Convicts Write Letters To Their Past Selves. You Have To See What They Wrote
February 28, 2014
The Reflect Project, by Trent Bell, is a photography project that merges large-scale portraits of inmates in the Maine prison system with handwritten letters the convicts composed as if writing to a younger self.
This project makes you think about just how easy it might be to make one wrong chose that will change your life forever.
"The idea came up as I recently had a friend, a husband and father, an educated professional, go to prison for possibly 36 years. This friend was the same person as me, we had the same morals, the same interests, what happened? Now, every time its quiet, every time my mind starts to collate recent moments, valuable experiences and memories, every time my son looks up and smiles at me, the finality and the loss of my friends "free life" comes into my head and I hear a voice '…there, but for the grace of God, go I…'" ~ Trent Bell
"Just know that people will always try and test you, and no matter what you think, only a real man can walk away."
Photo: © Trent Bell / TrentBell.com
"If you think something might be a bad idea, believe it! Don’t do it."
Photo: © Trent Bell / TrentBell.com
"Never lose the person you really are because it may be too late by the time you find yourself again."
Photo: © Trent Bell / TrentBell.com
"You must be willing to forgive those that ask or deserve for forgiveness in order to be forgiven yourself."
Photo: © Trent Bell / TrentBell.com
"I have spent most of my life behind bars and you are worth much more than that."
Photo: © Trent Bell / TrentBell.com
"Life is far from over, Jamie. The mistakes we made in the past are the mistakes we will learn from."
Photo: © Trent Bell / TrentBell.com
"We let drinking and drugs shatter our dreams and our potential future."
Photo: © Trent Bell / TrentBell.com
"Be quick to smile, slow to anger, and treat all people with respect they deserve. That is how you will avoid becoming me."
Photo: © Trent Bell / TrentBell.com
"Every decision you make affects everyone around you, most importantly your own future."
Photo: © Trent Bell / TrentBell.com
"I believe in you, so many people do, you just have to believe in yourself."
Photo: © Trent Bell / TrentBell.com
Please visit Trent Bell's portfolio to see more of his amazing work. He's also on Facebook and Twitter.
Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz
Couple Rescues Prairie Dog From Their Dog's Mouth, Then Decides To Adopt It
Ohio Man Makes Waves With His Fully Functioning Hot Dog Boat
These Are The Movie Scenes People Say Are Absolutely Flawless
Judge Waives Parking Fines So Dad Can Keep Supporting Son’s Space Dreams
Hungry Elephant Casually Walks Into Grocery Store For Snacks In Thailand
Wild Orcas Keep Giving Humans Gifts, Leaving Experts Puzzled
Artist Creates Mesmerizing Optical Illusion Using Just A Marker And A Spinning Wheel
Hero Dog Named RAMBO Scares Off Masked Robbers To Save Woman
Concerned Momma Moose Wanders Into Alaska Firehouse
The Funniest Dog Reactions To Hearing 'Walk' — You’ll Be Laughing Out Loud
UPS Driver Joins Teenagers On Graduation Slip ’N Slide
