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On Sept. 16, 2020, the artist W.B. Livingston’s friend David Fleenor appeared before the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board for commutation consideration, but he faced a retrial and was re-sentenced to life without parole. W.B. wanted to paint a poster of the hopelessness that David experienced in that moment. The artwork was submitted to PJP by David with the permission of W.B.’s family.

Disclaimer: The views in this article are those of the author. Prison Journalism Project has verified the writer’s identity and basic facts such as the names of institutions mentioned.

W.B. Livingston is a writer and artist who takes his inspiration from music. He draws in the dirt, smears toothpaste on cardboard, makes paint out of instant coffee and bribes the paint crews for whatever he can get. Livingston is currently incarcerated in Oklahoma. Instagram: @prisonart6