Reentry In Los Angeles

Photographs and interviews by Joseph Rodriguez.

Exodus

Exodus tells the story of Diana Ortiz, 45, who spent over half her life in prison.  She says it saved her.  Diana dropped out of high school at 18 to live with a man twice her age. To pay for their drug habit, her boyfriend devised a scheme to lure a man into a secluded Coney Island parking lot and rob him.  In the early hours of August 20, 1983, the robbery veered off-course and two men were shot. One was killed. Though Diana was not at the scene of the shooting, she was sentenced to 17 years to life for her role in the murder.  She served twenty-two and a half years.  While behind bars Diana earned her master's degree, developed a strong identity and self confidence. She is now an inspiration for other inmates, helping them to rebuild their lives.

Sourab

"We sniff glue to forget about our bad mood."

Drowning In Opium

Addiction in Afghanistan has risen along with the country's opium production, which is now cranking at something close to fever pitch. With much of its society and many of its institutions ruined by 30 years of fighting, Afghanistan produces more than 90 percent of the world's opium. Profits from the drug sales feed the Taliban insurgency.

Watch the rest of the photo essay by Lynsey Addario for the New York Times here.

Chucking Out

A portrait of late night British drinking culture.