Former Officer Antonio Espinosa from Art From the Inside on Why He Created This Project, How He Strives To Bring Hope to Incarcerated Inmates, and Shift Public Views Of Those Who Live Within The Prison Walls.

Officer Antonio Espinosa recently retired as a prison guard of 19
years at the Stillwater Prison but his work is just beginning.
After the murder of his friend and co-worker, Antonio knew he
wanted to honor him and make a lasting change within the prison
system. Art from the Inside is a project that brings the art of
incarcerated individuals out in front of the public, provides
hope and feelings of worth to inmates, and will ultimately shift
your view of the many human beings living within the prison
walls.

Bio: Antonio is the founder, creator and brains behind Art
From the Inside. He is a correctional officer with over 18 years
of experience at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in
Stillwater, Minnesota. He has served on system-wide and
institutional committees focused on supporting offenders as they
transition back into the community. He launched and
co-facilitates a men’s support group for offenders called Stand
Up. Antonio coordinates cultural events for the offenders and is
a role model to his peers. He is committed to ensuring a safe and
positive environment focused on uplifting and healing for
offenders.


“I’m just one person trying to make a change in our system. I
want to help transform these men and help the [DOC] community
heal after the killing of my friend and fellow correctional
officer, Joseph Gomm. Art just happened to be the vehicle that
brought us together to have these difficult conversations.”


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