“Living With Conviction: Sentenced to Debt for Life in Washington State” Opens at Two Locations of The Seattle Public Library

A new exhibit showcasing portraits and stories of formerly incarcerated individuals struggling to survive and thrive under court-ordered debt will be on display at two locations of The Seattle Public Library.

“Living with Conviction: Sentenced to Debt for Life in Washington State” will open at the Central Library’s Level 8 Gallery on Thursday, April 16, with an opening reception at 5:30 p.m. On Sunday, April 26, a satellite exhibit opens at the Green Lake Branch gallery, with an opening reception and film screening starting at 5:30 p.m. Both exhibits will be on display through Sunday, July 26.

“Through photos and stories, this exhibit goes beyond polarizing headlines and statistics to challenge the wisdom of court-imposed legal financial obligations (LFOs) and the stereotype of what it means to be a felon,” said Deborah Espinosa, photographer, founder, and executive director of the nonprofit Living with Connection, which created the exhibit in partnership with formerly incarcerated individuals. “Ultimately, our goal is to shine a light on our common humanity.”

Courts impose the costs, fees, fines, and restitution known as legal financial obligations on people at the time of sentencing. LFOs can accrue interest for decades, including while the person is in prison. LFOs disproportionately impact communities of color, criminalizing poverty and perpetuating cycles of incarceration. 

In the exhibit you’ll meet Keshena, mother to two teenage boys and board president of Living with Conviction. Keshena is not only paying off her own LFO debt, but also those of her husband. “It affects my mom, it affects my dad, and it affects my boys because they don’t get as much as they should be able to get,” Keshena said about the burden of LFOs. “For everything I have done in the past, they suffer for now.”

Michael’s story is also featured. Michael, a Native American disabled veteran, was sentenced for possession and delivery of methamphetamines, along with $11,000 in LFOs, which grew to $17,000 in five years. "When I took my guilty plea, I didn’t think that I was going to be doing a life sentence,” Michael said. “The interest on these fines makes it where a person on a limited income will never be able to get out from the wreckage of the past."

Through the exhibit, film screenings, and community conversations, “Living with Conviction” hopes to not just raise awareness, but also to empower people to exercise their rights to reduce their debt and advocate for legislative change.

“Living with Conviction” Programs

• Central Library opening reception. Thursday, April 16, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Central Library, Level 8 Gallery, 1000 Fourth Avenue. Celebrate the opening of our new exhibit, “Living with Conviction: Sentenced to Debt for Life in Washington State” at the Central Library. Light refreshments will be served. 
• Green Lake Branch opening and film screening. Sunday, April 26, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 7364 E. Green Lake Dr. N. Celebrate the opening of the “Living with Conviction: Sentenced to Debt for Life in Washington State” at the Green Lake Branch gallery, followed by a screening of the film “Apart” and a post-film discussion. “Apart” follows three women incarcerated on drug-related charges who, with the help of a unique re-entry program, rebuild their lives and relationships with their children. 
• “Living with Conviction” Community Conversation. Sunday, May 17, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Central Library, Level 1 Microsoft Auditorium. In conjunction with the current Level 8 Gallery exhibit, “Living with Conviction: Sentenced to Debt for Life in Washington State,” join us for this special event featuring panelists living with court-imposed debt. The program supports Living with Conviction's commitment to educating and breaking down the barriers between people with criminal histories and those without, thereby recognizing each other’s humanity.
• Film screening of “Since I Been Down.” Sunday, May 31, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Library, Level 1 Microsoft Auditorium. Join us for a screening of “Since I Been Down,” a documentary telling the story of Kimonti Carter, an incarcerated individual who was raised in Tacoma. It follows his efforts, as well as a wide group of incarcerated individuals, as they break free from their fate and create a model of education that is transforming their lives, their communities, our prisons, and our own humanity. The event will include a moderated discussion with filmmaker Dr. Gilda Sheppard, Kimonti Carter, and Tonya Wilson, also featured in the film. 

“We are delighted to display ‘Living with Conviction’ at the Central Library and as the inaugural exhibit in the Green Lake Branch’s gallery,” said librarian Emily Grayson. “These powerful stories paint a portrait of a social justice issue that has had a big impact on people in our state. It also aligns with the Library’s work to empower court-involved patrons with information and resources.”

A statewide advocacy coalition including Living with Conviction shared these individuals’ stories in 2017 and 2018, which led to the first major LFO policy reform in Washington state. Some of these stories are included in this exhibit. Subsequent reforms have created more rights to relief, particularly where people lack the ability to pay.

“Living with Conviction: Sentenced to Debt for Life in Washington State” is supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation and ArtsFund.

About Living with Conviction

Living with Conviction works to secure economic and racial justice with and by marginalized communities, especially formerly incarcerated, through community-driven research, storytelling, and legal empowerment strategies. Deborah Espinosa, founder and Executive Director of Living with Conviction, is an attorney-at-law and a photographer-at-heart. Visual storytelling is her preferred advocacy tool to highlight and personalize otherwise invisible injustices. 

To learn more about rights to reduce LFO debt, please visit livingwithconviction.org/lfo-help, email info@livingwithconviction.org, or call 206-307-3028.

About The Seattle Public Library

The Library believes that the power of knowledge improves people's lives. We promote literacy and a love of reading as we bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and empower community. Find more events at www.spl.org/Calendar.

Contact the Library’s Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email or chat at www.spl.org/Ask. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information.