Murals at California State Prison, Los Angeles County, are brightening the environment for those who live and work in the institution.
“The mental health supervisors here and the custody on the yard were also very supportive (and) helped them to get supplies,” said Sarah Parhami, senior psychologist specialist.
CSP-Los Angeles County beautification through murals
“(This is) part of our beautification program to make this a more welcoming environment,” said Larry Flores, one of the incarcerated mural artists. “We have a wellness garden there, but it started with a mural.”
The artists got creative with supplies and ideas, according to Louis Wilson, another incarcerated artist.
“(We) combined what we had with a little bit of imagination,” he explained.
“At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about. Trying to change the culture (of) prison.”
Maurice Williams, incarcerated mural artist
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Gray walls are now covered in artistic murals.
“The gym was looking depressing up in here,” said artist Maurice Williams. “So, we were like, we need to bring color. We need to do something.”
Organizers gathered artists and photographs to use as source material.
“The vision, they liked it, so we just kept on going,” Williams said.
For the gym, the artists focused on Los Angeles culture.
“When you add color to things, you brighten people’s spirits as well as their thinking,” said Flores.
The project went beyond simply painting walls.
“It gave me a different skill set,” said Williams. “The whole freedom of it, you know what I mean? The rehabilitative therapeutic process of it.”
He believes this project is part of the bigger picture of rehabilitation.
“At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about,” he said. “Trying to change the culture (of) prison.”
Video by Richard Tan, TV Specialist
Story by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor
Office of Public and Employee Communications
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