Humans of San Quentin

Humans of San Quentin HOSQ collects real stories shared by people currently incarcerated in all prisons to bring awareness & build connections.

Our aim is to give voice to the unheard by sharing daily life inside prison.

09/06/2026

What can one letter teach us about someone we’ve never met? For Dana, opening mail sent from people inside prison has become an incredibly meaningful part of her experience with Humans of San Quentin. Behind every envelope is a person with a story, a perspective, and something they want the outside world to understand. These letters remind us why storytelling matters. When we take the time to listen, we can see people beyond labels and create connections that reach far beyond prison walls.

09/05/2026

Meet Troy, one of our interns at Humans of San Quentin.
During his time with our organization, Troy has reflected on what second chances truly mean.
"To me, a second chance is an opportunity to show that you've changed and become a new person."
As we share stories of growth, accountability, and resilience, we're reminded that every person is more than a single moment in their life.
What does a second chance mean to you?

09/04/2026

Welcome to September Mail Club! 💌 Every month, Humans of San Quentin receives letters, artwork, and personal stories from people inside prison. Each piece of mail is unique and gives us the opportunity to hear directly from the people behind the stories we share. Take a look at some of the meaningful and creative pieces that arrived in our mailbox this month.

09/03/2026

Meet Sammi, one of our interns at Humans of San Quentin.
When asked what humanizing someone means, Sammi shared how much this work has changed her understanding of connection and compassion.
Through reading letters and engaging with people who reach out to Humans of San Quentin, she has seen how impactful it can be for someone to know they are not forgotten. Many people inside do not have family or friends who regularly check in, making these moments of connection incredibly meaningful.
Hearing how grateful people are for this organization has shown Sammi that being seen, heard, and valued is a powerful form of support.

I have heard that bragging is not bragging if you have actually accomplished what you are bragging about. True, false? I...
09/02/2026

I have heard that bragging is not bragging if you have actually accomplished what you are bragging about. True, false? I have no idea. What I do know is that a lot of hard work and growth went into what I want to share. There was a lot of anxiety suffered as well. So there it is: what I wanted to share. What I am so proud of. Publishing and marketing. I am not the most well-tuned instrument on the stage. I am not well-educated, though I do have a GED, and yet I have joined the novelist level of literati in spite of such shortcomings. Trailer trash. Gangbanging. Gun-toting. In and out of prison my whole adult life until serving 20 straight years on this present sentence. So how have I become the X Games of splatterpunk and horror because of my extreme writing style? How do a number of things pertaining to writing and not crimes come up on me these days when one googles TommyLee Dean, TommyLee Dean author, Brain Pulp, or, as of recent, His Name Pronounced Lucifer? Could it be because I have sat in one or another dingy cell, at various security levels, for the last 15 years, give or take, and meticulously pecked away at one or another writing project no matter what degree of opposition was fixed against me? 15 years to clean up a lifetime of what the younger me had done. 15 years of growth and anxiety leading to my newest release, a horror novel called His Name Pronounced Lucifer. Am I bragging? I have no idea because of being so damn proud that I want to tell anyone who will listen.
Now that you are listening, I want to add that Humans of San Quentin has been monumental in helping me to share poetry, art, photos, and intimate details from my life with a magnitude of strangers. Anyone reading my words is important to me because you are the lifeblood of who I now am whether you know it or not. Whichever method I have entered your life, and even though I may not personally know who you are, I do thank you for aiding my rehabilitation and giving me hope. Without you, without organizations like Humans of San Quentin, I would more than likely remain incorrigible while lacking any chance of redemption or improvement.
Tommy, 56
Incarcerated: 20 years

09/01/2026

What if a letter could break through prison walls? 💌
That’s what Humans of San Quentin (HoSQ) is all about: sharing the stories, art, and voices of people inside prison with the outside world. Through letters, artwork, and first-person storytelling, HoSQ builds connection, challenges stereotypes, and reminds us of the humanity behind the walls.
In this reel, Micaela opens a package from Alejandro another reminder of the power of simply being heard.

09/01/2026

💌 Welcome to our newest Humans of San Quentin interns!
We kicked off the year with Intern Orientation Day, bringing together an incredible group of students who are ready to learn, connect, and make an impact. Throughout the day, our new interns got to know one another, learned more about the mission behind Humans of San Quentin, and began exploring the work they’ll be a part of this year.
Our interns will have the opportunity to help amplify the voices and stories of incarcerated people, learn more about the criminal justice system, and contribute to projects that encourage empathy, understanding, and human connection.
We’re so excited to welcome this new group to the Humans of San Quentin community and can’t wait to see everything they accomplish! 💙💌
Here’s to a great year ahead!

08/31/2026

Meet Bodhi, one of our interns at Humans of San Quentin.
When asked if this work matters to people his age, Bodhi shared that it does because it introduces young people to something many may not know much about.
Through Humans of San Quentin, he has discovered the importance of learning from experiences outside of his own and creating space for conversations that are often overlooked.
He also sees a strong connection between this work and his generation's desire to use their voices, raise awareness, and make an impact in the world.

08/27/2026

Every letter tells a story. The Mail Club brings writing, artwork, recipes, reflections, and other creative pieces from incarcerated people directly to your mailbox. Each piece offers a glimpse into the person behind the prison walls—their creativity, experiences, memories, and perspectives.
From Randy’s Better Than Freedom Cake recipe, to Robert’s artwork, to personal writing from people at correctional facilities across the country, every envelope is a reminder of the power of storytelling and human connection. 💙
By subscribing to the Mail Club, you’re helping create a space where incarcerated people can share their voices and have their work seen, read, and appreciated beyond prison walls.
📬 Subscribe to the Mail Club and keep these stories traveling.

Music from artist 2Pac's song, It Ain't Easy is my most meaningful memory. It keeps playing in my head from time to time...
08/26/2026

Music from artist 2Pac's song, It Ain't Easy is my most meaningful memory. It keeps playing in my head from time to time. Being incarcerated has opened my eyes to the old me and has presented the new me. I appreciate life on a whole nother level and take it seriously. I currently have 14 years left on my sentence and am actively on appeals. I look forward to starting a family of my own when I meet that special someone, and for now I'm open to meeting new friends and see where it goes. God bless, HOSQ.
Craig, 39
Incarcerated: 3 years
Housed: Oregon State Penitentiary, Salem

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P O Box 417
San Quentin, CA
94964

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