Spoon Jackson

Spoon Jackson was born in 1958 in Barstow, California. In 1977 he was sentenced to life with no parole for murder. He has served time at six different prisons in the state of California and is currently serving time at California State Prison-Sacramento (New Folsom).

Spoon was introduced to poetry at his stay in San Quentin State Prison. He enrolled in a four year poetry workshop run by Judith Tannenbaum which, which soon brought him notice for his talents. Spoon's participation in the 1988 production of Samuel Beckett's play "Waiting for Godot" directed by Jan Jonson also brought him further attentions. Spoon played the character of Pozzo. Since then Spoon has written drama, poetry, novels, fairy tales, short stories, and an autobiography. Spoon, along with companions, started the "Peace Gang" in order to spread and share his poetry.

In 2003 Michel Wenzer produced a documentary in Sweden entitled "Three Poems by Spoon Jackson." The production was pieced together over phone-calls where Spoon recited his poetry.

He was recently honored by PEN-USA's prison writing contest.

http://www.spoonjackson.com/