In 1998, my husband David Madeira and I bought a one acre neglected corner lot with a dilapidated bungalow. ​Until the 1700s, the site was  inhabited by the Lenape. In the early 1920’s, it was a recreational retreat for African-American communities. When we arrived, there were a few plants but the dominant energy emanated  from three massive oak trees.

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Almost thirthy years later, I garden  year after year, refining and adding to a vision of color and contrast. In solitude, on this restorative property, I have the opportunity to be.  I ponder the Ancients, who knew pardoning as "the highest form of justice",  and effectively communicated this truth to the people of their time. 

I started watching the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons in 1988.  I painted and recorded life-sentenced prisoners directly, witnessing the humanitarian crisis of a politicized and indifferent Pennsylvania Board of Pardons. As the Director of the Arts and Humanities Program with the Pennsylvania Prison Society,  I inititated programs to bring visibility to lifers.  I visited Harrisburg over one year, monthly, to study their behavior. I witnessed the devastation of unforgiven yet long rehabilitated prisoners.  Some were incarcerated as children. 

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Pennsylvania is one of a few states where all life-sentences are issued without parole.  Instead of typically serving the minimum sentence, say 20 years to life,  20 years being the minimum sentence, and typically the time of release, freedom depends upon the mercy of the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons and ultimately the governor. The governor oversees and chooses those who serve on the Board of Pardons.  Governor Shapiro has intentionally continued the politicized pattern of selecting individuals who will perpetuate cruel care-less policy.

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Broken institutions like the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons must be radically reformed.

Besides being a place where I create and live, the Pardon Garden is surrounded by my ceramic sculpture, plates and tile murals, many with narrative.  These communicate the importance of pardoning as the highest form of justice.  The garden's close proximity by train makes it easily accessible.