The school to prison pipeline is a phenomenon in which students, particularly Black and brown students, are punished harshly for minor infractions, leading them into the criminal justice system. Despite the increased presence of police officers in schools, there is no evidence to suggest that they reduce crime, and students report feeling less safe in their schools.
The presence of police officers in schools does not deter violent crime and actually makes students feel less secure. Additionally, the criminal charges filed against students by school resource officers have a disproportionate and negative impact.
The school to prison pipeline is a phenomenon where students, primarily black and brown youths, are criminalized and funneled into the criminal justice system instead of being given the resources to succeed in school. The authors discuss the history and consequences of this issue.
Recent interviews, state audits, and court transcripts reveal the abusive staff and prison-like conditions in Slattery's Kid Prison, including maggot-filled food and holding children past their release dates for profit.