The Incarcerated Mass
Portraits by Justin T. Jones
Theatre Y Artistic Director Melissa Lorraine has been working with men serving extreme sentences at Stateville Correctional Center since 2018. With no parole system for natural life sentences, these men will never be released, despite acquiring multiple degrees and starting a non-profit inside: Parole Illinois. (LEARN MORE about THE ENDING OF PAROLE and THE NEW BILL you can support at ParoleIllinois.org!)
(Theatre Y makes a case for Restoring Parole at the 2024 Jeff Awards)
Theatre Y is creating original works with twenty-five men who have been part of the DePaul and PNAP (Prison+Neighborhood Art Project) Think Tank for many years, and filming the work to introduce the world to these men who have been buried alive and to aid the fight to reinstate Parole in Illinois. Thank you for helping to give voice to some of the thousands of Humans of Life Row in the state of Illinois (one of 16 states without a Parole System).
Stateville correctional center - think tank - humans of life row photo credit: karl soderstrom
Jimmy Soto's first visit to Theatre Y as a free man was an indescribable moment of joy. He was formerly a part of The Incarcerated Mass, Theatre Y's ensemble of 25 men serving life sentences at Stateville Correctional Center. Their release seemed impossible as Illinois abolished parole in 1978. However, after 42 years of wrongful incarceration, the Exoneration Project successfully secured Jimmy's freedom. His standing on Theatre Y's roof is a poignant celebration.
We hope he is the first of many!
Filmed by Justin T. Jones and Edited by Shayla Gammon
Justin T. Jones portrait
Photo Credit: karl soderstrom
Hands that harmed into hands that H.E.A.L - Higher Education Ameliorates Lives Scholarship and Mentoring Program: www.npcovenant.org/heal
100% of the funds raised go to college or trade school for H.E.A.L Scholars.
