25 Years in Prison: Paintchip’s Story | Day in the Life

At 50 years old, Paintchip has spent half of his life in prison. He was incarcerated at 25 after a night fueled by anger, alcohol, and choices that ended another person’s life. Now, he lives with the permanence of that loss while trying to make something meaningful from the life he still has. In this Day in the Life episode, Paintchip takes us inside his work as a stained-glass artist in prison. He shows us how he carefully measures, cuts, solders, and rebuilds each piece, knowing that one wrong move can crack the glass and force him to begin again. The work can be slow and frustrating, but Paintchip has learned not to walk away when something breaks. Instead, he takes it apart, reevaluates the problem, and tries again. That process has become a reflection of his own life. Paintchip speaks candidly about his early struggles with alcoholism, living out of his car, losing his parents while incarcerated, and the night he committed second-degree murder. Without minimizing the life that was lost or the harm he caused, he shares what it means to face his actions without drugs or alcohol to hide behind. “I’ve been humbled by this experience,” he says. “I’m sorry for that.” Through stained glass, Paintchip has found patience, discipline, and a sense of direction. The materials may be delicate, but with time and care, they can become something intricate and lasting. As Paintchip considers an uncertain future, he knows rebuilding will take time, but he is willing to try. Watch Paintchip’s story and step inside a part of prison life rarely seen by the public. Subscribe to Prison Life Media for more firsthand stories from the people who live and work inside correctional facilities. #PrisonLife #DayInTheLife #StainedGlassArtist