>> TONIGHT ON RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

>> IN RHODE ISLAND WE HAVE THE SECOND HIGHEST COST PER INMATE IN THE NATION.

>> EVERY YEAR, WE SPEND CLOSE TO $300 MILLION ON INCARCERATION IN RHODE ISLAND.

SO ONCE YOU HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED, YOUR CHANCES OF BEING RE-INCARCERATED ARE VERY HIGH.

BUT EVEN IF YOU DON'T, YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING A DECENT PAYING JOB ARE PRETTY LOW.

YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING DECENT HOUSING ARE LOW.

AND YOU END UP IN AN INSECURE SITUATION, OFTENTIMES FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE >> I FEEL LIKE WE THROW PEOPLE AWAY BECAUSE WE TAKE AWAY ALL OF THESE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED, THE FUNDAMENTAL RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED TO SURVIVE.

♪ >> GOOD EVENING TREAD WELCOME TO RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

I AM PAMELA WATTS.

>> I AM MICHELLE SAN MIGUEL.

IN THE WAKE OF SHOOTINGS LIKE COLUMBINE CAN SANDY HOOK SCHOOLS ACROSS THE NATION HAVE BROUGHT AND POLICE TO PROTECT STUDENTS.

BUT TONIGHT WE TAKE A LOOK AT HOW THE MEASURE HAS BROUGHT CONTROVERSY OF ITS OWN.

>> ACTIVISTS IN RHODE ISLAND HAVE MOUNTED PROTESTS OVER THESE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.

LAST JUNE, THE PROVIDENCE SCHOOL BOARD ASKED THE STATE TO REMOVE THEM.

THEIR ARGUMENT, CLASSROOM INFRACTIONS CAN BECOME CRIMINAL MATTERS WITH POLICE ARE STATIONED IN SCHOOLS.

THEY SAY SCHOOLS CAN OPERATE AS A PATHWAY TO INCARCERATION.

PAMELA: IT HAS BEEN CALLED A SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE OR THE SCHOOLHOUSE TO JAILHOUSE TRACK.

MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNOR IS IN FAVOR OF RETAINING THE OFFICERS.

IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO THE QUESTION, HOW DO WE KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE?

THIS EVENING, WE PRESENT AN DOCUMENTARY BY PRODUCER TRACY MCDONALD THAT TAKES A LOOK AT THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE AND PROFILES THE ACTIVIST MOVEMENT CALLING FOR REFORM.

>> I AM A MARISSA LEE, I WAS FORMERLY INCARCERATED FOR THREE YEARS.

I WAS RELEASED AUGUST OF 2016.

AND HAVE BEEN REBUILDING MY LIFE EVER SINCE.

I LIVED IN PROVIDENCE MY FULL LIFE.

GROWING UP IN OUR COMMUNITY, BEING INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IS NORMALIZED.

I GREW UP WITH MY FATHER BEING IN PRISON AND I AM WRITING HIM LETTERS AND GETTING LETTERS AND GOING TO VISITS.

THERE.

UNCLES IN AND OUT OF PRISON FOR SELLING DRUGS, USING DRUGS, STUFF LIKE THAT.

A CHILD'S LIFE IS NOT ONLY WHAT IS HAPPENING AT SCHOOL.

THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO THAT, BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT CHILD MAY BE ACTING OUT, BUT THEY ARE REALLY CRYING FOR HELP.

AND THEY JUST DO NOT KNOW HOW TO >> THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE IS A PROCESS WHERE STUDENTS ARE INTRODUCED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT BY WAY OF DISCIPLINARY POLICIES AND PRACTICES WITHIN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> WE HAVE PRACTICES IN SCHOOLS THAT QUITE LITERALLY EXCLUDE AND PUSH OUT STUDENTS.

>> WHETHER THEY ARE SPECIAL EDUCATION, WHETHER THEY ARE BLACK OR A PERSON OF COLOR.

STUDENTS ARE PUSHED OUT OF SCHOOL.

>> INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>> IS A SYSTEMATIC FAILURE OF OUR STUDENTS, OF OUR NEEDIEST POPULATIONS.

AND IT TAKES AWAY OPPORTUNITY.

>> I THINK A SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE IN ITS BASIC FORMATION LOOKS PRETTY SIMILAR ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING PLACES IN RHODE ISLAND.

