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Bar None: Extending Affirmative Action to Higher Education in Prison
Author(s) -
Torre María Elena,
Fine Michelle
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1540-4560
pISSN - 0022-4537
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-4560.2005.00421.x
Subject(s) - prison , recidivism , affirmative action , criminology , citizen journalism , participatory action research , action (physics) , higher education , psychology , qualitative property , political science , sociology , social psychology , law , physics , quantum mechanics , machine learning , anthropology , computer science
Recognizing the intent of Affirmative Action to include historically marginalized citizens into institutions of higher learning, we stretch the limits of Affirmative Action to consider the role of higher education in prison. We present empirical findings of a 4‐year, qualitative and quantitative participatory action research study of the impact of college in prison. Evidence is drawn from participant observations; individual and focus group interviews with participants of the college program, former inmates, prison administrators, corrections officers, and children of inmates; faculty surveys; and a quantitative analysis of recidivism rates. We address the psychological, academic, and crime‐related impacts of higher education on women in prison, and document the benefits of broad‐based access for inmates, prison environments, children of prisoners, and society‐at‐large.