The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Furthermore, in the last 40 years the incarceration of girls and women has grown by 834% according to the Prison Policy Initiative.

Per(Sister): Incarcerated Women of the United States explores the root causes of mass incarceration in the US through art inspired by the interviews of thirty formerly incarcerated women of Louisiana—the state known as the “Prison Capital of the World.” Co-curated in partnership with formerly incarcerated women, Per(Sister) seeks to build awareness of the crucial issues that impact women before, during, and after incarceration. The exhibition shares stories of loss, hope, despair, survival, triumph, and persistence in a variety of forms, demonstrating simultaneously the universal struggles faced by communities impacted by incarceration and the personal resilience of each woman featured.


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Project Contact:

  • Steven Bridges
  • MSU Broad Art Museum
  • Provost and Academic Affairs



Partners

  • Detroit Justice Center
  • PCAP at U of M
  • Operation Restoration
  • American Frieds Service Committee (AFSC)
  • Safe and Just Michigan
  • Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC)
  • Youth Justice Fund
  • Detroit Justice Center, PCAP at U of M, Citizens for Prison Reform, Youth Arts Alliance. Tulane University, Operation Restoration, Women with a Vision, AFSC, Campaign for Youth Justice, Safe and Just Michigan, Zealous, MDOC, Open MI Door Campaign, Youth Justice Fund




Report of calendar year 2021 activity.