Window Into Solitary

My conception of solitary confinement is a small cell with no light, no view to the outside world, and dark and dreary.

What I wanted to show in the portraits was space— ever-ending space— that contradicted the experienced confinement. But after interviewing Whitfield, Sabur, and Canales, the reality is that solitary confinement was much more than being separated from their peers or general population.

All three complained that the cells were a torture chamber, meals were sporadic, the bedding unclean, and overrun with rodents. It was a relentless cycle of inhumane treatment. 

Anisah Sabur was in solitary throughout her incarceration for different periods. She described the cell as a “box” with a metal bed frame attached to the wall along with a thin plastic mattress, and the women were forced to wear a thin paper knee-length gown. Now that she is out, Sabur is strong, persevering, and a remarkable leader in her community, mentoring young women to a successful pat,h thus wiping away stereotypes about the formerly incarcerated.

Brian Branch-Price

Brian Branch-Price is a native of Plainfield, New Jersey and a Howard University graduate with a degree in geology and fine arts photography. He is a photographer and photo editor whose career has ranged from photojournalism to commissioned fine arts projects.

His career as a photojournalist began at The Hilltop (Howard University) as well as a freelancer for The Washington Post. He had five photo internships before staffing for the Trenton Times, The New Journal, the Associated Press, Public Square Amplified and Zuma Press.

Brian was selected as a DOD Embed for the Iraq War for AP. His work includes reportage on Obataan Mobilization Against Poverty, an orphanage in Ghana, January 6 riots, Super Bowl, World Series, and world cycling championships.

His current project, “The Original Cowboy, An American Institution,” takes a deep look into the Black cowboy culture. Other projects include Black maternal health and infant mortality, vanishing communities, Major Taylor Legacies, BLM, and Black Gospel legends.

Window Into Solitary

“Window into Solitary” is a photography exhibition with the goal to educate and activate the public about the profound impact and harrowing consequences of the widespread use of solitary confinement in American prisons.

The exhibit focuses on 17 formerly incarcerated people from across the U.S. who have spent extensive amounts of time in solitary. In addition to powerful photographic images, the exhibit includes written testimony by the participants about their experiences in solitary confinement and their thoughts about its widespread use across the U.S. carceral system.

Produced by

Look2Justice
www.look2justice.com

Social Documentary Network
www.socialdocumentary.net