Generations Home Page (En Espaņol) | SCL Home Page


GENERATIONS LOCKED DOWN:
THE IMPACT OF PRISON ON A COMMUNITY

Over 50 community members and members of community groups gathered at the Southern California Library on Saturday, August 27, 2005, for a powerful day of sharing stories about the impact of prison on  our lives and our communities. People told us it was "very powerful," "a great way to get the community connected about this issue," and "a good positive breakthrough." In other comments, we were told: "I was very impressed with the young people who spoke. I feel that it is very necessary to build an understanding in the community as a whole--both young and old" and "It should become an annual event!"

The day featured testimonies, collection of prison-related items, and people doing artwork at an art/journal station run by a youth artist. There was also music from the ISLA Percussion Group featuring Afro-Cuban Drumming, and an art exhibit by local artist Dalila Paola Mendez, as well as an exhibit of photos from the "A New Way of Life Re-Entry Project" that opened the day of the event.


See more photos of the event... 

The event was presented by the Southern California Library with support from the Council for the Humanities and the California Community Foundation

For more information, download the flyer (PDF) or read the press release. See more resources on prisons and incarceration (also in PDF) and a fact sheet.

Talk of the City host Kitty Felde hosted a piece on this event and the broader issue on KPCC on Thursday, August 25. Listen to the piece. You can also go to the Talk of the City web page and scroll to the heading "Second Chances."

THE FACTS: U.S. rates of imprisonment rates have reached unprecedented levels compared with any other time in U.S. history or in comparison with other Western countries. One out of every 80 people between the ages of 16 and 70 is in jail or prison. For Black men, the situation is even more grim, with a one in three chance of doing time in their lifetime. More facts on incarceration... (also in PDF).