December 23, 2010

School to Prison Pipeline

“School to Prison Pipeline” refers to the cycle of suspending, expelling, and arresting students, essentially criminalizing what many consider to be normal adolescent behavior. In Indiana, the legislature recently passed HB 1193, which establishes a statewide, 24-member study group composed of police, judges, principals, and others who work with children who get into trouble at school.

The group will evaluate and make recommendations on specific local practices, such as when law enforcement and schools should collaborate, when school administrators should be notified before a student is arrested, what types of arrests should not occur on school property, and what pilot programs and best practices should be considered.