[Courtesy of The Safe Streets Arts Foundation]

We are pleased to report that the Judy Dworin Performance Project, which was a big hit at our "From Prison to the Stage" show at the Kennedy Center on Sept. 5, has returned safely to its home in Hartford, Connecticut.

The Judy Dworin Performance Project (JDPP) was founded in 1989 as a nonprofit organization to provide support for individual artists, particularly the silent and silenced. Over the past 20 years, JDPP has provided innovative, inspiring, educational and collaborative art rooted in the belief that the arts can be a powerful agent for change.

Upcoming events of JDPP:
• October 30, 6:30pm - Excerpts from the award winning The Witching Hour at the Old State House in downtown Hartford

• Nov 5, 6 & 7, 7:30pm - Premiere of What I Want to Say at Charter Oak Cultural Center, an evening that celebrates past pieces and debuts from the Judy Dworin Performance Ensemble.

• Feb 2 - Dreamings, a piece created at York Correctional Institution (women's state prison), as further developed by formerly incarcerated women and family members of the incarcerated, at Kinsella Performing Arts Magnet School.

Upcoming residencies:

The Moving Matters! Residency program of JDPP brings movement-based multi-arts residencies into schools, prisons and community centers through collaborative multi-arts projects.

• A 5th year in residence at York Correctional Institution, with workshops in dance, song, storytelling, poetry and personal testimony on the theme of "Bridging the Divides" to culminate in July

• A further development of the York Moms & Kids program bridging the divide between incarcerated mothers and their children.

For further information about JDPP, its performance or residency work or DVDs of work listed here, please visit www.judydworin.org or contact JDPPinc@gmail.com or 860.527.9800.

Hello everyone,

We have the winners for the 2009 Prison Tattoo Art Contest. Go to our web site and check them out.

www.shotcallerpress.com

We received so much astonishing art that it was difficult to choose the winners, but as usual, we have. We have also selected other artists to be displayed in "Prison Ink" the tabletop tattoo art book that will be released sometime in 2010. Watch our web site for changes and other announcements regarding "Prison Ink".

If you have not been notified regarding the contest you are not a winner. Winners have already been notified. Artists selected to be in the book will be receiving their notification within the next few weeks. Please do not contact us about your status we will send out all notifications by US mail. 

We would also like to apologize for our late beginning for the second short story contest. The delay is due to limited funds. We will be holding the contest real soon - our priority is paying the winners of the art contest. Thank you for you patience and understanding in this matter.

Remember our stories can change the world,

Theresa M. Huggins

CEO, Shot Caller Press, LLC

theresa@shotcallerpress.com

503-890-1027

Canadian Radio Station Interview about our Upcoming Pano Prison Art Show

(Listen to It at Your Leisure)

Listen to our interview

 live on Monday, June 8, 10:30 pm Eastern time on a prominent Vancouver, Canada radio station at www.coopradio.org or, if you miss it, listen to the podcast at www.rabble.ca.

The subject of the radio interview is

 our upcoming free art show featuring "Pano" art created in prisons across America. This is a special show called "Pano in American Tradition" at Takoma Park Community Center (Gallery 3), 7500 Maple Ave, Takoma Park, Maryland from June 12 to July 25, 2009. The art is part of the collection of the Safe Streets Arts Foundation, which operates the Prison Art Gallery in Washington DC. The opening reception will take place on June 12 from 6 to 9 pm, and will feature live music by ex-prisoner guitarist Dennis Sobin, who has performed at the Kennedy Center.
 
Paño art draws on the deepest emotions of prisoners whose artistic expression is limited only by the materials at hand. The word paño (Spanish for cloth or handkerchief) has come to mean the art form itself -- a ball point pen or colored pencil drawing on a handkerchief.
 
Scholars have yet to determine the origin of paño art but some believe that it emerged in the 1940s among Chicano prisoners in the Southwestern United States who drew on the handkerchiefs or torn bed sheets. They do this because finding materials for artistic expression is difficult.
 
The portable and economical aspects of the Paño (handkerchief) allow prisoners to share their work with family and friends, use in bartering, and to mentally escape prison life. Today paño art is associated with Chicano inmates around the country, both male and female, who neatly fold paños into envelopes and mail them to loved ones.
 
