Meet Sean Marshall

In 2008, at the age of 23, Sean Marshall was sentenced to 45 years in prison for committing a series of robberies with a BB gun in Colorado Springs. Despite the fact that no one was injured during his crimes, his sentence was just three years less than Colorado’s maximum punishment for second-degree murder. It was also longer than that of almost every other person who was serving time for aggravated robbery in the state. 

In the months prior, Sean had fallen into deep debt, owing money for medical bills, a car loan, and other expenses. Inexperienced with financial matters and the panic of the Great Recession, Sean resorted to robbery to keep up with the mounting bills. 

Like many of his peers, Sean felt hopeless during the beginning of his sentence. Quickly however, he grasped onto inspiration from his daughter who was born just several months after he went to prison. During his incarceration, Sean published several autobiographical books as a part of his daily introspection. He also applied his skills for leadership and resourcefulness to become a mental health aide and peer educator.

Perhaps most profoundly though, Sean began using his art to brighten the environment around him. From commissioned murals in DOC facilities, endearing portraits requested by staff and peers alike, and countless compositions specially made for each episode of the DU Prison Arts Initiative Podcast With(in) that he worked on, Sean demonstrated the ability to respond creatively to all of life’s challenges. Eventually, his immense talent for the arts became a source of bonding with his daughter who inherited his creative gifts despite the restrictions incarceration imposed on quality time.