Over a Decade in Prison

All photos by Bill Hackwell except where credited otherwise

First they spent 17 months in solitary confinement. Then, after a biased trial in 2001, came the long drawn-out appeals process which still continues today.


Gerardo Hernandez and his mother Carmen in Victorville Federal Penitentiary photo: prison photographer
Gerardo Hernandez and his mother Carmen in Victorville Federal Penitentiary photo: prison photographer

2008 - Gerardo Hernandez and Father Michael Lapsley, a victim of a terrorist attack in South Africa during the struggle to end apartheid, at Victorville Federal Penitentiary. Photo: prison photographer
2008 - Gerardo Hernandez and Father Michael Lapsley, a victim of a terrorist attack in South Africa during the struggle to end apartheid, at Victorville Federal Penitentiary. Photo: prison photographer

2002 - Scan of the original Cuban Five logo created by Gerardo Hernandez in Lompoc Federal Penitentiary. This drawing has become the symbol of the case worldwide. To see a description of how he did it go to: http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/miami5/los_heroes/gerardo/0006.html
2002 - Scan of the original Cuban Five logo created by Gerardo Hernandez in Lompoc Federal Penitentiary. This drawing has become the symbol of the case worldwide. To see a description of how he did it go to: www.granma.cubaweb.cu/miami5/los_heroes/gerardo/0006.html

2005 - Cartoon by Gerardo Hernandez, drawing attention to the hypocrisy of U.S. immigration policy. This came out soon after admitted terrorist Luis Posada Carriles was snuck into the U.S.
2005 - Cartoon by Gerardo Hernandez, drawing attention to the hypocrisy of U.S. immigration policy. This came out soon after admitted terrorist Luis Posada Carriles was snuck into the U.S.

2003 - Of course Cuba Hurts, Gerardo Hernandez cartoon in response to Eduardo Galeanos article Cuba Hurts
2003 - Of course Cuba Hurts, Gerardo Hernandez cartoon in response to Eduardo Galeano's article 'Cuba Hurts'

April 2005 - Gerardo Hernandezs cartoon after Posada Carriles was allowed out of immigration detention to return to Miami.
April 2005 - Gerardo Hernandez's cartoon after Posada Carriles was allowed out of immigration detention to return to Miami.

2004 - Gerardo Hernandezs cartoon showing the double standards for entering the U.S.
2004 - Gerardo Hernandez's cartoon showing the double standards for entering the U.S.

Cancelled Cuban postage stamp honoring the Cuban 5
Cancelled Cuban postage stamp honoring the Cuban 5

September 2008 - logo created by Gerardo Hernandez for U.S. concert in NYC 5 stars and a song. on the 10th anniversary of their incarceration. Despite threats and protests by the anti-Cuba community in New Jersey over 600 attend the event at Hostos College.
September 2008 - logo created by Gerardo Hernandez for U.S. concert in NYC '5 stars and a song.' on the 10th anniversary of their incarceration. Despite threats and protests by the anti-Cuba community in New Jersey over 600 attend the event at Hostos College.

Fernando Gonzales with his mother Magali Lort and retired Roman Catholic auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Oxford Federal Prison Wisconsin
Fernando Gonzales with his mother Magali Lort and retired Roman Catholic auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit, Thomas Gumbleton. Oxford Federal Prison Wisconsin

Painting of Fidel Castro by Antonio Guerrero in Florence Federal Penitentiary. Guerrero learned how to paint during his incarceration that began in 1998.
Painting of Fidel Castro by Antonio Guerrero in Florence Federal Penitentiary. Guerrero learned how to paint during his incarceration that began in 1998.

Antonio Guerrero with painting of Adriana Perez wife of Gerardo Hernandez, Florence Federal Prison. The painting belongs to the traveling entitled Bridge of Solidarity
Antonio Guerrero with painting of Adriana Perez wife of Gerardo Hernandez, Florence Federal Prison. The painting belongs to the traveling exhibit entitled Bridge of Solidarity. This photo was taken by a prison photographer.

One thought on “Over a Decade in Prison”

  • Great news! The Cuban 5 will be released as soon as Cuba has free elections. Bad news! The Cubans have waited a half century for Fidel’s promised free elections and it looks like it will be another half century before something happens.

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