Paños typically depict prison life, loved ones, dreams, memories, or personal experiences. Paño artists take much of their imagery and inspiration from the larger visual arts vocabulary of Chicano art conspicuous in murals, posters, low rider cars, graffiti, and tattoos. 
 
Most prisons offer handkerchiefs for sale in the commissary and tacitly sanction the art. Panos are collected in great numbers by convict patrons. The Smithsonian Museum has a pano collection, recognizing the uniqueness of this art form.
 
The Safe Streets Arts Foundation, incorporating both the Prisons Foundation and the Victims Foundation, is the sponsor of the annual From-Prison-to-The-Stage Show at the Kennedy Center and the Prison Art Gallery in Washington, DC. It is supported through the generosity Lloyd S. Rubin, ex-prisoner and international arts consultant.

For more information about the free Pano art show sponsored by the City of Takoma Park and taking place at the Takoma Park Community Center (Gallery 3) from June 12 to July 25, 2009, contact Stéphan Janin at:  tpahcexhibitsdirector@hotmail.com

"The Safe Streets Arts Foundation, incorporating both the Prisons Foundation and the Victims Foundation, is proud to sponsor the annual From-Prison-to-The-Stage Show at the Kennedy Center and the Prison Art Gallery at 1600 K Street. NW, Suite 501, Washington, DC, three blocks from the White House."

[Courtesy of Prisons Foundation]

Even as our director Dennis Sobin prepared to go to jail in October 2009 for violating a court order by attending a City Hall public hearing, he planned his escape.

We were pleased to furnish him with the escape tools he needed. They consisted primarily of writing paper and music composition paper. Dennis explains: "That's all I needed to get out of prison. I used the writing paper to author books and articles, and the music paper to compose music. In this way my mind was able to escape from jail, even as my body stayed behind."

On April 16, 2009, with his six-month sentence completed, Dennis's body was able to join his mind on the outside. Welcome home Dennis!

Don't forget: When in Washington, DC, please visit the Prison Art Gallery, 1600 K St. NW, Suite 501, Washington, DC where you will find over 1000 works of art by imprisoned artists from across America.

Dear Friends,

The Prisons Foundation is now working with nonprofit organizations to set up in-office branches of the world famous Prison Art Gallery. If you have only a wall in your office to spare and a corner for a small attractive art rack to display prison art (it looks like a magazine rack), you can take advantage of this no-risk opportunity to have your own mini Prison Art Gallery!

In the last six years the, the Prisons Foundation has used prison art to heighten public awareness of the humanity of prisoners and increase its revenue. Last year alone, the D.C. Commission on the Etas and Humanities and the Art Appreciation Foundation (headed by ex prisoner philanthropist Lloyd S. Rubin) awarded us more than $115,000 in grants. You can do as well or better!

You owe it to the prisoners in your state and to the bottom line of your organization to consider this no-cost, no-obligation opportunity! Below is the proposal agreement you would sign to receive 50 - 100 pieces of beautiful art by imprisoned masters to get you started:

Agreement to Establish an In-Office Branch of the Prison Art Gallery

1) This agreement is between (your organization; herein called the "sponsor") and the Prisons Foundation (herein called the "Foundation").

2) The Sponsor will establish and operate a branch of the Prison Art Gallery at the Sponsor's office or other designated address.

3) The Foundation will supply original art made in prison to be displayed and sold to the Sponsor on a contingency basis. The Sponsor pays shipping of $2.00 per art piece in advance of shipment, or supplies its UPS, Fed Ex, etc. shipping number to cover the cost of shipping.

4) The Foundation gives the Sponsor permission to use the name "Prison Art Gallery."

5) The Sponsor will keep regular hours and will not charge any admission to the public to view Prison Art Gallery artwork.

6) The Sponsor will offer the art for sale using set-donation guidelines outlined by the Foundation, but if any of the pieces of art are not sold during a six month time period the Sponsor may offer them at whatever donations-price it can negotiate with potential buyers.

7) Of the donations received, the Sponsor will keep 40% (forty percent), with the remainder going to the Foundation (to cover art preparation costs and profit sharing with the prison artists).

8) The Sponsor is allowed to accept additional art from other (non-Foundation) sources as long as the art has been created by prisoners or ex prisoners. The Sponsor will give the Foundation 10% (ten percent) of gross sales of art that comes from non-Foundation sources (to cover the expenses of publicity and ongoing support that the Foundation will supply).

