Are Prisons Obsolete? New Terrains of Justice
Recent movements and activism has awakened many of us to the destructive and unjust United States’ prison system. However, do you feel thoroughly equipped to speak and act on it in your own communities? If not, we present this opportunity to read and learn about the history, present and future of prisons in the United States with Angela Davis’ Are Prisons Obsolete?
We welcome you to our second book series where we’ll go through Davis’ 2003 book while drawing similarities and differences from her newer book, Freedom Is A Constant Struggle. In this book series we’ll go over the six chapters covering prison reform/prison abolition; prison history; imprisonment and reform; how gender structures the prison system; the prison industrial complex; and abolitionist alternatives. Join us as we question our own or common assumptions about prisons and collectively imagine new terrains of justice where the prison no longer serves as our major anchor.
You can expect:
-- Discussion of a chapter each week
-- Activities and time within the session to take action related to prisons or jails in your area
-- Small group and large group activities
-- Reading assignments [and other multimedia resources about the prison industrial industry]
Session Dates and Times:
All sessions will take place on Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30pm EST via Zoom. The Zoom link will be provided upon registration.
Click here for the start time in your time zone.
Sessions will cover the following chapters:
September 1st
Chapter 1: Introduction – Prison Reform or Prison Abolition?
September 8th
Chapter 2: Slavery, Civil Rights, and Abolitionist Perspectives Toward Prison
September 15
Chapter 3: Imprisonment and Reform
September 22
Chapter 4: How Gender Structures the Prison System
September 29
Chapter 6: Abolitionist Alternatives
Attendance expectations
- We invite you to read chapters beforehand, but it’s not required for participation in the conversation. In each session, the facilitators will provide quotes and questions connected to the featured chapters.
- Attendance at all sessions is not required. Feel free to drop in!
- Be present and participate (through chat and by unmuting mic)
- Be ready to get involved in the prison justice/abolition issues in your community during the event
A PDF of Are Prisons Obsolete is available here.
You can purchase either Are Prisons Obsolete or Freedom is a Constant Struggle at any major bookseller.