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The largest multimedia source of prisoner news and art across multiple Web platforms

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What Does Women's History Month Mean to Me?

By Words Uncaged Words Uncaged, a literary commune of incarcerated writers at the California State Prison Los Angeles County’s A Facility, expresses their views on Women’s History Month. Founded in the 2010s by Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, an English professor at Calstate LA, the goal of Words Uncaged is to bring voices, uncaged from the prison walls, to the public in order to imagine new ways of…

What Does Women's History Month Mean to Me?

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How Prison Has Challenged My Faith

By Words Uncaged Words Uncaged is a literary commune of incarcerated writers at the California State Prison Los Angeles County’s A Facility, in 100-words express their views on the challenges of practicing their faith while incarcerated. Founded in the 2010s by Bidhan Chandra Roy, an English professor at Calstate LA. The goal of Words Uncaged is to bring voices, uncaged from the prison walls,…

How Prison Has Challenged My Faith

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What Does Black History Month Mean to Me?

By Words Uncaged Words Uncaged is a literary commune of incarcerated writers at the California State Prison, Los Angeles County’s, A Facility, founded in the 2010s by Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, an English professor at Calstate LA. The goal of Words Uncaged is to bring voices, uncaged from the prison walls, to the public in order to imagine new ways of understanding our current system of mass…

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Renowned Pathologist Challenges Official Ruling in Dawn Pasela Case, Urges New Investigation

Dawn Pasela cuddling a pug Dr. Peter Mazari Calls for “Undetermined” Ruling and Full Police Re-Examination of Death Scene Ignored by Parma Police In a development that adds urgency to long-standing demands for justice, prominent forensic pathologist Dr. Peter Mazari has issued a comprehensive report rejecting the official determination of Dawn Pasela’s death as an accidental alcohol overdose.…

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Legacy and Spotlight: Blueface Meets C-Note on the Yard

Blueface stood in the spotlight.

C-Note (King of Prison Hip Hop), stood in the background.

Two artists.

Two timelines.

One prison yard.

When Blueface turned around, it wasn’t about clout —

It was about presence.

A moment where viral meets legendary,

Where the past and present of Hip Hop behind bars briefly share the frame.

No rivalry. No ego. Just real ones, crossing paths behind the wall.

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How Leonard Peltier’s Case Exposes a Broken System and Why It Must End Now

By Donald “C-Note” Hooker For nearly 50 years, Leonard Peltier has languished behind bars, his case a glaring example of a broken system that prioritizes punishment over fairness. At 80 years old, Peltier continues to endure the consequences of a deeply flawed trial riddled with suppressed evidence, coerced testimony, and prosecutorial misconduct. His imprisonment has become a symbol of how the…

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The story of Peter Wlasiuk is one that raises unsettling questions about the justice system, forensic science, and the concept of a fair trial. Convicted of his wife Patricia Wlasiuk’s death in 2002, Peter has faced three trials and remains incarcerated today, even though two of those convictions were overturned on appeal due to significant legal errors. New evidence and expert testimony now challenge the validity of his final conviction, prompting his family and advocates to demand a fresh look at the facts. Could this be a case of wrongful conviction? A Suspicious Death and the Road to Conviction In April 2002, Patricia Wlasiuk’s body was found in Guilford Lake after what initially appeared to be a tragic car accident. However, investigators quickly began to suspect foul play, accusing Peter of staging the accident to cover up a murder. Despite evidence suggesting an accidental drowning, Peter was charged with his wife’s murder, leading to a courtroom battle that has spanned more than a decade. The prosecution’s case hinged on circumstantial evidence and the testimony of experts who claimed that Peter staged the accident. But over time, details have emerged suggesting that the investigation may have been marred by tunnel vision, with authorities focusing solely on Peter as the culprit while disregarding other plausible explanations. Questionable Evidence and Flawed Forensics One of the cornerstones of Peter’s conviction was expert testimony alleging that Patricia was smothered rather than drowned. The prosecution presented this as a near certainty, yet a deeper look into the forensic analysis raises serious concerns. For instance, Dr. Cyril Wecht, a renowned forensic pathologist, reviewed the case and concluded that Patricia’s injuries were consistent with drowning and that there was no physical evidence of smothering. This conclusion directly challenges the prosecution’s narrative and casts doubt on the original autopsy findings. Additionally, experts highlighted the presence of burdock plants, which were found in Patricia’s hair, as crucial evidence. The prosecution argued that these plants proved Peter killed Patricia at their home before transporting her to the lake. Yet recent analyses indicate that burdocks indeed grow around Guilford Lake, directly contradicting the testimony presented in court. The Role of Cognitive Bias and Tunnel Vision Investigators in the Wlasiuk case may have suffered from cognitive bias, a phenomenon where early assumptions influence later findings. From the outset, authorities zeroed in on Peter as the primary suspect and built their case around proving his guilt rather than considering other possibilities, such as Patricia’s reported history of mental health struggles. Records that were never disclosed to the defense indicate that Patricia had previously exhibited signs of depression and suicidal thoughts, a factor that could have supported the defense’s theory of an accidental or self-inflicted drowning. Undisclosed Documents and Legal Missteps The prosecution’s handling of the Wlasiuk case was further complicated by alleged Brady violations, where potentially exculpatory evidence is withheld from the defense. Nearly 300 pages of documents, which included notes on Patricia’s mental health and law enforcement’s early doubts about the case, were reportedly not turned over before Peter’s trial. These documents, if presented to the jury, might have provided context that could sway their perception of the events that transpired on that fateful night. Three Trials, Yet Lingering Questions Peter Wlasiuk’s journey through the justice system has been fraught with inconsistencies. After his first two convictions were overturned due to legal errors, his third trial in 2012 resulted in another conviction. Yet the mounting evidence challenging the original findings leaves open the question of whether justice was truly served. From flawed forensics to cognitive bias and potential prosecutorial missteps, the case against Peter appears less concrete upon...