9) The Foundation will include the Sponsor's name in all of the Foundation's publicity, press releases, publications and mailings.

10) The Foundation will provide the Sponsor with copies of successful grants proposals it has used to win grants for the Sponsor to utilize.

11) Money due to the Foundation for art sales by the Sponsor will be calculated and paid by the Sponsor to the Foundation each quarter on January 5th, April 5th, July 5th and October 5th.

12) New art will be provided by the Foundation to the Sponsor quarterly as pieces are sold by the Sponsor.

13) The Sponsor will send whatever unsold pieces it wishes back to the Foundation and will receive new pieces in return. This will allow the Sponsor to have a rotating display and to always have a fresh inventory. The Sponsor will pay shipping costs both ways.

14) The Sponsor has the option of purchasing from the Foundation limited edition prison art prints for the wholesale price of $10.00 (ten dollars) each, with the Foundation paying for shipping costs. These prints are 11" x 17" hand-mounted on 16" x 20" art boards, individually numbered and encased in clear, acetate protective sleeves. These prison-created works of art can be sold by the Sponsor for $25.00 - $100.00 each, with the Sponsor keeping all of the revenue received.

15) This agreement can be terminated by either party with a 90-day notice, at which time the Sponsor will return (at its own expense) all unsold art provide by the Foundation, and cease using the name Prison Art Gallery.

Now that you have read this proposed agreement, we hope you will take the next step by emailing us information about your organization so that we can discuss the next step for establishing a branch of the Prison Art Gallery at your location

Yours for justice,

Dennis Sobin
Prisons Foundation
1600 K Street NW
Suite #501
Washington, D.C. 20006

A CALL FOR SUPPORT: The Prisons Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC that promotes the arts and education in prison and alternatives to incarceration. We are now accepting tax deductable donations. The support of our supporters, quite bluntly, is what keeps us going. Please consider making a tax deductible donation to the Prisons Foundation so that we may continue to promote the arts in prison and help encourage the wonderful atistic talent we cultivate everyday.

*Note the views in this letter are those of Dennis Sobin. Please send your comments directly to him.

Dear Friends,

We are expecting an outstanding "From Prison to the Stage" show at the Kennedy Center this year (Labor Day weekend). Excellent plays and proposals sent to our review committee continue to arrive weekly. Playwright and Virginia inmate Hakim M. Abdul-Wasi sent us his terrific play "The Love that Divides." It compellingly tells the story of the turmoil in a Christian family when one of its members returns home as a converted and committed Muslim. It got high rankings by our review committee.

Another excellent submission is by the Judy Dworin Performance Project. It's a collaboration between this well-known performance group and women at a maximum security prison in Connecticut. Entitled "Time In," here is an eye-opening and moving multi-arts piece that that integrates dance, music and dialogue in exposing the hopes and hardships of women in prison.

In other news about our production "From Prison to the Stage;" we have a contact in Michelle Obama's office and have invited the First Lady to be one of our presenters.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates about this widely acclaimed annual event that gives imprisoned playwrights and composers the recognition and prominence they deserve.

Yours for justice,

Dennis Sobin
Prisons Foundation
1600 K Street NW
Suite #501
Washington, D.C. 20006

A CALL FOR SUPPORT: The Prisons Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC that promotes the arts and education in prison and alternatives to incarceration. We are now accepting tax deductable donations. The support of our supporters, quite bluntly, is what keeps us going. Please consider making a tax deductible donation to the Prisons Foundation so that we may continue to promote the arts in prison and help encourage the wonderful atistic talent we cultivate everyday:

*Note the views in this letter are those of Dennis Sobin. Please send your comments directly to him.

Dear Friends,

We recently added many improvements to our website, including regular updates to our popular "News You Can Use" section. New "unique ID" web-site counter, gives you a unique and easy way to win prizes. Just visit Prisons Foundation and view your unique visitor number at the bottom of the page. If you are the 500th, 1000th of 1,5000 visitor (or any interval of 500th visitors) you win your choice of our prison related music CD!

