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I am indigent as you can see. I left home to go to prison in 1994. I left three boys. I found out I was pregnant and had a baby girl in 1997.

It’s sad how I have four children, who pull together $5 a piece to help me with small personal items. I got myself here, for being drunk and signing something under the influence of alcohol. I lost my mom last year. God is good through the good and the bad. God knows and I do believe and trust him to take care of this. God is good through the good and the bad. He will provide: I’m waiting.

A black and white portrait of Mary, 63, resting on a handwritten letter from San Quentin.
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These stories arrive by mail.

Every month, a physical envelope arrives at your door, postmarked from San Quentin Village, California. Inside, you will find original artwork, writing, and recipes from real contributors, along with a personal letter from me, Diane Kahn, founder of Humans of San Quentin, about the people who made them. You read it. You keep it.

Every piece comes from someone serving a sentence. Every piece reminds you they are so much more than that.

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