When I arrived on Rikers Island in January 2019 to await trial for an assault charge, I knew it would be dangerous — after all, the women’s jail is notorious for chronic abuse, unsanitary conditions and violence. But what I did not know was that I would become one of hundreds of inmates at Rikers to contract the coronavirus.

I remember watching the TV in early March 2020 when a lawyer from Westchester County was reported to be the source of several cases in New York.

In the beginning, none of...

A song is worth a thousand words!

The story of ‘Woman’s Heart: Deep Ocean of Secrets’ spans 30+ years. It follows a rag-tag group of characters involved in the making of what is...

Much love to Will Pavia for spreading the news!

https://www.thetimes.com/world/article/creative-rikers-island-inmates-writing-books-to-pass-the-time-hfbkdpkzb

Every Author's dream! Read the New York Times feature now!

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/18/nyregion/rikers-island-authors.html

Never Surrender

The chilling image you see above is not just art; it's the embodiment of despair, loss, and the relentless fight for survival within Rikers Island's unforgiving walls.

The dove, a symbol of peace and freedom, flies. This stark juxtaposition alongside a skull captures the harrowing reality faced by countless souls trapped within this notorious institution.

My book, "Rikers Island," is a raw and unflinching account of experiences within that hellish place.

It's dedicated to ...

The Art of the Capricorn Full Moon

Today, the Capricorn Full Moon, a celestial spectacle, graces our skies and finds us in a moment of profound significance for emotional release, self-reflection, and setting intentions for the future. In astrology, the full moon is associated with culmination, illumination, and the surfacing of hidden emotions. In the grounded and practical sign of Capricorn, this lunar energy takes on a unique flavor, emphasizing themes of responsibility, discipline, and...

There's a saying that goes, "Art is pain made beautiful." For me, it's pain made purposeful.

Trauma leaves scars – some visible, some hidden deep within. My own journey through the fire of domestic violence and the harrowing experience of incarceration at Rikers Island has been one of survival, resilience, and ultimately, an unexpected creative awakening.

The path of healing from domestic violence and the trauma of incarceration is a winding one, fraught with setbacks and emotional triggers....