Artist: Jayme Santini
Trophy or Trash, 2021
Acrylic

This painting depicts Ms. Powell, who entered prison and was known as a bright and social woman. While incarcerated, she experienced circumstances beyond her control resulting in a need for mental health care. Rather than addressing the problem through proven therapy sessions, she was given medication and sent on her way which dramatically changed her personality. Her story is heart-wrenching and underscores how the number of incarcerated women has outpaced the available resources for accepted mental health services. This reminds the free world that women are being locked up for abuse and trauma without the root cause being addressed. “Their only solution is to give Special Medication” – Powell