I am Martin. In 1972, as a juvenile lifer, I was sent to the most violent prison in Michigan. Michigan Reformatory was known as the Gladiator School and it was not misnamed; doing time there was a nightmare. I defended myself against adult predators living there, extremely at times and earned a reputation of being tough. In fact I was just scared but put on a good act; enough that people left me alone. But it went to my head and I let the biggest predator in the world - peer pressure - rule my life. About 20 years later I grew up, and started dabbling in art. I got good and sold a lot of pieces. I have work hanging in several countries but one my best accomplishments is to have a piece hanging in the chambers of USSC Justice Sonia Sotomayor. PCAP was very instrumental in this.
After 46 years, I was released in 2018. Since then I have exhibited at 4 venues with great success. Among other things, I now have my own business; taught drawing classes locally; spoken about mass incarceration at various venues, including the UofM and MSU; and was selected to show work year round at a local shop. After pursuing a formal education, art was the best thing I did while incarcerated, and getting involved with PCAP enabled me to have a better chance at success a after my release. I encourage everyone listening to this podcast to get involved in anything that will prepare you for coming home; regardless of how long that may take.
