Tag: #wallsturnedsideways

Poetry fills the gap in our souls that is left by our need for connection and beauty as human beings. Prison widens that rift, and enhances the importance and impact of true friends. Anthony Spaulding, whose poetic performance To Cut a Barber’s Hands has sparked a flurry of performances across the city, has a loyal friend in Anthony Jones who, at the age of 20, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Jones had his sentence commuted by J.B. Pritzger in 2021 after serving 29 years in prison, met Anthony Spaulding, (incarcerated at the age of 16) at Stateville Correctional Center. “We are good friends.” said Jones of Spaulding in an April 13, 2024 interview, “We met when we both were incarcerated at Statesville. We talk every day.”   

While Spaulding has a free performance of his one-man show planned at Walls Turned Sideways at 2717 W. Madison on Saturday, April 20th from 6-8 pm. Jones is now a community navigator for the Illinois Prison Project who is teaching both inmates and the formerly incarcerated to navigate their lives in a positive and productive way.

Part of being good friends is supporting each other through the highs and lows of life, and Jones’ friendship with Spaulding is no different. The lows of being incarcerated together have provided ballast to navigating society in their newfound freedom. Both men are now fully self-supporting individuals with adult responsibilities. While Spaulding’s focus has been on artistry both as a barber and as a multi-faceted performer, Jones’ focus has been on giving back to the community through his work with the Illinois Prison Project, a not for profit run by Jennifer Soble which is celebrating its third year in existence. 

Jones’ work there is focused on helping incarcerated individuals navigate a complex prison structure that has systemic racism at its core. According to Jones, this is due, in large part to a clause in the 13th Amendment which states, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” (Italics added for emphasis.) According to the 2020 United States Census, African Americans are minorities who comprise only 13.6 percent of the population, but account for 33% of the prison population according to a 2020 Pew Research Center report. 

Both men worked hard on redemption while in prison. Spaulding began his barber’s license in prison, and Jones earned his paralegal certificate and two college degrees. Jones, the father of a 30 year old son, is now engaged and the proud owner of his own home. These two community advocates work to contribute to their communities, each in their own way.

“You know, I just cut the hair of a family that couldn’t afford to get haircuts this morning.” said Spaulding during a March 28, 2024 interview.

Meanwhile, Jones is helping people return home to their families after years of incarceration. “We call them freedom rides. I picked up this elderly gentleman from prison recently…he is a dynamic speaker. When I saw him, I asked him to do Dr. Martin Luther King’s I have a Dream speech, and he did!” Enthralled by his friend’s oratory gift despite physical infirmity, Jones glowed with pride and excitement as he explained how he had taken this gentleman home to his family, who were friends with Emmett Till during the 14 years that Till was alive.

Find out more about Anthony Jones work with the Illinois Prison Project at their website. Anthony Spaulding can be found at Walls Turned Sideways next Saturday, April 20, from 6-8 pm, here is where to find him on social media.