Change Your World Week Winter 2024 (Archived)

The school to prison pipeline is what happens when schools, especially those that are under funded criminalize student actions that result in exposure to the criminal justice system this is something that happens disproportionately among minorities and people of color. The school to prison pipeline can often result in a life of instability and poverty many schools do recognize the reality of the school to prison pipeline, however “in some instances, these under resourced schools and districts may employ practices” that are genuine attempts to address real problems but that ultimately prove counterproductive. The lack of resources combines with mounting pressures imposed by test-driven accountability and creates perverse incentives for school officials actively to push the neediest children out of their schools.” (Kim2010) this body of work will be discussing the school prison pipeline and its real-world effects on at risk youth. 

 

Studies  show that children of color are the most likely to fall victim to the school prison pipeline children of color are more likely to attend underfunded schools than their white counterparts children with learning disabilities, are also more likely to fall victim to the school pipeline.  Although only approximately 9% of students age 6 to 21 have been identified as having disabilities that impact the learning ability a survey, of correctional facilities found that nationally approximately 34% of youth in juvenile corrections that previously identified as eligible for special education programs. (Kim2010)

Criminalizing misconduct in schools 
 

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Schools have been utilizing law enforcement tactics for example searches random sweeps drug test, etc. Things found during these sweets are sometimes used in court proceedings. Schools and law-enforcement often exchange information in questionable ways. As a result the number of children arrested for school misconduct continues to grow. One of the most common juvenile offenses is” disrupting schools”. Many juvenile courts are beginning to express concern that overworked understaffed schools utilize the juvenile justice system to inappropriately handle issues of school misconduct.

What can we do about it?

We can campaign for better access to Mental health services in schools including counseling and support systems as well as working with law enforcement to limit the amount of arrest that are happening in schools.

Work cited 

  Desmond, M., & Emirbayer, M. (2019). Race in America. W. W.