Undoing Violence to Dismantle Mass Incarceration

Keynote speakers Jafar Braylock and Antonio Williams will explore mass incarceration and mental health through the lens of violence, the ineffectiveness and inhumanity of punishment, and effective responses. Audience question and answer session will be followed with circle discussions to address plans for action.

Mass incarceration depends on asserting white supremacy through over-policing and over-prosecution of nonviolent offenses. This system also creates an endless loop of incarceration, release without supports, re-arrest, re-incarceration, and long sentences for so-called “violent offenders” while failing to address the sources of violence. These include mental health issues arising from historical trauma, adverse childhood events, and the daily effects of racial and economic oppression.

This four-part virtual series continues in addressing the criminalization of those with mental health disorders and where we need to direct our organizing and activism.

Hosted by Metropolitan State University's School of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, Human Services Department, and the Institute for Community Engagement and Scholarship. Contact Associate Professor Therissa Libby with questions.