Why We Are Here
The
prison population in the United States
exploded from 200,000 people in the early 1970s to more than two
million in the first decade of the twenty-first century. This tenfold
rise in the incarceration rate prompted Elliott Currie to argue that
incarceration has become "the most thoroughly implemented government
social program in our time."As communication and cultural studies
scholars, we are distressed that this unprecedented expansion of the US
prison system has taken place with little public discussion and
scholarly analysis. As Angela Davis points out, thirty years ago the US
government could not have "lock[ed] up so many people without producing
powerful public resistance."We wonder, then, how have we come to accept
the imprisonment of more than two million of our neighbors with so
little resistance and discussion?As communication and cultural studies
scholars, we are particularly attentive - though no less subject - to
the silences that envelope prison issues in the United States.
These silences are caused by the routine denial of access to
journalists to investigate prisons, by the difficulties that many of us
face when we try to teach in prisons, and by the lack of institutional
support for and recognition of prison scholarship and education. Trying
to break through these silences, this article strives to compel public
debate, teaching, and communication and cultural studies research about
the prison-industrial complex. We are interested in mapping the scope
of the problem, documenting what we know works in terms of addressing
this pressing issue, and establishing research, action, and education
agendas for our future work. We are thus calling upon our colleagues to
reconsider what they research, how they do it, who they do it for, and
who they do it with. This article therefore envisions nothing less than
a revolution in how communication and cultural studies scholars
perceive their relationship to the prison-industrial complex, the
people it incarcerates, and the nation it supposedly protects. In
short, we are calling upon our colleagues to help us change the world.
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Prison-CARE
(Communication-Activism-Research-Education)
The Structure of the
Organization
Prison-CARE
(PC) is comprised of communication scholars who have a common interest
in challenging the structures that promote incarceration and meeting
the needs of those currently behind bars. (See Prison-CARE white
paper.)
It
has been suggested that, after years of limited collaboration between
members, Prison-CARE assume some recognizable likeness to an
organization. Therefore, I have drafted the following organizational
chart. I make no claim that this chart is finished. This chart,
subsequent list of position titles and brief definitions, are simply a
place to start. The language and tasks assumed by any member who wishes
to take on these responsibilities must be open to revisions.
The
board (see next page) will consist of “go to” people who
coordinate information and resources. The first “chairs”
will outline and then build a foundation for their given area
(communication-activism-research-education).
Take
note that the organizational chart may appear to be upside down.
However, it benefits PC’s mission to put us in our right place,
to always first serve the incarcerated.
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Definitions of Tasks/Duties
The
Incarcerated
At the top of
our organizational chart are those currently incarcerated and their
families.
Change
Agents
Activist,
researchers, and educators who serve those who currently occupy
our
nation’s prisons.
Chairs
Includes
both primary chairs and their alternates who serve twelve-month terms.
The primary is charged with the responsibility of their division and
the alternate is to learn the ropes and work as support to the primary.
In the event that the primary cannot fulfill the responsibilities
assumed by his or her designation the alternate chair will step in to
that position for the remainder of the term. At the end of the year the
primary must step down, however the alternate may assume the role of
the primary if they so chose to accept nomination and are elected to do
so. |
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Communication Chair
(Director of
Communication)
Goals
may include; media relations to gather contact information for radio,
television and the press. To interact with members of the media to
insure that those incarcerated have a voice speaking out for their
interests. In addition send out regular press releases regarding PC,
its members and any messages that forward PC’s goals. |
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Activism Chairs
(Director of Activism)
Goals
may include; working closely with other activist organization to meet
common goals, reinstating the Pell Grant for those incarnated,
coordinating opposition to the construction of new prisons, etc.
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Research Chairs
(Director of Research)
Goals
may include; establishing 503c non-profitstatus
so PC’s members are able to apply for and receive federally
funded research grants and gifts from charitable organizations. Also,
the coordination of research projects between PC members seems crucial.
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Education Chairs
(Director of Education)
Goals
may include; assisting educators in need of lesson plans, syllabi, and
other perspectives on alternative instruction. Assembling a depository
of syllabi and reference lists of prison-education related material
appears essential.
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Prison-CARE
President
This twelve
month position assists all Prison-CARE chairs. Coordinates cooperation
between the chairs and focuses on long-term projects. Organizes PC
annual summits (during NCA convention each November) and chairs PC
meetings. |
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