Art in Criminal Justice

A prison talent show, a former Motown producer and the promise that their album proceeds would go toward the costs of their incarceration.

Krystal Lowe wrote and recorded this song for her 2-year-old in a Kansas prison. Instead of baby talk, she urges her daughter to know her worth.

Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music and a choir of 30 incarcerated men recorded one of the biggest prison concerts in Florida history.

Sonny James’ 1977 cover of “In the Jailhouse Now” was part of an innovative collaboration with incarcerated musicians, stagehands and photographers.

Written by a man at Sing Sing prison, ‘Pride’ is a highlight of the first album by famed prison program Musicambia.

Hattie Ellis was poised for post-prison fame. Then she encountered shotcallers who didn’t value her voice.

In his signature trickster style, the Vallejo, California, rapper recorded an album on jail phones — and even called out cops by name.

The Power of Attorney played shows with superstars, went to industry parties, and wore outside clothes — all under the watch of armed guards.

She fearlessly raps about traumas like being trafficked at 13. But she’s so scared of institutional retaliation, she’s concealing her identity.