Using NFTs for Good w/Abe Uccello | S1 E8
On this episode of Rehash, we’re talking with Abe Uccello, founder of Pris0n Art. Abe has an interesting professional past, having worked in tech and later serving as the Director of the Florida Department of Corrections. His time in these spaces gave him a unique perspective on how emerging tech, like web3, could be used to bring about positive change for incarcerated individuals.
This led Abe to spin up Pris0n Art - an organization that helps those coming out of the prison system pay their legal fees through the creation and sale of NFTs. Around 30% of felons land back in prison due to their inability to pay these fees, leading to a vicious cycle that it’s easy to see but difficult to climb out of. Pris0n Art works with the incarcerated to help them tell their stories through art, sell that art as NFTs, and use those funds to pay their debt. Instead of coming out of prison with a mountain of debt, Pris0n Art helps to ease that process and give them a real shot at getting back on their feet.
During our conversation we also discuss mental health, how DAOs could increase access to supportive networks, other use cases of NFTs, the power of composability, and more.
To continue this conversation and stay up to date on all things Rehash, you can follow Diana on Twitter @ddwchen and Rehash @rehashweb3. You can follow our guest, Abe, @AbrahamUccello.
⌛ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
0:50 Abe’s background
3:59 How Pris0n Art began
5:33 What is Pris0n Art?
13:18 Secondary sales of Pris0n Art NFTs
16:06 Trading prison names for artist names
18:35 Pris0n Art’s Genesis Raise on May 12, 2022
21:13 Cryptography and economies in prison
24:29 Other ways of using NFTs for good
31:23 The future of Pris0n Art
34:01 Follow Abe and Pris0n Art!
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