Learning to heal through art at LAC

June 27, 2025

The incarcerated population at California State Prison, Los Angeles County (LAC), is learning to heal through art.

“Art has been like a sanctuary throughout my whole life,” said one of the participants.

Sarah Parhami, senior psychologist specialist at LAC, recalls how impressed she was the first time she saw the incarcerated artists’ work.

“On my very first day of work, someone brought me to the art program. I was amazed at how awesome this room is, how awesome this program is,” she said.

Skip Reed, a volunteer and facilitator for the program, said the artwork serves many purposes.

“It’s a very integral part of our fundraising and promotion and spreading the word,” he explained. “We regularly gather art and have art contests. We sell (the art pieces) at various churches sympathetic to our cause.”

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One participant said the program is a key component of overall rehabilitation.

“This place gives us an opportunity to express ourselves,” he said. “My thing is I do crafts. So, I like to get stuff that’s old and people throw away and give it new life.”

Daniel, another participant, described how art supplements the benefits of other rehabilitation offerings.

“(The program) has given me an outlet besides self-help groups and doing college,” he explained. “It’s kind of like a laid-back spot on the yard.”

Parhami said art is therapeutic with the benefits extending far beyond the participants.

“It shows them they are capable to doing good things,” she said.

Ellis, another participant, agrees.

“Since becoming part of this program, I honestly felt as if a second chance was real,” he said.

Participant Moses said it’s been very beneficial.

“I’ve actually learned to heal through this. I never thought doing art would (be) a stress reliever,” he said. “I’ve learned to be patient and control my emotions.”

“Art is meant to be expressed and given for all,” said Ellis. “That’s why they say art is a gift not for yourself, but is a gift meant for the world.”

Video by Michael Johnson, LAC television specialist
Editing by Richard Tan, television specialist
Story by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor