holding bodies: a justice anthology

Through animation, observation, and subject participation, the three-part series holding bodies: a justice anthology delves into the New Orleans criminal justice system and explores the collective experiences of arrest, pre-trial detention, and incarceration. Through first-hand accounts and vivid memories, episodes paint a visceral portrait of a justice system that detains without charges, convicts without a jury, and releases individuals back into society with PTSD from their experiences.

The first episode, “First Disappearances,” explores the post-arrest journey when an individual is processed into jail, held overnight, and then brought shackled to court for the first time. By using animation, the episode connects multiple stories to create a singular collective narrative. The second episode, “D.A. Time,” examines the length of time an individual can sit in jail before they are charged with a crime (in Louisiana it is 60-120 days) and how this long period of pre-trial incarceration often impels individuals to plead guilty. The final episode, “After Angola,” follows a small group of men who have spent significant time inside of Angola, once the most violent prison in America. The episode’s exploration of collective workshops in film, storytelling, and peer counseling reveals the long-term trauma the men still experience. By considering the justice system through an experiential lens, the series asks us to reconsider the intention, design, and process of America’s justice system.