>> LOOKING AT THE BIG PICTURE, IT IS ONE OF THE REPRODUCTION OF CRIMINALIZATION IN POVERTY IN OUR COUNTRY.

AND IT STARTS IN SCHOOL.

>> OK, HERE YOU GO.

I THINK WE COULD START THIS CONVERSATION OFF BY STARTING WITH THE HISTORY OF POLICE.

>> THE POLICE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY WAS DESIGNED IN PART AS A RESPONSE TO SLAVES WHO RAN AWAY FROM PLANTATIONS.

>> THEY WERE ACTUALLY CALLED SLAVE PATROL IN THE JOB WAS TO BASICALLY GO AFTER RUNAWAY SLAVES, BEAT THEM, BUT BRING THEM BACK HOME.

A PART OF THE BEATING WAS SO THAT THEY KNEW THAT THEY WOULD GET PUNISHED AND THAT WOULD SCARE ANY REBELLION AWAY FROM THEM.

IF THERE WERE SLAVES ON THE FIELD WERE TRYING TO ORGANIZE SOMETHING TO LEAVE, THAT WOULD SCARE THEM.

>> AND A LOT OF THE EARLY POLICING SYSTEMS WERE ALSO ABOUT CONTROLLING LABOR STRIKES, OFTEN TIMES IN THAT CASE, WHITE WORKING-CLASS PEOPLE AS WELL.

>> POLICING IN INCARCERATION SYSTEM IN THIS COUNTRY HAS ALWAYS BEEN CONNECTED TO SYSTEMS OF ECONOMIC AND RACIAL EXPLOITATIONS.

AND IN THE 70'S AND 80'S, THERE WAS IN A WAY, MANUFACTURED WAR ON DRUGS.

AND I SAY MANUFACTURED BECAUSE THE REALITY IS THAT DRUG USE WAS JUST AS PREVALENT IN WIDER, SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES AS IT WAS IN URBAN CITY COMMUNITIES, BUT THE FOCUS ON CRIMINALIZATION AND POLICING WENT TO COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

>> BY THE THOUSANDS, WE HAD 2 MILLION PEOPLE IN JAIL AND THE MAJORITY WERE MEN OF COLOR.

AND THEN WE HAVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ZERO-TOLERANCE PRACTICES, WHICH SUSPENDED OR EXPELLED CHILDREN OF COLOR FOR JUST A WIDE VARIETY OF OFTENTIMES VERY MINOR INFRACTIONS.

>> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE, A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR OF THAT IS SUSPENSION POLICIES IN THE WAY THAT STUDENTS ARE PUSHED OUT OF SCHOOL, GIVEN OUT OF SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS, AND KEPT OUT OF THE CLASSROOM.

>> WHEN CHILDREN ARE SUSPENDED OR EVENTUALLY EXPELLED, THEY ARE OUT ON THE STREET WHERE THEY ARE THEN LIKELY TO BE ENGAGED WITH POLICE.

>> WE SEE THAT FOR THEIR POPULATION, WHITE STUDENTS ARE BEING UNDER SUSPENDED, BUT WE SEE THAT STUDENTS OF COLOR GENERALLY ARE BEING OVER SUSPENDED, RELATIVE TO THEIR POPULATION WITHIN THE SCHOOLS.

>> THE FLIP SIDE OF THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE IS THIS SORT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL PERPETUATION OF THAT DIFFERENCE.

FOR WHITE AFFLUENT STUDENTS, THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR IS OK. YOUNG BLACK AND BROWN KIDS, SAME BEHAVIOR, THEY ARE PUNISHED.

YOU ARE WRONG, YOU ARE BAD.

SO WHAT WE LEARNED IN BOTH OF THOSE SITUATIONS AND WHAT DON'T PEOPLE LEARN ABOUT THEMSELVES AND EACH OTHER, IS CERTAIN POPULATIONS DESERVE TO BE PUNISHED AND CERTAIN POPULATIONS DO NOT.

>> I WENT TO MOUNT PLEASANT HIGH SCHOOL FOR MY FRESHMAN YEAR.

THERE WAS AN OFFICER THAT HUNG OUT ALL DAY IN SCHOOL.

