Expression Behind Bars

People scramble about. Voices come from the backroom where books are packaged. Artwork is brought out for the exhibit opening the next day. The music stops suddenly as an answering machine plays one of its current messages. The caller, as it turns out, is inmate David Hammer. The message he leaves isn't what one might expect. It's a message of gratitude. Hammer thanks the volunteers of the "Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project" (MPPP) for providing him and other inmates books to read as they serve their time. \n"This project is the most redeeming for me because of the responses we get," says IU freshman Corinna Manion, MPPP's general coordinator. \nFormed in 1995 in a local bookstore, Midwest Pages to Prisoners provides inmates with free reading materials to encourage reading and self-education. On average, the group fills anywhere from 40 to 60 book requests weekly. These reading materials cover a wide variety of topics such as African- American history, Native American studies and various religious issues. Some favorite authors include Stephen King, Mario Puzo, Dean Koontz, Richard Wright, Anne Rice and Nicolo Machiavelli. MPPP's most requested book is the dictionary. \nLast Thursday night, the people weren't there just to send books. MPPP volunteers used that night to hang the prisoners' artwork for the MPPP exhibit, which opened Friday, Jan. 17 at Boxcar Books (310A S. Washington St.). The exhibit showcases art collected from prisoners across the Midwest and features pencil and pen drawings, acrylic paintings, and colored pencil drawings. Along with these pieces, a collection of inmates' statements is also displayed next to poems, letters and essays the group has received over the past few years.\n"I think this opening is special. To me, this is what art should be about," says Bloomington resident and volunteer Jamie Schelble.\nThe featured artwork is inspired by prison life. A set of pictures by Hammer shows empty tools of execution, while other artists depict elements of the prison environment with images of watchtowers and barbed wire. On the other end of the spectrum, there are various works involving religious themes. In his drawing "Forgive Them," Louie Perez depicts a crucifixion scene surrounded with roses. Other pictures depict the outside world. In Billie Allen's "Free," a man looks out to sea with outstretched arms. \n"We just want to show that people in prison are people and that they should not be defined by their crimes," Friedman said.\nThe prisoner artshow runs until Feb. 15. MPPP will hold silent auctions during the course of the exhibition. All proceeds will benefit the Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project. \n"We hope that people will get involved, whether it be volunteering or starting a volunteer group of their own," Friedman said. \nSince the program's beginning, there have been six location changes and a year and a half long hiatus because of a lack of volunteers. Lately, though, the amount of volunteers is not a big issue. \n"We've been getting so many new volunteers. It's great," says Bloomington resident Abbey Friedman, a regular volunteer for MPPP. \nThe biggest problem facing the program is funding. The group runs entirely off public donations it receives to cover the costs of books, postage and packaging supplies. Every Saturday, two MPPP volunteers station themselves in front of the post office to take donations -- both monetary and literary.\n"We get some really mean people who just cuss at us because they think that the prisoners should rot in prison. But then there are those who come just to donate to books and money," said Bloomington resident Paul Luke. "There was one lady who came to us with four boxes with books and paid the shipping total that came up to about $85. It was really amazing." \nVolunteers come out for various reasons. Among these reasons are political views, spiritual reasons, and personal connections to prisons.\n"I came to the realization that the way the prison system is set up does not help these prisoners," Luke said. "To me, the program is more about helping these men rather than defeating them."\nPutting together this exhibit and showing prisoner artwork has many goals. One is to open the mind of the public. At the same time, MPPP hopes to encourage activism and involve Bloomington in an effort to change stereotypes. \n"I want the public to see the art they produce," Luke said. "I want them to see these men and women as humans rather than to stereotype them as violent criminals"