Stories from Black Men on the School-to-Prison Pipeline: A Critical Race Theory, Phenomenological Inquiry
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Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of black men who are on the metaphorical school-to-prison pipeline as a direct result of exclusionary discipline in their secondary school. Using the theoretical framework of critical race theory and the analytical framework of phenomenology, this study attempts to answer the following research questions: What is the lived experience of Black males who are in the gap between expulsion and incarceration? How does the relationship between Black males and the adults they encounter in their education (e.g. parents, teachers, administrators, and police) shape their perception of their lived experiences? What do Black males on the school-to-prison pipeline believe caused their path from desk to cell? What are the future hopes and dreams of Black males who are in the time between expulsion and adjudication?
The phenomenon of the school-to-prison pipeline was explored through the lens of five black men, ages 18-19. Each participant was interviewed three times following a semi-structured protocol; the interviews were recorded and transcribed. Meaning units were derived from the men’s stories and then compiled into themes. The themes presented themselves as dualities—contrasts with which the men experienced and navigated the school system, the criminal justice system, and their communities. The study concludes with concrete recommendations for the institutions (i.e. schools, courts, and society) and the individuals (i.e. teachers, administrators, district personnel, police, lawyers, judges, and community members) who make up the systems.