Freedom & Captivity to Tour Storytelling Performance Across Maine

What do we mean when we talk about justice and accountability? Does our current criminal legal system keep us safe? How can we respond to harm that better meets the needs of our communities?

These questions propel Freedom & Captivity’s latest project:

It's Hard to Talk About: Stories of Incarceration in Maine.

In this event, five justice-impacted storytellers will perform narratives from individuals who are currently or formerly incarcerated, as well as their friends and family, and other people affected by and working in and around the criminal legal system. This powerful performance seeks to bridge the gap between those on the "inside" and "outside,” challenging oversimplified public narratives about crime and punishment by highlighting paths of transformation and growth.

Maine is unique for having some of the harshest sentencing practices in the entire country. Research shows, the majority of people held in Maine’s prisons and jails have experienced major life traumas and struggle with substance use disorder, mental health challenges, poverty, and low educational levels.

The project is inspired by the Freedom & Captivity Digital Archive, a collaborative effort started in 2024 with the Maine Historical Society. This archive, the first of its kind in Maine, is dedicated to the experiences, insights, knowledge, and untold stories of Maine’s incarcerated and formerly incarcerated community members. It is publicly accessible through the Maine Historical Society and Colby College Digital Libraries.

Each performance runs 45-minutes, followed by a 30-minute Q&A and community conversation.

Join us for one of eight performances across Maine!