San Quentin’s Coalition For Justice (CFJ) celebrated the completion of its latest graduating class—Cycle 15. CFJ’s primary focus in- volves providing its students with skills that encourage community building and so- cial responsibility. The July 25th ceremony also gave a distinct nod toward Cycle 15’s exceptional level of com- mitment. “We started off with a much bigger group, but it was you guys that stuck it out and came to the end—came every day,” said inside facilitator Allan Bennett. “Your deter- mination wasn’t just within this … [Read more...] about Coalition For Justice graduates exemplify commitment to community
Joe Garcia
PUP hopes to become nation’s first stand-alone prison campus
The Prison University Project’s (PUP) quest for independent college accreditation— and what that may mean, exactly, for the San Quentin community—inspired an active conversation at the July 29 town hall meeting hosted by PUP. With submission of its accreditation application complete in August, PUP’s transition from its partnership with Patten University to the nation’s first stand-alone prison campus moved a step closer to actualization. “To become independent, we’ll become a better school,” said PUP Executive Director Jody Lewen. … [Read more...] about PUP hopes to become nation’s first stand-alone prison campus
Power Source group commemorates first-ever YOP graduation
San Quentin youth offenders came together on their own—in a grassroots ceremony on June 23, to commemorate the first-ever graduating cycle of the Power Source curriculum. Institutional glitches delayed the officially scheduled graduation in May. But, the incarcerated members of BE-IT (Benefitting Each Individual Together) wanted to make sure this group of dedicated young men got the chance to fully celebrate their accomplishments. San Quentin’s first-ever YOP graduate class of Power Source “Here’s to rehabilitation!” Brian Holliday … [Read more...] about Power Source group commemorates first-ever YOP graduation
Ken Burns brings Country Music to SQ
Ken Burns, Julie Dunfey and Dayton Duncan hosting a Q&A for their PBS documentary Country Music Ken Burns came to the San Quentin chapel and delivered an exclusive prison screening of his latest American gospel, Country Music. The July 24 visit brought prisoners up close and personal with the legendary filmmaker and two of his Florentine Films teammates, writer and co-producers Julie Dunfey and Dayton Duncan. “I feel like I’ve met almost everyone here in this room,” said Burns to the roughly 150 inmates and staff. “This has been … [Read more...] about Ken Burns brings Country Music to SQ
Getting a rare second chance in prison: How one youthful offender reclaimed his life with the help of others
Ryan Dietz and “Prison Daddy” Kenny Vernon Ryan Dietz arrived at San Quentin in 2016 ready to succumb to all the usual pitfalls that await youth of- fenders—substance abuse, cellphone activity and peer- pressured violence. Instead, the 19-year-old found a supportive community of mentors and positive role models that guided him onto a better path and a brighter future. Dietz paroled from SQ on July 7 with a heart determined to pay that forward. “Ultimately, prison gave me back my life,” Dietz told SQNews. “When I look back, I know I’m … [Read more...] about Getting a rare second chance in prison: How one youthful offender reclaimed his life with the help of others
Program coordinator Heather Hart bids farewell to PUP
PUP coordinator Heather Hart taking a walk outside SQ San Quentin’s Prison University Project (PUP) waved goodbye to Program Coordinator Heather Hart on July 3. But she leaves intent on continuing her fierce advocacy goals in a potentially broader scope— through philanthropic influence. “After four years here, I started to feel like there was more I needed to learn, more skills I needed to ac- quire in order to get to a place where I could make the most impact,” Hart told SQNews. “Exploring this world of philanthropy, I want to see for … [Read more...] about Program coordinator Heather Hart bids farewell to PUP
Hamilton cast and crew visits San Quentin
Members of Hamilton cast and crew with SQNews advsiors Monica Campbell and Jan Perry The world proved wide enough for San Quentin prisoners and the San Francisco production of Hamilton to come together as one community. Donald Webber, Jr., Darilyn Castillo, Marja Harmon, and Sabrina Sloan At the invitation of SQNews adviser Jan Perry, members of the cast and crew welcomed the June 21 opportunity to take a quick tour of the prison while getting acquainted with some of its incarcerated residents. “Their visit totally … [Read more...] about Hamilton cast and crew visits San Quentin
Scholarship recipient overcame a dark and troubled past
“I only knew what others had told me: that I was worthless, stupid, and a failure” Prison taught Daniel Hen- son the value of education, and now he has earned a college scholarship. “I did not finish kindergarten because of my parents’ bitter separation,” said Henson. “As a result, from then until I was 14 years old, I bounced from school to school.” After failing out of 8th grade in 1996, Henson said that he “quickly spiraled out of control, associating with other delinquents and engaging in substance abuse. I did not go to school … [Read more...] about Scholarship recipient overcame a dark and troubled past
The complicated role of a SQ Correctional Counselor
Correctional Counselor V. Sibley Youth offenders keep CCI V. Sibley's hands full Ask any prisoner about his or her experience with correctional counselors and the responses will vary greatly—from torrid expletives to heartfelt praise. That’s the nature of the inmate/counselor dynamic: Does the prisoner feel he got helped or got screwed over? Correctional Counselor V. Sibley knows all about this tricky duality. “There’s plenty of inmates pissed off at me, I’m sure,” she told SQNews. “We counselors do what we can, but we can’t … [Read more...] about The complicated role of a SQ Correctional Counselor