PRISON ART

Here is a collection of pen and ink art. The artist is an inmate at Jefferson City Correctional Center (THE OLDEST MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI). All of these pictures were drawn while in a solitary confinement environment. The inmate has been in solitary confinement since 1985, when he attempted to escape, using an accomplice he held two Corrections Officers at gunpoint with a shotgun. After capture he was given several more life sentences to go along with the ones he already had. This inmate is considered the most dangerous inmate in the State of Missouri. After all these brutal acts he has mellowed out, somewhat, and developed into a very acceptable artist. I spent nearly two years in an area known as HU 5C, commonly called "The Hole" where this inmate is housed. He and I spoke often and devoloped an uneasy trust (Inmate to Corrections Officer). I recently left HU 5C and was given a different assignment at the prison. As a going away present, this inmate, very courteously gave me this artwork. I am especially pleased to give him this space on my homepage as there is nothing else (per policy) I can give him.

Click on the image and see a larger size of the artwork.