Resource officers part of school-to-prison pipeline
As a high school student in San Rafael, I want to raise awareness about concerns that children of color are being “funneled” from schools into the criminal justice system. Many believe this has been facilitated by the presence of campus-based school resource officers (SROs).
Unfortunately, while the role was created by schools with good intentions, there are concerns that SROs are responsible for initiating the school-toprison pipeline. Students arrested by SROs are sent to the school district superintendent, the school principal or the police department to await punishment. They are more likely to end up in the juvenile justice system.
Teens in the system can be exposed to dehumanizing situations. The environment often drives youth offenders into deeper isolation. Many serving time in prison today can trace back to those interactions.
One way to break the cycle is to seek alternative punishments. They should address student crimes through principles and practices of accountability and healing. They include positive behavior intervention and support, social-emotional learning, counseling, health education and peer programs.
The Novato Unified School District reminds staff to be mindful when speaking to students about their behavior and asks that they replace accusatory language with supportive or helpful language. White Hill Middle School in Fairfax took similar steps through its student-led restorative justice organization promoting reflective practices designed to improve learning environments. Restorative justice practices are crucial because they allow students to understand the impacts of their actions while keeping out of the criminal justice system.
It is also important to address the root causes of student misbehavior, including adverse childhood experiences and societal issues, such as food insecurity and difficult family dynamics. By addressing the school-to-prison pipeline at its source, our society can work toward a more equitable and rehabilitative justice system for all students.
— Riya Aghi, San Francisco