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Prep Note 4/19

On April 19, 2024

“Are Prisons Obsolete?” by Angela Davis is a book that I’ve heard a lot about online but I never took the time to read it (or at least the first three chapters) until now. It’s a great book that offers an insight into the current US prison system and how it does much more harm than it does good. The current prison system is for profit, which has allowed countless injustices to happen all in the hopes of making more money. The current prison system has no benefits, other than making said money for a selective group of people. The prison system works at the expense of humans, and often whole communities. The fact that the number of prisons in California doubled within a decade is extremely disheartening, and worse when you learn that men to fill these prisons are exponentially rising. Prisons obviously have not become a deterrent for crime because so many people are still being sent to prisons. A quote from the book that I found important was that “Prisons do not disappear social problems, they disappear human beings”. This quote highlights the way that prisons simply take people in but do little (often nothing) to help fix the systemic problems that caused people to resort to crime in the first place. I was also shocked to read how prisons truly started after the civil war and due to Jim Crow laws, but this makes sense due to the number of POC imprisoned vs. their white counterparts. All in all, this book was a great read and I hope that I will have time to continue it.

Discussion Ideas

By Haven Buechner

On April 19, 2024

In Haven, prep note

A quote that stuck with me from the three chapters was, “We take prisons for granted but are often afraid to face the realities they produce. After all, no one wants to go to prison. Because it would be too agonizing to cope with the possibility that anyone, including our selves, could become a prisoner, we tend to think of the prison as disconnected from our own lives.” I think something about this quote juxtaposed with the experience of going to the detention center for an hour or two on Tuesday nights in a way that felt like it was a break from reality is very telling. Before this class, I didn’t give prisons a moment’s thought beyond a vague sense of agreement that they were necessary. But just like anything, once it became personal, I was forced to reexamine my connection to the prison system. We’re compelled to reckon with our previous state of oblivious meandering, but at the same time, I think the main takeaway from this quote should not be self-introspection. Yes, the experience of working with these kids helped me realize how uneducated I previously was, but beyond that, it revealed some major flaws in the justice system that are not okay. I think a lot of times, especially in the media, these kids are either romanticized or vilified; the headlines are always “The Group That Made Blankets For the Poor Kids in the Jail” or “We Need to Crack Down on Teen Crime.” But as a society, we need–we need–to realize that these kids don’t exist to fit into one of our little think-piece narratives. They’re human, and they’re going through some awful and traumatic experiences that nobody deserves to go through.

It would also be interesting to discuss the Alabama governor’s quote from chapter two: “Segregation today, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.” In a more covert, shoved-under-the-rug way, that idea has survived until the 21st century in the fabric of the criminal justice system, right? What are your thoughts about that? How was society able to convince us that it was good, that it made the world safer? What strategies do we see the people in power using to keep that belief in place?

Prep Note 4/17

By Angelos Charalampos Bouras

On April 17, 2024

In Angelos, prep note

As someone who deeply admires Angela Davis, reading the first three chapters of “Are Prisons Obsolete?” has been incredibly thought-provoking. Davis challenges the conventional wisdom about prisons, highlighting how they often fail to address the underlying issues that lead to crime. This aligns with broader discussions on the societal impacts of maintaining illiteracy among prisoners and dismantling educational programs behind bars. It’s clear that denying education to inmates not only undermines their chances of rehabilitation but also perpetuates cycles of poverty and crime, which ultimately burden society as a whole.

At the Northwestern Human Rights Conference in Chicago, similar ideas were shared about the importance of adopting correctional strategies that prioritize rehabilitation over punishment. Davis’s insights resonate with this perspective, emphasizing the critical role of education in reducing recidivism and promoting successful reintegration into society. The historical context provided, including the closure of college programs like the one at Greenhaven Prison, underscores the detrimental effects of shifting away from rehabilitative approaches within the criminal justice system. Davis’s call to rethink our reliance on prisons and invest in alternative forms of justice further motivates me to advocate for change and work towards creating a more equitable and humane society.

Prep Note 03/29

By Angelos Charalampos Bouras

On March 26, 2024

In Angelos, Experiential Reflections, prep note

Reading “Small Things Like These” was a book that made me understand more deeply the complexities of human relationships, societal expectations, and the often overlooked struggles of ordinary people. The narrative captured the essence of everyday life, highlighting moments of joy, sorrow, and resilience, something that I often struggle dealing with. Through the lens of Furlong’s experiences, I found myself reflecting on the intricate balance between duty and personal fulfillment, as well as the relentless pursuit of stability in an ever-changing world.

One of the aspects of the book that resonated with me the most was the portrayal of family dynamics and the sacrifices made by parents for the sake of their children’s well-being. Furlong’s internal struggles and his longing for something more beyond the monotony of his routine left a profound impact on me, making me to reflect on the meaning of contentment and the pursuit of happiness. Overall, “Small Things Like These” offered a mirror through which I could reflect on my own values, aspirations, and the significance of the small moments that shape our existence.

Prep Note 02/13

By Angelos Charalampos Bouras

On February 15, 2024

In Angelos, Experiential Reflections, prep note

This time I had a quite significant experience. We started in big groups by introducing ourselves and sharing some information but the real discussion started when we were in 2 groups. I was with 2 young boys who were about to finish high school and shared a lot about their future and past. They shared how much they want to get out of the center, collaborate, and create their own music industry. They were so passionate about their goal indicating they don’t just want to achieve it, they will! Something significant is that they wanted to create lyrics with meanings to prevent young people from making the same mistakes they did following their dad’s life decisions. The thing that they regret the most about life is making that mistake that made them end up in the center. One of them chose as a superpower to know all the information that exists to prevent future mistakes. Similarly, the other person would like to travel in time to change his behavior in the past and not end up in the center. I was surprised at how passionate they were about their future, how much they wanted to graduate high school and go to college as well as how they wanted to help other people through their passion; music!