If you visitor number on the counter shows you to be a winner, simply email us at kevin@prisonsfoundation.org and let us know which of the following CD's you would like us to send you as a prize:

• Prison Tracks: Instrumental guitar duets recorded in prison by Steve Andrew and Dennis Sobin.
• A Stitch in Time: (a Lloyd S. Rubin Production) A moving holocaust musical written in prison by Lee Amirault and Dennis Sobin

When contacting us with your "visit" number please be sure to include the full name and address where you would like your CD prize to be sent. Also note the approximate time of your visit to our website so we can verify your visitor ID.
Thank you for your continuing interest and support of our work; and good luck!

Yours for justice,

Dennis Sobin
#206757
C.T.F. D-3B #10
1901 E Street SE
Washington, D.C. 20003

A CALL FOR SUPPORT: The Prisons Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC that promotes the arts and education in prison and alternatives to incarceration. We are now accepting tax deductable donations. The support of our supporters, quite bluntly, is what keeps us going. Please consider making a tax deductible donation to the Prisons Foundation so that we may continue to promote the arts in prison and help encourage the wonderful atistic talent we cultivate everyday:

*Note the views in this letter are those of Dennis Sobin. Please send your comments directly to him.

Dear Friends,

During the months he has spent in jail (which will soon come to an end) our Director Dennis Sobin has completed the second book he set out to write at the beginning of his incarceration. Dennis was incarcerated for going to D.C. City Hall (by invitation) to testify at a public hearing in defiance of an unconstitutional court order that his son (an Assistant District Attorney General that works in City Hall) had placed against him. The case is in appeal and being reviewed (many thanks to James Butler Esq., the ACLU and the legal team from Georgetown).

The first book Dennis completed in jail is entitled "Outsider Art On The Inside: Understanding and Helping Imprisoned Artists." It is being type-set and prepared for publication and will soon be available at the Prisons Foundation website: (www.prisonsfoundation.org).

Dennis' second book, "From Prison to the Kennedy Center: Starting Over at the Top" profiles many individuals and organizations. Dennis also discusses encounters with the legal system and notable activists, artists, convicts and individuals he has met over the last forty years of his activism including: Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. and ex prisoner philanthropist Lloyd S. Rubin among many others. Below are the final paragraphs from this book:

Midway through the 66th year of my life, while still in jail, a dream came true when I was visited and interviewed by a feature writer for the prominent national Music magazine "Spin." Many established artists would kill to get into this popular and influential publication, much less go to jail for it.

After writer David Peisner and I discussed my musical and Foundation goals and accomplishments, I mentioned my political plans. David asked, "Do you think you'd have much of a chance of making an impact since you don't have clean hands?" David knows about the false allegations and relentless persecution in Florida that earlier resulted in ten years of imprisonment, and the tricks my son and sister pulled to re-incarcerate me on my return (after asking them for an accounting of my inheritance and personal savings).

I answered, "To me, clean hands are empty hands.....mine are experienced hands." David already knew they were musical ones, having listened to my numerous CD's that I had recorded both inside and outside the underbelly of society: prison.

About that underbelly, our political leaders would do well to spend some time there. Perhaps not a lengthy amount as I have done, but at least some period. They would then see the results of the mindless laws, mistake-prone judges and socially insulated and politically motivated members of the establishment's "lock em up" crowd. And they would understand the words of the sad but wise ex con I met in 1965 that helped shape my life: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." -Martin Luther King Jr. "Letter from Birmingham jail."

Yours for justice,

Dennis Sobin
#206757
C.T.F. D-3B #10
1901 E Street SE
Washington, D.C. 20003

A CALL FOR SUPPORT: The Prisons Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC that promotes the arts and education in prison and alternatives to incarceration. We are now accepting tax deductable donations. The support of our supporters, quite bluntly, is what keeps us going. Please consider making a tax deductible donation to the Prisons Foundation so that we may continue to promote the arts in prison and help encourage the wonderful atistic talent we cultivate everyday:

*Note the views in this letter are those of Dennis Sobin. Please send your comments directly to him

Dear Friends,

The Prison Art Gallery is expanding in a way that will benefit up to ten nonprofits organizations across America. The success of the Prison Art Gallery in Washington D.C. has been overwhelming. We've sold an enormous amount of art over the last few years and our good reputation means that we have received even more art recently; hundreds of excellent pieces from the growing pool of imprisoned artists who have heard about our gallery and advocacy work. Rather than seek larger gallery space, we have decided to place this new art with up to ten established nonprofit organizations (at no cost to them) across the country. If your organization has office space and an active membership, you will qualify. The only expense incurred by these "satellite galleries" will be the packaging and shipping of the art pieces. There are no other expenses or obligations.

