About SAn Quentin news

The San Quentin News (SQN) is a news agency that produces a monthly newspaper, a periodic magazine, newsletter, and a website all designed and written by the incarcerated, and dedicated to sharing the voices of the incarcerated with the world.

• SQN has a circulation of approximately 30,000 newspapers per month that reaches every California prison and also to those incarcerated in 40 other prisons across the US.
• SQN consists of 16 staff writers – plus numerous outside volunteers, including professional journalist advisers and journalism graduate students.  
• San Quentin News reports on rehabilitative efforts to increase public safety and achieve social justice. 
• San Quentin News is in a unique position to provide the world's only full-fledged newspaper produced solely by the incarcerated,
• Other prisons in California and throughout the Nation are utilizing the SQN model for their own newsletters and newspapers. There currently are other prison newspapers that produce small newspapers or newsletters that are primarily circulated within their own prisons and are not solely produced by prison staff.
• SQN is a standard bearer for enlightening prisoners, policy makers and the public at large. 
• The quality of writing and journalism has been validated with industry awards and recognition, such as the James Madison Freedom of Information Award and the Silver Heart Award for being a, "Voice for the Voiceless", from the prestigious Society of Professional Journalists .  In 2015, SQN advisor, Professor of Journalism at UC Berkeley, William J. Drummond, attended a White House ceremony to accept the John W. Gardner Legacy of Leadership Award on behalf of San Quentin News.  SQN has also received the James Aronson Award for Social Justice Journalism.  
• San Quentin News has proved repeatedly its ability to win over hearts and minds with its reporting and the compassion and humanity it brings to all sides of a subject. 
• SQN has unique credibility in reaching and affecting California state inmates with positive messages of rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society. SQN's vision is to provide free access to the San Quentin News media to every inmate in the California Department of Corrections.
• San Quentin News is the only news agency nationally that is primarily written and published by the incarcerated to report about rehabilitation, social justice criminal justice reform, and social justice concerns.

The San Quentin News does not receive government funding for its printing, distribution or website development and management; the newspaper’s operations are solely supported by grants from foundations and donations from individuals.  Friends of San Quentin News accepts donations on behalf of San Quentin News.

Where Our Funding Comes From:

1. Reva and David Logan Foundation
2. Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative
3. Jonathan Logan Foundation
4. The San Francisco Foundation
5. Large Individual Donations
6. Small/Medium Individual Donations 
7. The Nathan Cummings Foundation
8. Rotary Clubs
9. Charitable Fundraising Events

There are over 120,000 incarcerated individuals in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

​Your Financial Support:

• $40: funds 220 papers for inmates
• $50: funds 290 papers for inmates
• $70: funds 430 papers for inmates
• $100: funds 640 papers for inmates!

Written by the Incarcerated--Advancing Social Justice
San Quentin News Areas of Impact
Social Justice
Criminal Justice Reform
Recidivism Reduction
Safer Communities

Through your financial support, the social justice journalism at San Quentin News is rehabilitative for the staff.  The recidivism rate for SQN staff since 2008 is ZERO. None have returned to jail or prison and all are engaging in productive and life-affirming activities.