AND YOU WOULD THINK THAT THEM BEING THERE, IT WOULD DEVELOP MORE OF A RELATIONSHIP AND A BOND.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT DID NOT.

IT WAS ACTUALLY THE OPPOSITE.

>> THERE IS NO EVIDENCE, SPEAKING AS A RESEARCHER, THAT HAVING POLICE IN SCHOOLS MAKES THEM ANY SAFER.

IN THE 1970'S, THERE WAS A TOTAL OF 100 POLICE OFFICERS STATIONED IN SCHOOLS.

BY THE TURN-OF-THE-CENTURY, THERE WERE 16,000.

WE HAVE A SITUATION IN THIS COUNTRY THAT I THINK IT IS 1.7 MILLION CHILDREN ATTEND SCHOOLS THAT HAVE POLICE OFFICERS IN THEM, BUT NO SCHOOL COUNSELOR.

HOW DO WE HAVE A SITUATION LIKE THAT?

>> AS THE NATION STRUGGLES TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE TRAGEDY COULD HAVE HAPPENED.

>> WE DON'T KNOW YET ALL THE HOUSE OR WISE OF THIS TRAGEDY.

PERHAPS WE MAY NEVER FULLY UNDERSTAND IT.

♪ >> I THINK AFTER THERE HAVE BEEN SOME OF THESE MASS SCHOOL SHOOTINGS, THAT WAS USED AS A WAY TO BRING MORE POLICE INTO SCHOOLS.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT RESTRICTING PEOPLE'S FUNDAMENTAL SECOND AMENDED RIGHTS BECAUSE OF SCHOOL SHOOTINGS.

WHY WOULD WE NOT HAVE POLICING SCHOOL?

YOU CAN'T HAVE KIDS GOING TO SCHOOL AND FEELING UNSAFE.

YOU JUST CAN'T.

>> THERE IS A PERCEPTION FROM A LOT OF FOLKS WHO ARE NOT IN COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN CRIMINALIZED, THAT POLICE KEEP SCHOOLS SAFE.

AND I THINK WHAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO DO IS TO ASK WHAT YOU MEAN BY SAFE AND SAFE FROM WHOM?

>> MAYBE WE NEED MORE POLICING.

MAYBE WE NEED MORE COPS THAT ARE BLACK AND BROWN IN THE SCHOOLS.

I THINK IF YOU HAVE PROPERLY TRAINED POLICE, SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS GO AWAY.

>> I THINK WE HAVE THE PERCEPTION THAT IF A STUDENT IS BEING ARRESTED, IT IS FOR SOMETHING VERY VIOLENT.

FOR A GUN ACTIVITY, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

AND THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

>> PLEASE, GIVE ME A SECOND CHANCE.

>> STUDENTS ARE BEING SUSPENDED FOR SOMETHING CALLED WILLFUL DEFIANCE.

IF A BLACK STUDENT IN AN INNER-CITY SCHOOL IS TALKING BACK TO THE TEACHER, THAT IS WILLFUL DEFIANCE.

THAT CHILD NEEDS TO BE DISCIPLINED.

>> IF WE ARE NOT EATING, THEN WE ARE TIRED, WE ARE FATIGUED.

SO WE ARE SLIPPING IN CLASS AND THESE ARE THINGS THAT WE GET MARKED FOR AS MISCONDUCT -- SLEEPING IN CLASS.

AND BEING DISRESPECTFUL IN THE CLASSROOM.

WHEN THAT HAPPENS, SROS COME IN BECAUSE THE TEACHER CALLS UP THE SRO.

AND NOW WE ARE IN HANDCUFFS BECAUSE WE WERE TIRED.

BECAUSE OUR FAMILY CANNOT PAY FOR FOOD.

>> CAN TAKE A POLICE OFFICER, A PATROL OFFICER FOR X AMOUNT OF YEARS, AND THEN THEY ARE PLACED INTO A SCHOOL SETTING.

HE EXPECTATION SHOULD NE FOR THAT OFFICER TO BE A DISCIPLINARIAN.

EDUCATORS SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO KNOW THAT, ADMINISTRATORS SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO KNOW THAT.

>> DID AN ANALYSIS OF ARRESTED DATA AT SCHOOL SITES OVER A FOUR-YEAR.

.

