The book "Ward 81: Voices" is an expanded edition of Mary Ellen Mark's first long-term project from 1976, documenting a women's locked ward at Oregon State Hospital in Salem. Collaborating with writer Karen Folger Jacobs, Mark spent five weeks capturing daily life through photographs while Jacobs conducted interviews. This edition includes previously unpublished images, interview excerpts, recorded conversations, and new essays reflecting on the project's impact. The work highlights themes of mental health, societal marginalization, and compassionate storytelling, providing deep insights into both the patients' lives and the experiences of Mark and Jacobs during their collaboration.
