Mass Incarceration – SYLVIA A. HARVEY (SAH)

Parenting While Incarcerated

Within an oppressive and unjust prison-industrial complex, fighting for a space where families can forge bonds. EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is an excerpt from “The Shadow System: Mass Incarceration and the American Family,” by Sylvia A. Harvey,Continue reading

Child Welfare

How a Trip to Prison Cost Kenneth Clark His Right to Be a Parent

Kenneth Clark sported a colorful striped shirt and black shorts the last time his two daughters, Kira and Kenae, saw him. The father of five slung his bag over his shoulder and set out forContinue reading

Culture

The Legacy of the Pandemic

Few aspects of life are untouched by coronavirus and resulting global lockdowns. From an emerging “quarantine state of mind” to a new era of frugality to expanding how we vote, here’s what next. Part ofContinue reading

Child Welfare

Stepping Up: When Mothers Are Incarcerated Who Cares for the Children Left Behind?

A clean dusting of snow coats the hoods of cars parked along Philadelphia’s West Norris Street. The trees are mostly bare, withered leaves buried in the corners of benches. This winter morning, the massive rust-brickContinue reading

Mass Incarceration

‘You Never Want to go to the Workhouse’

Two rows of barbed wire fencing can’t block the screams that escape from behind the barred windows at the jail. “Help us!” the men shout from inside. The sweltering sun beams down on the two-story brick building, heating itsContinue reading

Youth Justice

How to Stop Locking Up Kids

Editor’s note: This is the first of two essays The Root is publishing in partnership with Caught, a new podcast from WNYC Studios about the juvenile-justice system. We hope to generate a conversation about how we can support rather thanContinue reading