In the News

Pendleton prison newsroom receives recognition

The Observer | September 20, 2025
The Echo and 1664 were recognized on Friday, Sept. 19, with five awards in the American Penal Press Contest, including first place for best newsletter and first place for best magazine. Both publications are produced by incarcerated reporters at Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution...

‘The Pulitzer Prize behind bars': Celebrating work by incarcerated newsrooms

NBC Bay Area | September 18, 2025
For the first time in its history, the American Penal Press Contest will be held inside a correctional facility, the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, on Friday, Sept. 19...

How prison newspapers like 'The Interim' helped instigate change

Nashville Scene | September 3, 2025
Printed by people incarcerated in the now-closed Tennessee State Prison, 'The Interim' set the stage for prison newspapers of today...

‘We can still do good’: How Chowchilla incarcerated women are making a difference

KSEE24 and CBS47 | April 28, 2025
At the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, a powerful new voice is emerging. “The Paper Trail” is a monthly newspaper written entirely by incarcerated women, giving them a chance to share their stories, their struggles, and their hope...

Bay Area's oldest prison is getting a Scandinavian makeover

SF Gate | April 9, 2025
Jesse Vasquez, executive director of Friends of San Quentin News and the Pollen Initiative, told SFGATE he supports a shift in the prison model from punishment toward rehabilitation...

Pollen Initiative and Southern Illinois University Carbondale to Relaunch Historic American Penal Press Contest

PRESS RELEASE | March 31, 2025
Contest celebrates achievements by incarcerated newsrooms across the U.S. Winners to be announced on September 19 at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center...

The world's largest women's prison is now home to an independent newspaper — written by and for inmates

GoodGoodGood | March 25, 2025
Central California Women's Facility is the largest women’s prison in the state — and the world. But that is not the only thing the Central California Women’s Facility is known for...

A newspaper sets up shop in an unexpected place: California's largest women's prison

LAist | March 23, 2025
Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla seems an unlikely place to have its own newspaper. But last year, an organization for prison journalism helped open up a media center and started training journalists there...

Changing California prison culture and people’s lives through prison newspapers

The Mercury News | February 7, 2025
In a warehouse-style room at the Central California Women’s Facility outside Chowchilla, Jesse Vasquez stood before a group of very attentive women in prison-issue denims...

Waiting in silence: How California’s first media center inside a women’s prison came to life

CalMatters | December 3, 2024
What do you do when you come across, “San Quentin News, we need you to say something about the shit they doing to us. A lot of girls are depressed and committing suicide.” I did what any normal man with multiple life sentences would do to cope: I made a promise that if I ever had the chance to make a difference for them I would...