Book Launch: Ending Isolation by Christopher Blackwell and Deborah Zalesne

Thursday, April 24th, in-person in NYC and online. Doors open at 6:30; event begins at 7 pm:

Join us for the launch of Jewish Currents contributing writer Christopher Blackwell’s new book, Ending Isolation: The Case Against Solitary Confinement. For this special event, Blackwell, who writes and reports from a prison in Washington State, will be in conversation with a group of advocates who work closely on fighting solitary confinement: Johnny Perez of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture and Jessica Sandoval and Anisah Sabur of the Unlock the Box Campaign. The conversation will be moderated by Ending Isolation’s co-author, legal scholar Deborah Zalesne.

Solitary confinement, once judged by the Supreme Court to be an impermissible form of torture, has grown to become a common “solution” to overcrowding and violence within the US carceral system. Ending Isolation weaves together Blackwell’s vivid, first-hand account of his years spent in solitary confinement in a Washington State prison with the first-hand accounts of Kwaneta Harris, who spent over eight consecutive years in solitary confinement in Texas, the legal expertise of Professor Zalesne, and the medical expertise of Dr. Terry Kupers. The book, which also includes writing from other formerly and currently incarcerated people, makes the case that the practice is an unconstitutional form of cruel and unusual punishment that must be abolished.

At this event, panelists will discuss the inhumane nature of solitary confinement, what the landscape of solitary usage in US prisons looks like currently, and strategies activists and supporters can use to push to end the practice. They’ll also talk about how these issues apply specifically in New York State, amid recent efforts by state officials to roll back provisions of the HALT Act that was intended to limit the use of solitary.

Ending Isolation is now available for preorder. Purchase your copy today, and save 30 percent when you enter code BLACKWELL30 at checkout.

This event, which is cosponsored by CUNY Law’s Abolitionist Law Organization, will take place at CUNY School of Law in Long Island City, Queens. The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited, so we recommend registering early to guarantee your spot.

CUNY School of Law is located at 2 Court Square West in Long Island City, Queens. For GPS purposes, navigate to 23-21 44th Drive, Long Island City. The space is accessible for wheelchair users without prior arrangement.

Attendees watching by livestream will receive a link closer to the event date. For accommodation requests or any other questions, please reach out to events@jewishcurrents.org.

Christopher Blackwell is an award-winning journalist currently incarcerated in Washington State, serving a 45-year prison sentence. He is the co-founder, with Dr. Chelsea Moore, and current executive director of Look2Justice, a grassroots organization that transforms the legal system by empowering impacted people through civic education. He is a contributing writer with Jewish Currents, and a contributing editor with The Appeal, where he writes a monthly newsletter. Follow his work on X @chriswblackwell or on his website, www.christopher-blackwell.com.

Johnny Perez is the Director of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture’s US Prisons Program, where he champions an end to solitary confinement and equips faith communities and affected individuals to engage in education and legislative changes nationwide. Johnny represents NRCAT in several collaborative efforts with other organizations, including Unlock the Box and the Federal Anti-Solitary Taskforce. He proudly serves on the Board of Directors of the Multifaith Initiative to End Mass Incarceration, JusticeAid, New York City’s Urban Justice Center, and The Appeal. He is an ambassador for the End The Exception Campaign, an advisory board member for the DC-based Urban Institute’s Prison Research and Innovation Initiative, and a member of the ARCH Network Committee at University of California, San Francisco. Johnny is also a mentor to formerly incarcerated students at his alma mater St. Francis College of Brooklyn and founder of Day 1 Pictures.

Anisah Sabur is a directly impacted woman of color who has held several leadership roles in coalitions and campaigns to dismantle the criminal legal system in New York State. Anisah is currently the National Coordinator for the Unlock the Box Campaign, where she provides technical assistance to 23 states working to end solitary confinement in state and federal facilities. Anisah formerly coordinated several campaigns and coalitions across New York City and the state, including: the Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement, the People’s Campaign for Parole Justice, the Coalition for Women Prisoners, and Move to End Violence Against Women. Anisah spent eight years as a lead organizer in the HALT-Solitary Campaign until legislation was passed in 2020, and continues to work in coalition on criminal justice reform and conditions to support incarcerated communities.

Jessica Sandoval is a seasoned advocate and community organizer with three decades of experience in social justice movements. She currently serves as the National Director of the Unlock the Box Campaign, leading efforts to end solitary confinement in US prisons, jails, youth facilities, and immigration detention centers. Since launching Unlock the Box in 2018, Jessica has helped expand the campaign to 23 states, supporting local efforts through funding, technical assistance, and policy strategy. Her work is rooted in research, international human rights standards, and survivor-led organizing. A recognized leader in criminal justice reform, Jessica has been featured in NPR, Rolling Stone, and PBS.

Deborah Zalesne is a professor of law at CUNY School of Law. She co-authored Ending Isolation: The Case Against Solitary Confinement with Christopher Blackwell (Pluto Press, September 2025). With Christopher Blackwell, she is also co-director of the Writers Development Program for aspiring incarcerated writers. You can follow her on X at @DebbieZalesne.