School to Prison Pipeline
by: Amparo Giron
In the United States, the school-to-prison pipeline has emerged as a significant social issue, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities and perpetuating cycles of poverty and incarceration. This pipeline represents a systemic failure of our education and justice systems, pushing vulnerable youth out of schools and into the criminal justice system at alarming rates.
👀The Social Issue:
The school-to-prison pipeline is a complex phenomenon with multiple contributing factors. One key element is the presence of zero-tolerance policies in schools, which mandate harsh punishments for even minor infractions. These policies often lead to the over-policing and criminalization of student behavior, particularly among students of color and those with disabilities. School is supposed to be a safe space where you are told you're there to thrive and have an entire support system to make sure of that. Instead, students are phased with prejudgment and treated as criminals as soon as they make a mistake.
📊Statistics/✅Facts:
- Disciplinary Disparities: Black students are 3.8 times more likely to receive one or more out-of-school suspensions than white students. Students with disabilities are twice as likely to receive out-of-school suspensions as students without disabilities.
- Juvenile Justice System Involvement: Students who have been suspended or expelled are nearly three times more likely to be in contact with the juvenile justice system the following year.
- Students who drop out of high school are 63 times more likely to be incarcerated than college graduates.
- Zero-Tolerance Policies: In the 2015-2016 school year, 67,000 students were arrested or referred to law enforcement while at school. Research has found that the implementation of zero-tolerance policies is associated with an increase in the likelihood of later involvement with the criminal justice system.
- Impact of School Resource Officers (SROs): Schools with SROs are more likely to refer students to law enforcement for minor infractions, such as disrupting class or being tardy.
- Racial Disparities: Black students represent 15% of students in the U.S. but make up 31% of students arrested or referred to law enforcement at school. Latino students represent 25% of students but make up 24% of students arrested or referred to law enforcement at school.
👮Causes:
Several factors contribute to the creation and perpetuation of the school-to-prison pipeline. One major factor is the presence of police officers in schools, which can lead to an increase in arrests for minor offenses that would typically be handled within the school environment. Additionally, the lack of resources and support for students facing challenges such as poverty, trauma, and mental health issues can contribute to behavioral issues that lead to disciplinary action.
💔Example:
One well-known example of the school-to-prison pipeline is the story of Kalief Browder. Kalief was a 16-year-old student from the Bronx, New York. He was arrested in 2010 for supposedly stealing a backpack, but he said he was innocent. Even though he hadn't been found guilty of anything, Kalief was sent to Rikers Island, a tough jail in New York City, where he stayed for three years while waiting for his trial. While in jail, he was treated very badly, including being put in solitary confinement for long periods. After three years, Kalief was finally released because the case against him was dropped. The time he spent in jail had a lasting effect on him. He struggled with his mental health, and in 2015, at the age of 22, he took his own life.
✴ Personal💧:.
Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, being part of a neighborhood was crucial for survival. Many friends and family members joined gangs because they were targeted and shot at simply for living in the area. As a gang member attending school, I witnessed how my peers were unfairly labeled as lowlifes, despite their efforts to succeed academically. They were treated like criminals at school, subjected to constant searches in front of their peers, and stopped by police on their way home because of the environment they were forced to navigate for survival. This experience highlights the school-to-prison pipeline, where systemic factors push marginalized youth from school into the criminal justice system, perpetuating cycles of poverty and incarceration.
To address the school-to-prison pipeline, it is essential to implement systemic changes that focus on prevention and support rather than punishment.
⭐This includes:
🔨😊Implementing Restorative Justice Practices:
These practices focus on repairing harm and restoring relationships, rather than punitive measures.
💖Investing in Support Services:
Providing resources such as counselors, social workers, and mental health professionals can help address the underlying issues that contribute to student behavior.
🚫Ending Zero-Tolerance Policies:
Revising discipline policies to allow for more discretion and flexibility in handling disciplinary issues can help prevent students from being unnecessarily pushed into the pipeline.
Conclusion:
The school-to-prison pipeline is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach to address. By implementing strategies that prioritize support and intervention over punishment, we can work towards breaking this harmful cycle and creating a more equitable education system for all students.
Community Response: Comments/Thoughts
" Growing up I could see the pattern happening and me thinking to myself that I'm either going to be in jail or barely make it out here. All this time I thought those were the only option I was giving myself but in reality, those were the options society gave me based on who I was and where I came from. It's insane that this is happening in front of us, and nobody talks about it and warms the youth that failure is an illusion that they want you to believe in order to profit from it. "
-Juan Antonio
" It doesn't seem fair, how is it legal?"
-Irma Gazca
" I agree that there are better ways to tackle this problem. Focusing on the family unit to support students that may be struggling would be more impactful. For example social services like family therapy, parenting classes, or creative outlets for the child to express themselves. I think it’s best to instead of planning for the next prison inmate, we’re intervening when it matters. "
-Raquel Roderick
🧠 Resources:
The Consequences of Police in Schools: A North Carolina Case Study | ACLU
School-to-Prison Pipeline | American Civil Liberties Union (aclu.org)
Kalief Browder: A Voice to End Solitary Confinement - Stop Solitary for Kids
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