The Problem of Mass Incarceration

CONTENTS OF CURRICULUM UNIT 19.02.02

  1. Unit Guide
  1. Introduction
  2. Rationale
  3. Content Objectives
  4. Content Background
  5. Teaching Strategies
  6. Classroom Activities
  7. Resources
  8. Appendix
  9. Notes

On Criminal Justice Reform: Studying Philadelphia’s New, Reform-Minded District Attorney through a Historical Context

Alexander de Arana

Published September 2019

Tools for this Unit:

Content Objectives

Many students at Bodine have been impacted by the criminal justice system due to the environment of the neighborhood in which they live, their encounters with the city’s police department, or for having family and friends incarcerated.  Because of these issues, I wish to create a unit that informs students of their city’s surroundings, and how the past and present criminal justice system continues conditioning Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.  This unit is meant to use resources from the City of Philadelphia to teach students about the development of societal and governmental attitudes towards crime and punishment, policing methods; how the Office of the District Attorney operates in Philadelphia, and the general purpose and philosophy of incarceration and rehabilitation efforts.  I hope that this unit, in combination with the other units I teach, exposes students to real-world problems, fosters their civic participation, and encourages them to partake in solutions for the issues that affect their communities today.

Comments:

Alexander William De Arana

September 30, 2019 at 9:47 pm

Update on Meek Mill

Since the final draft of this unit was submitted for publication, hip hop artist Meek Mill's convictions on old gun and drug charges have been vacated by the Pennsylvania Superior Court. Not only did District Attorney of Philadelphia Larry Krasner support Meek Mill's appeal, but Krasner also endorsed the decision that was published by the judges stating that Meek Mill is eligible for a new trial. Ultimately, Meek Mill pleaded guilty for a gun possession charge with no further sentence. Krasner publicly stated that Meek Mill's case was an example of excessive punishment, excessive supervision, unfair procedures, and questionable integrity. Krasner used Meek Mill's case to demonstrate how people can evolve. He also used this opportunity to recognize that cities and sometimes (criminal justice) systems also need to evolve.

Add a Comment

Characters Left: 500

Unit Survey
Feedback