At the End of the Pipeline: Can the Liberal Arts Liberate the Incarcerated?

• In Event: 65.045 - From Incarceration to Education: Challenging the Effects of the School-to-Prison Pipeline

Abstract

Deborah Appleman raises issues that have arisen out of her work with incarcerated adults serving life sentences. Appleman has taught for the past six years in a high security men’s prison for men. The courses have included introduction to literature, educational psychology, sociolinguistics, writing for research and two creative writing classes. Based on six years of student writing, reflection and evaluation and interviews with both incarcerated students and prison staff. Appleman will argue that, while it may seem counterintuitive, liberal arts education has value for the incarcerated, even perhaps especially, for those serving life sentences.

Author

• Deborah A. Appleman, Carleton College