Incarceration and Social justice: Prison trip
Each year the BHS Program in Social Justice Leadership visits the Bay State Correctional Center in Norfolk, MA. The prison is located approximately 45 minutes from Brookline High School and we travel by bus. Students report that it is the highlight of the year. We do not tour the prison, nor is this trip a "scared straight" program. Instead, after passing through security, we walk in a secure corridor directly to a function room where we meet with a small number of men from the Prison Voices program. The Program is led by older inmates who train younger men to tell their story of incarceration. We listen to a handful of stories, then open for question and answer. Students may ask anything they want. The trip is safe and very informative, and it complements our 2nd quarter curriculum which aims to cultivate passion for a social justice issue. Incarceration is a critical social justice issue that connects to race, class, inequality, violence, segregation and status, and thus provides students with important and poignant insights into social justice. See the description below from the Prison. Please note: We meet at Brookline High School at 7:15 to board the bus in order to arrive at the prison by, or before 8:30. We'll spend some time passing through security then meet with inmates from 9:15-11:15. We'll return by 12:15, lunch on our own, then meet for the remainder of the day (MLK room or Teen Center or...).
Please review and complete the following forms:
Return to Field Trip page
Please review and complete the following forms:
- Entrance Requirements: (including Dress Code) and clarification of Acceptable ID's and Checklist to Enter Prison
- Prison permission form: Print and return 1 week prior to visit
- BHS Parent permission: Print and return 1 week prior to visit
- Teacher permission: Students should indicate "X" if you have a free block or are in Social Justice that block.
- Prison web page; see also Programs at the Prison
- Prison Voices evaluation (from the prison): Complete immediately after trip
Return to Field Trip page
What is Prison Voices? (excerpts, from Prison)
Prison Voices is a community outreach program aimed at youth and young adults to combat poor decision making and confront the consequences of becoming involved in criminal behavior. Prison Voices is comprised of 20 men between the ages of 23 and 60.
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Visit description from The Prison Voices Program:
These sessions also include a question and answer period where the speakers attempt to answer any questions that may be asked of them, whether about their lives, the crimes that brought them to prison or their experience in the criminal justice and prison system. Every effort is made by the speakers to be as open and honest as possible. |