AND WE FOUND THAT STUDENTS AS YOUNG AS 11 YEARS OLD HAVE BEEN ARRESTED.

AND IN FACT, STUDENTS IN THE AGE GROUP OF 11 TO 13 ACCOUNTED FOR ALMOST A FIFTH OF ALL OF THE STUDENT ARREST.

ONE OTHER THING THAT STOOD OUT IN THAT ARREST DATA IS THAT BLACK STUDENTS ARE VERY OVERREPRESENTED IN STUDENT ARREST.

SO BLACK STUDENTS MAKE UP ABOUT 16% OF THE OVERALL ENROLLMENT IN PRIVATE AND DOUBLE SCHOOLS -- PROVIDENCE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THEY MAKE UP 30% OF ALL OF THE STUDENTS THAT HAVE BEEN ARRESTED.

>> MY NAME IS SIMONE.

>> HI, I'M JULIE.

>> CHANTE GONZALES.

>> MY NAME IS PRECIOUS LOPEZ.

I HAVE THE COEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PROVIDENCE STUDENT UNION.

PROVIDENCE STUDENT UNION IS PART OF THE PAST COALITION, WHICH IS THE PROVIDENCE ALLIANCE FOR STUDENT SAFETY.

>> PASS IS A COALITION THAT CONSISTS OF SIX YOUTH SERVING YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS.

PROVIDENCE STUDENT USING, PRISM, ARISE, RHODE ISLAND URBAN DEBATE LEAGUE, YOUTH IN ACTION AND YOUNG VOICES.

>> PASS IS A COALITION OF PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> OUR HOPE IS TO LOOK AT PROVIDENCE SCHOOLS HOLISTICALLY AND MAKE DECISIONS WHERE STUDENTS ARE CRIMINALIZED BY THE WAY AS THEY ARE FORCED TO LIVE THEIR LIFE.

>> WE ARE FIGHTING TO REMOVE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS, WHICH ARE BASICALLY PROVIDENCE POLICE OFFICERS FROM SCHOOLS.

>> PRODUCED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PROVIDENCE ALLIANCE FOR STUDENT SAFETY, A RESEARCH REPORT ON STUDENT SAFETY AND SCHOOL DISCIPLINE IN THE PROVIDENCE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND THIS REPORT WAS TO INFORM THEIR COUNSELORS.

>> CYCLE IS A CENTER THAT WORKS CLOSELY WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO ADVOCATE AND ORGANIZE FOR THE THINGS THAT THEY WANT TO SEE IN THEIR SCHOOLS.

>> WE HAVE HAD COUNTLESS MEETINGS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

WE RELEASED OUR REPORT IN JUNE, WE SENT IT TO RIDE AND THEN BE SENT IT TO THE GOVERNOR.

WE NEVER HEARD BACK.

>> YOU KNOW, OUR POLICYMAKERS, THEY WILL TELL YOU ONE THING AND THEN THEY WILL WRITE THE BILL WRONG.

>> THE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THE PAST, THEY ARE NOT CALLING FOR MORE TRAINING.

THEY'RE CALLING FOR THEM TO BE REMOVED AND THERE ARE REASONS FOR THAT.

>> ALL THE MONEY BEING ALLOCATED TO SROS COULD BE FUNDED TO MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS.

>> BUT JOHNS HOPKINS REPORT CAME OUT TWO YEARS AGO THAT SAYS PROVIDENCE HAS THE WORST EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY.

YOU NEED TO PUT RESOURCES IN EDUCATION, YOU NEED TO PUT RESOURCES IN TEACHERS AND REPRESENTATION, AND YOU NEED TO PUT RESOURCES IN MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS.

YOU NEED TO HAVE RESTORATIVE AND JUSTICE TRAINING AND SCHOOLS FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AS WELL.

>> I WAS SELECTED TO GO FOR A PREP SCHOOL IN DOWNTOWN SAINT ANDREWS.

HE HAD A GREAT BASKETBALL PROGRAM.

I THOUGHT THIS IS GOING TO BE YOUR TICKET TO GET OUT OF THE STRUGGLES OF THE INNER-CITY LIFE.

