Morning from Now On

In striking black-and-white portraits, dozens of survivors of Michigan’s cruel sentencing of children to life without parole—now free adults—are portrayed with irrepressible dignity 

The United States is the only country in the world that sentences children to serve time in adult prisons without the possibility of parole. The portrayal of children in conflict with the law, particularly children of color, as inherently threatening, dangerous, and adult-like has been key to denying these youth a second chance and foundational in justifying their cruel and excessive punishment in the criminal legal system..

In Morning from Now On, LaBelle, himself a survivor of childhood incarceration, cocreates astute and nuanced portraits with more than fifty of the hundreds of people in Michigan incarcerated as children. Accompanying essays provide critical context on the history of and impact on a society that locks away our children.

In witnessing these survivors’ yearning for freedom, the obstacles they face upon reentry, as well as the wonder and joy of being reunited with their families and communities, this collection reminds us of their unfathomable losses and calls on us to cherish all our children.

With contributions by Jose Burgos, Bernardine Dohrn, Xavier McElrath-Bey, Timothy Connors, and Alison Leal Parker