From Cradle to (In)Carceration: The Plight of Black Women Oppressed by the Criminal Justice System
From Cradle to (In)Carceration: The Plight of Black Women Oppressed by the Criminal Justice System
Room 349: 2:15 PM to 3:30 PM
Black women are overrepresented in the penal system yet are underrepresented by the justice system. The realities of these women do not exist in a vacuum; systemic and intersectional factors shape the lived experiences and limit the agency of these women. Drawing upon the expertise of the three stellar panel members, this session delves into the factors and stories found in a few of the social institutions that speak to the systemic and intersectional factors shaping the lived experiences of these women - criminal justice, education, and family court systems. What socio-historical factors exist in these institutions that correlate with this overrepresentation? What are the contemporary considerations that will contribute to addressing the underrepresentation of Black women in the justice system? Aiming to honor the voices of the Black women whose lives are stifled by the penal system, these questions set a framework for what we will discuss as we explore the lifelong journeys of women captured by an adversarial institution such as the criminal justice system.
Panelists:
- Samella A. Carryl, The Legal Aid Society
- Cicely A. Jervis, District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)
- JT Mvundura, Far West Texas Regional Public Defender's Office
Moderator: Corliss Wilson, Morgan State University