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Inside the Prison Kitchen: The Hidden Scars of Forced Labor and the Hope of Prop. 6

The smell of eggs sizzling on the grill. The clattering of pots and pans. For most, these sounds evoke thoughts of a busy kitchen preparing meals. But for prisoners like Steven Warren and Richard Lilgerose, this scene represents years of forced labor under grueling conditions, earning just pennies an hour. For others, like California prison artist Donald “C-Note” Hooker, the consequences of…

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Death Row Welcomes You: A Broken System, Wrongful Convictions, and the Murder of Marcellus Williams

by Justyna Madenska Dying on some court schedule or some prison schedule ain’t right. People are supposed to die on God’s schedule. Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption It was 6:10 PM on Tuesday, September 24th, 2024. You’re probably wondering why that time stands out. It was the exact moment Marcellus Williams was pronounced dead. Nine minutes. That’s all it took. But…

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Exonerees and Legal Experts Lead Cleveland’s 4th Annual Wrongful Conviction Rally

Cleveland, Ohio – On October 2, 2024, the 4th Annual Wrongful Conviction Rally will take place at noon outside the Cuyahoga County Justice Center, located at West 3rd and Lakeside Ave. This important event, co-hosted by FreeTonyViola.com and EPIC (Ensuring Parole for Incarcerated Citizens), aims to raise awareness about the devastating consequences of wrongful convictions, bringing together…

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Honoring Hispanic Heritage Through the Art of Imprisoned Hispanic Artists

This Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrate the resilience and cultural pride of imprisoned Hispanic artists by exploring their artwork and supporting their creative endeavors through prints.darealprisonart.com. Enjoy a 10% discount with the promo code GNHUNT. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we not only recognize the contributions of the Hispanic community in areas like culture, history,…

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The Decarcerate Movement's Artist

The Decarcerate Movement’s Artist Darealprisonart Staff March 22, 2021 INCARATION NATION My country is still not free This sordid land of hypocrisy Of thee I sing Land where my fathers died Land where the slaves did cry on every mountainside Prisons reign supreme Poem by: C-Note Drawing by: C-Note [See top image] Incarceration Nation is an original work of ink, graphite, and wax on…

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How to Secure a Second Chance: Legal Strategies for Elderly Inmates Denied Parole

Jailhouse lawyer and renowned prison artist C-Note explores the legal strategies available to elderly inmates facing repeated end of life parole denials. In the twilight of life, the pursuit of justice takes on a unique sense of urgency. For elderly inmates who have served decades behind bars, the hope of parole can dwindle with each passing year. When repeated parole denials become a de facto…

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Tory Lanez's Has Not Improved the Quality of Prison Music Says Prison Artist C-Note

Tory Lanez is releasing new music better than the quality of previous imprisoned artists, just one problem says the King of Prison Hip Hop, it’s not true. On August 8, 2023, Canadian Hip Hop artist Daystar Peterson, who goes by the stage name Tory Lanez, was sentenced in the Los Angeles County Superior Court to ten years in prison after being found guilty by a jury of shooting American rapper…

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Uncovering New Evidence in Kenneth DeAngelo Thomas's Case

Kenneth DeAngelo Thomas’s case has resurfaced with new developments that shed light on potential miscarriages of justice. Convicted for First Degree Murder in the death of Andrew Titus, Thomas has spent years behind bars. Recent petitions filed for post-conviction relief and coram nobis have brought to light new evidence that may change the course of his case. This article delves into the…