Portrait of Claude, age 44, six weeks before her release from prison after serving 25 years. Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, Bedford Hills, NY (2016)
“I’ve been thinking a lot about my release. I was in prison longer than I was ever free. I always hoped in the back of my mind that I would win an appeal or something, but it never happened. I had to resign and live because I was just angry and depressed for a long time and tried to sleep the time away. And then I woke up and did what I was supposed to do. I know when I walk out of these gates and am on the other side of the barbed wire fences, it will be a rebirth for me.”
“I was incarcerated at the age of 19 and served 25 years in prison. I live in Albany, NY with my boyfriend. I’ve been home going on 3 years in February 2020, and I hope to be discharged from parole and finally be home free.
”During my release, I’ve been able to accomplish all of my goals: finish my Bachelor’s degree, form a stronger bond with my family and friends, and make a difference in people’s lives by sharing myself and my life experiences when appropriate. The worst and hardest part has been looking for employment. Society isn’t forgiving. Because of that, I’m in the process of starting my own business teaching people Anger Management with the goal of expanding and opening the doors of employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals.”
Everything Claude brought with her out of prison, except for two boxes of papers, which she had shipped home. Long Island City, NY (2017)
Claude steps out of prison into the arms of her sister. Bedford Hills, NY (2017)
“The sliding doors opened. I walked through. I took a deep breath. I thought wow, this is really happening. And I came through the door and saw my sister and my nephew and it was just like, I’m finally home!”
Getting a makeover two days after her release. Queens Plaza Mall, Elmhurst, NY (2017)
Angel and Jackie, Claude’s nephew and sister. Bedford Hills, NY (2017)
Claude’s boyfriend, Mark, whom she met when he was a civilian working in the prison in 1995. Queens Village, NY (2017)
“We had been in touch from 2000 for four or five years,” Mark said, “and then I wasn’t there for her when her father passed away and she didn’t take kindly to that. In 2012 I was looking around on the internet and I found an article about the college program at Marymount. There was a picture of Claude. I found Claude’s niece online and I asked her to give Claude my phone number. She called me and we started chatting everyday since on a daily basis.”
Hair highlights, eight days after her release. Astoria, NY (2017)
“If you had met my mom, God bless her, she always had nails. Even when I was home, I always got my nails done. When I got incarcerated, I kept on doing my own nails, my own hair. Doing that was the one thing that stated, ‘I am a woman,’ because everything about the jail was dehumanizing, was to strip a woman of her womanhood. So coming out, I was looking forward to someone pampering me.”
Dresser in Claude’s bedroom with her mother’s ashes, eight days after Claude was released from prison. Astoria, NY (2017)
