“The problem of privatization and the prison-industrial complex.” Teach-In by Rita Shah 12/10/11 at 12pm

Dr. Rita Shah is a criminologist with research interests on the relationship between parole and post-release supervision and the reentry process of former prisoners. Specifically, she focuses on understanding whether and how a state-imposed reentry program helps or hinders those under its jurisdiction. She also studies how rehabilitation is interpreted by different penal regimes. Dr. Shah received her Ph.D. from the University of California, Irvine in 2011. Currently, she is a fellow with the University of Denver Institute for Digital Humanities through which she and her co-principal investigators are developing a digital archive designed to foster a conversation between prisoners, former prisoners, scholars, activists, students and members of the general public. As an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Elizabethtown College, she teaches classes in the Criminal Justice major that focuses on critically examining the ways in which the criminal justice and legal systems are embedded within and influenced by society. Her current research project uses photographic and ethnographic data to explore the relationships between location, mobility, and communal dynamics as they shape the practices of parole. Dr. Shah is also an avid photographer and Lindy Hopper.

Her teach-in for “Occupy Your Brain” is entitled The problem of privatization and the prison-industrial complex. This teach-in will be a 30-45 minute talk on the many ways private industries have profited from and, in some cases, limited reform of the prison system followed by a Q&A session and discussion that can last as long as people are willing to continue to chat.

Join us at the Midtown Scholar Bookstore at: 1302 North Third Street in  Harrisburg, PA on December 10th at 12pm!