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Ignoring Mental Health Is a Crime

Prisons aren’t the answer to our mental health crisis.

Hector Manuel Rodriguez

October 2, 2024

Check out all installments in the OppArt series.

Hector Manuel RodriguezTwo months after turning 21, Hector Manuel Rodriguez was incarcerated for felony murder and drug possession. During his 27 years in prison, he participated in the Bard Prison Initiative and served on the steering committee of Rehabilitation Through the Arts. Upon release, he was accepted by the Yale Prison Education Initiative College-to-Career Fellowship. Today, he uses his art to advocate for higher education and art programs in prison. Find more on his website, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.


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