Carceral Ecologies – Multidisciplinary environmental researchers at UCLA researching the environmental injustices of the prison industrial complex.

Group Picture of Carceral Ecologies Lab members

What is Carceral Ecologies?

We are multidisciplinary researchers that document violence within carceral systems, advance practices of accountability, and support community self-determination.

Carceral Ecologies Media

Image of a police helicopter flying next to the Hollywood sign. — The LAPD says it needs helicopters. An audit found most flights aren’t for ‘high priority’ crimes.
Los Angeles Times - December 2023. The LAPD says it needs helicopters. An audit found most flights aren’t for ‘high priority’ crimes.

Image of a sheriff's helicopter flying over Los Angeles. — They say sheriff’s helicopters buzz lowest over Black homes, and they’re out to prove it.
Los Angeles Times - February 2023. Law enforcement helicopters routinely buzz around Greater Los Angeles. But in certain neighborhoods, they swoop in — low and loud.

Nearly half of US prisons draw water likely contaminated with toxic PFAS — Nearly half of US prisons draw water likely contaminated with toxic PFAS
The Guardian - April 2024. Nearly half of US prisons draw water likely contaminated with toxic PFAS

Why was 2023 such a deadly year in Los Angeles County jails? It depends on whom you ask — Why was 2023 such a deadly year in Los Angeles County jails? It depends on whom you ask
Los Angeles Times - March 2024. Why was 2023 such a deadly year in Los Angeles County jails? It depends on whom you ask

@carceralecologies

Image of helicopter flying in the evening with caption "State Eyes in the LA Sky" — State Eyes in the LA Sky

Aerial view of a prison with caption "in central Florida prisons, women forced to drink polluted water" and "Tampa Bay Times Op-Ed" — In Central Florida Prisons, Women Forced to Drink Polluted Water

Faded image of a police helicopter with text "Are police helicopters worth the cost?" — Are Police Helicopters Worth the Cost?