Corrections_Today_May-June_2022_Vol.84_No.3

n Education

Both Alcatraz and Eastern State Penitentiary are well known former correctional institutions that now provide education to the public on the history of incarceration in America. They are spaces that draw the public into a set ting often hidden by design and naturally create curiosity while opening an individual to absorb the information presented. Unfortunately, these exhibits may be do ing a disservice in the overall mission of educating the public on mass incarceration. Although award-winning, the exhibit at Eastern State Penitentiary, Prisons Today: Questions in the Age of Mass Incarceration , has been recognized for being unusually forward in admitting the museum used a strategy of being non-neutral on its stance toward its subject matter. 2 The exhibit at Alcatraz has eighteen sources contribut ing primary source material; however, none of the sources are directly associated with correctional practitioners. 1 The Big Lockup: Mass Incarceration in the United States has a stated purpose of: The Big Lockup: Mass Incarceration in the United States provides opportunities for visitors to explore issues around mass incarceration and race in the United States within the context of Alcatraz Island as a military prison and federal penitentiary. 1 The exhibit invites visitors to interact with displays while placing themselves in the context of the questions concerning incarceration. The visitors are then invited to learn and then form and express their own opinions related to the following questions: Why does our country incarcerate more people than any other country? Why are people of color incarcerated at a higher rate? What is the im pact on individuals, families, and communities? How is this system changing and what are the alternatives? 1 The public needs to hear all sides of the corrections story To accomplish the tasks visitors are invited to com plete at Alcatraz, it is necessary to include practitioners from the field of corrections in the development of

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educational exhibits on criminal justice issues. Source material from correctional organizations would also posi tively impact the educational opportunities provided by these exhibits. To responsibly learn and form an opinion, an indi vidual must view the complete picture so their opinion is informed. There is an argument collaboration with correc tional organizations is essential for penal reform, which is the goal of the exhibits when educating the public. Over the last forty years, there has been an over-reliance on the criminal justice system to respond to poverty, addiction, mental illness and other social problems. These issues have contributed significantly to the epidemic of mass incarceration. 3 Mass incarceration is a multidisciplinary issue that requires an interdisciplinary approach and should therefore acknowledge the problem from all sides when educating the public. Educating the public on mass incarceration should include explaining how the issue is addressed, how the issue can be addressed, and the role each visitor can play in this process. Visitors to these exhibits should under stand the importance of the group effort needed to effect change. It is necessary there are strong partnerships between law enforcement and stakeholders within the community for public safety, and it is crucial that working partnerships are created between government agencies (such as corrections organizations), community groups and non-profit organizations, local businesses and private

30 — May/June 2022 Corrections Today