SO, I WENT TO ST. ANDREWS AND BECAUSE I HAD A GROUP OF FRIENDS , STAYED AT MOUNT PLEASANT HIGH SCHOOL, THEY BECAME KNOWN THAT TO THE OFFICER AND THAT SAME OFFICER WORKED AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO NOW, THEY HAD A REPUTATION AT SCHOOL THAT THEN ALLOWED THE OFFICERS -- THOSE KIDS, I'M GOING SEE WHAT THEY ARE UP TO.

WE WERE OUTSIDE SHOOTING THE BALL AROUND AND WE SEE COP CARS FLYING FIVE.

ONE COP CAR ENDS UP COMING UP AND GRABBING ONE OF MY FRIENDS AND PUTTING THEM IN A COP CAR.

AND I AM ON MY PORCH TO GO AND GET MY MOTHER.

YOU KNOW, THE COP PULLED ME DOWN THE STAIRS.

HE DECIDED TO CALL ME [INAUDIBLE] IN SOME OF THE OTHER OFFICERS CAME, HELD ME DOWN, BUT ME IN HANDCUFFS.

PROCEEDED TO THE NIEMI AND MY RIBS AND MY FACE AND SHOVE MY FACE INTO THE SIT -- CEMENT.

I COULD HEAR MY MOM ASKING WHY THEY ARE DOING THAT.

AND HE PUT ME IN THE COP CAR, THEN HE TURNED AROUND AND SLAMMED MY MOTHER ON THE COP CAR.

AND ARRESTED HER AS WELL.

YOU KNOW, YOU MAY SEE IT IN THE MOVIE OR YOU MAY HEAR OTHER PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT IT, BUT TO THEM, TO BE LAYING ON THE GROUND WHILE MULTIPLE GROWN MEN ARE ON TOP OF ME, THAT RIGHT THERE WAS A TRAUMATIZING EXPERIENCE.

>> KIDS WHO EXPERIENCE TRAUMA, THEY DON'T RECEIVE THE PROPER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND TRAUMA INFORMED EDUCATION AND CARE.

THEY ARE MORE THAN LIKELY TO END UP IN PRISON.

>> I HAVE STUDENTS WHO END UP INCARCERATED AND IT BREAKS MY HEART, BECAUSE I KNOW THEM.

I KNOW WHAT AMAZING PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE.

AND I KNOW THAT THE MAJORITY OF THEM ARE ENDING UP INCARCERATED BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW OF AN ALTERNATIVE BEHAVIOR.

>> OUR KIDS, TRAUMA FROM HOMELESSNESS, FROM POVERTY, GUN VIOLENCE, FROM SEEING ONE OR MORE FAMILY INCARCERATED.

AND THEN WE BRING THEM INTO OUR SCHOOLS AND WE JUST EXPECT THEM TO FUNCTION AS IF NOTHING HAS HAPPENED.

I THINK IT IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE TRAUMA INFORMED.

AND ALSO, TO UNDERSTAND DEEPLY THE INTERSECTIONALITY OF ALL OF THESE ISSUES.

AND HOW THEY IMPACT TEACHING AND LEARNING.

>> IN PART TWO OF THIS DOCUMENTARY, THE STORY CONTINUES TO LOOK AT EFFORTS TO BRING CHANGE, WITH RESPECT TO POLICE AND SCHOOLS, WE REACHED OUT TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS FOR,.

THEY RESPONDED SAYING IN PART JUVENILE ARRESTS NATIONWIDE DECREASED BETWEEN 1994 AND 2018.

A.

WHEN IMPLEMENTATION OF SRO PROGRAMS INCREASED NATIONWIDE.

THE NATIONAL POLICE FOUNDATIONS AVERTED SCHOOL VIOLENCE DATABASE CONTAINS MANY REPORTS OF SROS PREVENTING ON-CAMPUS VIOLENCE.

OFTEN, THANKS TO INFORMATION GAINED THROUGH POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS.

THESE OFFICERS BUT WITH STUDENTS.

NOW WE RETURN TO THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE OP-DOC.

>> IT'S SO EASY FOR US TO PUNISH, TO REMOVE A KID FROM A HOME, TO REMOVE THEM OUT OF THE CLASSROOM, HANDCUFF THEM AND SEND THEM AWAY TO FAMILY COURT.

>> HERE IN CENTRAL FALLS, THE JUVENILE BOARD HAS BEEN A GREAT RESOURCE.

AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT JESSICA VEGA HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE AND HEADING IT UP.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF CRIME -- LETTER PRIDE IN CENTRAL FALLS.

PEOPLE ARE PROUD TO BE HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY MATTERS.

>> THE JUVENILE HEARING BOARD IS AN INNOVATIVE MODEL FOR GIVING COMMUNITY PREVENTION WORK.

IN ONE OF THE IDEAS OF THAT IS WHAT PREVENT SKIDS FROM EVER EVEN HAVING TO SEE A JUDGE -- WHAT PREVENTS KIDS FROM EVER HAVING TO SEE A JUDGE AND PREVENT THEM FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>> WHEN THE OFFICER COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE JUVENILE WHO HAS CREATED -- COMMITTED AN OFFENSE.

THEY TURNED THAT OVER TO THE JUVENILE HEARING BOARD.

>> A HEARING BOARD CONSISTS OF THE ARRESTING OFFICER OR EXECUTIVE, BUT ALSO COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

AND THEY LOOK AT A COPY OF THE PLEA SUPPORT AND SAY WE SEE LITTLE JOHNNY, THESE ARE THE FACTS OF THE CASE.

BUT IN ADDITION TO DOING SO, WE HAVE A PROFILE.

THIS IS WHO THIS KID IS.

SO WE FIND THE POSITIVE ABOUT THAT KID AS WELL.

BECAUSE SOMETIMES, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME A CAPE MAY HAVE HEARD THESE ARE HIS STRENGTHS.

-- THE FIRST TIME A KATE MAY HAVE HEARD THESE ARE HIS TRANCE.

>> THEY DO A WRAPAROUND AND RESTORATIVE APPROACH.

>> HOPEFULLY, IT ENDS HERE.

>> IN ADDITION TO GIVING KIDS A SANCTION, WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE KIDS AND SAY OK, WE FOUND OUT THAT YOU STOLE YOUR TEACHERS PURSE.

BUT YOU ALSO LIKE ANIMALS, SO HOW ABOUT YOU WORK AT THE ANIMAL SHELTER DOING SOME VOLUNTEER HOURS?

>> THE MORE STUDENTS WHO CAN GO TO THE JUVENILE HEARING BOARD, THE BETTER.

>> I BELIEVE WE HAVE JUVENILE HEARING BOARDS IN 30 OF THE 39 COUNTIES IN RHODE ISLAND.

>> IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS OF THE GHB IN FALLS, WE HAD FOR ARREST.

THE REST HAVE STAYED OUT OF TROUBLE, WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

PEOPLE THINK WHEN A YOUNG PERSON GETS ARRESTED, THAT IS WHERE THE STORY ENDS.

IT DOES NOT.

>> TODAY WE ARE AT THE RHODE ISLAND TRAINING SCHOOL, WHERE WE HAVE OUR YOUTH WHO HAVE BEEN ADJUDICATED OR DETAINED YOUTH.

WE HOUSE MALES TO FEMALES NATIONALS AND FEMALES 18 AND UNDER.

WE KNOW THAT THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS PRIMARILY KIDS OF COLOR.

BECAUSE THE SYSTEM UNFORTUNATELY WAS SKEWED AGAINST THEM.

WHETHER IT IS THE BASIS POLICIES THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED OVER THE PAST 400 YEARS, IT IS NOT RIGHT, WHICH LEADS KIDS INTO THE SYSTEM.

>> THE MISSION IS TO ENSURE THAT KIDS RECEIVE APPROPRIATE LEVEL SERVICES WHILE THEY ARE HERE.

WE ARE THE STATES ONLY SECURE COMMITMENT FACILITY FOR YOUTH, MALE OR FEMALE.

WHILE THE CASE HERE, WE MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET PROGRAMMING NEEDS.

WE HAVE A REGIMENTED DAY FOR THE KIDS.

WE HAVE THEM ATTEND SCHOOL ALL DAY.

YOU HAVE REAL TEACHERS, THE PRINCIPAL, EVERYBODY HAS SPORTS.

WHEN SCHOOL IS FINISHED, THEY DO EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

WE HAVE A GARDEN WHERE WE GROW FRUITS AND VEGETABLES THAT WE ALSO HAVE ANIMALS, WHICH IS THERAPEUTIC FOR THE YOUTH.

