Don J. grew up in the Nicetown section of Philadelphia at a time when neighborhoods were villages and people knew everyone and looked after one another. Don was raised by himself and the neighborhood, as his Mother was an active cocaine addict. When he was 13, after he was accused of a minor crime, his Mom ‘gave him away’; she agreed to send him to a juvenile detention facility. It is difficult to break free of this system; after release it is quite common for youth to be sent back for such minor infractions as missing school. Don was remanded back into juvenile custody for attending the funeral of his best friends’ father. “It’s a pipeline”, said Don, stating that at least 90% of the young men in juvy with him ended up in prison. A 2015 MIT study supports this, finding that incarcerated kids are less likely to finish high school and more likely to end up in jail as adults.
When Don was 17, he was arrested with a 20 year old co-defendent and charged with robbery and murder. Although he was a minor, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Like many incarcerated individuals, Don was moved around several times before ending up at the State Correctional Institution Graterford. This was a ‘drug jail’ full of corruption; employees would accept bribes for favors, smuggle in drugs and even strippers. The C.O.’s were often cruel and punitive; Don spent 11 months in isolation (the ‘hole’) for brawling. An older man, who had been imprisoned for 50 years, had spent 20 of those years in the hole. Don found that it was these ‘lifers’, particularly the older men, who kept the prison under some kind of control. This, after all, had become their home and would be so for the rest of their lives.
For all of its problems, Graterford offered many programs and resources for inmates. Don began to take advantage of all of these, not only getting his GED but getting a college degree as well. He joined the NAACP and served first as Chairman of the Youth Committee, and also then the Vice President and President of the Chapter at Graterford. He started the Education Over Incarceration Program; co-founded United Community Action Network, Real Street Talk, and became a pivotal part of Temple University’s Inside/Out Program.
In 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life sentences without parole for juvenile offenders were unconstitutional. It took 7 more years, but in 2019, Don was released after having spent 26 years incarcerated. He returned to his old neighborhood to find it much changed. No longer a community, it was filled with strangers who came and went, with no interest in neighborhood investment or involvement. Don continued in the community building work he had started at Graterford; he co-founded G.R.O.W.N. ; Light Up Philly; and worked at the Anti-Violence Anti-Drug Network as a supervisor. In addition to all of the advocacy work Don does, he also works for the Philadelphia D.A.’s offie as part of the Community Engagement Unit as a crime intervention specialist.
Don talks about the many men who were traumatized by their time in prison, and how difficult it is for these men to assimilate once they are out. His experience has been different and he has created a life for himself that centers around helping others. A conviction history carries negative consequences for people reentering their communities, providing barriers to getting jobs, securing housing and going to school. In large part because of this, 5 out of 6 people who have spent time in state prisons will be arrested for a new crime within 9 years of their release. Don J. gives meaning to the crime he committed and the time spent incarcerated by continuing to work to change this.
Hand sewn art quilt with textile background; 110 inches x 105 inches