San Quentin News

09/23/2025

Student portraitists, ceramic artists, sculptors, muralists, and pastel art designers gathered at San Quentin to celebrate an annual art event with incarcerated artists.

Professor Siskin co-founded the art event five years ago with Arts In Corrections staff member Carol Newborg. The innovative hybrid concept unites the creativity of students and incarcerated artists to stimulate artistic vision, adding an enriching depth to their work and lives.

“This feels more like a homecoming for me, art has always been the foundational creative branch in my life,” said Siskin. “I have witnessed the transformative impact art has in the lives of the incarcerated. I’m excited to be a part of the event and I am overjoyed as I watch it grow.”

Travis George an incarcerated illustrative children’s poetry artist, attended Art Day last year. He said it is great that those artists who are connected in the art community outside come inside to spend time with incarcerated residents.

“It makes you feel human again, to just sit and talk about art with someone who loves art as much as you do. [It’s] special,” George said.

✍️ Ricky Ransom, Journalism Guild Writer (this is his first published piece 🎉 )
📸 Marcus Casillas (photos from Arts in Corrections today and in 2017)
Read the story:

Collaborative Arts in Corrections event draws energy, connection, inspiration September 23, 2025 by Ricky Ransom Present day mural paintings on the wall in Arts and Corrections. (Photo by Marcus Casillas / SQNews) 2017 mural paintings on the wall in Arts and Corrections.(SQNews Archive) Student port...

09/19/2025

We brought home two wins from the American Penal Press Contest 🎉

Very grateful to be named the best prison newspaper in the country and to be recognized for our standout local coverage 🙏

09/12/2025

Abandonment, gang culture, substance abuse, death, violence in the home and neighborhoods — all of these were the subjects of dialogues between SQRC residents and members of The Prosecutors Alliance. And all of these contribute to the social, environmental, and economic conditions that foster criminal thinking and behavior.

Artie Gonzalez, program director for , a reform-oriented law enforcement association, came into San Quentin with district attorneys from Contra Costa and Yolo counties to talk with residents about the traumas and conditions that left incarcerated individuals with years of hurt and some bad choices.

“Trauma left me feeling alone and abandoned,” resident Delvon Adams said. “My high school friend died; from that point I said I was not going to college.”

Prosecutors Alliance bridges the gap by bringing prosecutors, victims’ advocates, crime survivors, and allies committed to creating safer, healthier communities. The organization works with local and state leaders for sustainable solutions that advance public safety.

This is in line with SQNews’ belief that communication between victims and offenders can strengthen feelings of community between them and open up possibilities for meaningful solutions.

✍️ Michael Callahan
📸 Marcus Casillas
Continue reading:

Dialogue bridges gap between prosecutors and residents September 12, 2025 by Michael Callahan Residents share experiences with trauma with prosecutors during their visit to San Quentin. (Photo by Marcus Casillas // SQNews) Abandonment, gang culture, substance abuse, death, violence in the home and n...

09/11/2025

The state of California requires two hot meals be served every day to incarcerated persons. But for nearly a week the residents of San Quentin had cold showers and cold food until new boilers were installed. However, numerous residents said they preferred it that way because of the higher quality and quantity of cold food that was served.

“The fruits and vegetables were refreshing and a change in the flavor of our food felt civilized,” David Torresan said.

But it won't last. Resident Inmate Advisory Council Parliamentarian Kenny Rogers, and head of the food service committee, said the committee did a survey of the population regarding food quality. The IAC Food Survey report stated the biggest complaints were: 70% disliked plant based/no meat meals, 18% said the low quality/flavor and low portions were a concern, and, lastly, poor preparation and variety rounded out the top five.

The committee’s survey reported a few of the top five suggestions for improvement: better flavor, better variety, bring back old menus, and more staff training. Rogers said after he read about renowned chef Dan Giusti’s food service program, Brigaid, he immediately believed the program could be implemented in San Quentin to address the concerns of the population.

✍️ Michael Callahan
📸 SQNews Archive
Read more:

Residents embrace cold showers for better food September 11, 2025 by Michael Callahan Outside organization proposes improvements to food quality and culinary training SQNews Archive The state of California requires two hot meals be served every day to incarcerated persons. But for nearly a week the....

09/08/2025

After more than two decades in and out of prison, San Quentin News photographer and co-founder of Concrete Rose Truck Driving School Vincent E. O’Bannon was resentenced and paroled just in time for his daughter’s birthday 🥳

For some individuals, prison is the perfect opportunity to learn about themselves, find purpose, and be of service. O’Bannon said having a purpose lifted him up. 

“Live your life for you, not by what your friends think of you,” O’Bannon said. “Self-discovery was key for me to not continue on the path from jail to prison.”

In the span of two years since his second board hearing, O’Bannon went from being found suitable, to a suitability rescission, to denial of appeal, and ultimately to a resentencing and release.

“When my suitability was rescinded I felt dejected, let down, and defeated. I spent the whole day reflecting on why — if I [was] doing the right thing — did this happen?” O’Bannon said. “The next day I got back out into helping my community. I was confident they would give me a date and that I would overcome one day and push forward.”

Read O’Bannon’s story at SanQuentinNews.com 🔗
✍️ Michael Callahan
📸 Courtesy of Vincent E. O’Bannon

09/05/2025

San Quentin residents serving a life term have been approved for release, but litigation surrounding Prop 57 has kept them in custody; as a result, two lifers share their views on rehabilitation and good time credits.

