This collection documents the efforts of the Prison Communication, Activism, Research, and Education collective (PCARE) to put democracy into practice by merging prison education and activism. Through life-changing programs in a dozen states (Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin), PCARE works with prisoners, in prisons, and in communities to reclaim justice from the prison-industrial complex. Based on years of pragmatic activism and engaged teaching, the materials in this volume present a sweeping inventory of how communities and individuals both within and outside of prisons are marshaling the arts, education, and activism to reduce crime and enhance citizenship. Documenting hands-on case studies that emphasize educational initiatives, successful prison-based programs, and activist-oriented analysis, Working for Justice provides readers with real-world answers based on years of pragmatic activism and engaged teaching. Contributors are David Coogan, Craig Lee Engstrom, Jeralyn Faris, Stephen John Hartnett, Edward A. Hinck, Shelly Schaefer Hinck, Bryan J. McCann, Nikki H. Nichols, Eleanor Novek, Brittany L. Peterson, Jonathan Shailor, Rachel A. Smith, Derrick L. Williams, Lesley A. Withers, Jennifer K. Wood, and Bill Yousman.
| Cover Title Page Copyright Contents Acknowledgments Introduction: Working for Justice in the Age of Mass Incarceration Part I. Working on the Inside: The Transformative Potential of Prison Education Chapter 1. Kings, Warriors, Magicians, and Lovers: Alternative Performances of Masculinity in Prison Chapter 2. Service-Learning in Prison Facilities: Interaction as a Source of Transformation Chapter 3. Writing Your Way to Freedom: Autobiography as Inquiry in Prison Writing Workshops Part II. Working on the Outside: Building New Selves and Strong Communities Chapter 4. "Courtesy Incarceration": Exploring Family Members' Experiences of Imprisonment Chapter 5. Serving Time by Coming Home: Communicating Hope through a Reentry Court Chapter 6. Life After Incarceration: Exploring Identity in Reentry Programs for Wome Part III. Working on the Media: Representations of Prisons and Prison Activism Chapter 7. Challenging the Media-Incarceration Complex through Media Education Chapter 8. "Prisoners Rise, Rise, Rise!": Hip Hop as a Ciceronian Approach to Prison Protest Part IV. Working on the Futures of Prison Activism Chapter 9. "A Fate Worse than Death": Reform, Abolition, and Life without Parole in Anti–Death Chapter 10. "People Like Us": A New Ethic of Prison Advocacy in Racialized America Bibliography Contributors Index | "The ten essays in this book set examples for and encourage imaginative redirections in education inside and outside of the prison, as well as transitional and community supports, advocacy, and mainstream media."—Rhetoric & Public Affairs

"Combining perspectives of communication studies, prison art programs, and prison education, Working for Justice contributes significantly to the current conversation about methods to combat the violence and racism inherent in America's prison system. The book's call to action will challenge the reader to engage as a participant in social change."—Judith A. Scheffler, editor of Wall Tappings: Women's Prison Writings, 200 A.D. to the Present
"Here unusual perspectives are provided by academics from 14 institutions all linked by teaching in communications and related fields. . . . such scholars have valuable experience and insights involving current issues on prison education and the need to break from the past. . . . All contributors deserve accolades....