Lorenzo Steele Jr. has a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice, an accomplished visual artist, author and a former New York City Corrections officer that has served 12 years in the nation's most violent adolescent detention center (RNDC) located on NYC's Rikers Island.
Throughout his employment with DOC Mr. Steele captured some of the most captivating and horrid images ever taken behind prison walls. After leaving the department Mr. Steele took with him experience and knowledge about prison life that he now shares with the youth, parents, as well as educators in an attempt to deter violence and incarceration. He's also excelled in the art of photography, which he strategically uses to lay a credible platform for the effective edification of young adults.
By starting a youth development program in 2001, Lorenzo provides workshops, training and consultation in school districts throughout NYC. Mr. Steele targets trouble youth who are in need of awareness about the criminal justice system and its harsh realities. Exclusive experience and visual effect has allowed Mr. Steele to work as a New York City Board of Education vendor where he assists schools with conflict resolution, bullying and literacy training workshops. The program was designed to reduce incidents and to induce consequential thinking.
Lorenzo has worked with District Attorneys offices in Brooklyn/ Queens and Nassau Long Island providing gang and prison awareness to at-risk youth in schools and communities. With such an analysis of the prison system and images depicting life on the inside, colleges such as Columbia University, John Jay College, and New Rochelle College have allowed him to present at their institutions for the edification of scholars, alumni, and faculty for the purpose of gaining an in-depth analysis of the criminal justice system and those individuals most likely to end up on it's punitive side.
Lorenzo has appeared on television networks such as WABC’s “Like It Is” and recently on CNN discussing Rikers Island solitary confinement units.
Mr. Steele has serviced numerous agencies such as the National Association of Mental Illness NAMI, Administration for Children's Services (ACS), United Federation of Teachers (UFT) as well as Nassau/Suffolk (BOCES) school systems. In addition Lorenzo has received numerous awards from the Congressional Senate, and State Assemblyman for his commitment to community service and dedication to children. Lorenzo Steele Jr. continues to use the power of storytelling through the arts to change the decision-making process of thousands of youth that were heading down the wrong path in life.
Current Whereabouts:
I have created a platform where I share my experience and knowledge about the criminal justice system. I use visual art to share my audience the injustices and inhumane conditions that await individuals that enter the prison system. I am a public speaker looking to continue sharing this information within public schools, communities, colleges and universities.
Life & Professional Aspirations:
I am raising funds and seeking grants that will enable me to purchase a school bus that I will use for my project titled Behind These Prison Walls. The bus will be retrofitted into a prison art museum. The bus will travel to economically challenged communities plagued with violence. Long term goal is to create the first prison art museum where families, schools, and colleges could get first hand knowledge of the prison industrial complex.
Security Associate|
Security
From January 2018 to Current • 8 year(s)
Provides security at high schools, supervises at-risk youth in suspension rooms, and reports incidents to law enforcement.
Educational Consultant|
Owner/Founder
From January 2001 to Current • 25 year(s)
Provides life skills counseling and mentoring for at-risk youth, develops intervention workshops, and facilitates community outreach programs.
Public Speaker|
Contracted
From January 1999 to Current • 27 year(s)
Contracted speaker on prison awareness, mass incarceration, and criminal justice topics for various organizations and educational institutions.
Visual Artist|
Author, Artist
From 0 to Current • 2026 year(s)
Conducts prison art exhibitions for schools and colleges, collaborates on street art exhibitions, and authors articles on mental health and incarceration.
Employee|
Council of Thoughts and Actions (COTA)
From January 2016 to January 2018 • 2 year(s)
Assisted District Attorney's office with gang outreach workshops and provided case management for youth and adults on probation.
Correction Officer|
New York City Department of Corrections
From January 1987 to January 1999 • 12 year(s)
Supervised and counseled mentally challenged and violent youth ages 14-21 in secure prison, implemented behavior modification techniques.
The era 1987-1999 was the most violent years in Rikers Island history. Former Corrections officer wants to share that experience with you. So I am asking that if you have any questions in relation to ...more
Posted by Lorenzo Steele on June 3rd, 2021 • 1,286 Views
