literacy … [Read More...]
Residents draw inspiration from formerly incarcerated
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center residents reflect on what it means to give back by drawing inspiration from the previously incarcerated. Formerly incarcerated individuals come back to SQRC to mentor residents on the values of growth, service, perseverance, and hope. “To be able to see those who once walked within the same walls as me and come … [Read More...]
New San Quentin program aims to stop misuse of guns and safer communities
Over 70 gun offenders gather in San Quentin’s Chapel B every Friday to discuss the factors surrounding their incarceration. Gangs, anger, vengeance, greed, and protection are just a few of the motives they mention in Arms Down, a rehabilitation program geared towards stopping misuse of firearms in communities and ending the cycle of addiction … [Read More...]