States of Incarceration @ Hunter

Exhibit of Stories for Justice at Hunter College's Cooperman Library

Bring your class to States of Incarceration:  A National Dialogue of Local Histories, created by over 1,000 students and others deeply affected by incarceration in 28 cities and counting.

August 26 2025-May 31 2026

A Resource for Your Classroom

  • Bring your class to the exhibit this fall to learn about the roots of mass incarceration — and immigrant detention — in places from Newark to New Orleans.   Use our educator guide for activities, discussions, and helpful background you can use to support your visit.
  • Listen to the voices of justice-impacted people sharing personal histories and visions for the future.
  • Learn how your students can add their stories to the project at one of our co-creation cafes.
  • Stay tuned for additional events and written guides for faculty interested in bringing their students.

HOW TO VISIT

Hunter College Cooperman Library, 6th Floor

Accessible to Hunter students and faculty any time the library is open, no need to arrange entry.  Seating for discussions/reflection available.

For access from outside Hunter, go to the main entry desk in the Hunter West Building on the corner of 68th Street and Lexington Avenue and let them know you are here to see the States of Incarceration exhibit.

Contact Us

Past Events

  • Man standing, speaking to a group of people

    September 10, 2025 2:30-3:45, E617

    Co-Creation Cafe

    Join faculty and students from across the College to explore opportunities for co-creating NY stories and connecting them to other communities in the "States of Incarceration" national project.

  • October 29, 2025 1:30pm, E617

    MPHSJ Scholars Tour

    The Mellon Public Humanities and Social Justice (MPHSJ) Scholars will visit the exhibit as part of their exploration of co-creation in public humanities

  • February 2-3, 2026

    States of Incarceration: Connecting Stories Across Borders and Bars

    This two-day convening brought together faculty, students, community advocates, and directly impacted leaders from across the country to explore the intertwined systems of immigration detention and mass incarceration—and the movements working to dismantle them.