GATEWAYS
CASE STUDY 2a:
JOHNNY CASH AT FOLSOM STATE
1968, Folsom
Johnny Cash was a strong advocate for prison reform and inmate rights. His most-widely known show was in 1968 at Folsom Prison where he recorded his “At Folsom Prison (Live)” album. Cash’s music, often written from the point of view of a criminal, aimed to humanize the prison population and give them a voice.
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Consequently, Johnny Cash popularized prison reform in mainstream media and used his stardom to spotlight the physical and sexual abuses of inmates in the prison system. In a 1972 US Senate hearing, Cash testified using stories he heard of on his prison visits to outline his case for a rehabilitative system and the abolition of capitol punishment.
Discussion Questions
Johnny Cash brought public attention to Folsom State, and to the issue of incarceration as a whole.
In recent years, we’ve seen a number of celebrities advocate for incarcerated people, further bringing prisons into the media spotlight.
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Discuss the benefits to celebrity focus on mass incarceration, and the possible harms.