When this gorgeous and unique art gets to you - complete with artist biography and prison location - you will display it in the reception areas of your offices and offer it to your membership, customer base or the general public. Each price has a suggested donation but you can negotiate any price you wish. Of the amount you receive, your organization will keep 40% while the remainder will be forwarded to us on a quarterly basis to be shared with the artists who created the art!

We will send replacement art for the pieces you sell so you will always have a full and fresh display. Periodically their will be rotation of this art to make your collection new and interesting.

More than an opportunity to earn excellent revenue at no expense or risk, you can expect good publicity as you will be tied into our national network of galleries. The Prison Art Gallery and the Prisons Foundation always generate interest from newspapers and journalists.

We will also share with you press releases we have developed and grant proposals that have won us sizable grants from our city's grants agency (funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, now with a bigger than ever budget). All regions of the country have such agencies ready to give funds to nonprofits for unique, socially meaningful art.

To be considered for this no-cost opportunity to have a branch of the Prison Art Gallery at your location under your organizations sponsorship, kindly provide the following information:

1. Name of your organization
2. Website
3. Location/Mailing address
4. Telephone number
5. Date founded
6. Square footage of your office
7. Hours and days your office is open
8. Mission Statement
9. Contact person/email/phone

Please email this information to Kevin@prisonsfoundation.org or mail to: Prison Art Gallery, 1600 K Street NW, Suite 501, Washington, D.C. 20006.

Yours for justice,

Dennis Sobin
#206757
C.T.F. D-3B #10
1901 E Street SE
Washington, D.C. 20003

Dear Friends,

We are pleased to announce to report that the selection of a world-class Board of Directors for our upcoming Safe Streets Arts Foundation is progressing well. We encourage others to continue to apply, however, since there are additional seats we wish to fill. We are striving for maximum diversity.

The new Safe Streets Arts Foundation will take over (from the Prison Art Gallery) and expand our annual Kennedy Center program "From Prison to the Stage" which features the work of imprisoned and formerly imprisoned playwrights and composers. The Safe Streets Arts Foundation will also establish and oversee a network of prison galleries across the U.S. (and potentially overseas) under the sponsorship of other nonprofit organizations; using as a model our successful Prison Art Gallery in Washington, D.C.

Listed below are the impressive and distinguished backgrounds of some the people who have been initially accepted to serve on the Safe Streets Arts board. Their names are being withheld pending final notification of all accepted applicants.

Current board members selected include:

• An established artist, art curator and art professor whose art is featured in a well known gallery. For the last six years she has been a mentor to imprisoned artists at a famous women's prison.

• A former prisoner who produces and hosts a popular broadcast program for a major radio station. While in prison he formed a singing group that successfully performed and toured after the members were released; including a stunning and moving production at the Kennedy Center.

• A warden of a large men's State Prison who holds a PhD and believes that "Art programs boost self-esteem." She previously served as warden of a maximum security women's prison and is a national speaker on modern prison initiatives.

• A Social Scientist and professor of Criminal Justice who acquired his graduate degree after his release from prison in 1991. He has served on government commissions responsible for funding billions of dollars into community development and crime prevention programs.

• A former elected official who is currently a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State. An international traveler and collector of art, he holds a law degree and a master degree in International Affairs.

If you are interested in submitting an application for a position on the board, please send a resume and a brief letter of introduction and interest to:

Prisons Foundation
C/o: Board Selection Committee
1600 K Street NW
Suite #501
Washington, D.C. 20006

Yours for justice,

Dennis Sobin
#206757
C.T.F. D-3B #10
1901 E Street SE
Washington, D.C. 20003

A CALL FOR SUPPORT: The Prisons Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC that promotes the arts and education in prison and alternatives to incarceration. We are now accepting tax deductable donations. The support of our supporters, quite bluntly, is what keeps us going. Please consider making a tax deductible donation to the Prisons Foundation so that we may continue to promote the arts in prison and help encourage the wonderful atistic talent we cultivate everyday.

