Friends of San Quentin News

02/29/2024

I often wonder how I have 357 friends on Facebook but only 70 contacts on my phone but I guess that's part of the mystery that makes life worthwhile, right?

What isn't a mystery is the importance and impact of prison journalism in America today. Now that we have infinite amounts of information at our finger tips we're able to really know whatever we really want to know. So, if you want to understand prisons and the systemic issues that perpetuate them you should consider subscribing to a newsletter. Ours is pretty good but any is better than none so take your pick.

Thanks to anyone who reads it even if you aren't one of the 357 Facebook friends

The incarcerated members of San Quentin’s Native Hawaiian Religious Group cannot go to their homeland, so they brought Hawaii to San Quentin through their annual Makahiki celebration. Click here to read more by Joshua Strange.

02/13/2024

This will probably seem like a short discussion because it's such a richly complex topic. If you have time and are interested about learning how the First Amendment is exercised, restricted and regulated in prisons here's your chance.

Register for this free event provided by Eastern State Penitentiary
https://www.easternstate.org/visit/events/justice-101-does-first-amendment-apply-prisons

01/21/2024

Join us this Wednesday for an insightful conversation with Wall City magazine advisor Kate Joy McQueen and former San Quentin News staffer and now freelance writer Joe Garcia about their examination for of the parole board process through the experience of Bruce Davis, former member of the Mason Family.

Wednesday, January 31, at 1 p.m. Pacific time

10/10/2023

🌟 Exciting News! Friends of San Quentin News is Now Pollen Initiative! 🌟

Dear community,

I am thrilled to share some incredible news with you all! Our organization, formerly known as Friends of San Quentin News, has undergone a transformative rebranding and is now proudly called Pollen Initiative! 🌼

This change is an expression of an increased awareness of our mission and vision for a more inclusive and fair democracy where everyone's voice and vote matters, even that that of the incarcerated. While we cherish our roots in San Quentin California, we believe it's time to spread our wings and extend our impact across the nation. With this transformation, we're opening doors to incarcerated individuals nationwide, offering them opportunities in multimedia production and training.

The Pollen Initiative is more than just a name change; it's a testament to our commitment to empowerment, education, and second chances. By providing access to multimedia resources and training, we aim to equip incarcerated individuals with valuable skills that can help them reintegrate into society, build a brighter future and be civically engaged.

Our team is enthusiastic about the possibilities that lie ahead. We're confident that this expansion will foster creativity, innovation, and personal growth within the incarcerated community, creating a ripple effect of positive change that extends far beyond prison walls.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated team, partners, and supporters who have stood by us through this journey. Your belief in our mission has been the driving force behind this transformation, and we are excited to continue making a meaningful impact together.

Please join us in celebrating this new chapter as Pollen Initiative! Together, we can sow the seeds of change and watch them bloom across the nation. 🌱🌼

Check out our new website https://polleninitiative.org too.

https://youtu.be/D9qOHrWX7a0

From a place of hopelessness to a second chance at making a difference the Pollen Initiative is determined to change the way the incarcerated are viewed. Bui...

08/24/2023

We're four weeks away from our annual gala! Make sure to check out our event page and register!
https://www.classy.org/event/inside-scoop-2023/e503603

07/02/2023

Check out the latest from SQNews:

The first correspondence course on trucking. This program was designed to help individuals with barriers position themselves for successful reentry and gainf...

04/04/2023

San Quentin News and the prison has been receiving quite a bit of media attention. Our new editor in chief wanted to share a reflection for consideration:

10/20/2022

Join us for an afternoon panel about the importance of prison journalism

05/27/2022

I'm glad that there's a lot support, interest and need for journalism by those living in the community especially the marginalized incarcerated community.
Next week, we'll have one of our own representing the voices of the incarcerated. Special thanks to the organizers of the Latino Media Summit and the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism for the invitation and support.
Buy your ticket to join virtually or in-person for Jesse Vasquez’s Lighting Talk. The former Editor-in-Chief of

, paroled in 2019, will discuss journalism by the incarcerated & provide his perspective on the criminal justice system.

An annual gathering of the best in Latinx journalism, hosted by the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY in New York.

01/20/2022

Slalom has generously awarded us a grant, which the Reva and David Logan Foundation will match dollar for dollar, to sustain our work of supporting and expanding incarcerated-led media projects such as San Quentin News.

“Storytelling leads to change. This is why we support Friends of San Quentin News' mission to use journalism to elevate the voices of incarcerated and previously incarcerated people. challenges structural barriers to achieve a more open, just, and equitable society.”

01/12/2022

January Highlights -

Hundreds of smiling, anxious men lined up to collect their orders in the largest food sale in San Quentin history. Read more here...

12/31/2021

Year-end Reflections -

The people behind the work