Hawaii 2009

"Hawaii" (2009) is a photograph by Richard Ross (b. 1947) that depicts a young woman wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, sitting on a bed in a stark, institutional setting. This powerful image, taken as part of Ross's series of photographs documenting the lives of incarcerated youth, captures the bleak reality of prison life and the emotional toll it takes on those within its walls. The photo's minimalist composition, featuring a single figure against a backdrop of white walls, emphasizes the subject's isolation and vulnerability. Ross's work, known for its unflinching honesty and intimate portrayal of marginalized individuals, challenges viewers to confront the social issues surrounding juvenile incarceration.