Art for Justice has participated in Philadelphia FIGHT’s Institute for Community Justice’s Art as Resistance Virtual Gallery, during the Justice, Reentry, and Healthcare Summit, Oct. 5 – 9, 2020

 

Charles Z. Lawson, Daniel Gwynn, and Rene Ortiz have contributed artwork to the exhibit.

 

View the Art as Resistance Gallery

 

Find the Art for Justice worKS

Al'ien•a'tion by Danny Gwynn

Unearthed Defective Justice by Danny Gwynn

Voting Rights by Danny Gwynn

COVID-19 in PA Prisons

 

The proportion of incarcerated people and Corrections staff infected with COVID-19 continues to grow in the US – as reported by UCLA Covid-19 Behind the Bars Data Project.

 

In PA it is imperative to have on-going testing of Corrections staff! In PA those who are at risk of transmitting a contagious disease to others are required to get tested- if it applies to those who might transmit TB to others (as many of us are required to get yearly TB testing as an employment requirement) it certainly applies to COVID-19! Corrections staff are required to test for TB every year – they need to get tested for COVID-19 as a mandate – a requirement for employment.

 

The PA Department of Health (DOH) needs to step in and do their job and not abdicate responsibilities to the DOC! DOH is responsible for the health of all individuals who live in PA  - including the corrections population – those incarcerated, corrections staff, those in supervised housing! It is up to the DOH to make sure State Public Health Law is followed in all locations and settings. It is their mandate, by law!

 

In addition, DOH has oversight responsibilities to ensure prevention procedures are in place and are being followed – there are reports of Corrections staff non-compliance with masking. They should be working with the DOC to determine how to accomplish social distancing inside the walls – and if it cannot be done, develop transition plans and make recommendations to State Legislation and the Governor.

Daniel Gwynn, On Death Row In Pennsylvania,

Claims Actual Innocence

 

Excerpt of ‘Flickering Flame’ included in a letter written

May 4, 2020 to Art For Justice

 

Had to shave my head today after 2 months with no access to a barber. Due to the pandemic, I’ve been relegated back to lockdown where all privileges and programs have been suspended… The majority of my time is spent inside a cell the size of a parking space trying to find something to do.

 

Trapped in my cell, I feel like all hope has been snatched away and I may not make it out alive. Finally, I was getting ready to present my claims and evidence of innocence to the court. Now with the court’s indefinite closure and people dying by the thousands, I wonder if my case will still be viable to proceed. My mind runs wild and imagines the worst about my chances for freedom. My attorneys, judge, prosecutor and witnesses are all cruelly hunted by this vicious virus.

 

Selfishly, I need everyone to survive for my case to proceed. I’ve already lost 25 years of my life to this injustice – I wish to suffer no more.

 

I’m trapped in a cell with no escape from the coronavirus or the devastation left in its wake. The glimmer of hope seems to flicker, but I refuse to give up.

 

AfJ supports and exhibits art by incarcerated individuals to promote dialogue on ways to:

 

• Promote public dialog on ways to prevent crime

 

• Reduce levels of incarceration

 

• Find effective, humane ways to improve the criminal justice system

Our Mission . . .

Art for Justice - Shows the humanity behind bars. Brings awareness to systemic flaws in the criminal justice system.  Seeks solutions to eliminate injustice.

* Artworks are either privately owned or have been donated to Art for Justice.

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