‘No Bars on Talent Show’ at Century Regional Detention Facility

Jasmin Matau makes a grand entrance as she takes the stage to compete in the “No Bars on Talent Show” at the Century Regional Detention Facility. Matau sang a stirring rendition of the John Legend song “So High.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Feb. 20, 2015 7:05 AM PT

Inmates at the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood participated in the “No Bars on Talent Show.” Champ Demetria took top honors for a medley of songs, including “Natural Woman,” evoking thoughts of Aretha Franklin as hundreds of incarcerated women sang along.

Leticia Salas recites a poem she penned, titled “A Lesson Learned,” as incarcerated women perform in the “No Bars on Talent Show,” at the Century Regional Detention Facility. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Patricia Bellows, leader of Honesty and Wild Words, relaxes backstage moments before performing in the “No Bars on Talent Show” at the Century Regional Detention Facility. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Champ Demetria cries tears of joy after her singing group, Champ and the Gatos, was awarded first place in the “No Bars on Talent Show,” at the Century Regional Detention Facility. Champ sang a medley of songs, including “Natural Woman,” evoking Aretha Franklin, as hundreds of incarcerated women sang along. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Brittany Dixon sings “When I Was Your Man,” a tune by Bruno Mars, during the “No Bars on Talent Show,” at the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Incarcerated women sway to the music as Champ and the Gatos perform in the “No Bars on Talent Show” at the Century Regional Detention Facility. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Champ and the Gatos are cheered by fellow inmates after their performance. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Women from housing module 3300 gather for a prayer moments before competing in the “No Bars on Talent Show.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Kelly Dickens performs “Mama Prayed,” a song she wrote for the “No Bars on Talent Show,” at the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)