“Critics of credit earning just don’t get it; they are misinformed by sources that speculate,” said 61-year-old SQ resident Mark Hernandez. “They should take a closer look at lifer’s positive programming. We are accountable for our actions, not because we have to, but because we want to.”

Hernandez has served 17 years of a 21-year-to-life sentence. His original release date was 2029, but he was granted parole early on June 18, 2024 because of rehabilitative credits he has earned. He remains in prison.

Hernandez said that he decided to change the day he was arrested. He made a commitment not to participate in prison politics and engaged in religious studies, educational programming, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.

“We can never take back what we did; all we can do is change who we were. That’s the essence of rehabilitation,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez added that CDCR has afforded positive programming for everybody and that if it were not for the self-help groups at SQ, his rehabilitation would have been a struggle.

Hernandez was not the only person stripped of his credits; there are numerous lifers at SQ whose release has been stalled. Read their stories at SanQuentinNews.com 🔗
✍️ Jerry Maleek Gearin
📸 SQNews Archive

https://sanquentinnews.com/life-term-residents-await-release-after-suitability/

Life-term residents await release after suitability September 3, 2025 by Jerry Maleek Gearin Positive programming, accountability, and suitability not enough to release term-to-life residents no longer a threat to public safety San Quentin residents serving a life term have been approved for release...

09/04/2025

New issue incoming 🎉

In this month's edition of San Quentin News...
🗞️ Lifer-term residents continue to await release after they're found suitable, sometimes for years
🗞️ SQNews photographer goes home
🗞️ Residents interview with outside organizations for employment

Read the issue:https://sanquentinnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/SQN-AUGUST-2025-ISSUE-183-FOR-PRINT.pdf

08/18/2025

We just wanted to share a tribute to our former editor in chief Marcus Wali Henderson.

He is greatly missed.

Former editor in chief of San Quentin News Marcus "Wali" Henderson remembered by his colleagues and friends.

08/14/2025

Project Rebound’s Director George Turner and Doris Fendt, a College and Career Counselor at San Francisco State, visited San Quentin to discuss education, housing, and employment opportunities with residents.

Fendt introduced herself and talked about her initial visit to SQ. She said she was compelled to assist the incarcerated population after her tour of the prison.

“The first time I came to SQ, I was pretty shocked. The [signs] on the walls reminded me of the conservation camps in Germany,” said Fendt. “Once I had that observation, I had a responsibility.”

During open forum, residents asked questions about housing opportunities offered on college campuses and whether or not there are requirements for working for Project Rebound after incarceration.

Find the answers at SanQuentinNews.com 🔗
✍️ Bostyon Johnson
📸 Sacramento State’s Project Rebound. (Courtesy of Project Rebound, 2023)

07/28/2025

In loving memory of Marcus “Wali” Henderson 🕊️

Marcus “Wali” Henderson mentored, befriended, and inspired people regardless of their circumstances. He often reached out to the youth to help them understand their true identity.

“Wali mentored me from the first week I arrived at San Quentin until he went home. He cared for me and loved me like I was his son,” said resident Eric Allen. “He always wanted the best for me and every time he saw me, Wali embraced me with open arms, with what I call a ‘Wali hug.’”

Henderson also impacted teenage boys at a Miami juvenile detention center, under the guidance of Henry Unger, who teaches journalism at the Florida facility.

According to Unger, Henderson helped him organize and maintain a letter-writing exchange program between San Quentin residents and the youth at the center.

“Shortly before his death, the boys were able to talk with him [Henderson] on Zoom about many different topics,” Unger said. “Wali was a class act all the way and will be sincerely missed.”

Tyrone “Luqman” Jones said that Henderson left behind an ironclad legacy of footprints throughout the prison system.

“The last thing he told me was, ‘Let this be your last stop. A cage is no place for a bird; get out and spread your wings.’ Truer words were never spoken. From Allah (God) we come, to him we shall return,” Jones said.

Resident Deandre Brumfield describes Henderson as an un-apologetic Black man. Brumfield said that Henderson gave him a chance when others would not, teaching him that media wasn’t just for show, but to give incarcerated people a voice, in order to tell their own stories.

“It hurts me more than I want to admit that he’s gone. I wish we had some more time in society to make the same impact he had on me,” Brumfield said. “I will continue to carry him with me, and pay forward his impact in hopes that his work continues. He will be missed but not forgotten.”

Countless residents were eager to share their memories of Wali with San Quentin News. He left a lasting impression both in and outside of the newsroom, and we will always remember him fondly. Thank you for everything, Wali. Rest easy ❤️

07/25/2025

✨NEW ISSUE✨

In this edition of
➡️ Staffers and community remember Marcus “Wali” Henderson, former SQNews editor in chief
➡️ LA district attorney makes first visit to the Q
➡️ Residents raise concerns over medical transports

Click the link in our story to read more 🗞️

07/18/2025

From the archives: in 1981 🗞️

Did you know San Quentin residents have been publishing a newspaper since the 1920s? It took on the name San Quentin News in 1940!

Though it’s been suspended throughout the years, the paper was permanently revived in 2008 by Warden Robert Ayers and shows no signs of stopping.

What differences can you spot in the paper then vs now? 👀 ⬇️