Inside-Out Prison Exchange Class, Fall 2013
Criminal justice is one of the most important and controversial issues in contemporary America. Given that the United States has the highest incarceration rate of anywhere in the world, it is crucial that as citizens we understand how this came to be. This course will trace the rise of the prison system in the United States, and will examine how Americans have engaged in—and interpreted—crime in different historical eras and the various ways Americans have sought to deter, punish, and rehabilitate. The most distinctive aspect of this course is that it will be taught on the Inside-Out model, meaning that the course will take place in a nearby correctional facility. Half the students in the class will be inmates, and half will be L&C students.
There are no prerequisites for the course, but Lewis & Clark students must apply for admission. To apply, please write an essay explaining your interest in the course and any relevant personal and/or intellectual experiences that have led you to that interest. Hard copies of the essay should be dropped off in the mailbox outside Professor Hillyer’s (Miller 425) door by Friday, March 15 at noon. Students who are accepted into the course will be required to go through a background check.
More information about the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program can be found here:
