Los Angeles Poverty Department premieres "History of Incarceration" at Highways Performance Space in Los Angeles

Jan 28 - Feb 05 2011

Highways Performance Space
Santa Monica, CA

The performance space is filled wall-to-wall with 60 bunk-beds, the same model used in the prison system. State of Incarceration takes place in this restrictive prison architecture that replicates the over-crowded California state prisons. The US Supreme Court is at present deliberating whether these conditions constitute cruel and unusual punishment, in violation of the Constitution. The performance events will include conversations with people working to improve conditions in the county jails and state prisons, including Esther Lim, Jessica Price and Michael Bien.


State of Incarceration explores the consequence of incarceration on people, families and communities. The US has the highest rate of incarceration in the world, California has the greatest number of prisoners in the US and 33% of parolees released to the Los Angeles area settle in the 52 square block neighborhood of Skid Row.