Caption: Justice for Youth mural, Credit: San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center
Image by: San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center 
Justice for Youth mural 

"If These Walls Could Talk: Inside Youth Speak Out" SEASON TWO

From: Susan Stone
Length: 14:58

"IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK: Inside Youth Speak Out" is a poetry series drawn from testimonial writings by the youngest members of America's prison system. Written and recorded by the authors themselves (under their chosen pen names) in juvenile halls throughout California from Summer, 2010 through January, 2011. They are very pleased to present Season Two. Read the full description.

Susanstone_small While in Juvenile Hall, detained and incarcerated youth are invited to participate in writing and conversation workshops.  Led by local writers and teachers, these evening sessions are designed to help the youth dig deep and seek insights through writing and drawing into childhoods and teen years so often defeated by aspects of the lives they have lived so far.  Their poems and stories draw on deeply personal narratives and testimonials to regret, remorse, hope, and resolve. 

In this way, these young men, women, boys and girls in detention can live out loud in a world that often forgets them.

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More from Susan Stone

Caption: Juvenile Hall intake, Credit: Joseph Rodriguez

Bullies (04:38)
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Audio snapshots about being bullied, or being the bully, by a few young men who have paid the price.
Caption: Hip Hop Night in the Boys Unit (San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center), Credit: Joseph Rodriguez

"If These Walls Could Talk: Inside Youth Speak Out" SEASON ONE (23:41)
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"IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK: Inside Youth Speak Out" is a poetry series drawn from testimonial writings by the youngest members of America's prison system. Written and ...
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Ruby (02:59)
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Heat (09:03)
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Benvenido a Miami.
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Here There is No Moon (European version 31:54) (31:55)
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a portrait of the long dark tunnel of the suicidal mind
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Here There is No Moon (U.S. version 26:37) (26:35)
From: Susan Stone

A portrait of the long, dark tunnel of the suicidal mind
Caption: San Francisco, Marina district, October 17, 1989

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Earthquake stories from around the Pacific Rim

Piece Description

While in Juvenile Hall, detained and incarcerated youth are invited to participate in writing and conversation workshops.  Led by local writers and teachers, these evening sessions are designed to help the youth dig deep and seek insights through writing and drawing into childhoods and teen years so often defeated by aspects of the lives they have lived so far.  Their poems and stories draw on deeply personal narratives and testimonials to regret, remorse, hope, and resolve. 

In this way, these young men, women, boys and girls in detention can live out loud in a world that often forgets them.

Musical Works

Title Artist Album Label Year Length
Your Hand in Mine Explosions in the Sky Temporary Residence, Ltd. 2004 03:00
How To Be An MC J. Armz Instrumentals. 2007 02:50

Additional Credits

Michael Kroll, David Inocencio, The Beat Within: writing and conversation workshops; Bill Graham Memorial Supporting Foundation

Related Website

IfTheseWallsCouldTalk.org