Today I had the opportunity to attend "Capitalism and the Carceral State," an inaugural symposium hosted by The Vanderbilt Social Justice Reporter!
The symposium, which convened legal scholars, researchers, practitioners, and individuals directly impacted by the criminal legal system, was inspiring and thought-provoking. In particular, I was deeply moved by Mr. Ronald Simpson-Bey's story. Not only is Mr. Simpson-Bey a national decarceration leader, but he also served 27 years in the Michigan prison system after being falsely convicted. Thanks to his own legal research, he successfully petitioned for his release and has continued working to advocate for policy reforms that would upend mass incarceration.
Keynote speaker Andrea Armstrong's lecture also transformed my understanding of the critical ways that the Constitution and other laws fail to protect incarcerated individuals who are subjected to inhumane and cruel treatment. As she discussed, "government power and authority are at their highest in prisons, jails, and detention centers, while a person's individual rights are at their lowest."
I am glad I had the opportunity to be a part of these discussions and I look forward to incorporating what I learned to further my own legal scholarship in these areas!
Comments