Are Texas authorities letting inmates cash in on their crimes? http://www.khou.com/bi/images/video_icon.gif


06:40 AM CST on Wednesday, March 1, 2006


By Jeremy Rogalski / 11 News

http://www.khou.com/bi/images/video_icon.gif Click to watch video (http://www.khou.com/sharedcontent/VideoPlayer/videoPlayer.php?vidId=53234&catId=35)

eBay bans the practice of prison inmates selling art, and it's illegal in Texas.
It's called "murderabilia," selling artwork made by convicted killers.
When he was free, killing young women made Anthony Shore infamous, and now from death row he's creating a life of fame.
KHOU_TV
Sektches by death row inmate Anthony Shore.

Shore, who was blamed for murdering four Houston women, strangling them and raping three of them, has been profiting by his artwork -- portraits of women, drawings with women provocatively posed and sketches of women and skulls.





http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/khou060228_cd_defenders10.727172ef.html


Do you believe this is right? We all have received some sort of art work. I just wanted to know how others felt. This was on the news last night, and I don't like the way that they are portrayed.

Very interesting. I wasn't aware that this was happening. The report was pretty fair. The focus was on death row only. In many states mainline prisoners are allowed to sell art work. If fact I have some hanging on my wall. But the death row issue has never crossed my mind.

Some of the art that the guys have on death row is nothing like it is being portrayed. What exactly are the guys suppose to do? All I ever hear of is the things being taken away from them.

I was actually one of those who begged eBay to bar the sale of memorabilia from present-day prisoners. Not in an attempt to restrain anyone's freedom of expression (I, too, have been given artwork by imprisoned friends) but because of the work of a couple of people, notably a fellow named Ken Koenig (I think) who was writing to a number of prisoners (including my dear friend) claiming to be supportive, then selling their replies on eBay and through his own web site. To my knowledge he's still at it to some degree, so if you have someone on the Row, you might want to warn them about this guy.

It is one thing for a prisoner to make art, if he or she is inclined to, and to share it, if he or she desires. It is quite another for some to exploit prisoners in such a cynical matter. I hope and believe that those of us on this forum are sincere in our intentions, but we must do what we can to protect those we care for from autograph hounds and "collectors" of the sort that paid a small fortune for Lee Harvey Oswald's toe tag.

DaveMoff,

WOW,
I never looked at it this way... You are correct many are exploited and don't know of it. I thought of it as... they are not able to hold jobs to make ANY form of money. With some, they exploit the nice people who give to them. with others they don't, yet feel less if they asked anyone for money. So with the knowledge you have given and the views I previously had and to a degree still have... It appears that they are stuck in a no win situation. (As if any of it is a win) My guy draws for me ALL the time. I would never sell his art for it is precious. Guess it is a catch 22.
:smash: :banghead: :slap:

So it's true inmates cant sell artwork on Ebay? Is this for sure? My fiance asked me to look into it as he has some art he would like to try to sell. I saw on ebay a piece of art by a DR inmate, but it clearly said it was not the property of the inmate, and there was no profit being made. Any ideas if this is a way around it?

I wish I could give you a certain answer. I can tell you that eBay does not (supposedly) "police" its listings and many people DO list "verboten" items, which are often pulled when an individual user reports the to "the management". It might be possible to word the listing so as not to raise any red flags--simply list your fiance as a "self representing artist" and don't mention where he is producing his work.

It is also possible that Yahoo or another auction service might not have any problem with you/him selling there--possibly worth looking into. I've also seen listings of prison-made items on eBay which are unsigned and not identified by maker...these seem to be OK.

If you do decide to sell any of your fiance's work, do be a bit careful about who you sell it to. The fellow I alluded to above, who used to and may still be using the eBay name of "supernaught" offers a fair amount of artwork on his site, often asking thousands of dollars for it. Whether he is selling any I have no idea, but I'm sure you don't want to act as a "wholesaler" for him.

I have yet to find any restrictions on Ebay however their rules and regulations are endless. I only used them once and much prefer other sites that sell prison art exclusively for a higher profit.

The relevant information is under "prohibited items"--that is, if one can find it within their maze of a site.

I would love to see a pic of a Dragon drawn by Anthony Shore in Polunsky. I do not agree with the whole idea myself unless the profits went to the victims.

deathrow inmates have families,expenses and restitution to pay. If the proceeds would be justly adminstered it could save the tax payers a fortune and the victims and families could recieve restitution. Not to mention the wrongly convicted could afford competent legal representation. I have to wonder if they is not their main motive to stop the enterprise.

tekela,
I NEVER thought of it this way. I see your point... Makes PERFECT sense.

If you want to sell inmate artwork online you can use murder auctions in the new ebay for serial killers. I agree profiting off inmates is wrong but I really can't knock it as I have purchased letters and artwork from ebay and murder auctions myself. Though I never sell any of the items I purchase I do scan them on my write-a-murderer site for everyone to read and enjoy. I just think some of these more famous inmates deserve to have there side of the story come out not just what the media wants to show. This way people can read the letters and see what they have to say without it getting changed around and words being put into their mouths.

As for Ken Koenig, I have talk to the guy and have bought a few items off him in the past. He is still buying and selling inmate artwork and letters and from what I can see makes a decent profit off it. Though I can't justify him lying or deciving inmates just to get a response from them I can't knock what he's doing either. Some of these inmates are very tight lipped and refuses to write to just anybody. I can see where someone may have to kinda decieve them to get a letter out of them or make them think they were a friend. But in those situations I firmly believe that the person should hold off on selling the item until the inmate is either dead or gives him the ok to do it.

If you want to see Ken Koenig's true colors, try informing him that one of the inmates he is exploiting isn't happy with him or say anything that might interfere with his "inventory". You'll be bombarded with threats and flames as he stomps his feet and holds his breath until he turns blue. In my case, he threatened to contact a prison at which I had a correspondent and have them block my letters--as if he has any such authority. Then he said he would sue me for harassment and pursue criminal charges. I'm still waiting....

On a certain level, I regard eBay's ban on selling prisoner's letters, etc. as a bit PC. On the other hand, since there is no way to know whether a prisoner wanted a letter, artwork, or what have you to be sold, there is no way to know whether one is benefitting the prisoner and/or his/her family, or merely contributing to the exploitation of that prisoner. I cannot imagine that anyone would approve of the latter.