*Note the views in this letter are those of Dennis Sobin. Please send your comments directly to him.

"SOBIN BEHIND THE WALL"

Mobile Prison Art Gallery Completes Successful Southern Tour

February 2009

Dear Friends,

We welcome back to Washington, D.C. our Outreach Coordinator, Donovan Berry and our mobile Prison Art Gallery. Donovan spent more than a month on the road touring several southern states with the popular & transportable Prison Art Gallery. A converted mobile home, it was purchased by the Prisons Foundation last year thanks to a settlement won against a government regulatory agency (our hats off, as usual, to the American Civil Liberties Union).

Donovan traveled with his family who represented the Prisons Foundation (and the creativity of imprisoned artists!) well and placed many works with both art collectors and justice advocates.

Despite a poor economy the tour proved successful with many new friends made and insights shared. The cost of the trip was underwritten through art sales and the continuous help of our supporters. A big thank you to all the art collectors, justice advocates and members of the general public who stopped and shopped. Stay tuned for photos of the event!

Yours for justice,

Dennis Sobin

#206757

C.T.F. D-3B #10

1901 E Street SE

Washington, D.C. 20003

Please send theatrical any submissions to to Prisons Foundation, C/o Selection Comit.  1600 K Street NW, Suite 501Washington, DC 20006 (kevin@prisonsfoundation.org).

 *Note the views in this letter are those of Dennis Sobin. Please send your comments directly to him.

Dear Friends,

The Prison Art Gallery now has Hi-rez images of original art available for your viewing and purchasing pleasure. Just go to the Prisons Foundation website; click on the Prisons Gallery button and select the link for original art sale.

The actual site where the images are being housed is: www.Flickr.com/photos/dondimon. Once you get to the site you will see images arranged by categories and photo stream. For actual sizes, modality and prices of the images please call the gallery at (202) 393-1511.

We are also pleased to announce that between now (December) and May 30th 2009, we will be reviewing plays and musicals written by prisoners and ex prisoners for our 2009 Kennedy Center "From Prison to the Stage" Program. The show will take place on Labor Day weekend, September 2009.

If you are a prisoner or ex prisoner with a play or musical or will have one completed by May 30th, please send it to us. A cash prize will be will be rewarded to each of the five playwrights whose work will be performed. Other submitted plays, with names of their authors, will be noted in the Kennedy Center program.

This event is part of the Kennedy Center's wildly successful and popular Page to Stage Festival featuring new works written for the theater by up-and-coming playwrights and theater companies. It is held annually and attracts an overflow crowd with its free admission and extensive publicity. Our 2008 "From Prison to Stage," made possible through the generosity of our Executive Producer Lloyd S. Rubin, enjoyed wide critical acclaim.

We regret that no submitted material can be returned, although acknowledgment of receipt will be sent. Notice will be mailed when a final determination is made. We encourage playwrights and artists to submit inspired work that is both politically and socially relevant with robust, original themes. Please send submissions to:

Prisons Foundation
C/o Review Committee
1600 K Street NW
Suite #501
Washington, DC
20006

Yours for Justice,

Dennis Sobin
#206757
Central Detention Facility
1901 D Street S.E.
Washington, D.C.
20003

*Note the views in this letter are those of the author alone. Please send your comments directly to him.

We have received much publicity in the Northeast since opening our Prison Art Gallery in Washington, DC, in 2006 for our unique Prison Art Collection. Now the LA Times has featured us in an article about the best places throughout the world to view and acquire art made by imprisoned artists. We look forward to more publicity this winter when we take our new Mobile Prison Art Gallery to art shows and festivals throughout the South.

[Courtesy of Prison Art Gallery]

We are pleased to announce that we have purchased a beautiful and well-equipped motorhome RV (see below) with funds that the ACLU obtained for us in a settlement with the City of Washington, DC, following the illegal actions of DC police who tried to prevent us from displaying and selling art by imprisoned artists on the sidewalks of DC. Lawyers working with the ACLU successfully argued that the actions of DC police against us violated DC law and our First Amendment constitutional rights.

We are planning a tour of much of our extensive collection of prison art with the mobile unit this winter throughout the Southern states. Would you or your organization be interested in hosting a prison art show in your city? if so, please write or call us at Staff@PrisonsFoundation.org 202-393-1511. Thank you.

