Providence, Rhode Island 1996

Denying Youth

In Rhode Island, I noticed that correction houses for young offenders had a very specific type of fence you could not climb. That fence was only for those locations. Our penal system is so detrimental to young people—not enough programs or education for them, no respect or honor shown them. In Norway adult offenders actually live in houses doing their own cooking, using knives, having their own rooms, with just two guards.

I wanted to show that the living spirit of young people will not be contained. I bought the same fence and made a little house with the curved part slanted inwards and a small space above so the vegetation and trees I planted inside could come pouring out. No matter how hard someone tries to kill the human spirit, it will fight to be free.