The Potential Transformative Power of Education in American Prisons

For those whose lives are the most controlled and exploited by systems of domination, the potential for a critical re-imagining of pedagogy is an unknown myth of academia. Philosophers and college students extol the transformative potential of education. Rarely, however, do their accolades manifest as tangible action in the ghettoes, slums, and cities of America. Nevertheless, these archetypal zones of exclusion have seen their share of new educational movements. Magnet and charter schools, increased community involvement, and innovative extracurricular programs all carry significant potential for breaking past the omnipresent economic boundaries which masquerade as intellectual impasses. While these programs have their faults and deficits, the focus of this paper is not a criticism or praise of these initiatives. Rather, I seek to investigate the potential transformative power of education within the heart of domination and exclusion: the American prison. Here, youths excluded from the start by entrenched systems of oppression are pushed one step further away from community and pulled deep into the structures of control. Incarceration signals a forcible withdrawal from community and education, and casts an indelible shadow upon the inmate’s future: depression, stigma, loss of opportunity, and the seemingly endless trap of recidivism. Educational strategies which push the boundaries of the prison system and encourage students to critically engage with the political concerns that have structured their own identity and social position present a real and indispensable opportunity for meaningful changes both within the penal system and in the broader social realm. Education here presents itself as a paradoxical site of revolution. A s...

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In addition to the failings of juvenile education, the entire system of juvenile incarceration is rife with deeply embedded abuses that cause harm both to offenders and the public. While I can't provide an exhaustive list of further resources, an article close to home is quite informative and provocative. This article, written by an NYU Law Professor, should give you a lot to think about.

Works Cited

Faruqee, Mishi. Rethinking Juvenile Detention in New York City. Rep. Juvenile Justice Project, Mar. 2002. Web. 19 Dec. 2009.

Holman, B. and J. Zeidenberg, (2006) The Dangers of Detention, Justice Policy Institute.

National Blueprint for Reentry. Rep. Legal Action Center, Oct. 2008. Web. 19 Dec. 2009.

"Prison Industrial Complex." United Church of Christ. Web. 19 Dec. 2009. <"http://www.ucc.org/justice/criminal-justice/prison-industrial-complex.html">