Abstract
In this commentary, we explore the opportunities and challenges of community building within our own higher education in prison program. Since 2015, the program fostered a community grounded in feminist pedagogy, emphasizing interconnectedness and decentralization of power. However, our 2024 evaluation revealed that new students often feel excluded and marginalized, highlighting the aspirational nature of the community. With this in mind, we examine how incarcerated individuals become members of a learning community and the unique struggles they face. We also discuss the importance of creating classroom communities that support students' sense of belonging, particularly in carceral settings, while also reflecting on the emotional labor involved in creating inclusive community and fostering integration
Recommended Citation
Petrovic, Jelena; Bickel, Jacob; Cantero, Jonathan; Estrada, Romano; Thrower, Malcolm J.; and White, Gregory
(2025)
"A Drop in the Ocean: A Critical Look at Belonging and Community in Carceral Setting,"
Feminist Pedagogy: Vol. 6:
Iss.
1, Article 14.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/feministpedagogy/vol6/iss1/14
Included in
Other Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons, Prison Education and Reentry Commons