Common representations of the criminal justice system, like TV crime shows, often paint a romantic picture鈥攈eroic police and detectives keeping evil criminals out of our communities. But, the reality is strikingly different.
The U.S. incarcerates more people per capita than any other developed nation. And it disproportionately targets and imprisons Black people, the poor, and people of color.
This isn鈥檛 an accident. This country鈥檚 criminal justice system was born from policies, implicit biases, and societal structures that promote racial disparities.
Our seventh 鈥淟et鈥檚 Talk About鈥� is on mass incarceration and includes resources on its roots and its alternatives. Teaching about mass incarceration pushes students to reimagine models of justice that are restorative and liberating, rather than oppressive.
How to Use This Collection
Suggested below are steps to a thoughtful and meaningful discussion with your students about school shootings. Choose what is appropriate for your class.
1. Students complete a pre-survey (optional).
2. Choose at least one YES! article and one outside article for a robust compare and contrast.
3. Use the discussion questions鈥攐r craft your own鈥攖o gauge your students鈥� understanding and opinions.
4. Students complete a post-survey (optional).
5. Explore curriculum if you鈥檇 like to dive deeper.
Reading Materials
YES! Articles
The Radio Show Bringing Prisoners Messages from Home
Youth Sentenced to Life in Prison Get a Second Chance
When Communities Say No One Should Stay in Jail Just Because They鈥檙e Poor
Opioid Addicts Get Compassion. Crack Addicts Get Mass Incarceration
What the Insanity of Mass Incarceration Has Done To Us
Outside Resources
(Time)
(Atlantic)
(Drug Policy Alliance)
Discussion Questions
1. Why do you think people of color, particularly Black men, are incarcerated at an extraordinarily higher rate than any other demographic? How is someone鈥檚 race, sexual orientation, physical or mental abilities, or gender identity treated in this country鈥檚 criminal justice system?
2. Think of the school-to-prison pipeline鈥攖he idea that students who are suspended or expelled from school are more likely to drop out of school, and therefore, much more likely to go to prison in their lifetime. How does your school discipline its students? Is its discipline policies and practices fair to all students? If not, what do you think school administration (and school resource officers) should do to treat all students justly?
3. Individuals make their own decisions鈥攕ometimes poor ones that land them in prison. Yet there are other factors that increase chances for imprisonment. How much responsibility should society take to help heal individuals from trauma, broken families, and abuse?
Curriculum
鈥� (Teaching Tolerance)
