Penn GSE supports Youth United Against Incarceration Symposium

Felix Rosado, the program coordinator for Healing Futures with the Youth Art & Self-empowerment Project (YASP) and an adjunct professor at Chestnut Hill College, gives the keynote at the Youth United Against Incarceration Sympsoium at Penn GSE Friday, Feb. 16.

Last week, Penn GSE played host to the Youth United Against Incarceration Symposium. The event, organized in collaboration with the Workshop School’s annual Mass Incarceration Project, marked a significant effort to engage high school students citywide in discussions surrounding the root causes of mass incarceration and strategies to combat injustice within the criminal justice system.

The West Philadelphia high school’s Mass Incarceration Project is a three-month curriculum organized and led by sophomores. The students delve into the history, statistics, and personal narratives behind mass incarceration. The culmination of their efforts is this city-wide symposium aimed at sharing their newfound knowledge and insights with peers.

Co-sponsored for the first time by Penn GSE’s Office of School and Community Engagement (OSCE) and HEARD (Hub for Equity, Anti-Oppression, Research, and Development), the symposium attracted nearly 175 students from local schools, including the Workshop high school, the Constitution high school, the Science Leadership Academy Middle School, and Roxborough high school. The morning was filled with a series of illuminating presentations and interactive activities designed to empower attendees and foster meaningful dialogue.

The Symposium was kicked off with a keynote from Felix Rosado, the program coordinator for Healing Futures with the Youth Art & Self-empowerment Project (YASP) and an adjunct professor at Chestnut Hill College. Rosado shared that he was sentenced to death by incarceration until his sentence was commuted by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf. He was released 18 months ago. Rosado devoted much of his time to answering questions from the students about his experiences, including his transition and work post-incarceration.

Additional highlights of the symposium included workshops such as:

• Pardon Me with DoMoore Films: A screening of a short documentary offering insights into individuals navigating the pardon process post-conviction.
• Know Your Rights with The Education Law Center: Students received valuable information about their rights in school, particularly concerning disciplinary procedures.
• Fight the School to Prison Pipeline with The Advancement Project: Attendees learned about the workings of the school-to-prison pipeline and explored strategies for advocating for reinvestment in educational communities.
• Know Your Systems with The Philadelphia Defenders: A comprehensive overview of the juvenile justice system, guiding students on how to advocate for themselves throughout the legal process.
• Support Behind the Walls with The Human Rights Coalition and the Coalition to Abolish Death by Incarceration: Participants discovered ways to advocate for the rights and dignity of incarcerated individuals, with an opportunity to pen letters to loved ones or legislators.
• The Truth About Prison Labor with Eastern State Penitentiary: An exploration of the origins and impact of prison labor, accompanied by discussions on fostering positive change.

The symposium provided a platform for young people to deepen their understanding of mass incarceration and inspire action within their communities. By equipping students with knowledge and advocacy skills, organizers hope to nurture a generation committed to dismantling systems of injustice.