Still Doing Life: 22 Lifers, 25 Years Later

The book "Still Doing Life" is a powerful exploration of the lives of individuals serving life sentences without the possibility of parole in Pennsylvania prisons. Through side-by-side time-lapse photos and interviews, separated by twenty-five years, the book showcases the remarkable resilience of these individuals and raises profound questions about the criminal justice system.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 28 April 2022
Publisher: The New Press

In 1996, Howard Zehr, a restorative justice activist and photographer, published "Doing Life," a book of photo portraits of individuals serving life sentences without the possibility of parole in Pennsylvania prisons. Twenty-five years later, Zehr revisited many of the same individuals and photographed them in the same poses. In "Still Doing Life," Zehr and co-author Barb Toews present the two photos of each individual side by side, along with interviews conducted at the two different photo sessions, creating a deeply moving portrait of people who, for the past quarter century, have been trying to live meaningful lives while facing the likelihood that they will never be free.

In the tradition of other compelling photo books including Milton Rogovins' "Triptychs" and Nicholas Nixon's "The Brown Sisters," "Still Doing Life" offers a riveting longitudinal look at a group of people over an extended period of time—in this case with complex and problematic implications for the American criminal justice system. Each night in the United States, more than 200,000 men and women incarcerated in state and federal prisons will go to sleep facing the reality that they may die without ever experiencing freedom.

The book raises profound questions about the nature of punishment and the role of the criminal justice system in society. It challenges the notion that punishment is solely about retribution and deterrence, and instead emphasizes the potential for rehabilitation and transformation. Zehr and Toews' interviews with the individuals featured in the book provide a window into their lives and experiences, and shed light on the challenges they face in prison and the efforts they make to stay connected to their communities and pursue their goals.

One of the most striking aspects of the book is the resilience of the individuals featured. Despite the harsh conditions they face in prison, many of them continue to strive for personal growth and development. They participate in educational programs, engage in creative expression, and maintain strong relationships with their families and loved ones. They also work to advocate for reform in the criminal justice system, seeking to improve conditions for themselves and others who are currently incarcerated.

The book also highlights the systemic issues that contribute to the high rate of recidivism in the United States. It points to the lack of access to education and job training programs, the inadequate healthcare and mental health services, and the racial and economic disparities that exist in the criminal justice system. These issues not only perpetuate the cycle of incarceration, but also limit the potential for individuals to turn their lives around and become contributing members of society.

In conclusion, "Still Doing Life" is a powerful and thought-provoking book that offers a unique perspective on the lives of individuals serving life sentences without the possibility of parole. It challenges the reader to consider the implications of our criminal justice system and the potential for positive change. By presenting the two photos of each individual side by side, along with the interviews conducted at the two different photo sessions, Zehr and Toews create a deeply moving portrait of people who have been marginalized and forgotten by society, but who continue to strive for a better future.

Dimension: 238 x 193 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781620976487