SOME OF THE KIDS, IT IS THEIR FIRST TIME EVER SEEING ANY TYPE O ANIMAL.

BESIDES SEEING IT ON TV OR INSTAGRAM, THE KIDS WHO ARE HERE, THEY ARE JUST KIDS WHO THE COURT DEEMED NECESSARY TO BE HERE.

THESE ARE NOT JUST KIDS, THESE ARE RHODE ISLAND KIDS.

>> THE STATISTICS SHOW ONCE YOU ARE INTRODUCED TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AS A JUVENILE, THE LIKELIHOOD OF YOU BEING INTRODUCED TO THE ADULT JUSTICE SYSTEM IS GREAT.

>> IT WAS LIKE MY DREAMS WERE GONE.

EVEN THOUGH MY LIFE WAS JUST GETTING STARTED, BECAUSE I WAS ONLY 18, 19 YEARS OLD, TO BE, MY LIFE HAD JUST ENDED.

SO, MY ACTIONS DEFINITELY BECAME VERY DISRUPTIVE.

MY MOM, SHE WAS GOING THROUGH FORECLOSURE AND A DIVORCE.

I THOUGHT I WOULD SELL DRUGS AND HELP MY MOM FINANCIALLY AND TRY TO SAVE OUR HOME AND WHATNOT.

THEY SAY IT WAS INDIVIDUAL CHOICE AND WHAT I SAY TO THAT AS YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

LET ME GIVE IT A VOICE.

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF AMERICA NEVER HAPPENED.

BLACK CODES, JIM CROW, THREE STRIKES AND YOU'RE OUT.

THAT WATERTOWN CURRICULUM YOU GAVE ME IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WAS NOT MY CHOICE.

THAT'S THAT WATERED-DOWN CURRICULUM WAS NOT MY CHOICE.

>> IN RHODE ISLAND, WE HAVE THE SECOND HIGHEST COST PER INMATE IN THE NATION.

EVERY YEAR, WE SPENT CLOSE TO $300 MILLION ON INCARCERATION.

IN RHODE ISLAND.

SO ONCE YOU HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED, YOUR CHANCES OF BEING INCARCERATED ARE ALSO VERY HIGH.

BUT EVEN IF YOU DON'T, YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING A DECENT PAYING JOB ARE PRETTY LOW.

YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING THAT HOUSING ARE LOW AND YOU END UP IN AN INSECURE SITUATION, OFTENTIMES FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

>> I FEEL LIKE WE THROW PEOPLE AWAY BECAUSE WE TAKE AWAY ALL OF THESE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEEDED, THE FUNDAMENTAL RESOURCES THAT THEY NEEDED TO SURVIVE.

>> RECIDIVISM RATES ARE HIGH.

IT IS VERY DIFFICULT ONCE SOMEBODY IS INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND SERVING TIME TO CHANGE THEIR BEHAVIORS TO SUCH A WAY THAT THEY ARE GOING TO LIVE A PRODUCTIVE LIFE.

>> WELCOME TO THE FIRST CLASS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

>> ATTEND THIS PROGRAM IS A PROGRAM THAT HELPS CURRENTLY AND FORMERLY INCARCERATED PROGRAM FINISHED A FULL SECONDARY EDUCATION THEY STARTED BEHIND PRISON WALLS ONCE THEY ARE RELEASED.

>> I GET A GOOD JOB, I'VE GOTTA GET THAT.

I'M STARTING TO UNDERSTAND THAT I'VE BEEN HOME 12 YEARS NOW.

I STILL GET ANXIETY IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS >> I ALWAYS SAY WHAT IS HAPPENING INSIDE THESE BLOCKS AND CELLBLOCKS, LEARNING IS HAPPENING ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

AND SOME OF IT IS NOT POSITIVE.

SO THE BEST THING THAT WE CAN DO IS FEED INFORMATION THERE AND THEN LET LEARNING HAPPEN ORGANICALLY.

>> FIRST, YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE TRAUMA THAT THIS KID HAD.

BEFORE YOU CAN EVEN GET TO THE STORY OF WHY HE'S HERE.

>> WHILE I WAS INCARCERATED, JAMES MONTERO CAME AND SPOKE AND HE INSPIRED ME TO EVEN REALIZE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING AFTER PRISON.

>> WE WENT BACK TO A DRACONIAN METHOD OF GET TOUGH ON CRIME.

WHEN WE KNOW THAT DOES NOT WORK.

IT IS PROVEN, THAT DOES NOT WORK.

AND WE PAINTED A PICTURE OF PEOPLE AS MONSTERS AND JUST CRIMINALS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I TRY TO GET MY STUDENTS TO SEE IS THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO LIVE THOSE LIVES.

WE ARE FROM DUTCH FORMERLY INCARCERATED.

WE ARE RETURNING CITIZENS.

>> UPON BEING RELEASED, HE IS ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE THAT I WENT TO LOOK FOR.

THAT IS WHEN HE GOT ME CONNECTED WITH THE AVIS HOUSE AND THEY HAD A 16 WEEK CARPENTRY MAINTENANCE PROGRAM.

I GRADUATED AT THE TOP OF THE CLASS.

IT WAS LIKE -- IT WAS BETTER THAN GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL.

I HAD MY NEPHEWS PRESENT AND MY GOD SONS PRESENT.

AND MY MOTHER WAS THERE.

THEM SEEING ME FROM A PRISON UNIFORM AND A CABIN DOWN -- A CAP AND COUNT, IT WAS MY PROUDEST MOMENT.

I WORKED FOR THE AVIS HOUSE FOR THREE YEARS.

I WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE A MULTI FAMILY HOME.

AT THREE YEARS, I OPENED THAT LEGACY HOME-IMPROVEMENT WITH INTENTIONS OF BUILDING A LEGACY FOR MY FAMILY.

>> FAMILY IS IMPORTANT TO YOU.

>> FAMILY IS NUMBER ONE.

THEY BELIEVED IN ME.

EVEN AT TIMES WHEN I DID NOT BELIEVE IN MYSELF, THEY BELIEVED IN ME.

AND I WILL NOT LET THEM DOWN FOR THAT.

♪ >> WE NEED AN UPFRONT COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES.

TO BREAK THIS CYCLE.

EVERYBODY KNOWS, BUT NOBODY IS GOING TO DO IT.

>> I THINK IT WILL ME TALK ABOUT SOLUTIONS FOR THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SOLUTIONS FOR COMMUNITIES AND SOCIETY.

WE ALSO NEED TO BE TALKING ABOUT THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY IT IN THE PAST AND HOW WE CAN CHANGE THAT FOR THEM NOW.

>> WE SHOULD TAKE A PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH OF LOOKING AT IT.

ALPHA PROVISION.

WHY NOT INVEST IN THE KIDS EARLIER?

>> WHAT IF WE COULD EDUCATE CHILDREN IN A COMPASSIONATE WAY?

WHAT IF WE COULD LIFT KIDS UP?

WE WOULD NOT EVEN NEED TO INVEST IN THE PRISON COMPLEX.

>> AND MY THING IS, YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR IT EITHER WAY.

YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR IT ON THE FRONT END OR YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR IT ON THE BACK AND.

>> THE CORE OF A MOVEMENT HAS TO BE PEOPLE WHO ARE MOST IMPACTED, COMMUNITY'S OF COLORS HAVE TO BUILD THE POWER TO CREATE CHANGE.

BUT THE REALITY IS THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET THAT FULL CHANGE UNLESS WE CAN ALSO CREATE ALLIANCES AND WIN OVER SUPPORT FROM THE LARGER MAJORITY OF THE AMERICAN POPULATION.

>> IS ABOUT ALL OF OUR CHILDREN, AND I THINK UNTIL ALL OF US SEE CHILDREN AS OUR CHILDREN, OUR CHILDREN, AND WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEM, UNTIL WE SEE THAT, THEN THE STATUS QUO REMAINS AND WE HAVE GOT TO DISMANTLE THAT.

>> WE HAVE NOT STOPPED DOING THE WORK.

WE WILL NOT STOP DOING THE WORK UNTIL CHANGE IS MADE.

PAMELA: AND THAT IS A BROADCAST FOR THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM PAMELA WATTS.

MICHELLE: I AM MICHELLE SAN MIGUEL.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH ANOTHER ADDITION OF RHODE ISLAND YES WEEKLY.

-- RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

♪