Date: Saturday, August 9

Time: 10:30 AM - 12:10 PM

Session 043: Social Problems Theory and Decarceration/Abolitionist Movements in Prison Studies
Room: Grant Park Parlor

Sponsors: Crime and Justice
Social Problems Theory

Organizer: Michael Adorjan, University of Calgary

Presider: Christopher Dum, Kent State University

Description: 

From Mathiesen’s (1974) The Politics of Abolition to contemporary, critical theorizing regarding ‘e-carceration’ (Arnett, 2019-2020), social movements within and beyond academia have aimed to ameliorate the caustic impacts of mass incarceration, especially in the United States. This session invites consideration of how social problems theorizing informs decarceration movements and abolitionist thinking and action. In what ways do critical approaches inform efforts and understandings regarding decarceration and/or abolitionism? What are the strengths and possible limitations of these frameworks? Rather than explicate trends in decarceration per se, this session foregrounds the role of theory in relation to the goals and outcomes of decarceration and/or abolitionism movements.

Papers:

“Addressing Mass Incarceration through the Abolishment of Criminal Records,” Casey Bohrman, West Chester University and Margo Campbell, Widener University

“Carceral Feminist Failures: Unpacking the Punitive Approaches to Gender-based Violence and Their Consequences,” Clarissa M. Punla, University of California, Irvine

“Complicating Conceptualizations of Anti-racism within the Abolition Movement through Monoracism and Black/White Multiraciality,” Alizé B. Hill, The University of Chicago

“Nigerian Asuwada Theory, Mass Incarceration, and Restorative Justice Frameworks,” Shawn Dougherty, The Graduate Center, CUNY

“Prison Abolition in New York State: A Comparative Study of Attica and Rikers Island,” Shaneya Nyasia Simmelkjaer, Syracuse University

“Supervising the Margins: Probation Practices, Racialized Governance, and the Expansion of Surveillance in California’s Community Supervision System,” Amalia Mejia, University of California, Irvine

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