Males in
Prison
Teacher:
Ms. Wilson
Email:
awilson18@schools.nyc.gov
English
11 – Bread and Roses High School for Integrated Arts
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INTRODUCTION
Are any of
the males in your family in prison? Did you know that currently in the United
States there are more African American males in prison than there are in
college? For many years, men of color have suffered many injustices in the
legal system due to racial profiling. In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Tom
Robinson is falsely accused of rape primarily because of his race. He is sent
to prison by an all white jury for this crime although it is clear to most that
he is innocent. At the end of the novel, he attempts escape and is murdered
while doing so. Although Harper Lee’s novel is fictional, it is largely based
on the real trial of the Scottsboro Boys and although written decades ago,
still highlights a major social issue that many families of color in our
community still face today.
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Task
In this WebQuest,
you will research the number of African American males in prison in comparison
to other ethnic groups or races. Based on your findings, you will deliver a
presentation in groups of 3 to the class in which you identify 3 possible
reasons why this gap exists and suggest 4 possible solutions. Then, you will select the best solution based
on their potential feasibility and effectiveness. You must cite the sources of
your information and explain the reasoning behind your suggested solutions
thoroughly.
Questions to consider:
·
How
did this problem begin?
·
Can
anything be done to lower this number?
·
Are
there any policies currently in place to address this issue?
·
Does
this issue affect you currently?
·
Do
you think this issue will ever completely go away?
PROCEES
In order to
conduct your research and create your presentation, you must follow the Public
Policy Analyst steps for looking at this problem. Initially, you will work
individually on steps 1-4 to collect your data. At step 5, your teacher will
place you in groups of 3, to develop and select the best solution, develop your
script and plan your presentation.
On your own:
1.
Define the Problem- How does the incarceration rate of
African American males compare to that of other ethnicities in the Unites
States?
2.
Gather the Evidence – Find specific statistical data that
highlights your problem
3.
Identify the causes- What are the reasons/ causes of this
problem? What is the root of this issue?
4.
Evaluate an Existing Policy- Research an existing policy and
clearly state whether it is helping to address the problem or ineffective
5.
Develop Solutions- In order to develop a public policy
solution for your social problem, it is helpful to
consider multiple alternatives.
6.
Select the Best Solution (Feasibility
vs. Effectiveness)-
In Step 5 you listed three alternative policies and you made an initial
selection of your preferred policy. Two criteria that will assist in
determining the best policy are feasibility and effectiveness.
RESOURCES
General search engines:
2.
www.bing.com
Websites:
2. The
American Prison Nightmare
3. Plight Deepens for Black Men, Studies Warn
4. Mass
Imprisonment and the Life Course: Race and Class Incarceration in U.S.
Imprisonment
5. Uneven Justice: State Rates of Incarceration By
Race and Ethnicity
6. Race
and Incarceration in the United States
7. Changing Direction?: State Sentencing Reforms
2004-2006
9. 1 in 100 U.S. Adults Behind Bars, New Study Says
10. Black Incarceration Rates
Remain High, But Prison Population Drops Overall
Evaluation: Your group presentation/ Video will be
evaluated using the following rubric.
Conclusion: This WebQuest will allow you and your
classmates to reflect on the current prison system and the racism that exists
within it. As a result of this project,
you will have the opportunity to share the information you learned and express
your opinions with your classmates about how to improve public policies that
affect this problem in our society. This is the goal of your presentation.
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STANDARDS
Comprehension and Collaboration
Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas
Comprehension and Collaboration