A Bay Area band stirred the souls of a hundred San Quentin prisoners with a high-energy Sunday night concert on Aug. 25. Fliers posted in the cell blocks promised “A Night of Classic Soul.” The Soulbillies delivered with a whirlwind performance that spurred the audience to dance, sing, laugh and clap for two hours of not-so-pure enjoyment. The five musicians, dressed in all black, took the stage in the prison chapel and began with a couple of cover grooves, including Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools.” Lead singer Shelley Flint belted … [Read more...] about Showcasing their talent the Soulbillies shake San Quentin
David Ditto
Demonstrating great achievement under difficult circumstances
By David Ditto and Michael Johnson, Staff Writers. Graduating class of Robert E. Burton and Coastline, Feather River and Lassen Community College Tasseled caps and gowns flowed as diplomas, degrees and certificates were conferred in San Quentin’s visiting room during Robert E. Burton Adult School’s 2019 Commencement. College, high school, and vocational program graduates celebrated their accomplishments with family, friends, teachers, and administrators at the annual ceremony on July 26. “We’re so proud of all the incredibly hard … [Read more...] about Demonstrating great achievement under difficult circumstances
San Quentin’s college class of 2019
PUP graduates class of 2019 On a sunny June morning over- looking the bay, 12 incarcerated scholars were honored at the 2019 Prison University Project (PUP) graduation. University instructors, staff, classmates and family of the graduates gathered in San Quentin’s main visiting room to celebrate the conferring of Associate of Arts degrees in liberal arts to the men in blue. Graduate Sumit Lal and family As “Pomp and Circumstance” sounded, the 2019 graduates began their procession, and PUP Board Chair Maddy Russell-Shapiro’s eyes were … [Read more...] about San Quentin’s college class of 2019