Education, Incarceration & Justice: Punishment and Opportunity in an Era of Mass Imprisonment
This Praxis Lab examined the deep connections between education, incarceration, and justice in the United States, a country with the highest incarceration rate in the world. Students explored the historical and systemic forces that have expanded the carceral state, disproportionately affecting low-income communities and communities of color. Through research, site visits to correctional facilities, and engagement with national organizations, participants investigated the barriers to education for incarcerated individuals and the societal impact of the school-to-prison pipeline.
Over the course of the year, students engaged with contemporary research, firsthand accounts from incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, and policy debates on the future of prison education. The culminating project sought to challenge assumptions about justice and punishment while advocating for more equitable access to education behind bars.
Instructors:
Erin Castro
Roberto Garcia
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