Please join The New Press, the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), and DCTV for Hell Is a Very Small Place: A Night of Voices from Solitary Confinement, a special evening of arts and discussion spotlighting the voices of those affected by solitary confinement. We’ll celebrate the publication of the book with dramatic readings from the book, informative dialogue, and a short film.

The arts portion of the evening will include a short film highlighting some of the most challenging aspects of having a family member in solitary confinement and dramatic readings of stories featured in Hell Is a Very Small Place by The Peace Poets, Broadway performer Tanya Birl, and book contributor and activist Five Mualimm-ak.

Selections will include, among others, an essay penned by Todd Ashker, CCR client and the named plaintiff in Ashker v. Governor of California, a federal class action lawsuit on behalf of prisoners held in prolonged solitary confinement in California. A recent settlement in the case has ended indeterminate solitary confinement in California and will dramatically reduce the number of people held in solitary.

In addition, Hell Is a Very Small Place co-editor and Solitary Watch co-director Jean Casella will discuss how the book was created and the importance of sharing the stories of those affected by solitary confinement. CCR Deputy Legal Director Alexis Agathocleous will discuss Ashker v. Governor of California in detail. The evening will conclude with a Q&A with audience members.

This event is free but RSVP is required.