IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK is based on testimonial writings by the youngest members of America's prison system.

While in Juvenile Hall, detained and incarcerated youth are invited to participate in weekly writing workshops led by The Beat Within which has been publishing and distributing their art, essays and poems throughout the national juvenile justice system since 1996. The workshops inspire these young writers to dig deep, and seek meaningful insights through thought-provoking topics, and personalized feedback to each and every participant.

Producer Susan Stone has taken these original writings, and with the sound design of Malcolm Marshall, and additional recording support from Lacy Roberts, we found voices and ambient music for the poems and prose so these young people live out loud, reflecting beyond bars who they are, and who they might yet become.

Through the guidance and help of support services, mentors, mediators, and educational programs, many youth return to rewarding and productive lives. They get the hand up they need in order to restore their lives, and repair the harm to those impacted by their actions.

And along the way, they write — sharing new poems and stories each month, here, with us.

Behind the Scenes:
Executive Producer — Susan Stone
Recording Engineers — Malcolm Marshall and Lacy Roberts
Writing Workshops — David Inocencio and Michael Kroll
Readers — The poets of San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center with the support of Youth Speaks and friends.

Special Thanks:
City Youth Now for its support of this project. This project is being funded by a grant from the Bill Graham Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund.