The issue of incarceration in the United States has reached alarming levels, with the nation housing the largest prison population globally. Currently, approximately 2.3 million individuals are incarcerated, a staggering figure that predominantly comprises people from communities of color and those living in poverty. This demographic disparity raises critical questions about the underlying systems and policies that contribute to such inequalities.

Between the years 1987 and 2007, the U.S. prison population witnessed a threefold increase. This dramatic rise can be attributed to a series of ‘tough on crime’ public policies, which have systematically shaped the landscape of incarceration. In response to these developments, organizers and scholars have coined the term ‘prison industrial complex’ (PIC) to describe the intricate network of economic and political influences surrounding the detention and corrections industry within the United States.

The PIC represents a confluence of various elements, linking capital, communities, and the state into a ‘permanent punishment economy.’ It encapsulates the diverse material and ideological forces that contribute to the expansion of detention facilities. These forces include the lobbying power of corrections officers’ unions, the portrayal of prisons and jails as growth industries amid deindustrialization, the technological and security innovations required to maintain and expand incarceration, and the normalization of isolation as a rational response to societal harm.

‘Education and Incarceration’ serves as a critical examination of these issues, emphasizing the importance of centering agency and autonomy in the discourse surrounding incarceration. The authors, comprised of emerging scholars, are dedicated to holding themselves accountable to justice movements and the communities they serve, rather than solely adhering to academic traditions or research protocols.

This book showcases the efforts of activist scholars who strive to engage with families, communities, and broader justice movements, aiming to construct what is referred to as ‘abolition democracies.’ The text not only documents their struggles but also offers a glimpse into the multi-layered analytical and material tools they are building for resistance, both within and beyond the confines of schools, jails, and prisons.

Originally published as a special issue of ‘Race Ethnicity and Education,’ ‘Education and Incarceration’ highlights a range of practices in motion. The contributors provide snapshots of their ongoing efforts to challenge the prevailing narratives surrounding the PIC and work towards a more just society.

In conclusion, ‘Education and Incarceration’ is more than just a scholarly text; it is a call to action for all who wish to understand the complexities of the prison system and work towards meaningful change. By engaging with the material in this book, readers can gain invaluable insights into the challenges and possibilities that lie within the fight against the prison industrial complex.