Opening Things:

  • Started by reading the prep notes posted by Angelos, Kaylee, and Haven regarding “Are Prisons Obsolete?”  
  • Talked briefly about diner on Monday, which will be held in Dhall @ 5:30
  • Talked briefly about our last two assignments for the class, the reflection on group work (due 4/26) and our final reflection assignment (due 5/3)

 

Final Reflection Portfolio:

 

  • The final reflection portfolio will use the same exhibit structure as the final portfolio in the fall, except that we will create a portfolio of exhibits that has stuff that may or may not be used in the final reflection which will also be turned in
  • Examined the final reflection rubric
  • We talked for a bit about refining a thesis statement and reflecting on how we used that process in our first analysis paper in the fall. 
  • The process of setting up the final reflection is just as important as writing the reflection itself
  • Ifti was late, tisk tisk

 

Group Work Process:

 

  • Turned our attention to the group work reflection
  • When talking about the group work process, Brice mentioned how his group changed their guidelines as the group work process continued
  • Talked about the differences between the two person group and the four person group
  • Took some time to discuss the group work process with Ifti as a class while Prof. Dolson stepped out of the room
  • Any other thoughts about our group work process can be sent to Ifti

 

Discussion of “Are Prisons Obsolete?”

 

  • Talked about Haven’s prep note, specifically about the way certain groups of people don’t have to think about prison as much as certain minority groups
  • We mentioned guilt about the our story partner’s situations
  • Talked about the physical space of the detention center, especially touching on the bleakness of the dorms
  • Prof. Dolson talked a bit about the resistance she faced when she wanted to bring our story partners to campus, especially with regard to URPD
  • Nick G mentioned that his friends had similar reactions to the kids coming onto campus
  • We talked about the racist beginnings of the prison system and how that might have created connotations between race and prisons
  • Discussed the convict leasing system, which led to a discussion of reparations and the failure of the American Government to provide those reparations
  • Talked about redlining practices and the lasting effects it still has on Richmond today
  • Prof. Dolson mentioned the difference between how we said where we were from, and how our story partners would. We would say we were from certain cities or states, they would say they were from the specific project housing where they grew up
  •  Touched again on the racial disparity in prisons 
  • Nick J mentions the problems with retributive justice and the necessity for rehabilitative punishment for criminals
  • Brice talks briefly about Reagen era politics and the higher sentences brought about by the “Hard On Crime” policies of the time
  • Mitch mentions how he was struck by the way our story partners were able to still manage to joke around and maintain a positive outlook
  • Nick G mentions how powerful the relationships between the inmates were and how they used those relationships to keep themselves sane through humor and friendly interactions
  • Wesley talks about how his experience was different with the Tuesday night group where his story partners rotated often. 
  • Asked the question: are juvenile detention centers obsolete? What are the pros and cons?
  • The biggest positive we mentioned of the detention center we visited was the opportunities for furthering rehabilitation and education for the people there
  • Brice mentioned the importance of external opportunities to help the incarcerated youth expand their perceptions of their world and the life they can have
  • Wesley mentioned the importance of education and the preemptive effects it may have 
  • We talked about what we would hope for our story partners’ future and for our own future mentalities