Incarcerated Artist Teaches Employees, Inmates How to Paint
October 26, 2023 12:00 AM
While incarcerated at SCI Forest, an inmate saw some of his peers painting and was interested in giving it a try. Despite having no painting experience before prison, he started practicing and found he loves doing it and finds it very therapeutic.
After transferring to SCI Phoenix, the inmate painted all the murals on the Veterans Service Unit and still paints frequently to pass the time and relax.
Deputy Superintendent Sipple had an idea for Inmates and Staff Painting with a Twist, where this inmate would teach a group of Phoenix employees and inmates to paint a specific picture using a technique he’s mastered. On Sept. 7, Phoenix held the first Painting with a Twist program with the talented artist leading 3 employees and 10 inmates in the program.