Roundtable: A Book Club Discussion on The Many Lives of Mama Love and the CJ System

Session Submission Type: Roundtable Sessions

Abstract/Description

We are a group of CCJ faculty from across the country who have had a monthly book club for nearly 5 years. We recently read The Many Lives of Mama Love, a powerful narrative journey through the lens of the criminal justice system and want to have a book club style discussion of it with a broader ASC audience.

The book chronicles the life of Lara Love Hardin aka “Mama Love”, a mother navigating addiction, poverty, and incarceration while striving to rebuild her life. We will discuss how her story reflects broader systemic issues, including the criminalization of substance abuse, the impact of incarceration on families, and the challenges of reentry.

Further, we will consider how Mama Love’s experiences highlight gaps in rehabilitation, social services, and policy reforms. How does the justice system treat individuals like her? What roles do race, gender, and socioeconomic status play in shaping justice outcomes? We will also discuss the power of storytelling—how narratives can humanize justice-involved individuals and influence public perception and policy change. This roundtable invites a critical conversation on the intersection of personal struggle and systemic failure.

Sub Unit

• Area XIV. Roundtables

Individual Presentations

• The Many Lives of Mama Love and Substance Abuse - Danielle Slakoff, California State University, Sacramento; Amanda Goodson, The University of Texas at El Paso

• The Many Lives of Mama Love and Incarceration and Reentry - Jane Daquin, Sam Houston State University; Erin M. Kearns, University of Nebraska Omaha / NCITE

• The Many Lives of Mama Love and Mental Health - Chantal Fahmy, The University of Texas at San Antonio; Jessica Huff, University of Cincinnati

• The Many Lives of Mama Love and Racial Disparities in Sentencing - Meghan Mitchell, University of North Dakota; Arynn Infante, Portland State University