News Summary
The Historic New Orleans Collection has been awarded the 2025 John Thompson Award for Courage & Justice for its exhibition ‘Captive State: Louisiana and the Making of Mass Incarceration.’ This groundbreaking exhibit, attended by over 25,000 visitors, examined the links between slavery and mass incarceration in Louisiana, highlighting the state’s social and racial inequalities. A book accompanying the exhibit will be released in late 2025, further exploring the historical context and impact of incarceration on Black communities.
New Orleans, Louisiana – The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) has received the prestigious 2025 John Thompson Award for Courage & Justice for its groundbreaking exhibition titled “Captive State: Louisiana and the Making of Mass Incarceration.” The award was presented during the annual event “Oh, Freedom!” hosted by Innocence & Justice Louisiana.
The exhibition, which ran from July 19, 2024, through February 16, 2025, aimed to highlight the historical ties between slavery and mass incarceration in Louisiana, a state known for having the highest incarceration rate in the United States and the second highest globally, trailing only El Salvador. More than 25,000 visitors attended the exhibition, showcasing the public’s interest in understanding the deep-rooted issues related to the justice system.
The John Thompson Award is named after a New Orleans native who was wrongfully convicted and spent 18 years in prison. The recognition underscores HNOC’s commitment to addressing challenging societal issues through education and dialogue. Erica Williams, Events and Development Manager of Innocence & Justice Louisiana, expressed gratitude for HNOC’s dedication to this crucial topic. Daniel Hammer, President and CEO of HNOC, emphasized the exhibition’s role in sparking important conversations about justice reform.
To further supplement the exhibition, a book titled “Captive State: Louisiana and the Making of Mass Incarceration” is set to be published. The book, authored by exhibition curators Eric Seiferth, Katherine Jolliff Dunn, and Kevin T. Harrell, examines the historical roots of mass incarceration within a three-century timeline, connecting Louisiana’s legacy as a colonial slave society to its current mass incarceration system.
Publication Details
The book will explore controversies around the state’s troubling demographics, showing a disproportionate impact of incarceration on Black communities. The foreword is written by Dr. Andrea Armstrong, a professor of law, who emphasizes the importance of recognizing the humanity of incarcerated individuals. The publication is expected to be available for preorder and will go on sale to the general public starting October 1, 2025, with production supported by the Spark Justice Fund at Borealis Philanthropy.
Impact of the Exhibition
The “Captive State” exhibition featured guided tours aimed at educating attendees about the connections between slavery and mass incarceration, held weekly at a suggested fee. Testimonies and stories shared during the exhibition allowed visitors to grasp the systemic inequalities stemming from a history steeped in white supremacy and harsh penal policies.
Since the 1970s, Louisiana has witnessed significant increases in incarceration rates fueled by tough-on-crime rhetoric, reflecting the larger nationwide trend. The exhibition and its accompanying book provide insights into how systemic racism has perpetuated cycles of disenfranchisement, particularly affecting African Americans within the region.
Additional Events
Among the notable attendees of the exhibition were high-profile guests such as John Legend and Sister Helen Prejean. To further illustrate the impact of incarceration on individuals’ lives, a documentary stage play titled “Never Fight a Shark in Water”, which focuses on Gregory Bright’s experiences with incarceration, will be performed in September.
Historical Context
Louisiana’s history reveals a complex narrative where laws and social practices contribute to a system that disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. The data collected from the state’s prison demographics highlights trends that reflect broader social and racial inequities, making the discussions surrounding mass incarceration vital for future reforms.
Through its exhibition and related initiatives, HNOC continues to play a crucial role in fostering understanding of the societal issues surrounding mass incarceration, contributing to an ongoing dialogue that transcends historical injustices.
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Additional Resources
- My New Orleans: HNOC to Publish New Book on Mass Incarceration
- Wikipedia: Mass Incarceration in the United States
- Forbes: HNOC Explores Mass Incarceration in Louisiana
- Google Search: Mass Incarceration Louisiana
- Louisiana Illuminator: Local Jails and Mass Incarceration
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mass Incarceration
- NOLA: New Orleans Jail Escape Incident
- Google News: New Orleans Jail Escape
- Louisiana Illuminator: Incarceration Rates in Louisiana
- Google Scholar: Mass Incarceration Louisiana
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
