After the School-to-Prison Nexus: Restorative Justice, Prison Education, and Other Action Steps

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

Research and data increasingly show evidence of a school-to-prison-nexus with disproportionate school suspensions and expulsions for Black and Brown children in comparison to their White counterparts. Moreover, incarceration rates are at some of the highest levels in history. Much work continues to examine how and why these realities exist. Yet, there are also enormous efforts to respond to the nexus and to improve the lives of those incarcerated. In this session, scholars and organizational leaders forward the implementation of restorative justice practices and prison education projects. Presenters will offer interdisciplinary perspectives about how restorative justice affects the individual, classroom interactions, school culture, and district change, and how prison education, in partnership with higher education institutions, can offer healing and understanding.

Sub Unit

• AERA Presidential Session

Chairs

• Maisha T. Winn, University of California - Davis

• Lawrence Torry Winn, University of California - Davis

Papers

• Just Discipline in Urban Schools: Tough Challenges and Promising Solutions - James P. Huguley, University of Pittsburgh

• When Racial and Restorative Justice Intersect: A Case Study From a Predominantly Black District - Rowhea M. Elmesky, Washington University in St. Louis; Olivia Marcucci, Johns Hopkins University

• Restoring and Healing Through Science Pedagogy - Alexis Patterson Williams, University of California - Davis; Salina Gray, Inglewood Unified School District

• Doing Schools Differently: The Power of Restorative Justice to Transform the System of Education - Michele Hamilton, Natomas Unified School District

• Imprisoned Curriculum: The ROOTS Program and Prisoner-Led Healing - Roger Chung, Laney College

Discussants

• Maisha T. Winn, University of California - Davis

• Lawrence Torry Winn, University of California - Davis