Photo by Laurie Jo Reynolds and Chris X. The prisoner requested a photo of himself in front of a blue sky.
My dear friend Jon forwarded me a link to this organization, YearTen.org, which chronicles life in solitary confinement for the men of Tamms CMAX, a super-prison in Illinois. For more than 10 years, many of these prisoners have been or are still living in tiny rooms, with no stimulation and no interaction. Their only salvation? Photographs.
I was moved by this idea and this organization. Perhaps you will be too – this is where you can help.
On the site, you can read the requests for pictures by the prisoners. Some ask for family photos, others ask for Jesus. Or, like the above picture, some want images of themselves dropped into a background that highlights hope, love, or something more. A few men just want something funny to look at. It’s strange to think about a photograph as a privilege, but when you’re denied everything else, a single image can be the difference between salvation and insanity.
If you want to pitch in (and maybe change someone’s life), join me in sending photos by following this link.
Change someone’s day, week, or life with a single image. Thanks.
Well said Moritz!! I worked as a counselor and Correctional Recovery Facilitator at both a medium security prison and a county jail/house of corrections. The medium security had many men who were transferred for “good behavior” after serving part of their sentence in Supermax & solitary confinement. These men were human beings, fathers, sons and brothers, no different than the fathers, sons and brothers we all have. I made it my practice to get to know the men (in the classroom setting) for a few days before reviewing their files & criminal history, so I would have no preconceived judgments or prejudices affecting my relationship with each individual. I learned that any one of us is capable of making poor choices, whether over time or in a split second heat of the moment situation, that could result in incarceration. These men were not animals, they were human beings with the same capacity for love, pain, suffering, joy, anger, jealousy, shame, regret and CHANGE that each one of us has. But to do differently, one must first think differently, actually learn HOW to think differently, and this cognitive restructuring needs to begin as early as possible, beforehand for prevention, or during incarceration to reduce recidivism & promote pro social behavior & positive change.
Thanks Chase for this opportunity to make a difference on behalf of society, the inmates, their families and the victims…it’s a win-win situation for all parties if the result is less violent criminals, pro social behavior and recovery/rehabilitation…and eventual release & reintegration into the community as productive members of society.
I was on Linkedin looking representing Finest Muddle Transfer Today when I stumbled on your fantastic blog. Careful reading|
I sent one! Now, maybe this guy doesn’t deserve my time, but it’s never too late to turn it all around.
Also, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to composite a trash can rolling downhill toward an incinerator plant…very strange.
Looks like an interesting project to me.
I have a friend doing this with a women’s prison in Montana. She’s been blogging about it and has had some really interesting requests. It’s cool to see the images she has taken for these women.