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I think that you’re accountable every day when you put on your uniform, you put on your suit, to come inside of a place like this. You’re accountable to the taxpayer, you’re accountable to your coworkers, you’re accountable to the people you serve every day.

From the beginning, I’ve always tried to treat people like I want to be treated. I think if you treat people with respect, you get that back. Even in difficult situations and on difficult days. If you’re respectful about what you do and you treat a guy like you would expect to be treated in a similar situation, you’ll get that back.

I think that you’re accountable every day when you put on your uniform, you put on your suit, to come inside of a place like this. You’re accountable to the taxpayer, you’re accountable to your coworkers, you’re accountable to the people you serve every day. And accountability is following the rules, and giving people, as we say in prison speak, ‘giving people what they have coming.’

The people who are in a prison are as diverse as they are out in the community. There are people who strive to do the right thing every day, and to grow and become better people. And there are people who are the opposite of that. But for those people who strive to do better, what I have seen over my career is that the department has opened a door to allow people to grow and become better people.

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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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