Prep Note – 2/2

By Nicholas Gunn

On February 2, 2024

In Nick G, prep note

I found “The Body Keeps the Score” to be super interesting. I’ve always been interested in social sciences and psychology but I never had the chance to take a class on it in high school. This book is the perfect opportunity to learn more about this subject I’ve always been curious about. One story I was particularly interested in was Stan and Ute’s. The way they experienced the same traumatic event but reacted so differently was intriguing. It shows how our minds are subject to change and how our experiences can train them so that we have vastly different reactions from person to person to the same situations. That variability in human response is what really intrigues me. Not only was this variation in their actions physical, meaning how they reacted in the moment, but it was also internal in the sense that after the event when their trauma responses were triggered their brain scans were vastly different as well.

Prep Note – 2/1/2024

By Nicholas Javier

On February 2, 2024

In Javier, prep note

One of the interesting thoughts I had during the reading came up in chapter 6. The subject “losing your body” and the notion of sensory, and the complicated relationship that is inscribed between the body, the senses, and the mind. I did a Literature Review in high school that studied Music and its impact on the brain, and one of the terms that came up was “DSN” — that term returns as they compare the brains of “normal” Canadians against those who had a history of trauma, and when observing the contrasts between the brains – it was terrifying to think about.

The idea that those who experienced trauma earlier in life had taught their body to “deaden” itself to certain feelings is shocking. The author describes the interplay with concepts of “self” and in trying to explain how it might affect their day-to-day life such as their struggle with a sense of self and purpose, to the point where they might not even recognize themselves in the mirror, further reinforces the significant impact that trauma can have in terms of long-lasting impact.

The deep interplay of the “sense of self” and the body is something that I find interesting and want to do more reading on. The concepts of agency combined with selfhood draw back to how important this concept of “identity” might be, not just as a “literary” or “self-discovery” element, but on a biological and fundamental level.

2/1/24

By Brice Di Carlo

On February 1, 2024

In Brice, prep note

A section of the book that I thought was most interesting was Jack’s story. The impact that facial expressions have on children as a result of trauma is very impactful. It’s important to know this during our time at the detention center. We should do our best to keep positive and friendly facial expressions at all times. Many kids who experience trauma are very observant but at the same time capable of misconceiving facial expressions. Another fact to keep in mind is that many of these kids want attention. Whether it be neglect or absence of family in their lives from a young age, our time at the detention center is an opportunity to provide valuable attention to the juveniles.

Prep Note 2/2/24

By Kristine Nguyen

On February 1, 2024

In kristine, prep note

One thing that stood out to me in “The Body Keeps the Score” was the story of Jack. Jack was a 14-year-old boy who was found breaking into a neighbor’s house when they were away. When asked who Jack thought would visit him in jail on Christmas, he responded by saying that he expected no one to come. He said that no one pays attention to him. Jack had gotten into trouble multiple times, so when the police discovered him in the house, they recognized him and called him by name. Jack later admitted that this recognition made what he did worth it. The fact that some people feel so abandoned by the world breaks my heart. When people feel abandoned, they will do anything they can to ensure that they are still seen by others, even if doing so requires unconventional methods. How could we as a society have failed these people so badly? It just makes me wonder how we could have prevented things like this from happening. People with abandonment issues will latch onto anyone so they don’t feel alone. Humans are social creatures, after all. Zero social interaction has been found to have detrimental effects. This all makes me rethink the criminal justice system and how we can try to show up for people who feel left behind.

Prep Note 2/2

By William Sheets

On February 1, 2024

In prep note, Will S

When reading Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score, the part that I found the most interesting was tied to a brief case study the author discusses that revolves around the trauma of two people, Stan and Ute. These two were in the same car crash together, the source of their trauma, but they reacted in very different ways. As van der Kolk writes on page 65, when the accident occurred, Stan tried his best to escape the car working hard to try and get his crushed door open. He was unable to do so, and had to wait for someone to break his windshield and help him out. During this time, he had to watch helplessly as people died in the accident. Ute reacted very differently. She, unlike Stan, made no attempt to escape the car, and instead sat silent and motionless until the pair were rescued. And even then, she had to be pulled out of the car as she made no effort to get out herself.

The part of the story that I find most interesting is when van der Kolk describes a study done on the two regarding their trauma. During the study, both Stan and Ute’s trauma responses were triggered and brain scans were studied. The fascinating part of this is that when the pair had their trauma responses triggered, they reacted in the same way as they did during the crash. Stan’s blood pressure rose, he started breathing quicker, and he began to sweat, as if he was working to get out of the car all over again. Ute, on the other hand, had almost no visible reaction, going blank the same way she did in the car. Stan’s brain scan shows a lot of activity, whereas Ute’s shows basically none at all.

I think that the fact that both Stan and Ute relive their trauma in the exact same way they first experienced it is extremely interesting. I find it even more interesting that Ute’s reaction to the traumatic events was informed by coping mechanisms she developed in childhood to deal with her verbally abusive mother. This part of van der Kolk’s book showed me that trauma is not simply some monolithic problem. It has a ton of variability on a personal level, and it’s a topic that would take many years of study to even begin to deeply understand.