“We’re Not Trying to Make a Better Tomb” - Lydia Pelot-Hobbs’ Prison Capital: Mass Incarceration and Struggles for Abolition Democracy in Louisiana
Aug 8, 2024
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In this enlightening discussion, Lydia Pelot-Hobbs, an assistant professor at the University of Kentucky, delves into her book, which explores Louisiana's staggering history of mass incarceration. She highlights the intersection of economic forces, systemic racism, and grassroots activism that has shaped the state's penal landscape. The conversation touches on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the role of policing in New Orleans, and the vital need for transformative change. Lydia also discusses the shift from reform to abolition, emphasizing the importance of addressing deep-rooted social inequities.
Louisiana's historical status as the state with the highest incarceration rate is shaped by systemic racism and local law enforcement dynamics.
The power of sheriffs in Louisiana profoundly influences local policing practices, contributing to inflated incarceration rates through autonomous decision-making.
Activism in New Orleans has focused on grassroots abolitionist efforts, particularly responding to systemic violence and injustices post-Hurricane Katrina.
The per diem funding model for state prisoners incentivizes overcrowding in jails, entrenching a cycle of incarceration and economic dependency.
Coalition-building among various activist groups in New Orleans illustrates the potential for collaborative action to combat systemic violence and push for reform.
Deep dives
Historical Overview of Mass Incarceration in Louisiana
Louisiana has historically held the highest rate of incarceration in the United States, particularly between 1998 and 2020. The book outlines the significant developments that occurred after Louisiana's turn to mass incarceration between 1970 and 2020 while highlighting the social and political dynamics that shaped this phenomenon. Factors such as heightened policing, the local power of sheriffs, and the impact of Hurricane Katrina are central to understanding the state's incarceration trajectory. This historical context is crucial for grasping how these components interconnect with broader issues of systemic racism and state violence in Louisiana.
The Role of Sheriff Power in Louisiana
The influence of sheriff power in Louisiana's carceral landscape is examined, especially regarding the autonomy of local law enforcement. Sheriffs possess considerable discretion in how law is enforced and often align themselves with state interests that perpetuate mass incarceration. The county-level sheriff's departments not only manage jails but also play key roles in the policing and sentencing of individuals. This decentralized power can lead to unwarranted inflations in incarceration rates, as the decisions made at this level have direct implications on systemic outcomes.
Abolitionist Organizing in New Orleans
The author shares firsthand experiences of engaging in activist efforts in New Orleans, emphasizing the importance of grassroots abolitionist organizing. The influence of anti-carceral movements, particularly those led by Black radicals, reshaped local narratives regarding policing and incarceration following Hurricane Katrina. Activists sought to address long-standing injustices while fighting against the systemic violence of jails and prisons. This activism represents a response not just to contemporary issues, but also to historical patterns of oppression within Louisiana.
Dangers of Post-Katrina Policing Dynamics
The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina marked a shift towards increased policing and criminalization in New Orleans, particularly targeting marginalized communities. The narrative of looting and chaos during the hurricane facilitated an environment that justified aggressive policing tactics. State and local laws were manipulated to criminalize the behavior of displaced, primarily Black individuals, perpetuating a cycle of violence and neglect. This dynamic exemplifies how disaster scenarios can create opportunities for the intensified application of state power against vulnerable populations.
The Impact of Per Diem Rates on Incarceration
The per diem system, established for accommodating state prisoners in local jails, significantly influenced Louisiana's approach to incarceration. Jails began to see monetary incentives for accepting state prisoners, which often led to overcrowding and heightened rates of incarceration. This funding model created a conflict of interest, as local sheriffs profited from the influx of state prisoners while contributing to a cycle of punitive responses. The system drove the expansion of jails and entrenched the carceral state, creating an economic dependency on incarceration that persists even today.
Youth Vulnerability and LGBTQ+ Organizing
The rise of organizing groups such as Breakout highlights the unique vulnerabilities faced by LGBTQ+ youth of color in New Orleans, particularly in relation to policing. These young activists centered their experiences of discrimination and violence to mobilize against the systemic criminalization they faced. Through campaigns that aimed to reduce police violence and increase safety, Breakout became integral to advocating for their rights and creating safe spaces. Their organizing exemplifies how coalition-building among marginalized groups can push back against entrenched forms of violence and foster a new vision for community safety.
Coalition Building Among Activist Groups
One of the pivotal themes in the podcast is the significance of coalition-building across various activist groups in New Orleans focused on combating mass incarceration and police brutality. Organizations such as Safe Streets Strong Communities and Breakout joined forces to address systemic violence and push for social justice reforms, showcasing a united front against the structural issues afflicting the city. Their coalition was not without challenges, as different political stances often led to debates over priorities within organizing. However, these collaborations highlight the potential for collective action to foster meaningful change amidst oppressive state apparatus.
The Shift Towards Policy Changes and Reform
The narrative concludes with a significant victory for abolitionist and reformist organizing, as grassroots efforts led to policy changes around police oversight and jail size. The Orleans Parish Prison Reform Coalition successfully pushed for a reduction in jail capacity and emphasized the need for alternative community resources. This reform represents a critical moment in understanding how localized activism can create pathways toward dismantling oppressive structures. The ongoing struggle continues to emphasize the necessity of adapting strategies in response to evolving systemic challenges.
Concluding Thoughts on Abolition and Resistance
Throughout the podcast, the importance of viewing abolition as a practical solution is reinforced, highlighting a growing recognition among organizers regarding systemic issues of incarceration and police violence. As activists work toward dismantling the structures that perpetuate inequality, the pathways through which advocacy occurs become increasingly complex. The lessons learned from New Orleans serve as a crucial reminder of the adaptive strategies needed to confront oppression and create a more equitable society. This ongoing dialogue between past and present movements signifies an urgent need for sustained activism in the face of systemic violence.
Lydia Pelot-Hobbs is an assistant professor of Geography and African American & Africana Studies at the University of Kentucky. In addition to Prison Capital, she is the co-editor of The Jail Is Everywhere: Fighting the New Geography of Mass Incarceration (Verso Books 2024). Her research, writing, and teaching is grounded in over 15 years of abolitionist organizing and political education facilitation in New Orleans and beyond.
Every year between 1998 to 2020 except one, Louisiana had the highest per capita rate of incarceration in the nation and thus the world. This book is the first detailed account of Louisiana's unprecedented turn to mass incarceration from 1970 to 2020.
In this discussion we talk about the dynamics that contributed to that history. It’s a fascinating conversation that gets into Louisiana’s shifting political economy, the policing of New Orleans, the importance of sheriff power in Louisiana, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and various forms of anti-carceral organizing from the streets of New Olreans to Louisiana State Penitentiary, better known as Angola.
Massive Bookshop has Prison Capital if people are interested in picking up a copy and delving more deeply into this conversation, as I mentioned a couple times during the episode there is a lot of really interesting analysis in the book that we didn’t have time to adequately address in this conversation.
I would be remiss if I didn’t say we’re releasing this conversation during Black August, find some local or online political education about that, write to political prisoners, get involved in their campaigns.
