In A Whole New Way: Undoing Mass Incarceration by a Path Untraveled

In a Whole New Way contains so much—it’s an engaging history of community corrections and a glimpse of how probation is practiced in New York City. It’s a series of memorable and moving vignettes about people whose lives have been touched by crime and the justice system. But what will stick with me is the pictures. Throughout the book, we see the faces of those who are participating in this unique and special program. They are smiling and engaged, clearly relishing the opportunity to see and be seen as so much more than the criminal convictions that brought them to probation in the first place. The light in their eyes—their positivity and evident optimism about their futures—is an overwhelming argument for the importance of meaningful second chances as a core component of our justice system."—Megan Quattlebaum, Director, The Council of State Governments Justice Center
“As I observed almost four years ago about Project Lives—the book of photographic self-portrayals by New York public housing residents, with imagery intertwining revelatory text—it is always inspiring to see the scorned and disenfranchised take control of their lives. Now comes the book and documentary about cameras turned over to the city's probationers, the latest effort by the non-profit Seeing for Ourselves. Once again, we recognize how connected we all remain. Once again, the photographs open our eyes and warm our hearts. Once again, our concerns for social justice broaden and deepen.”—Noam Chomsky
“Institutional reforms often start from the outside and work inward, which is one reason why so many overpromise and underdeliver. In a Whole New Way shows us what it could look like when reform begins with the perspective of those on the inside of a system—in this case, individuals on probation in New York City. Using participatory photography as a means of visual storytelling, the participants in this transformative project narrate their view of the world through the lens of a camera. In so doing, they remind us that it’s often not people who need changing but the systems that envelope their lives and so frequently constrain their futures.”—Steve Woolworth, Chief Executive Officer, International Community Justice Association

“Sometimes solutions are in front of us, but we do not see and do not ask. Turning New Yorkers on probation into photographers documenting their own stories has led to an amazing cultural change. Seeing for Ourselves documents it beautifully in their film and book In a Whole New Way.—Linda Connelly, President/CEO, Successful Reentry