Brandon Riddle-Terrell Two teams of young offenders launched their Kid CAT softball festival with smiles and laughter and a 17-4 score. “The same skills used in softball are the same skills applied by the Kid CAT organization, such as when working together planning and organizing events here at San Quentin,” said Kid CAT Chairman Si Dang, 43. After that, the Junglecat’s offense roared to life, scoring one run in the first inning, four in the second, two in the third and three in the fourth. The defense held the Wildcats scoreless in the … [Read more...] about In the KidCat Softball game, everyone is a winner
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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
A walk on the yard sends youth to camp
Visitors and inmates making the circle of peace at the Lower Yard “We march in solidarity, we all are behind bars,” were the lyrics of a rap song that blared through a massive speaker on San Quentin’s Lower Yard. The song captured the voices and themes of SQ Project Avary’s 3rd Annual “March for the Next Generation.” The June 22 event had inmate Philippe “Kells” Kelly and Eric McCanty of Project Avary rapping those powerful words in front of a host of prisoners and guests. Cesar of Project Avary peroforming “Incarceration carries … [Read more...] about A walk on the yard sends youth to camp
The Beat Within celebrates 21 years of giving youth a voice
Dave Inocencio (second from left), The Beat Within and KID CAT members For the past five years, Dave Inocencio has been coming to San Quentin to lead a writing workshop for The Beat Within publication that he started 21 years ago in San Francisco. He got involved with San Quentin through Karen Drucker, who, at the time, worked with the KID CAT program and emailed him asking him to be a part of it. The first time he saw the CAT program, Inocencio was blown away. “[KID CAT shows] all those who are incarcerated that they matter and have … [Read more...] about The Beat Within celebrates 21 years of giving youth a voice
Dear Kid CAT, Vicki and Steve – Project Avary
Thank you for including us on the Project Avary walk in September. It was an truly an amazing day, far more powerful and thought-provoking than me and my husband Steve ever could have imagined. We had many conversations about it since that day, and we really just can’t stop thinking about the men – especially the Kid CAT members – locked up for huge swaths – if not all – of their lives. We had a talk with a man name David, a deeply thoughtful articulate young man who reminded us very much of the sons of some of our best friends. I was so … [Read more...] about Dear Kid CAT, Vicki and Steve – Project Avary
Youth offender who realizes opportunity a little too late
Many youth offenders who find themselves incarcerated at San Quentin fail to recognize the opportunities available to them and end up transferred to higher level institutions due to behavioral infractions. “I didn’t realize what I had here in San Quentin,” said Andrew Joseph Biovin, 21, a youth offender who was deemed a program failure and was transferred out of San Quentin. “Now I want to go to programs and learn all I can. Now, it’s real. Now I care.” In 2013, a new law AB1276, allowed new offenders between the ages of 18 and 23 an … [Read more...] about Youth offender who realizes opportunity a little too late
Dear Kid CAT by Saul Martinez
My name is Saul Martinez and I have been incarcerated for the past 20 years and on Jan. 9, 2018, I was found suitable for parole during my first board appearance. My hearing lasted five hours, and when the time came for the victim’s family to speak, they spoke about pardon and forgiveness. By the time the board announced their decision, they said I no longer posed a danger to society and they found me suitable for parole. I was able to have a successful hearing through a number of groups that I have attended. Of particular importance in my … [Read more...] about Dear Kid CAT by Saul Martinez
Life of crime overturned by positive choices
A variety of rehabilitative programs, including dance, helped Anouthinh Pangthong turn his life around despite a rocky youth and 21 years in prison since the age of 15. “Life in prison can become tedious, doing the same thing over and over. Sparks of violence would break the monotony. When an opportunity came to do something different through dancing, I jumped at the chance. My life has since been anything but ordinary,” said Pangthong. “Dancing really saved my life.” Pangthong, known to his friends as Choy, is the latest Kid CAT member to be … [Read more...] about Life of crime overturned by positive choices
Alex Mallick fights for justice
As long as she can remember, Alex Mallick has considered herself a defender and protector, “a guardian of people.” “I dedicated my life to helping people,” Mallick says. “I am so excited and full of energy when I wake up every morning and have something I believe in, a purpose in life.” For almost six years, she has been in and out of San Quentin fighting for the rights of youthful offenders because she believes someone has to. She volunteered at San Quentin for a youth offender lifer group called Kid CAT. Mallick says she was touched … [Read more...] about Alex Mallick fights for justice
Hip-Hop artist J. Cole visits San Quentin
Platinum Hip-Hop artist Jermaine Cole (“J. Cole”) used a day off during his tour to come see mass incarceration up close. In a two-hour visit with a juvenile lifer support group at San Quentin, Cole reaffirmed his belief that we need education instead of mass incarceration. Scott Budnick, producer of the Hangover movie series and founder of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, invited Cole to visit the Kids Creating Awareness Together (Kid CAT) group. By working together, Budnick, Kid CAT members and many others have gotten some harsh laws … [Read more...] about Hip-Hop artist J. Cole visits San Quentin