The Shank Tree: A True Story from Prison Shop Class

When I was in prison, I found something kind of miraculous: normalcy. It was rare, but every now and then, something would feel… almost human. For me, that something was the Building Trades Program.

It was early in my sentence when I got into the class. We met in the afternoons, and stepping into that shop felt like stepping out of prison. Music played. People were working on real projects. The teacher talked to us like we were people—not numbers or threats or burdens. Even the officer assigned to the class wasn’t looming like a tower of doom. It just felt... good. It felt like life.

Then one day, my teacher came to me with a special project.

He handed me a photo of a metal trellis shaped like a tree, artistic and beautiful, with metal leaves curling off the branches. He asked if I’d make it.

This isn’t it exactly, but close. In mine the leaves had more curve. But this is the general idea.

 I felt honored, honestly. It meant he saw something in me, and I was so in. I was also really honored that I would be learning to use the plasma cutter, the grinder, and the welder. That kind of trust and responsibility wasn’t something I took lightly.

That’s how I ended up making what we now affectionately called “The Shank Tree.”

Why the name? Well, the leaves weren’t your typical oak or maple variety. They were shaped more like—how do I put this delicately—shanks. Seriously. They had that same curved, tapered look. So, there I was, plasma cutting dozens of sharp, metal leaf-shaped pieces, grinding and welding them onto a frame to bring this trellis to life.

Even the teacher laughed about it. We all did. But when we heard the warden or some higher-ups might be doing a walk-through, we’d gather up all the “leaves” and stash them in a container in the corner. Just imagine the optics: a group of prisoners making dozens of razor-sharp metal objects. Not ideal for a surprise inspection.

It took months—more than a few do-overs and plenty of help—but the Shank Tree eventually came together. It didn’t look exactly like the photo (okay, it looked nothing like the photo), but it stood tall. It was ours. And I was proud of it.

At one point, rumor had it that the finished piece would be displayed in front of the prison. I’m not sure if it ever made it all the way out there. Last I heard, it was still somewhere near what used to be the Building Trades building. Right where it belongs.

So yeah. That’s the true story of how I made a tree full of shanks in prison.

And no, I don’t recommend using it for shade.

Thanks for reading.