‘Beyond the Wire’ exhibit looks to the future of incarcerated education at the University of Idaho
Fundraising and more art are the plan
An artwork titled “Surviving Cancer” by Mathew John Bell, an incarcerated student of the University of Idaho, is on display for the “Beyond the Wire” at Moscow Contemporary on Feb. 16 (Cody Roberts)
Amidst the wild displays of colorful artwork in Moscow Contemporary were the lyrics to a song.
“Love her slim frame, her easy laugh, that dazzling smile, and her big dark eyes … She stole my heart, and I miss her. I can’t touch her, in prison. It’s not possible.”
The piece, by University of Idaho student Silas Parks, was written from behind the bars of a prison. Its part of the “Beyond the Wire” art show. — art by incarcerated students of UI.
The exhibit showed the fruits of students’ labor after completing their first semester at the University of Idaho in fall 2022.
The lyrics to a song by an incarcerated student of the University of Idaho are on display as part of the “Beyond the Wire” art show in Moscow Contemporary on Feb. 16. (Cody Roberts)
UI has more than two dozen students at the Idaho Correctional Institution in Orofino, where the artwork comes from, and the Pocatello Women’s Correctional Center.
In 2015 federal Pell grants were extended to incarcerated people to earn credentials, certificates or college degrees. UI and Lewis-Clark state college joined the Second Chance Pell Experiment in 2022.
Grace Meyers, a former intern for the prison education initiative turned intern coordinator, said the event is part of a larger push for fundraising to help incarcerated students continue their education.
While they have federal Pell grants, it doesn’t cover the costs of textbooks or transcript fees. The national average incarcerated pay is 52 cents an hour, so paying these extra costs isn’t easy, Meyer said.
The fundraising started from humble beginnings with a bake sale, but Meyer said she hopes to see “Beyond the Wire” turn into an annual event for UI with additional fundraising events throughout the year.
“I think the public is generally moving towards seeing and believing in the benefits of education during incarceration,” Meyer said.
In a study done by RAND, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization, incarcerated individuals that participated in education had a 43% lower chance to going back to criminal activity than those who didn’t participate.
“These are some of the most appreciative, deserving and enthusiastic academics and artists I know,” Meyer said.
Anahi Trejo, an intern for the prison education initiative, said she attends a class at UI called “Inside Out,” where incarcerated and nonincarcerated students are taught together and interact in group projects.
“It’s just like a normal class — making friends,” Trejo said.
“For me, having access to education and a possible degree opened up many opportunities to enrich my life,” an incarcerated student named Michael stated in a flier at the art show. “This also gives me the ability to give back to the community that I have wronged. I’m 46 years old and a freshman in college while in prison — how awesome is that?”
The “Beyond the Wire” organizers ask any interested in donating to the fundraising to go to UI’s giving page and select the “Prison Education Initiative Fund.”
“Prison presents limited opportunities,” Meyer said. “This is one of those opportunities, and it’s amazing to have it showcased, emphasized and seen.”