The Juvenile in Justice exhibition on the second floor of the Parkway Central Library marks the start of a rising crescendo of exhibits, events, and other happenings designed to resonate with the political energy focused on Philadelphia during this election season, and to harmonize with our own mission to inspire curiosity by engaging patrons and citizens in civic dialogue about the important issues of our day.

One such issue is our criminal justice system. In the United States, solitary confinement of youth is routinely employed in a majority of states, despite a recent ban on the practice in federal prisons. Over the past several months, the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Regional Foundation Center helped to facilitate conversations between InLiquid, the Juvenile Law Center, and our own exhibitions committee to bring this exhibit of Richard Ross’s photographs, which document the incarceration of children, to our Second Floor Gallery.

July 21 through July 31 will include the installation of a life-sized replica of a solitary confinement cell built by InLiquid. Throughout July, August, and September the Free Library’s Parkway Central Library will host multiple related events to build upon these conversations:

Special Events

Thursday, July 21, 5:30 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
Opening Reception and Panel Discussion - Register for Free Tickets
Parkway Central Library - Second Floor Gallery and Montgomery Auditorium
featuring Richard Ross (Juvenile In Justice), Johnny Perez (Urban Justice Center Mental Health Project (MHP), Marsha Levick (Juvenile Law Center Deputy Director and Chief Counsel), and more

Wednesday, Aug 3, 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
Boy With A Knife: A Story of Murder, Remorse, and a Prisoner's Fight for Justice
Parkway Central Library's Fourth Floor Skyline Room - Register for Free Tickets

Join author Jean Trounstine in conversation with journalist Christopher Moraff at the Parkway Central Library's 4th Floor Skyline Room for an evening discussing Boy With A Knife, which tells the story of Karter Kane Reed. Reed was sentenced to life in an adult prison for a murder he committed at the age of sixteen in 1993 in a high school classroom. Twenty years later, he became one of the few men in Massachusetts to sue the Parole Board and win his freedom. Boy With A Knife is also a searing critique of the practice of sentencing youth to adult prisons, providing a wake-up call on how we must change the laws in this country that allow children to be sentenced as adults.

Sunday August 14 - Sunday September 4
Beyond the Bars

The Parkway Central Library's Music Department will host an opportunity for visitors to tune in to practice sessions, music lessons, and the consequent concerts for visiting family and caregivers from young musicians working with the Beyond the Bars music program.

More details to come!