[Courtesy of Prisons Foundation]

October is turning into a busy month for our director, Dennis Sobin, but he will get a much-needed rest at the end of it if all goes...wrong.

Dennis will perform classical guitar at the The 6th Annual Foggy Bottom Festival on Sunday, October 19, 2008 at the Eye Street Mall (At the Foggy Bottom Metro, between 23rd and 24th Streets, NW), Washington, DC. (*Rain Date, October 26, 2008 - same time.) Dennis will be performing the works of Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Chopin, Scott Joplin, and a unique classical guitar arrangement of the modern classic "Stairway to Heaven." Don't miss this riveting and possibly farewell concert.

The 29th is Dennis Sobin's second important date in October, when he will be put on trial for entering City Hall on three occasions at the invitation of City Council member Phil Mendelson to testify at public hearings. His arrest was the result of actions by Dennis's son Darrin, a political adversary who is employed at City Hall as an assistant attorney general. He used his position and influence to get a stay away order against his father, which he asked the arresting officer and now the judge to interpret as not just staying away from him personally but away from all of city hall. You are welcome to attend Dennis's bench trial as he faces one and half years in jail if convicted of all three counts. It will be held in Judge Turner's courtroom, ground floor, DC Superior Court, 500 Indiana Ave. NW, Washington, DC, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 10 am.

[Courtesy of Prisons Foundation]

Please request your free copy of our latest fundraising publication, "Make Money While Making a Difference in Prisons Across America." This is our latest publication, and it's for anyone who wants to operate a Prison Art Gallery satellite sales and information center as a significant fundraising vehicle. Such centers, known as Prison Art Kiosks, display and sell arts and crafts made by imprisoned male and female artists from across America. The Kiosks also offer books, information and literature on ways to improve prison conditions, rehabilitation programs, victim assistance, and the re-entry of released prisoners to society. For a small investment, you or your organization can get a sustantial return. To request your free copy, please email staff@PrisonsFoundation.org.

Call 202-393-1511 to reserve your spot.

Thanks to a grant we received from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the Prisons Foundation throughout the year has been conducting free all-day workshops for individuals who wish to become a mentor to imprisoned artists. We are now having our last workshop--a wrap up one that's just half a day long--and invite all to attend, whether or not you have been to a previous workshop. This summary workshop will feature the highlights of previous workshops. The workshop is free and refreshments will be served. It is ideal for anyone who attended any of the previous workshops as well as for new participants who seek to work either as a volunteer or paid staff member in a jail or prison.

Attend this free workshop on Saturday, September 27, 1 to 5 pm. You'll learn what it takes to work in a jail or prison to foster artistic development among inmates. You'll receive this valuable training from experienced correctional officials (from both public and private jails) who have made presentations at our previous seminars. The highlights of their presentations will be show on video. You will also benefit from the insights and knowledge of ex-prisoner artists who will serve as workshop leaders. These knowledgeable people will share their experiences with you in a relaxed and fun setting at the Prison Art Gallery in downtown Washington, DC.

This is a rare opportunity to make contacts and obtain valuable information. You can be part of it all. Whether you're looking for a one afternoon per month volunteer opportunity or a full-time paid career position, you will find this workshop very worthwhile.

Please call us at 202-393-1511 or email staff@PrisonsFoundation.org for more information. Thank you.

We have a new address but our director Dennis Sobin's legal status remains unchanged.

Please note that the new location of the Prisons Foundation is 1600 K Street NW, Suite 501, Washington, DC 20006. It is the same location as our Prison Art Gallery. The move will permit a more streamlined and efficient operation. Meanwhile, the popular outdoor art kiosk and information center of the Prison Art Gallery at G and 7th Streets in Washington, DC will be open seven days a week, 10 am to 10 pm.

News About Our Director

Despite our insistance on a speedy trial, Dennis Sobin's trial following his arrest for attending public hearings at City Hall (see complete details in our original email below) has been put off until August 5, 2008. This poses a hardship since there are hearings and meetings at City Hall that Dennis is scheduled to attend, including one on a new bill to help ex-prisoners.

