Humans at this Location
Michael, 44
“I was a troubled kid and had experienced too much hurt and seen too many disappointments to give or receive love properly. Once I really found love, it would eventually lead to my incarceration.”
E, 42
I’ve learned in prison that I was both emotionally and mentally off-balanced. Worse were the similarities between prison and my childhood.
Kareem, 44
Not only did he die, but for several years I blamed him, embracing the false narrative that I was the victim, victimized by society, the system, the mothers of my children, and especially Mr. Sullivan (R.I.P.) who I perceived to be a threat.
Jonathan, 30
Maybe I was a hateful person, but never more to others than I was to myself. I hated myself so much that I felt maybe prison was the only place I should be.
Albert “Joe”, 48
I put out presents for my parents too with all three of our names on them. When everyone went to sleep that night, I set up the plastic tree with everyone’s presents underneath. My brothers woke up the next morning to their presents and I was the only one who didn’t have one. But that wasn’t true. My mother came out and my brothers thanked her. She looked at me and whispered “Thank you” and for me, that was my present, seeing everyone happy.
Sammy, 54
I received a letter from my 19 year old daughter, Jazzy, asking me the most insightful question a father would ever have to answer, "Who are You?" And for the life of me, I could not write her a response.
Anthony “David”, 41
Life is the biggest test, the only way some people learn is from making honest mistakes, and learning from them.
Michael, 51
As an openly queer person, I wondered if it would matter to the audience. Performing in prison can be like performing in front of the audience at Showtime at the Apollo. They will let you know in an instant if you are off- key. Would their toxic masculinity afford me the moment of performing as Nero and tell the story of love between two different-sexed loving people?
Paul, 42
The power of gentleness, especially amid the tough exteriors of prisoners, is not to be underestimated.
Terence, 47
My education has given me the clarity and understanding of how to be accountable. It’s like I have the answers to the test. The test of life. I’m a work in progress which started when I enrolled in the Hudson Link- Mercy College. Today I can say that I don’t hate myself anymore. I’ve even started to learn to like myself and maybe one day I’ll learn to love myself too.
Miquan, 33
I want to give a shout out to the Humans of San Quentin for giving me this opportunity, to speak...
Eric, 52
And you know, I like to get A’s. I’m an A student. I work hard and I started having this pride about submitting my work, I'm eager to know how I did. I say, “I know I perfected, I got this, I aced this.” So now I understand why the recidivism rate is lower. You develop character, you change your thinking. And you're escaping, like I said earlier, the ills of prison and you’re removing yourself from that environment. And you become mature.
Bruce, 52
It was during this time that I made a conscious decision to embark upon a journey of growth and self development. I enrolled in every therapeutic program that Green Haven Correctional Facility offered. There I pursued higher education, earning college credits and giving presentations on the importance of personal development.
