The Lifers Group, the collective of incarcerated individuals serving life sentences without the possibility of parole, gained national attention in 1992 with the release of “Belly of the Beast.” “Belly of the Beast” was also nominated the same year for Best Long Form Video. This project became a landmark in both prison art and activism, providing a powerful, unfiltered look at the emotional and psychological toll of life imprisonment. It highlighted the voices of individuals who had been sentenced to life without parole, challenging the public perception of these individuals as “beyond redemption.” Now, the Lifers Group is coming out with a new project titled “State N#mbers”, which promises to further explore the deep issues surrounding mass incarceration and the systemic dehumanization of those imprisoned.
Where “Belly of the Beast” focused on personal narratives of pain, regret, and the daily struggles of life in prison, “State N#mbers” shifts its lens to a broader social critique, underscoring the way the prison system reduces individuals to mere numbers—stripping them of their identities and humanity. The title itself, “State N#mbers”, refers to the identification numbers assigned to prisoners, a stark symbol of how they are dehumanized by the system. This new project, much like its predecessor, will continue to use creative expression—through music, art, and personal stories—to confront the injustices of the criminal justice system, while also addressing the broader impacts of mass incarceration on communities and families.
“State N#mbers” aims to broaden the conversation, not just focusing on those sentenced to life, but examining the way the entire prison system operates as a dehumanizing force. Inmates are often seen not as people capable of growth and transformation, but as statistical units, their worth measured only by their crimes and sentences. The Lifers Group, through “State N#mbers”, seeks to challenge this narrative, showcasing how individuals can grow, change, and contribute to society, even while behind bars.
The project also serves as a critical examination of the ways in which the prison-industrial complex perpetuates inequality. Through the stories and voices of those involved in the Lifers Group, “State N#mbers” will likely highlight the ways in which racial, economic, and social factors intersect to shape who ends up behind bars—and who stays there for life.
As with “Belly of the Beast”, “State N#umbers” will provide an opportunity for viewers and listeners to see beyond the prison walls and witness the complexity of the individuals within them. The project is sure to push the boundaries of prison art once again, advocating for justice reform, giving voice to the incarcerated, and challenging the often one-dimensional views of those in the prison system. Through “State N#mbers”, the Lifers Group continues its ongoing mission to fight for dignity, humanity, and second chances, pushing for a reconsideration of life sentences and the larger implications of a punitive justice system.
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