2025 June New York Fellows Virtual Event

Please join the New York State Co-Chairs, Vince Chang and Adrienne Koch for a virtual presentation by 2024-25 ABF William H. Neukom Fellows Research Chair in Diversity and Law, John M. Eason.

Big House on the Prairie: Rise of the Rural Ghetto and Prison Proliferation

For the past fifty years, America has been extraordinarily busy building prisons. Since 1970, the total number of facilities has tripled, adding more than 1,200 new prisons to the landscape. This building boom has taken place across the country but is largely concentrated in rural southern towns.

In 2007, Professor Eason moved his family to Forrest City, Arkansas, in search of answers to key questions about this trend: Why is America building so many prisons? Why now? And why in rural areas? Professor Eason quickly learned that rural demand for prisons is complicated. Big House on the Prairie is a remarkable glimpse into the ways a prison economy takes shape and operates.

Complimentary Zoom Event, register to receive Zoom link.

12:30-1:30 PM ET