The futility and necessity of human rights in an era of carceral hyperinflation*

Over the past dozen years, I have had the opportunity and privilege to share my research on the nexus of incarceration and urban marginality with a broad range of non academics. I have spoken to and debated with the leadership and staff of the prison services of France, the Netherlands, Brazil and Argentina; I have engaged officials and professionals concerned with criminal justice trends and policies at the United Nations, the OECD, the Italian parliament, and a smattering of regional and city governments (ranging from the district of Seine-Saint-Denis, northeast of Paris, and the Generalitat de Catalunya to cities as far flug as Rotterdam, Rome, and Rio de Janeiro). I welcome this opportunity for dialogue and mutual learning with the Gendarmeria de Chile on this day in Santiago. 1