In the meantime, here are the names and contact information of city hall officials who can transfer the person who falsely instigated the arrest, Dennis's estranged son Darrin Sobin. With such a transfer, Dennis will be able to go to city hall to visit these officials and attend hearings and meetings without fear of further arrest. If you haven't contacted them already, please do so today. They are feeling beleagured due to the many calls and emails they have received, and YOURS could be the turning point.

Adrian Fenty, Mayor
202-724-8876 customerservice.eom@dc.gov (Mayor)
202-724-5556 Carla.brailey@dc.gov (Mayor's advisor)

Vincent Gray, City Council Chairperson
202-724-8032 DSlonneger@dccouncil.us (chief of staff)

Jack Evans, City Councilmember
(new phone #) 202-724-8058 jackevans@dccouncil.us

Phil Mendelson, Chair of Judciary Committee
202-724-8064 pmendelson@dccouncil.us

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Below is the original email that the Prisons Foundation sent with details of the arrest of our director Dennis Sobin at a public hearing at city hall in Washington, DC

Dennis Sobin, Director of the Prisons Foundation, went to City Hall to testify at a budget hearing on the priorities of the Attorney General's Office. This is routine for our director as these hearings represent important opportunities to advocate for alternatives to incarceration and the need for prosecutors to focus on serious crimes rather than non-violent offenses.

One of those prosecutors happens to be Dennis Sobin's son, Darrin Sobin. He and his father have not seen eye to eye for some time. Last year the younger Sobin, Darrin, flexed his muscle as a government attorney by getting a stay away order to keep his father a set number of feet from him. Now he has gone the next step by having his father arrested for stepping foot in City Hall because Darrin has moved into an office in that building.

When Dennis arrived for the hearing, his son knew of his presence because Dennis was on the witness list to testify. Dennis never got to testify because his son had him whisked out of the building in handcuffs and put in jail before a judge could release Dennis. By then the hearing was over.

The building security officers who arrested Dennis have acknowledged that they were pressured to take this action by Darrin. They even went so far to try to appease Darrin, short of arresting his father, by offering to accompany Dennis to the City Council Chambers where the hearing was taking place and stay with him throughout his testimony. But Darrin rejected this.

Darrin has let it be known that if his father returns to city hall for any reason, the same fate awaits him.

It is therefore URGENT that the following officials at city hall be called TODAY to let our outrage be known. Says Dennis, "I don't want my son fired. That would be too extreme and a particular hardship for his children, my grandsons Alexander and Tristan."

We are requesting that Darrin Sobin be relocated to the Attorney General's headqurters a few blocks away. That way our director Dennis can conduct Prisons Foundation business at city hall.

Here are the names and phone numbers of officials at city hall who can make this happen. Please call them TODAY to get their assurance that this will indeed occur without delay. Even if you are not a resident of Washington you can demand action as a visitor who is shocked that such a thing could happen in the nation's capital.

Adrian Fenty, Mayor, 202-724-8876
(This is Adrian's private number so please be brief when talking to him and please do not retain this number for any other purpose. He has been a supporter of the Prisons Foundation ever since his childhood friend Donald Thomas ended up in prison and needed our help.)

Vincent Gray, City Council Chairperson, 202-724-8032
(Next to the mayor, Vincent is the most powerful person in city hall and has a reputation as a no-nonsense official. Dennis worked for his campaign and helped get him elected in 2006.)

Jack Evans, City Councilmember, 202-724-8058
(As chair pro temp, Jack is number three in power at city hall. He also happens to be the councilmember representing Dennis in Ward 2. Still, Dennis cannot visit him at city hall as long as Darrin Sobin is there.)

Phil Mendelson, Chair of Judciary Committee, 202-724-8064
(Phil is an at-large councilmember who chaired the hearing at which Dennis was set to testify and is reportedly upset at what happened there. He can bring about Darrin Sobin's transfer in the interest of justice and democracy.)

On a personal note, Dennis is in good spirits and continues to meet his responsibilities daily as our director....

Thank you for calling the above city hall officials and demanding that action be taken TODAY.

Please call us at 202-393-1511 or email staff@PrisonsFoundation.org if you need further information. Thank you for your help and support in this crisis.

Thanks to a grant we received from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, you can attend a free workshop to become a mentor to imprisoned artists.

The Woodhull Freedom Foundation and Prisons Foundation are launching a new annual fundraiser called Eroticon: Erotic Art from Behind Bars.