"Let the circle be unbroken," recited inmate Samir Ali. "Let the circle be unbroken."

It would be this very theme that would serve as foundation for discussion Tuesday night during the third installment of the "Breaking Bread Series" at the State Correctional Institution at Rockview.

The "Breaking Bread Series," sponsored by the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, is an outreach initiative in which Penn State students meet with inmates at the prison each week this month. They are reading Who's Gonna Take the Weight? Manhood, Race, and Power in America by Kevin Powell.

This week, however, the book was put aside as poetry, song and rhyme took precedent among students and inmates.

As poetry turned to song and song to rhyme, inmates began to share pieces of their past.

"I got caught up, and the next thing I know I was facing homicide charges," inmate Curtis Jones said.

Jones, 25, who was on a college football scholarship before he was imprisoned, is now faced with a difficult decision.

"When they say college is the hardest decision in your life, they're wrong," he said.

Jones currently has the choice of either facing six to 12 more years in prison or fighting his case in court where he has the possibility of winning. However, if Jones were to lose, he could face a life sentence.

Despite his current dilemma, Jones said he takes refuge in writing short stories.

Inmate Christopher Gaines said he, much like Jones, uses his art to challenge himself creatively.

"I was raised artistically," Gaines said. "Me, myself, being an artist, I love to do music."

Gaines, who is known as "Lhogic" among his fellow inmates, said he not only raps but also does poetry and break dances.

"Me being here right now is a blessing," Gaines said of the receptive atmosphere at Tuesday night's gathering.

Claude Mayo (graduate-higher education) said their interactions were "immediately collaborative."

"They shared what they had been thinking," he said. "They gave us a piece of them."

Mayo said that collaboration was his initial reason for joining the group.

"I love to see one institution combine with another institution and see what synergy comes from that," Mayo said. "This is a chance to take Penn State out of Penn State."

Megan Rogers (graduate-genetics), who said she believes the inmates used their art for "self-enrichment," shared similar thoughts.

"I feel like the bar barrier is broken," Rogers said. "I definitely think there is a connection being made, and we're definitely learning from each other."

Mayo agreed.

"We're getting closer just beyond the names," he said. "There are some good guys in there."