Shop to Support HoSQ
Humans of San Quentin Merchandise
Your purchase of Humans of San Quentin Merchandise directly supports our work telling the stories of incarcerated people around the world.
Published Books from Incarcerated Humans
Your purchase of these books supports Humans of San Quentin via affiliate links.
Learning to Heal
by Harry Goodall
An easy read on how we can peel away layers of our onion in the emotions of healing. Some can talk about it but there has never been full disclosure of opening hold wounds and allowing them to properly heal. Everyone has some sort of trauma that either shame or guilt blocks us from overcoming that.
Niño Immigrante
by Ubaldo Teque Jr.
In his collection, Ubaldo Teque, Jr., takes us on a journey that navigates solitude, regret, and wants of the incarcerated. He writes of family memories that bring us to the ancestors and to lush, Guatemalan childhoods. Niño Inmigrante is a reminder that poetry can save our lives and lead us toward a healing, written in the darkness and with a cleansing, blazing light.
Brain Pulp
by TommyLee Dean
Colorado prison inmate Tommy Lee Dean opens up on his life and overly active imagination in sinister poetry, short stories and essays that come straight from the pulp of his brain.
by Charles Carpenter
Carbon, found about one hundred miles underground in mantle is seemingly worthless until it goes through a refinement consisting of heat and pressure; the end result of the process is a priceless gem known as a diamond.The making of a diamond is a powerful metaphor which aptly parallels Charles Carpenter’s troubled past.Charles Carpenter’s life was riddled with poor choices, bad association, lack of confidence, and low self worth.Finally after many years in prison he realizes that value was buried deep within him the entire time. Similar to the refinement process of carbon before becoming a precious diamond, so too did Charles Carpenter go through a refinement process. He began the metamorphosis by making the decision to step away from gang life, and changing his warped thinking patterns. Charles offers practical steps to cultivate inner value and ultimately become a diamond.
by Charles Carpenter
Contradiction is a riveting and dynamic account in which Charles Carpenter unveils the core of why at risk youth become attracted to gang subculture. Charles Carpenter shares his personal experience regarding his attraction to gang life. Profound insight is offered regarding loyalty and the ugly face of betrayal. Charles delves into how the catalyst that motivated his change was when a fellow member of his former gang violated the code of honor and respect by having a capricious affair with his wife; this transgression was the foundation that led to Charles Carpenter’s conviction of second degree murder. After years of living a destructive life style which continued to yield negative fruitage, Charles Carpenter vowed to make positive changes in his life. He made a conscious effort to change the behavior patterns that ultimately shaped the gang member that he diligently aspired to become. Charles Carpenter outlines the anatomy of his change and describes what is required to learn positive behaviors.
by Charles Carpenter
Charles Carpenter, the author of the revered memoir Handcuffed does it again with Colors of Oppression. The well written narrative explores the anatomy of the often hostile, racially divided prison environment. Charles Carpenter details the social and psychological ramifications of oppression, and describes the wisdom needed to navigate through a microcosm of hatred, racism, deception, and prison politics. This book highlights various deceitful tactics employed by the correctional officers and inmates, thus giving the general public an unadulterated glimpse into the world with a world – prison. Colors of Oppression is an educational tool for anyone interested in a career in the field of corrections. This book also raises the awareness level for those interested in analyzing the dynamics of prison life.
by Charles Carpenter
A compelling true story about a young man who ventured on the wrong path despite a mother’s best efforts to keep him on the straight-and-narrow path. This honest collection of memoirs written by Charles Carpenter while in the confines of California’s notoriously violent state prison (New Folsom) depicts Mr. Carpenter’s early years and details what led to his membership with the faction of Crips known as “Tray-Five-Seven.” The book explains how a young man became fixated on a life of crime and through a distorted perception, viewed the gang subculture as a normal way of life. The Charles Carpenter story is a brutally honest account of his experiences in various juvenile facilities during the 1980’s and the members of various gangs he met during his unfortunate stints of incarceration.