About Daniel Pirkel
Portrait by Jeffrey Allen Isom
Born and raised in NW Indiana, Daniel Pirkel spent his childhood playing football, riding motorcycles and gaming. Since being incarcerated 15 years ago, he has won a favorable legal decision on appeal and earned a bachelor’s degree through Calvin University (2021) in Faith & Community Leadership in Social Work. Daniel won the Honorable Mention in 2022 PEN America Prison Writing Contest for his essay, “The Unintended Consequences of Retributive Justice” and Honorable Mention in PEN’s 2019 America Prison Writing Contest for his essay, “Parole Reform.”
Jeffrey Allen Isom, Portrait of Daniel Pirkel, 2023. Oil on handmade canvas, 16 x 13 inches (framed), Empowerment Avenue Artist.
Visual Description: A framed portrait of Daniel Pirkel on the left wearing a blue and yellow shirt with a solid brown background, accompanied by their framed statement. Framed underneath is Prikel’s censored text.
A framed black and white pencil on paper portrait of Elizabeth Hawes with a scale in the background, accompanied by their framed statement. Framed underneath is Haws’s censored text.
A framed colored pencil on paper portrait of Derek Trumbo with a yellow background, accompanied by their framed statement. Framed underneath is Trumbo’s censored text.
Near cell wall:
On the right is a framed photograph of Kwaneta Harris, accompanied by their framed statement. Framed underneath is Harris’s censored text.
On the left is a framed photograph of Zhi Kai in their graduation gown and cap, accompanied by their framed statement. Framed underneath is Kai’s censored text.