"Incarcerated Minds” Mural Unveiled at Robert N. Davoren Center

A new mural was installed at the Robert N. Davoren Center, the Rikers Island jail that holds adolescent detainees, on June 27, 2008, at a ceremony hosted by Kathleen Coughlin, DOC’s Deputy Commissioner for Programs and Discharge Planning.  The mural, which is eight feet high by 20 feet long, was conceived and painted by the young inmates themselves as part of a 16-week art instruction program sponsored by the city's Departments of Correction and Education and the Groundswell Community Mural Project, with support from the Island Academy.  The inmates, 16 to 18-year-olds who also participate in the Institute for Inner Development Program that prepares them to return to the community, titled the work "Incarcerated Minds."

Joining Ms. Coughlin at the unveiling ceremony were Winette Saunders-Halyard, Executive Director of Program Development for DOC; Frank Dody, principal of the Island Academy; and Amy Sananman, executive director of the Groundswell Community Mural Project. The concept for the mural originated with Groundswell artists, Christopher Cardinale and Bayunga Kialeuka, and student artist Benny Castilla.

Christopher Cardinale and Bayunga Kialeuka of Groundswell served as lead artists in painting the mural. The youth artists, including the adolescent inmates, included Jean C., Marco C., Miguel C., Alejandro D., Santiago D., Jose L., Marcos P., Shakeem R., Dion S., Benny C. and Lamont H.