PRISON PROJECT
The Barrios Unidos Prison Project is a transformative program dedicated to ending mass incarceration, healing from the trauma of state violence, and creating pathways for justice, empowerment, and cultural healing. Rooted in the principles of restorative and transformative justice, our work spans advocacy, direct engagement with incarcerated individuals, and community mobilization to challenge and dismantle oppressive systems. Our program is led by previously/currently incarcerated and system impacted individuals, ensuring our impact is effective.
Advocacy & Mobilization
We are actively involved in policy advocacy, leadership development, and community mobilization to challenge mass incarceration and promote alternatives to punitive justice. Through campaigns, coalition-building efforts, we work to shift public narratives and policies toward healing-centered, community-based solutions.
Mobile Interactive Prison Trailer
As part of our advocacy, we developed a mobile interactive prison trailer, a powerful visual and experiential tool designed to educate the public on the realities of incarceration. This trailer, conceptualized by incarcerated artists and modeled after a solitary confinement unit, has been used in public events, conferences, and educational settings to foster dialogue on prison conditions, rehabilitation, and justice reform. This trailer has been to numerous events over the past 10 years including; school visits, press conferences, awareness campaigns, and policy advocacy mobilizations.
Letter Correspondence & Reentry Support
Our letter correspondence program serves as a vital bridge for individuals behind bars. Through this initiative, we provide:
Reentry resources to support successful transitions back into society, educational and cultural materials, and art to assist incarcerated individuals in expressing their stories & experiences/
Prison Project Archive & Exhibitions
For decades, the Prison Project has archived art created by our incarcerated relatives, preserving their creative expression as a testament to their resilience, struggle, and hope. This collection has been showcased in prominent exhibitions, including:
- The Museum of Art & History (MAH)
- Seeing Through Stone, a collaboration with UCSC’s Institute of Arts and Sciences and the San Jose Museum of Art
These exhibitions have amplified the voices of incarcerated artists, bringing their stories to the broader public and challenging societal perceptions of justice and incarceration.
Classes Inside California State Prisons
We facilitate educational and cultural programs inside state prisons, offering courses designed to promote healing, self-discovery, and personal growth. These include:
- Transcommunal Peacemaking (UCSC-accredited course)
- Anger Management & Restorative Justice Classes
- Cultural Education & Ceremony
- Courses for Incarcerated Veterans
These classes provide critical tools for conflict resolution, personal development, and community building, helping incarcerated individuals reclaim their narratives and develop skills for life beyond prison.
Culturally Rooted Events
The Prison Project also creates spaces for healing and cultural expression through live music, food, and education-based community events. These gatherings celebrate resilience, culture, and activism, reinforcing the power of art, music, and collective healing as tools for justice.
A Vehicle for Change
The Barrios Unidos Prison Project is more than a program—it’s a movement. By integrating advocacy, education, cultural healing, and direct support, we create real opportunities for justice and transformation. We stand in solidarity with those impacted by incarceration and state violence, ensuring that their voices, stories, and creative expressions shape the movement toward a more just and compassionate society.
