The Classroom and the Cell is a fascinating dialogue between federal political prison Mumia Abu-Jamal and Columbia education professor Marc Lamont Hill. It's in dialogue format, which is initially off-putting. But it works. The thoughtful exchange of ideas explore Black culture including hip-hop and religion, American education, and the population of prisons.
After examining issues from unusual and certainly provocative viewpoints, the authors agree on a few solutions:
de-carceration. Getting rid of the money bail system, pre-trial detention, early release for non-dangerous prisoners.
1.ex-carceration. Getting rid of incarceration as the primary or even secondary method of responding to crime. Treat drug addiction as the medical problem it is. Provide proper medical facilities like mental wards. Use community dispute resolution, restitution, suspended sentences, community probation. Although I bow to his experience and wisdom, I find it hard to accept his notion that even the worst of the worst prisoners can change with the right help. Maybe…. But certainly locking them into cages does not help anyone.