Women’s Justice Institute Launches “UNBROKEN BONDS” Art Exhibit; Celebrates the Love Between Incarcerated Mothers and Their Children (Chicago, IL) – In celebration of Mother’s Day, the Women’s Justice Institute, or WJI, hosted a powerful pre-launch event for its newest art and photography exhibition, UNBROKEN BONDS: Love. Family. Unity. Featuring deeply personal artwork created by incarcerated women and nearly a decade of photographs from the organization’s groundbreaking Reunification Ride program — an initiative that shuttles children each month to visit their incarcerated mothers to help foster ongoing connection and healing — the exhibit showcases the enduring bonds between mothers and their children.
“This exhibit is about dismantling the false narratives that harm families impacted by incarceration, and the dignity, humanity and love that keep them together,” said Deanne Benos, Executive Director & Co-Founder of the Women’s Justice Institute. “When you incarcerate a mother, her children share that sentence. The mothers and children at the center of this work remind us that love does not end at a prison gate. The art and photography tell stories of strength, resilience, and unbreakable bonds, and we’re thrilled to be able to provide a space for connection and celebration this Mother’s Day weekend and beyond.”
UNBROKEN BONDS highlights nine years of Reunification Ride participants, stunning photography from the WJI’s groundbreaking report, “Redefining the Narrative,” and features two murals created by a formerly incarcerated mother who attended the event and shared her story with guests. Attendees of Saturday’s event included some of the first mothers and children (now grown) that participated in the ride as much as nine years ago and that are now back home and reunited with their children; and other former participants currently incarcerated at the IDOC Fox Valley ATC Work Release Center and their children.
The launch was the first time former participants got to explore the exhibit before the public launch next week, and many shared powerful emotions and stories, and quotes from currently incarcerated participants were also featured.
“After giving birth in jail, I didn’t know if my son and I would ever see each other again. For 19 years, we fought for every moment. If it wasn’t for the WJI and the Reunification Ride, I don’t know if I would have ever had the chance to be a mom or even have contact with my child again. I am proud to say that he made the dean’s list and rushed a fraternity in college. We lost so many years, and now we can’t wait to be together again,” said Katrina, who is featured in the photos and is currently completing her sentence at the IDOC’s only work release center for women and volunteers for the WJI.
“There have been times where I needed to see my children’s faces, because of my state of mind in prison. Due to this program, I am able to still touch and hug my kids in person. I am able to still be a mother to my daughters. I am able to let them know that I am still here, even though I am incarcerated. My daughters are growing up into young ladies, and I enjoy spending time with them as if we were at home. We have had our trials and tribulations and losses these past months. Every time they come to see me, we cry, hug, and let each other know that we love each other,” said Janay, a currently incarcerated participant.
“Being a mother does not stop at the prison door – it never does. When I was incarcerated, I lost so much precious time with my children and staying connected to them was my greatest inspiration to heal beyond my own trauma, addiction and systems involvement – but it was a struggle. I co-founded the Reunification Ride program to prevent other families from suffering the way I did, and to build a community of support for them and their children,” said Colette Payne, WJI Reclamation Project Director. Payne and WJI Director of Policy & Special Projects Alexis Mansfield were among the co-founders of the program and lead its implementation; and Mansfield’s photography of families over the years is prominently featured throughout the exhibit.
Reunification Ride was founded by a coalition that includes the WJI (the home of the program), Nehemiah Trinity Rising, Moms United Against Violence and Incarceration (MUAVI), Ascend Justice and others, with ongoing support from the Illinois Department of Correction (IDOC) Women’s Division.
Women’s Justice Institute Launches “UNBROKEN BONDS” Art Exhibit; Celebrates the Love Between Incarcerated Mothers and Their Children
